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diff --git a/24780.txt b/24780.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..df8f4b0 --- /dev/null +++ b/24780.txt @@ -0,0 +1,26654 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Letters of Queen Victoria, Vol 2 (of +3), 1844-1853, 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, Vol 2 (of 3), 1844-1853 + A Selection from her Majesty's correspondence between the + years 1837 and 1861 + +Author: Queen Victoria + +Editor: Arthur Christopher Benson + (Viscount) Esher + +Release Date: March 8, 2008 [EBook #24780] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK LETTERS--QUEEN VICTORIA, 1844-1853 *** + + + + +Produced by Paul Murray, Lesley Halamek and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net + + + + + + +[Illustration: H.M. QUEEN VICTORIA, 1843 +From the picture by F. Winterhalter at Windsor Castle +_Frontispiece, Vol. II._] + + + + + 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. II.--1844-1853 + + 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_. + + + + +TABLE OF CONTENTS + + + CHAPTER XIII + + 1844 PAGES + + Duc de Bordeaux--Hanoverian Orders--Domestic happiness--Death + of the Duke of Coburg--Lord Melbourne on old age--Recall + of Lord Ellenborough--Uncle and niece--Lord Ellenborough's + honours--Prince de Joinville's _brochure_--The Emperor + Nicholas--A great review--At the Opera--The Emperor's + character--The Emperor and Belgium--Crisis in Parliament--The + King of Saxony--Lord Ellenborough and India--England, + France, and Russia--France and Tahiti--King Louis Philippe + expected--Arrangements for the visit--Queen Louise's + solicitude--Arrival of King Louis Philippe--A successful + visit--The King's departure--Opening of the Royal + Exchange--Gift to the Prince of Wales--Education in India 1-29 + + + CHAPTER XIV + + 1845 + + The Spanish marriages--Position of the Prince--Title of King + Consort--Purchase of Osborne--Maynooth grant--Religious + bigotry--Public executions--Birthday letter--Princess + Charlotte--Vacant Deanery--Wine from Australia--King of + Holland--Projected visit to Germany--Question of Lords + Justices--Visit to the Chateau d'Eu--Spanish marriages--The + Prince criticised--Governor-Generalship of Canada--Corn + Laws--Cabinet dissensions--Interview with Sir Robert + Peel--Lord John Russell suggested--Attitude of Lord + Melbourne--The Queen's embarrassment--Attitude of Sir Robert + Peel--Lord Stanley resigns--The Commandership-in-Chief--Duke + of Wellington-- King Louis Philippe--Anxiety for the + future--Insuperable difficulties--Lord Grey and Lord + Palmerston--Lord John Russell fails--Chivalry of Sir Robert + Peel--He resumes office--Cordial support--The Queen's + estimate of Sir Robert Peel--Lord Stanley--The Prince's + Memorandum--Comprehensive scheme--The unemployed--Lord + Palmerston's justification--France and the Syrian War--Letter + to King Louis Philippe--Ministry reinstated 30-70 + + + CHAPTER XV + + 1846 + + Sir Robert Peel's speech--Extension of Indian Empire--Bravery + of English troops--Death of Sir Robert Sale--Memorandum by + the Prince--Celebration of victory--Letter from King Louis + Philippe--Irish Crimes Bill--Attack on Sir Robert Peel--His + resignation--Intrigues--End of Oregon dispute--Sir Robert + Peel's tribute to Cobden--New Government--Cobden and the + Whigs--Parting with the Ministers--Whig jealousies--A + weak Ministry--Anxieties--French Royal Family--Spanish + marriages--Portugal--Prerogative of dissolution--Views of Lord + Melbourne--The Prince and Sir Robert Peel--Proposed visit + to Ireland--Government of Canada--Wellington statue--Lord + Palmerston and Spain--Instructions to Mr Bulwer--Don + Enrique--Sudden decision--Double engagement--The Queen's + indignation--Letter to the Queen of the French--View of + English Government--Letter to King Leopold--Baron Stockmar's + opinion--Letter to Queen Louise--Lord Palmerston and + the French--Princess of Prussia--England and the Three + Powers--Interruption of _entente cordiale_--Spanish + marriages--Peninsular medal--Duke of Wellington's + view--England and Portugal--The Queen's decision on Peninsular + medal--Cracow 71-114 + + + CHAPTER XVI + + 1847 + + England and Portugal--Peaceable policy advised--Spain and + Portugal--Sir Hamilton Seymour--Septennial Act--Church + preferments--Jenny Lind--Wellington statue--Prosperity in + India--General election--Earldom of Strafford--Mission to the + Vatican--Portugal--Crisis in the City--Lord-Lieutenancy of + Ireland--Mr Cobden--Foreign policy--Queen of Spain--Queen + of Portugal--Hampden controversy--Lord Palmerston's + despatches--Civil war in Switzerland--Letter from King of + Prussia--The Queen's reply--The Bishops and Dr Hampden 115-140 + + + CHAPTER XVII + + 1848 + + Death of Madame Adelaide--Grief of Queen Louise--The + Queen's sympathy--England and the Porte--Improvements + at Claremont--Revolution in France--Flight of the Royal + Family--Letter from King of Prussia--Anarchy in Paris--Queen + Louise's anxiety--Revolution foreseen--England's + hospitality--New French Government--British Consul's + plan--Escape of the King and Queen--Graphic narrative--Plan + successful--Arrival in England--Reception at Claremont--Letter + of gratitude--Flight of Guizot--Royal fugitives--Orleanist + blunders--Letter to Lord Melbourne--The Czar on the + situation--State of Germany--Chartist demonstration--Prince + Albert and the unemployed--Chartist fiasco--Alarming state of + Ireland--Conduct of the Belgians--Events in France--Anxiety + in Germany--Italy--Spain--The French Royal Family--Affairs + in Lombardy--Sir Henry Bulwer--Lord Palmerston's + justification--Instructions to Sir H. Seymour--Lord + Palmerston's drafts--England and Italy--Lord Minto's + mission--Duchesse de Nemours--Commissions in the + Army--Northern Italy--Irish rebellion--Minor German states--An + ambassador to France--The Queen's displeasure--Opening the + Queen's letters--Lord Palmerston and Italy--Austria declines + mediation--Austria and Italy--In the Highlands--The Queen + and Lord Palmerston--Affairs in the Punjab--Hostility of + the Sikhs--Greece--State of Germany--Letter of the Prince + of Leiningen--Sir Harry Smith at the Cape--Governorship of + Gibraltar--Mediation in Italy--Death of Lord Melbourne--The + Orleans family--Letter from the Pope--The French + President--Relations with France--England slighted 141-207 + + + CHAPTER XVIII + + 1849 + + Letter to the Pope--Letter from President of French + Republic--Lord Palmerston and Naples--The army in India--State + of the Continent--France and the President--Gaelic and + Welsh--Lord Gough superseded--End of the Sikh War--Courage + of Mrs G. Lawrence--Letter from King of Sardinia--Novara--The + Queen fired at by Hamilton--Annexation of the Punjab--Drafts + and despatches--Schleswig-Holstein Question--Proposed visit + to Ireland--Irish title for the young Prince--Cork and + Waterford--The Irish visit--Enthusiasm in Ireland--Brevet + promotions--New Coal Exchange--Critical position of + Germany--Death of Queen Adelaide 208-230 + + + CHAPTER XIX + + 1850 + + Grand Duchess Stephanie--The Draft to Greece--Lord + Palmerston's explanation--Lord John Russell's plan--Suggested + rearrangement--_Status quo_ maintained--Baron Stockmar's + Memorandum--State of France--The Prince's speech--Lord + Palmerston and Spain--Lord Howden--The Koh-i-noor diamond--A + change imminent--Lord John Russell's report--Sunday delivery + of letters--Prince George of Cambridge--The Earldom + of Tipperary--Mr Roebuck's motion--Lord Stanley's + motion--Holstein and Germany--Lord Palmerston's + explanation--The Protocol--Christening of Prince Arthur--Don + Pacifico Debate--Sir Robert Peel's accident--Letter from King + of Denmark--Death of Sir Robert Peel--The Queen assaulted + by Pate--Death of Duke of Cambridge--Prince of Prussia--The + Foreign Office--Denmark and Schleswig--Sir Charles Napier's + resignation--Lord Palmerston--Lord Clarendon's opinion--Duke + of Bedford's opinion--Lord John Russell's report--Press + attacks on Lord Palmerston--Duties of Foreign Secretary--Death + of King Louis Philippe--Visit to Scotland--Illness of Queen + Louise--Attack on General Haynau--Note to Baron Koller--The + Draft gone--Lord Palmerston rebuked--Holstein--A great + grief--Mr Tennyson made Poet Laureate--Ritualists and + Roman Catholics--Unrest in Europe--England and + Germany--Constitutionalism in Germany--Austria and + Prussia--Religious strife--England and Rome--Lady Peel--The + Papal aggression--Ecclesiastical Titles Bill 231-282 + + + CHAPTER XX + + 1851 + + Life Peerages--Diplomatic arrangements--Peril of the + Ministry--Negotiations with Sir J. Graham--Defeat of the + Government--Ministerial crisis--The Premier's + statement--Lord Lansdowne consulted--Lord Stanley sent + for--Complications--Fiscal policy--Sir James Graham--Duke + of Wellington--Difficulties--Lord Aberdeen consulted--Lord + Stanley to be sent for--His letter--Lord Stanley's + difficulties--Mr Disraeli--Question of dissolution-- + Explanations--Lord Stanley resigns--His reasons--The Papal + Bill--Duke of Wellington--Appeal to Lord Lansdowne--Still + without a Government--Lord Lansdowne's views--Further + difficulties--Coalition impossible--Income Tax--Free Trade + --Ecclesiastical Titles Bill--Confusion of Parties--New + National Gallery--The great Exhibition--Imposing + ceremony--The Prince's triumph--Enthusiasm in the City--Danish + succession--The Orleans Princes--Regret at leaving + Scotland--Extension of the Franchise--Louis Kossuth--Lord + Palmerston's intentions--A dispute--Lord Palmerston + defiant--He gives way--The Queen's anxiety--Lord Palmerston's + conduct--The Queen's comment--Death of King of Hanover--The + Suffrage--The _Coup d'Etat_--Louis Bonaparte--Excitement + in France--Lord Palmerston and Lord Normanby--State of + Paris--Lord Palmerston's approval--Birthday wishes--The + crisis--Dismissal of Lord Palmerston--Inconsistency of + Lord Palmerston--The Prince's Memorandum--Lord + Clarendon--Discussion on new arrangements--Count Walewski + informed--Lord Granville's appointment--The Queen's view of + foreign affairs--Our policy reviewed--Difficulty of fixed + principles--Prince Nicholas of Nassau--_Te Deum_ at Paris + 283-355 + + + CHAPTER XXI + + 1852 + + Denmark--Possible fusion of parties--Orleans family--Draft of + the Speech--Women and politics--New Houses of Parliament--Lord + Palmerston's discomfiture--M. Thiers--The Prince and the + Army--Pressure of business--Defeat on Militia Bill--Interview + with Lord John Russell--Resignation of the Ministry--The Queen + sends for Lord Derby--Lord Derby and Lord Palmerston--New + appointments--New Foreign Secretary--Interview with + Lord Derby--Louis Napoleon--Audiences--Ladies of the + Household--Lord Derby and the Church--Adherence to + treaties--The Sovereign "People"--New Militia Bill--England + and Austria--Letter from Mr Disraeli--"Necessary" + measures--Question of dissolution--Lord Derby + hopeful--Progress of democracy--England and Italy--Militia + Bill carried--France and the Bourbons--Louis Napoleon's + position--Excitement at Stockport--The Queen inherits + a fortune--Death of Duke of Wellington--Military + appointments--Nation in mourning--Funeral + arrangements--Anecdote of Napoleon III.--England and the + Emperor--National defences--Financial arrangements--Lord + Dalhousie's tribute--Funeral ceremony--Confusion of + parties--Lord Palmerston's position--Mr Disraeli and Mr + Gladstone--Recognition of the Empire--Budget speech--Letter to + the French Emperor--Secret protocol--Difficult situation--The + Queen's unwillingness to decide--Injunctions to + Lord Derby--Defeat of the Government--Lord Derby's + resignation--Lord Aberdeen sent for--His interview with + the Queen--Lord Aberdeen in office--Lord John Russell's + hesitation--Letter from Mr. Disraeli--The Queen's + anxiety--Christmas presents--Lord Derby's intentions--New + Government--Mr Gladstone at the Exchequer--The Emperor's + annoyance--Appointments--Protracted crisis--The Cabinet--Lord + Derby takes leave--Letter from Lady Derby--Change of + seals--Peace restored--A strong Cabinet 356-430 + + + CHAPTER XXII + + 1853 + + The Emperor's annoyance--Headmastership of Eton--Marriage of + Emperor of the French--Mademoiselle Eugenie de Montijo--Baron + Beyens on the situation--Emperor of Russia and the Turkish + Empire--Lord John Russell and leadership of House of + Commons--Count Buol and refugees--Kossuth and Mazzini + proclamations--Want of arms for the Militia--Russian fleet at + Constantinople--French irritation--Russia's demands--Russia + and England--Liberation of the Madiai--Letter from Emperor + of Russia--Birth of Prince Leopold--Mr Gladstone's budget + speech--Congratulations from the Prince--India Bill--Emperor + of Austria--Church of England in the Colonies--Oriental + Question--Death of Lady Dalhousie--Lord Palmerston and Lord + Aberdeen--Russia, Austria, and Turkey--England's policy--The + Queen's views on the Eastern despatches--Proposed terms of + settlement--Lord John Russell's retirement--Letter from the + Emperor of Russia--Lord Stratford's desire for war--Letter to + the Emperor of Russia--France and the Eastern Question--Letter + from the Emperor of Russia--Reform Bill--Lord Palmerston's + position--Lord Lansdowne's influence--Resignation of Lord + Palmerston--Lord Stratford's despatch--Draft to Vienna--Return + of Lord Palmerston to office 431-472 + + + + +LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS + + + H.M. QUEEN VICTORIA, 1843. _From the picture by + F. Winterhalter at Windsor Castle_ _Frontispiece_ + + H.M. MARIE AMELIE, QUEEN OF THE FRENCH, 1828. + _From the miniature by Millet at Windsor Castle_ + _Facing p._ 104 + + "THE COUSINS." H.M. Queen Victoria and the + Duchess of Nemours, who was a Princess of + Saxe-Coburg and first cousin to the Queen and + the Prince Consort. _From the picture by F. + Winterhalter at Buckingham Palace_ " 168 + + BARON STOCKMAR. _From the portrait by John Partridge + at Buckingham Palace_ " 240 + + Field-Marshal THE DUKE OF WELLINGTON, K.G. + Believed to be by Count d'Orsay. _From a + miniature at Apsley House_ " 392 + + + + +INTRODUCTORY NOTE + +TO CHAPTER XIII + + +The new year (1844) opened with signs of improved trade, and a feeling +of confidence, partly due to the friendly _entente_ with France. In +Ireland, soon after the collapse of the Clontarf meeting, O'Connell +and some of his associates were indicted for seditious conspiracy, +and convicted. The conviction was subsequently quashed on technical +grounds, but O'Connell's political influence was at an end. In +Parliament, owing chiefly to the exertions of Lord Ashley (afterwards +Earl of Shaftesbury), an important Bill was passed restricting factory +labour, and limiting its hours. The Bank Charter Act, separating the +issue and banking departments, as well as regulating the note issue +of the Bank of England in proportion to its stock of gold, also +became law. Meanwhile the dissensions in the Conservative party were +increasing, and the Ministry were defeated on a motion made by their +own supporters to extend the preferential treatment of colonial +produce. With great difficulty the vote was rescinded and a crisis +averted; but the Young England section of the Tory party were becoming +more and more an embarrassment to the Premier. Towards the end of +the year the new Royal Exchange was opened amid much ceremony by the +Queen. + +The services rendered by Sir Charles Napier in India were the subject +of votes of thanks in both Houses, but shortly afterwards Lord +Ellenborough, the Governor-General, was recalled by the Directors +of the East India Company: their action was no doubt due to his +overbearing methods and love of display, but it was disapproved by the +Ministry, and Lord Ellenborough was accorded an Earldom. + +During the year there was a recrudescence of the friction between this +country and France, due partly to questions as to the right of search +of foreign ships, partly to a _brochure_ issued by the Prince de +Joinville, a son of Louis Philippe, partly to the assumption of French +sovereignty over Tahiti and the seizure of the English consul there +by the French authorities. Reparation however was made, and the +ill-feeling subsided sufficiently to enable the King of the French to +visit Queen Victoria,--the first friendly visit ever paid by a +French king to the Sovereign of England. Louis Philippe was cordially +received in this country. + +Another historic royal visit also took place in 1844, that of the +Emperor Nicholas, who no doubt was so much impressed with his friendly +reception, both by the Court and by Aberdeen, the Foreign Secretary, +that nine years later he thought he could calculate on the support of +England under Aberdeen (then Premier) in a scheme for the partition +of Turkey. Lord Malmesbury, who a few years later became Foreign +Secretary, states in his memoirs that during this visit, the Czar, Sir +Robert Peel, the Duke of Wellington, and Lord Aberdeen "drew up and +signed a Memorandum, the spirit and scope of which was to support +Russia in her legitimate protectorship of the Greek religion and +the Holy Shrines, and to do so without consulting France," but +the Memorandum was in reality only one made by Nicholas of his +recollection of the interview, and communicated subsequently to Lord +Aberdeen. + +No events of special interest took place in other parts of Europe; +the condition of affairs in the Peninsula improved, though the +announcement of the unfortunate marriage of the Queen Mother with +the Duke of Rianzares was not of hopeful augury for the young Queen +Isabella's future; as a matter of fact, the marriage had taken place +some time previously. + + + + +CHAPTER XIII + +1844 + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _9th January 1844._ + +MY DEAREST UNCLE,--I had the pleasure of receiving your kind letter of +the 4th, which is written from Ardenne, where I grieve to see you are +again gone without my beloved Louise. + +Charlotte is the admiration of every one, and I wish much I could have +seen the three dear children _en representation_. + +Our fat Vic or Pussette learns a verse of _Lamartine_ by heart, which +ends with "le tableau se deroule a mes pieds"; to show how well she +had understood this difficult line which Mdlle. Charier had explained +to her, I must tell you the following _bon mot_. When she was riding +on her pony, and looking at the cows and sheep, she turned to Mdlle. +Charier and said: "_Voila_ le tableau qui se deroule a mes pieds." Is +not this extraordinary for a little child of three years old? It is +more like what a person of twenty would say. You have no notion _what_ +a knowing, and I am sorry to say _sly_, little rogue she is, and +so _obstinate_. She and _le petit Frere_ accompany us to dear old +Claremont to-day; Alice remains here under Lady Lyttelton's care. How +sorry I am that you should have hurt your leg, and in such a provoking +way; Albert says he remembers well your playing often with a pen-knife +when you talked, and I remember it also, but it is really dangerous. + +I am happy that the news from Paris are good; the really good +understanding between our two Governments provokes the Carlists and +Anarchists. Bordeaux[1] is not yet gone; I saw in a letter that it was +_debated_ in his presence whether he was on any favourable occasion +_de se presenter en France!_Do you think that possible? Then again +the papers say that there are fortifications being made on the coast +of Normandy for fear of an invasion; is this so? These are many +questions, but I hope you will kindly answer them, as they interest +me. With Albert's love. Believe me, ever, your devoted Niece, + +VICTORIA R. + + [Footnote 1: The Duc de Bordeaux, only son of the Duc de + Berri, had by the death of Charles X. and the renunciation + of all claims to the French Throne on the part of the Duc + d'Angouleme, become the representative of the elder branch of + the Bourbons. He had intended his visit to England to have a + private character only.] + + + + +[Pageheading: THE SPANISH MARRIAGE] + + +_Queen Victoria to the Earl of Aberdeen._ + +CLAREMONT, _10th January 1844_. + +The Queen understands that there is a negotiation with Sweden and +Denmark pending about the cessation of their tribute to Morocco, +likewise that Prince Metternich has sent a despatch condemning as +unfair the understanding come to between us and France about the +Spanish marriage;[2] that there is a notion of exchanging Hong Kong +for a more healthy colony. + +The Queen, taking a deep interest in all these matters, and feeling it +her duty to do so, begs Lord Aberdeen to keep her always well informed +of what is on the _tapis_ in his Department. + + [Footnote 2: _See ante_, vol. i. p. 487.] + + + + +_Queen Victoria to the Earl of Aberdeen._ + +CLAREMONT, _13th January 1844._ + +The Queen has received Lord Aberdeen's letter of the 10th, and returns +him the papers which he sent her, with her best thanks. She does not +remember to have seen them before. + +The Queen takes this opportunity to beg Lord Aberdeen to cause the +despatches to be sent a little sooner from the Foreign Office, +as drafts in particular have often come to the Queen a week or a +fortnight after they had actually been sent across the sea. + +With respect to the Hanoverian Orders, Lord Aberdeen has not quite +understood what the Queen meant. It was Sir C. Thornton and others +to whom the Queen had refused permission to accept the favour, on a +former occasion, by which the King of Hanover was much affronted. The +Queen would not like to have herself additionally fettered by any new +regulation, but Lord Aberdeen will certainly concur with the Queen +that it would not be expedient to give to the King of Hanover a power +which the Queen herself does not possess, viz. that of granting orders +as favours, or for personal services; as the number of the different +classes of the Guelphic Order bestowed on Englishmen is innumerable, +it would actually invest the King with such a power, which, +considering how much such things are sought after, might be extremely +inconvenient. + +The Queen will not give a final decision upon this case until she +returns to Windsor, where she has papers explanatory of the reasons +which caused her to decline the King of Hanover's application in 1838. + + + + +[Pageheading: A CARRIAGE ACCIDENT] + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +CLAREMONT, _16th January 1844._ + +MY DEAREST UNCLE,--Many thanks for your kind letter of the 11th. +Louise can give you the details of the little upset I and Lady Douro +had, and which I did not think worth while to mention.[3] It was the +strangest thing possible to happen, and the most _unlikely_, for we +were going quite quietly, not at all in a narrow lane, with very quiet +ponies and my usual postillion; the fact was that the boy looked the +_wrong_ way, and therefore did not perceive the ditch which he so +cleverly got us into. + +We leave dear Claremont, as usual, with the greatest regret; we are +so peaceable here; Windsor is beautiful and comfortable, but it is a +_palace_, and God knows _how willingly_ I would _always_ live with my +beloved Albert and our children in the quiet and retirement of private +life, and not be the constant object of observation, and of newspaper +articles. The children (Pussette and Bertie) have been most remarkably +well, and so have we, in spite of the very bad weather we had most +days. I am truly and really grieved that good excellent Nemours +is again _not_ to get his _dotation_.[4] Really we constitutional +countries are _too shabby_. + +Now, dearest Uncle, I must bid you adieu, begging you to believe me, +ever your devoted Niece, + +VICTORIA R. + + [Footnote 3: On the 5th of January the Queen's phaeton was + overturned at Horton, near Dachet, while driving to the meet + of Prince Albert's Harriers.] + + [Footnote 4: On the occasion of the marriage of the Duc and + Duchesse de Nemours (1840), the proposal made by the Soult + Government for a Parliamentary grant of 500,000 francs had + been rejected.] + + + + +[Pageheading: FRANCE AND ENGLAND] + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _30th January 1844._ + +MY DEAREST UNCLE,--I must begin by thanking you for your kind letter +of the 26th, and by wishing you joy that the fete went off _so_ well. +I am glad Leo will appear at the next ball; he is nearly nine years +old, and it is good to accustom children of his rank early to these +things. + +Guizot's speech is exceedingly admired, with the exception of his +having said more than he was justified to do about the right of +search.[5] Our speech has been very difficult to frame; we should like +to have mentioned our visits to France and Belgium, but it has been +found impossible to do so; _France is_ mentioned, and it is the first +time since 1834! + +To-morrow we go up to Town "pour ce bore," as the good King always +said to me; whenever there were tiresome people to present he always +said: "Je vous demande pardon de ce _bore_." + +I have had a tiresome though not at all violent cold which _I was_ +alarmed might spoil the _sonorousness_ of my voice for the speech on +Thursday, but it promises well now. + +I own I always look with horror to the beginning of a Parliamentary +campaign. + +With Albert's love. Ever your devoted Niece, + +VICTORIA R. + + [Footnote 5: He insisted that French trade must be kept under + the exclusive surveillance of the French flag.] + + + + +[Pageheading: DEATH OF THE DUKE OF COBURG] + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _6th February 1844._ + +MY DEARLY BELOVED UNCLE,--_You_ must now be the father to us poor +bereaved, heartbroken children.[6] To describe to you _all_ that we +_have_ suffered, all that we _do_ suffer, would be difficult; God has +heavily afflicted us; we feel crushed, overwhelmed, bowed down by +the loss of one who was so deservedly loved, I may say adored, by his +children and family; I loved him and looked on him as my own father; +his like we shall _not see again_; that youth, _that amiability_, and +kindness in his own house which was the centre and rendezvous for the +whole family, will never be seen again, and my poor Angel's fondest +thought of beholding that _dearly beloved Vaterhaus_--where his +thoughts continually were--_again_ is for ever gone and his poor +heart bleeds to feel _this_ is for ever gone. Our promised visit, +our dearest Papa's, and our fondest wish, all is put an end to. The +violence of our grief may be over, but the desolate feeling which +succeeds it is worse, and tears are a relief. I have never known real +_grief_ till now, and it has made a lasting impression on me. A father +is _such_ a _near_ relation, you are a _piece_ of him in fact,--and +all (as my poor _deeply afflicted_ Angel says) the earliest pleasures +of your life were given you by a dear father; that can _never be +replaced_ though time may soften the pang. And indeed one loves to +_cling_ to one's grief; I can understand Louise's feeling in her +overwhelming sorrows. + +Let me now join my humble entreaties to Albert's, relative to the +request about dearest Louise, which he has made. It is a sacrifice +I ask, but if you _knew_ the sacrifice I make in letting and urging +Albert _to go_, I am sure, if you _can_ you _will_ grant it. I have +_never_ been separated from him even for _one night_, and the _thought +of such_ a separation is quite dreadful; still, I feel I _could_ bear +it,--I have made up my mind to it, as the very _thought_ of going has +been a comfort to my poor Angel, and will be of such use at Coburg. +Still, if I were to remain _quite_ alone I do not think I _could_ bear +it quietly. Therefore _pray_ do send me my dearly beloved Louise; she +would be _such_ a comfort to me; if you could come too--or afterwards +(as you promised us a longer visit), that would be still more +delightful. I may be indiscreet, but you must think of _what_ the +separation from my _all and all_, even only for a _fortnight_, will be +to me! + +We feel some _years_ older since these days of mourning. Mamma is +calm, but poor Aunt Julia[7] is indeed much to be pitied. Ever, +dearest Uncle, your devoted and unhappy Niece and Child, + +VICTORIA R. + + [Footnote 6: The Duke of Saxe-Coburg Gotha died on 29th + January.] + + [Footnote 7: The Grand Duchess Constantine of Russia, + sister of the Duchess of Kent and of the deceased Duke of + Saxe-Coburg.] + + + + +[Pageheading: BEREAVEMENT] + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _13th February 1844._ + +MY DEAREST UNCLE,--I received your dear, kind but sad letter of the +8th on Sunday, and thank you much for it. God knows, poor dear Uncle, +you have suffered _enough_ in your life, but you should think, dearest +Uncle, of _that blessed_ assurance of _eternity_ where we shall _all +meet again never_ to part; you should think (as we constantly do now) +that those whom we have lost are far happier than we are, and _love +us_ still, and in a far more perfect way than _we can_ do in this +world! When the first moments and days of overwhelming grief are over +these reflections are the greatest balm, the greatest consolation to +the bleeding heart. + +I hope you will kindly let me have a few lines of _hope_ by the +Tuesday's messenger. Ever your truly devoted Niece and Child, + +VICTORIA R. + +_P.S._--O'Connell's being pronounced guilty is a great triumph.[8] + + [Footnote 8: He had been indicted with Charles Gavan Duffy and + others for seditious conspiracy.] + + + + +_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._ + +SOUTH STREET, _3rd April 1844._ + +Lord Melbourne presents his humble duty to your Majesty, with many +thanks for your Majesty's note of the 28th ult. Lord Melbourne +believes that your Majesty is quite right in saying that Lord +Melbourne has still some health left, if he will but take care of +it. Lord Melbourne told Dr Holland, without mentioning your Majesty's +name, that this had been said to him by a friend, and Dr Holland +immediately said that it was very just and true, and very well +expressed, and quite what he should have said himself. At the same +time, the change from strength to weakness and the evident progress +of decadence is a very hard and disagreeable trial. Lord Melbourne has +been reading Cicero on old age, a very pretty treatise, but he does +not find much consolation after it; the principal practical resources +and alleviations which he recommends are agriculture and gardening, to +both of which, but more particularly to the latter, Lord Melbourne has +already had recourse. It is certainly, as your Majesty says, wrong to +be impatient and to repine at everything, but still it is difficult +not to be so. Lady Uxbridge's death[9] is a shocking event, a +dreadful loss to him and to all. Lord Melbourne always liked her. Lord +Melbourne is going down to Brocket Hall to-morrow, and will try to get +Uxbridge and the girls to come over and dine. + +Lord Melbourne has felt very much for the grief which your Majesty +must feel at a separation, even short and temporary, from the Prince, +and it is extremely amiable to feel comforted by the recollection +of the extreme pleasure which his visit will give to his and your +Majesty's relations. It is, of course, impossible that your Majesty +should in travelling divest yourself of your character and dignity. + +Lord Melbourne has just driven round the Regent's Park, where there +are many almond trees in bloom, and looking beautiful. + + [Footnote 9: Henrietta Maria, daughter of Sir Charles Bagot, + G.C.B.] + + + + +[Pageheading: RECALL OF LORD ELLENBOROUGH] + + +_Sir Robert Peel to Queen Victoria._ + +WHITEHALL, _23rd April 1844._ + +Sir Robert Peel, with his humble duty to your Majesty, begs leave to +acquaint your Majesty that he has every reason to believe that the +Court of Directors will _to-morrow_, by an unanimous vote, resolve on +the actual recall of Lord Ellenborough.[10] + + [Footnote 10: This anomalous privilege was exercised by the + Directors in consequence chiefly of what they considered Lord + Ellenborough's overbearing demeanour in communication with + them, his too aggressive policy, and his theatrical love of + display.] + + + + +_Queen Victoria to Sir Robert Peel._ + +Buckingham Palace, _23rd April 1844._ + +The Queen has heard with the greatest regret from Sir R. Peel that the +Court of Directors, after all, mean to recall Lord Ellenborough. She +cannot but consider this _very_ unwise at this critical moment, and a +very ungrateful return for the eminent services Lord Ellenborough has +rendered to the Company in India. They ought not to forget so soon in +what state Lord Ellenborough found affairs in 1842. The Queen would +not be sorry if these gentlemen knew that this is her opinion. + + + + +_The King of the Belgians to Queen Victoria._ + +Laeken, _3rd May 1844._ + +MY DEAREST VICTORIA,--Whenever you wish to make me _truly happy_, you +will have the power of doing so by repeating expressions as kind and +affectionate as those contained in your dear little letter of the +30th. I have ever had the care and affection of a _real father_ for +you, and it has perhaps even been freer from many drawbacks which +occasionally will exist betwixt parents and children, be they ever +so well and affectionately together. With me, even from the moment in +January 1820, when I was called by a messenger to Sidmouth, my care +for you has been unremitting, and never has there been a cloud between +us.... A thing which often strikes me, in a very satisfactory manner, +is that we never had any bitter words, a thing which happens even with +people who are very lovingly together; and the little row which we +had in 1838 you remember well, and do not now think that _I_ +was wrong.[11] _De pareilles relations sont rares; may they ever +continue!_ + +I cannot leave this more serious topic without adding that though you +were always warm-hearted and right-minded, it must strike yourself how +matured every kind and good feeling is in your generous heart. _The +heart, and not the head, is the safest guide in positions like yours_, +and this not only for this earthly and very short life, but for that +which we must hope for hereafter. When a life draws nearer its close, +how many earthly concerns are there that appear _still in the same +light_? and how clearly the mind is struck that nothing has been and +is still of _real_ value, than the nobler and better feelings of the +heart; the only good we can hope to keep as a precious store for the +future. What do we keep of youth, beauty, richness, power, and even +the greatest extent of earthly possessions? NOTHING! ... Your truly +devoted Uncle, + +LEOPOLD R. + + [Footnote 11: _See_ Letters of Queen Victoria and the King of + the Belgians, _ante_, vol. i. pp. 116-120.] + + + +[Pageheading: HONOURS FOR LORD ELLENBOROUGH] + + +_Sir Robert Peel to Queen Victoria._ + +WHITEHALL, _5th May 1844._ + +Sir Robert Peel, with his humble duty to your Majesty, and believing +that he is acting in accordance with your Majesty's own opinion, +begs leave to submit to your Majesty that it may be advisable that he +should by the present mail inform Lord Ellenborough that it is your +Majesty's intention to confer on him, at a very early period, as a +mark of your Majesty's approval of Lord Ellenborough's conduct and +services in India, the rank of an Earl and the Grand Cross of the +Bath. + +Lord Ellenborough may be at liberty (should your Majesty approve) to +notify this publicly in India--and thus make it known that the general +line of policy recently pursued has had the full sanction of your +Majesty, and will not be departed from. + +These were the honours conferred upon Lord Auckland. + +If they were conferred _on the instant_, it might rather seem a rebuke +to the East India Company than a deliberate approval of the conduct +of Lord Ellenborough, but these honours might shortly follow +the conclusion of the affair respecting the selection of Lord +Ellenborough's successor, and any discussion that may arise in +Parliament. + + + + +[Pageheading: THE PRINCE DE JOINVILLE'S _BROCHURE_] + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +CLAREMONT, _24th May 1844._ + +DEAREST UNCLE,--Though _not_ my day I must write you a line to say +_how vexed_ we are at this _most unfortunate_ and _most imprudent +brochure_ of Joinville's;[12] it has made a _very bad_ effect here, +and will rouse all the envy and hatred between the _two Navies_ again, +which it was our great effort to subdue--and this _all_ for _nothing!_ +I can't tell you how angry people are, and how poor Hadjy will get +abused. And this _all_ after our having been on such intimate terms +with him and having _sailed_ with him! If he comes here, _what_ shall +we do? Receive with open arms one who has talked of ravaging our +coasts and burning our towns? Indeed it is most lamentable; you know +how we like him, and that therefore it must be very annoying to us to +see him get himself into such a scrape. _We_ shall overlook it, but +the people _here_ won't! It _will_ blow over, but it will do immense +harm. We who wish to become more and more closely united with the +French family are, of course, much put out by this return. We +shall forgive and forget, and feel it was _not_ intended to be +published--but the public _here_ will _not_ so easily, and will put +the worst construction on it all. + +Pray, dearest Uncle, tell me what _could_ possess Joinville to write +it, and still more to have it printed? Won't it annoy the King and +Nemours very much? _Enfin c'est malheureux, c'est indiscret au plus +haut degre_--and it provokes and vexes us sadly. Tell me _all_ you +_know_ and think about it; for you _can_ do so with perfect safety by +our courier. + +I have written dearest Louise an account of my _old_ birthday, which +will please you, I think. The weather is very fine. Ever your _truly_ +devoted Niece and Child, + +VICTORIA R. + +[Footnote 12: The _brochure_ was entitled, _Notes sur les forces +navales de la France_. The Prince de Joinville wrote as follows to the +Queen: "Le malheureux eclat de ma brochure, le tracas que cela donne +au Pere et a la Reine, me font regretter vivement de l'avoir faite. +Comme je l'ecris a ton Roi, je ne renvoie que mepris a toutes les +interpretations qu'on y donne; ce que peuvent dire ministre et +journaux ne me touche en rien, mais il n'y a pas de sacrifices que je +ne suis dispose a faire pour l'interieur de la Famille."] + + + + +[Pageheading: THE CZAR NICHOLAS] + + +_Queen Victoria to the Earl of Aberdeen._ + +_29th May 1844._ + +If Lord Aberdeen should not have read the Prince de Joinville's +pamphlet, the Queen recommends him to do so, as one cannot judge +fairly by the extracts in the newspapers. Though it does not lessen +the extreme imprudence of the Prince's publishing what must do harm +to the various French Governments, it certainly is _not_ intentionally +written to offend England, and on the contrary frankly proves _us_ to +be immensely superior to the French Navy in every way. + + + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _4th June 1844._ + +MY BELOVED UNCLE,--I gave Louise a long and detailed description of +the Emperor,[13] etc. The papers are full of the details. A great +event and a great compliment _his_ visit certainly is, and the +people _here_ are extremely flattered at it. He is certainly a _very +striking_ man; still very handsome; his profile is _beautiful_, and +his manners _most_ dignified and graceful; extremely civil--quite +alarmingly so, as he is so full of attentions and _politesses_. But +the expression of the _eyes_ is _formidable_, and unlike anything I +ever saw before. He gives me and Albert the impression of a man who is +_not_ happy, and on whom the weight of his immense power and position +weighs heavily and painfully; he seldom smiles, and when he does +the expression is _not_ a happy one. He is very easy to get on with. +Really, it seems like a dream when I think that we breakfast and walk +out with _this_ greatest of all earthly Potentates as quietly as if we +walked, etc., with Charles or any one. We took him, with the dear good +King of Saxony,[14] who is a great contrast to the _Czar_ (and with +whom I am _quite_ at my ease), to Adelaide Cottage after breakfast. +The grass here is just as if it had been burned with fire. _How_ many +different Princes have we not gone the same round with!! The children +are much admired by the _Sovereigns_--(how _grand_ this sounds!)--and +Alice allowed the Emperor to take her in his arms, and kissed him _de +son propre accord_. We are always so thankful that they are _not_ shy. +Both the Emperor and the King are _quite_ enchanted with Windsor. The +Emperor said very _poliment_: "C'est digne de vous, Madame." I must +say the Waterloo Room lit up with that entire service of gold looks +splendid; and the Reception Room, beautiful to sit in afterwards. The +Emperor praised _my_ Angel very much, saying: "C'est impossible de +voir un plus joli garcon; il a l'air si noble et si bon"; which I must +say _is very_ true. The Emperor amused the King and me by saying he +was so _embarrasse_ when people were presented to him, and that +he felt so "_gauche_" _en frac_, which certainly he is quite +_unaccustomed_ to wear. If we can do anything to get him to do what is +right by you, we shall be most happy, and Peel and Aberdeen are very +anxious for it. I believe he leaves on Sunday again. To-morrow there +is to be a great review, and on Thursday _I_ shall probably go with +them to the races; _they_ are gone there with Albert to-day, but I +have remained at home. + +I think it is time to conclude my long letter. + +If the French are angry at this visit, let their dear King and their +Princes come; _they_ will be sure of a _truly affectionate_ reception +on our part. The one which Emperor Nicholas has received is cordial +and civil, _mais ne vient pas du c[oe]ur_. + +I humbly beg that any remarks which may _not_ be favourable to our +great visitor may _not_ go _beyond_ you and Louise, and _not_ to +_Paris_. Ever your devoted Niece, + +VICTORIA R. + + [Footnote 13: The Emperor Nicholas of Russia had just arrived + on a visit to England.] + + [Footnote 14: Frederick Augustus II.] + + + + +[Pageheading: THE REVIEW] + +[Pageheading: THE QUEEN'S IMPRESSIONS] + +[Pageheading: THE CZAR NICHOLAS] + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +Buckingham Palace, _11th June 1844._ + +MY DEAREST UNCLE,--I received your very kind and long letter of the +7th on Sunday, and thank you very much for it. I am delighted that +my accounts interested you, and I shall try and give you some more +to-day, which you will see come from an unbiassed and impartial mind, +and which I trust therefore _will_ be relied upon. The excitement has +ceased as suddenly as it had begun, and I am still confused about it. +I will go back to where I last left you. The _Revue_[15] on the 5th +was really very interesting, and our reception as well as that of the +Emperor _most_ enthusiastic. Louise tells me you had a review the +same day, and that it also was so hot. Our children were there, +and charmed. On the 6th we went with the Emperor and King to the +races,[16] and I never saw such a crowd; again _here_ the reception +was _most brilliant_. Every evening a large dinner in the Waterloo +Room, and the two last evenings in uniforms, as the Emperor disliked +so being _en frac_, and was quite embarrassed in it. On the 7th we +took him and the King back here, and in the evening had a party of 260 +about. On Saturday (8th) my Angel took the Emperor and King to a very +elegant breakfast[17] at Chiswick, which I for prudence' sake did +_not_ go to, but was very sorry for it. In the evening we went to +the Opera (_not_ in State), but they recognised us, and we were most +brilliantly received. I had to force the Emperor forward, as he never +would come forward when I was there, and I was obliged to take him by +the hand and make him appear; it was impossible to be better bred or +more respectful than he was towards me. Well, on Sunday afternoon at +five, he left us (my Angel accompanied him to Woolwich), and he +was much affected at going, and really unaffectedly touched at his +reception and stay, the simplicity and quietness of which told upon +his love of domestic life, which is very great. I will now (having +told _all_ that has passed) give you _my_ opinion and feelings on the +subject, which I may say are Albert's also. I was extremely against +the visit, fearing the _gene_, and bustle, and even at first, I did +not feel at _all_ to like it, but by living in the same house together +quietly and unrestrainedly (and this Albert, and with great truth, +says is the great advantage of these visits, that I not only _see_ +these great people but _know_ them), I got to know the Emperor and he +to know me. There is much about him which I cannot help liking, and +I think his character is _one_ which should be understood, and +looked upon for _once_ as it is. He is stern and severe--with fixed +principles of _duty_ which _nothing_ on earth will make him change; +very _clever_ I do _not_ think him, and his mind is an uncivilised +one; his education has been neglected; politics and military concerns +are the only things he takes great interest in; the arts and all +softer occupations he is insensible to, but he is sincere, I am +certain, _sincere_ even in his most despotic acts, from a sense that +that _is_ the _only_ way to govern; he is not, I am sure, aware of the +dreadful cases of individual misery which he so often causes, for I +can see by various instances that he is kept in utter ignorance of +_many_ things, which his people carry out in most corrupt ways, while +he thinks that he is extremely just. He thinks of general measures, +but does not look into detail. And I am sure _much_ never reaches +his ears, and (as you observed), how can it? He asked for _nothing_ +whatever, has merely expressed his great anxiety to be upon the best +terms with us, but _not_ to the _exclusion of others_, only let things +remain as they are.... He is I should say, too frank, for he talks +so openly before people, which he should not do, and with difficulty +restrains himself. His anxiety _to be believed_ is _very_ great, and +I must say his personal promises I _am inclined_ to believe; then his +feelings are very strong; he _feels_ kindness deeply--and his love for +his wife and children, and for all children, is _very_ great. He has a +strong feeling for domestic life, saying to me, when our children were +in the room: "Voila les doux moments de notre vie." He was not only +civil, but extremely kind _to us both_, and spoke in the highest +praise of dearest Albert to Sir Robert Peel, saying he wished any +Prince in Germany had that ability and sense; he showed Albert great +confidence, and I _think_ it will do great good, as if _he_ praises +him abroad it will have great weight. He is _not_ happy, and that +melancholy which is visible in the countenance made me sad at times; +the sternness of the eyes goes very much off when you know him, +and changes according to his being put out (and he _can_ be much +embarrassed) or not, and also from his being heated, as he suffers +with congestions to the head. My Angel thinks that he is a man +inclined too much to give way to impulse and feeling, which makes him +act wrongly often. His admiration for beauty is very great, and put me +much in mind of you, when he drove out with us, looking out for +pretty people. But he remains very faithful to those he admired +_twenty-eight_ years ago; for instance, Lady Peel, who has hardly +any remains left. Respecting Belgium he did not speak to _me_, but to +Albert and the Ministers. As for unkindly feeling towards _you_, he +disclaims positively any, saying he knew you well, and that you had +served in the Russian Army, etc., but he says those _unfortunate_ +Poles are the _only_ obstacle, and that he positively cannot +enter into direct communication _with Belgium_ as long as they are +_employed_. If you could only somehow or other get rid of them, I am +sure the thing would be done at once. We all think he _need_ not +mind this, but I fear he has pledged himself. He admired Charlotte's +picture. _Pour finir_, I must say one more word or two about his +personal appearance. He puts us much in mind of his and our cousins +the Wuertembergs, and has altogether much of the Wuertemberg family +about him. He is bald now, but in his Chevalier Garde Uniform he is +_magnificent_ still, and very _striking_. I cannot deny that we were +in great anxiety when we took him out lest some Pole might make an +attempt, and I always felt thankful when we got him safe home again. +His poor daughter is very ill, I fear. The good King of Saxony[18] +remains another week with us, and we like him much. He is so +unassuming. He is out sight-seeing _all_ day, and enchanted with +everything. I hope that you will persuade the King to come all +the same in September. Our _motives_ and politics are _not_ to be +exclusive, but to be on good terms with _all_, and why should we not? +We make no secret of it. + +Now I must end this very long letter. Ever your devoted Niece, + +VICTORIA R. + +You will kindly not _speak_ of these details, but only in _allgemein_ +say the visit went off very satisfactorily on _both sides_, and that +it was _highly pacific_. + + [Footnote 15: In honour of the Emperor a Review was held in + Windsor Great Park.] + + [Footnote 16: At Ascot.] + + [Footnote 17: Given by the Duke of Devonshire.] + + [Footnote 18: See _ante_, p. 12.] + + + + +[Pageheading: A PARLIAMENTARY CRISIS] + +[Pageheading: THE KING OF SAXONY] + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _18th June 1844._ + +MY DEAREST UNCLE,--I had the happiness of receiving your dear and kind +letter of the 13th on Sunday; your _parties_ at Ardenne must have been +truly delightful; perhaps some day _we_ may enjoy them too: that would +be delightful! I can write to you with a light heart, thank goodness, +to-day, for the Government obtained a majority, which _up_ to the +_last_ moment last night we feared they would not have, and we have +been in sad trouble for the last four or five days about it.[19] It +is the more marvellous, as, if the Government asked for a _Vote_ +of Confidence, they would have a _Majority_ of 100; but this very +strength makes the supporters of the Government act in a _most_ +unjustifiable manner by continually acting and voting against them, +_not_ listening to the debates, but coming down and voting against the +Government. So that we were really in the greatest _possible_ danger +of having a resignation of the Government _without knowing to whom to +turn_, and this from the recklessness of a handful of foolish _half_ +"Puseyite" half "Young England"[20] people! I am sure you will agree +with me that Peel's resignation would not only be for us (for _we +cannot_ have a better and a _safer_ Minister), but for the whole +country, and for the peace of Europe--a _great calamity_. Our present +people are all _safe_, and not led away by impulses and reckless +passions. We must, however, take care and not get into another crisis; +for I assure you we have been quite miserable and _quite_ alarmed ever +since Saturday. + +Since I last wrote to you, I spoke to Aberdeen (whom I should be +equally sorry to lose, as he is so _very fair_, and has served _us +personally_, so kindly and truly), and he told me that the Emperor has +_positively pledged_ himself to send a Minister to Brussels the moment +those Poles are no longer employed;[21] that he is quite aware of +the importance of the measure, and would be disposed to make the +arrangement easy, and that he spoke very kindly of _you_ personally. +Aberdeen says it is not necessary to disgrace them in any way, but +only for the present _de les eloigner_. The Emperor has evidently some +time ago made some strong declaration on the subject which he feels +he cannot get over, and, as I said before, he will not give up what he +has once pledged his word to. _Then, no one_ on earth _can_ move him. +_Au fond_, it is a fine _trait_, but he carries it too far. He wrote +me a _very_ kind and affectionate letter from the Hague. The Emperor +has given Bertie the Grand Cross of St Andrew, which the boy was quite +proud of. + +Our kind and good King of Saxony leaves us to-morrow, after having +seen more than anybody has done almost, and having enjoyed it of all +things. He is quite at home with us and the children, whom he plays +with much. Alice walks quite alone, and looks too funny, as she is so +_very_ fat. Now, ever your devoted Niece, + +VICTORIA R. + + [Footnote 19: The Ministry had been defeated on Mr P. Miles's + motion in favour of giving an increased preference to colonial + sugar, but on the 17th this vote was rescinded by a majority + of twenty-two, Mr Disraeli taunting the Premier with expecting + that "upon every division and at every crisis, his gang should + appear, and the whip should sound."] + + [Footnote 20: The name given to the group comprising Disraeli, + George Smythe, Lord John Manners, etc. See _Coningsby_, which + was published about this time.] + + [Footnote 21: See _ante_, p. 15.] + + + + +_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._ + +SOUTH STREET, _19th June 1844._ + +Lord Melbourne presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and thanks +your Majesty much for the letter of the 14th inst. Lord Melbourne was +very glad to have the opportunity of seeing the Emperor of Russia at +Chiswick. Lord Melbourne humbly believes that the opinion, which your +Majesty has formed and expresses of the Emperor's character is just, +and he considers it extremely fortunate that a sovereign of such +weight and influence in Europe, and with whom it is probable that +Great Britain will have such near and intimate relations, should also +be a man upon whose honour and veracity strong reliance may be safely +and securely placed. + +Lord Melbourne is very glad to believe that the late political +movements, with which the public mind has been agitated, have +subsided, and are entirely terminated by the last vote of the House +of Commons, and by the determination evinced to support the +Administration.[22] + +This finishes for the present a business which at one moment seemed +likely to be troublesome, and out of which there did not appear to +present itself any hope or practicable escape. + +Lord Melbourne will not make any observation upon what is known and +understood to have passed, further than to say that, as far as he is +acquainted with the history of public affairs in this country, it is +an entire novelty, quite new and unprecedented.[23] Many a Minister +has said to the Crown, "My advice must be taken, and my measures +must be adopted," but no Minister has ever yet held this language or +advanced this pretension to either House of Parliament. However, it +seems to be successful at present, and success will justify much. +Whether it will tend to permanent strength or a steady conduct of +public affairs, remains to be seen. + +Lord Melbourne begs to be respectfully remembered to His Royal +Highness. + + [Footnote 22: See _ante_, p. 16.] + + [Footnote 23: Lord Melbourne refers to the House rescinding + its own vote.] + + + + +[Pageheading: LORD ELLENBOROUGH] + + +_The Earl of Ellenborough to Queen Victoria._ + +_22nd June 1844._ + +Lord Ellenborough, with his most humble duty to your Majesty, humbly +acquaints your Majesty that on the 15th of June he received +the announcement of his having been removed from the office of +Governor-General of India by the Court of Directors. By Lord +Ellenborough's advice, letters were immediately despatched by express +to every important native Court to assure the native Princes that this +change in the person at the head of the Government would effect no +change in its policy, and Lord Ellenborough himself wrote in similar +terms to the British Representatives at the several Courts.... Lord +Ellenborough has written a letter to the Earl of Ripon with reference +to the reasons alleged by the Court of Directors for his removal +from office, to which letter he most humbly solicits your Majesty's +favourable and attentive consideration. It treats of matters deeply +affecting the good government of India. + +Amidst all the difficulties with which he has had to contend in India, +aggravated as they have been by the constant hostility of the Court of +Directors, Lord Ellenborough has ever been sustained by the knowledge +that he was serving a most gracious Mistress, who would place the most +favourable construction upon his conduct, and he now humbly tenders to +your Majesty the expression of his gratitude, not only for those marks +of Royal favour with which it has been intimated to him that it is +your Majesty's intention to reward his services, but yet more for that +constant support which has animated all his exertions, and has mainly +enabled him to place India in the hands of his successor in a state +of universal peace, the result of two years of victories, and in a +condition of prosperity heretofore unknown. + + + + +[Pageheading: ENGLAND, FRANCE, AND RUSSIA] + + +_The King of the Belgians to Queen Victoria._ + +LAEKEN, _28th June 1844._ + +MY BELOVED VICTORIA,--I have again to offer my warmest and best thanks +for a very long and kind letter. I am truly and sincerely happy that +a Ministerial crisis has been spared you; it is in all constitutional +concerns an _awful_ business; but in such a colossal machinery as the +British Empire, it shakes the whole globe. For your sake, for the +good of England, and for the quiet of the whole earth, we must most +devoutly pray that _Sir Robert may remain for many, many years your +trusty and faithful Minister._ Parliaments and Chambers are +extremely fond of governing, particularly as long as it does not bore +themselves. We have had an instance of it recently. I was anxious +to keep the Chamber longer, as there are still many important things +which it ought to have finished; but they were hot, they got tired, +voted twelve _projets de loi_ in one day, and disappeared afterwards, +leaving one the trouble of managing the affairs of the State as best +one may.... + +As a general political event, the Emperor's visit in England can only +be useful; it is probable that he would _not_ have made the visit if +another had not been talked of. His policy is naturally to _separate_ +as much as possible the two great Western Powers; he is too weak to +resist single-handed their dictates in the Oriental question; _but if +they act not in concert_, it is evident that _he is the master_; in +all this he acts wisely and in conformity with the great interests +of his Empire. England has greater interests at stake at the mercy of +Russia than at that of France. With France the questions are +sometimes questions of jealousy, but, on the other hand, a tolerable +understanding keeps France quiet and secures the peace of Europe, much +more in the sense of the European policy of England than of that of +France. The only consolation the French can find in it is that they +are aware that _together_ with England they have a great position, +but they always lament that they can _get nothing by it_. A bad +understanding with France opens not only the door to a European war, +but also to revolution; and that is perhaps the most serious and most +awfully dangerous part of the business. England wants nothing from the +Emperor than that he should leave the _status quo_ of Europe and +great part of Asia alone. At Paris they are not so much moved at the +Emperor's visit as perhaps they ought to be, but they have put the +flattering notion into their heads that he had made _fiasco_, which is +_not true_; as, in fact, he has so far been rather _successful_, and +has convinced people in England that he is a mild and good-natured +man, himself and his Empire, without any ambition. Now it is high time +I should finish my immense scrawl, for which I claim your forgiveness, +remaining ever your devoted Uncle, + +LEOPOLD R. + + + + +[Pageheading: TAHITI] + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _27th August 1844._ + +MY DEAREST UNCLE,--Many thanks for your kind long letter, which I +received yesterday, dated 23rd. I can report very well of ourselves. +We are all well. The dear day of yesterday[24] we spent very quietly +and happily and full of gratitude to Providence for so many blessings. +I can only pray for the continuance of our present happiness. + +The impending political cloud, I hope and trust, looks less black and +lowering. But I think it very unwise in Guizot not to have at once +disavowed D'Aubigny for what you yourself call an "outrage,"[25] +instead of letting it drag on for _four weeks_ and letting our people +get excited. The Tangiers Affair[26] is unfortunate, and I hope that +in future poor Joinville will not be exposed to such disagreeable +affairs. What _can_ be done will be, to get him justified in the eyes +of the public here, but I fear that at first they will not be very +charitable. Those letters in the _Times_ are outrageous, and all that +abuse very bad taste.[27] There is to be an investigation about the +three officers, whose conduct is unworthy of Englishmen. Now, dearest +Uncle, believe me always, your most affectionate Niece, + +VICTORIA R. + + [Footnote 24: The Prince Albert's birthday. Prince Alfred was + born on 6th August of this year.] + + [Footnote 25: The assumption of French sovereignty over + Tahiti.] + + [Footnote 26: Hostilities had commenced between France and + Morocco, and Tangiers was bombarded.] + + [Footnote 27: A series of letters had appeared in the _Times_, + written by British naval officers who had witnessed the + bombardment of Tangiers, and accused the French Admiral and + Navy of being deficient in courage. The _Times_ was much + criticised for its publication of these letters.] + + + + +[Pageheading: ENGLAND AND FRANCE] + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +BLAIR ATHOL, _15th September 1844._ + +MY DEAREST UNCLE,--I received your kind letter of the 6th the day we +arrived here, and thank you very much for it. As I have written an +account of our journey to Louise, I will _not_ repeat it here. + +The good ending of our difficulties with France is an immense +blessing, but it is really and truly necessary that you and those +at Paris should know that the danger was _imminent_, and that poor +Aberdeen stood _almost alone_ in trying to keep matters peaceable. +We must try and prevent these difficulties for the future. I must, +however, clear _Jarnac_[28] of all blame, for Aberdeen does nothing +but praise him.... + +In Greece affairs look very black, and God knows how it all will end. + + [Footnote 28: _Charge d'Affaires_ in the absence of the French + Ambassador.] + + + + +[Pageheading: VISIT OF KING LOUIS PHILIPPE] + + +_The Queen of the Belgians to Queen Victoria._ + +LAEKEN, _5th October 1844._ + +MY DEARLY BELOVED VICTORIA,--... I have not much to say about my +father's _lodging habits_ and _likings_.[29] My father is one of the +beings _most easy_ to _please_, _satisfy_, and to _accommodate_. +His eventful life has used him to everything, and makes any kind of +arrangements acceptable to him; there is only _one thing_ which +he _cannot easily do_, it is to be _ready very early_. He means +notwithstanding to try to come to your breakfast, but you _must insist +upon his not doing it_. It would disturb him in all his habits, and be +bad for him, as he would certainly eat, a thing he is not used to +do in the morning. He generally takes hardly what may be called a +_breakfast_, and eats _only twice_ in the day. It would be also _much +better_ for him if he only appeared to luncheon and dinner, and if you +kindly dispensed him altogether of the breakfast. You must not tell +him that I wrote you _this_, but you must manage it with Montpensier, +and kindly order for him a bowl of _chicken broth_. It is the only +thing he takes generally in the morning, and between his meals. I +have also no observation to make, but I have told Montpensier to speak +openly to Albert whenever he thought something ought to be done for my +father, or might hurt and inconvenience him, and you may consult him +when you are in doubt. He is entrusted with all the recommendations +of my mother, for my father is naturally _so imprudent_ and _so little +accustomed_ to _caution and care_, that he must in some measure be +_watched_ to prevent his catching cold or doing what may be injurious +to him. About his _rooms_, a hard bed and a large table for his papers +are the only things he requires. He generally sleeps on a horse-hair +mattress with a plank of wood under it: but _any kind_ of bed will do, +if it is not _too soft_. His liking will be to be entirely at _your +commands_ and to do _all you like_. You know he can take a great deal +of exercise, and _everything_ will _interest_ and _delight_ him, to +see, as to do: this is not a compliment, but a _mere fact_. His only +wish is, that you should not go out of your way for him, and change +your habits on his account. Lord Aberdeen will be, of course, at +Windsor, and I suppose you will ask, as you told me, the Royal Family. +My father hopes to see also Sir Robert Peel, Lord Stanley, and your +other Ministers. You will probably ask most of them during his stay. +He wishes very much to see again those he already knows, and to make +the acquaintance of those he does not know yet. In writing all this +I think I _dream_, I _cannot believe_ yet that in a few days my dear +father will have, God willing, the _unspeakable happiness_ to see you +again and at _Windsor_, a thing he had _so much wished_ for and which +for a _long time_ seemed so _improbable_. You have _no notion_ of the +_satisfaction_ it gives him, and _how delighted_ he will be to see you +again, and to be once more in England. God grant he may have a good +passage, and arrive to you _safely_ and _well_. _Unberufen_, as you +will soon, I trust, be able to see, he is, notwithstanding the usual +talk of the papers, _perfectly well_.... Yours most devotedly, + +LOUISE. + + [Footnote 29: The difficulty with France as to Tahiti having + been satisfactorily disposed of, King Louis Philippe was + enabled to visit England, the first French King to come on + a visit to the Sovereign of England. The King was + enthusiastically received in England, visited Claremont (which + he was destined to occupy in exile), was installed as a Knight + of the Garter at Windsor with great magnificence, and visited + Eton College and Woolwich Arsenal.] + + + + +[Pageheading: SOLICITUDE OF QUEEN LOUISE] + + +_The Queen of the Belgians to Queen Victoria._ + +LAEKEN, _7th October 1844._ + +MY DEARLY BELOVED VICTORIA,--... I wrote to my mother, to quiet her, +all you kindly tell me about my dear father. We are _quite sure_, I +assure you, that you and Albert will _take care of him_, and that he +is with you _in safe hand_. And what makes my mother _uneasy_ is the +fear that, being at liberty without control, he will make _too much_, +as she says, _le jeune homme_, ride, go about, and do everything as if +he was still twenty years old. If I must tell you _all the truth_, she +is afraid also he will _eat too much_. I am sure he will tell it to +you himself, as he was so much amused with _this fear_; but to do her +pleasure, being well assured by me that you would allow it, and that +it was even _customary_, he has given up, of himself, all thought of +attending your early breakfast: but I perceive I write as if _he was +not already_ under _your_ roof. I will also only say, that though he +has sent over his horses in case they should be wanted, my mother +begs you to _prevent, if possible, his riding at all_. I wrote to her +already that I supposed there would be _no occasion_ for riding, +and that your _promenades_ would be either on foot or in carriage. +I entrusted Montpensier with all my messages for you, my beloved +Victoria and your dear children. He hopes you will permit him, during +his stay at Windsor, to make _two_ excursions--one to London, and one +to Woolwich--he is very curious to see, as an artillery officer. I +mention it as he would be, perhaps, _too shy_ or _too discreet_ to +mention it himself. He might very well do those two trips by the +railroad and be back for dinner-time, and I am sure you will have no +objection to them.... Yours most devotedly, + +LOUISE. + +I am very glad that Lord Charles Wellesley is one of those who will +attend my father. Montpensier and him will have surely capital fun +together, and he was, you know, a great favourite with every one at +Eu. If by chance Lord Hardwicke was in waiting during my father's +stay, you must kindly put my father in mind to thank him for the +_famous cheese_, which arrived safely, and was found very good.... + + + + +[Pageheading: THE KING'S ARRIVAL] + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _8th October 1844._ + +DEAREST UNCLE,--You will, I am sure, forgive my writing but a few +lines as I am all alone in the agitation of the dear King's arrival, +and I will leave my letter open to announce it to you. My _dearest_ +master is gone to Portsmouth to receive him. The excitement and +curiosity to see the dear King, and the desire to give him a most +hearty reception, is _very great indeed_. + +Many thanks for your kind letters of the 28th and 4th. I can't think +who could have said that Peel, etc., would _not_ have been here; for +he, Aberdeen, and the old Duke are to be here the whole time, and all +the other Ministers will come _during_ his stay. + +I am very glad Joinville is arrived, and avoided his _entrees +triomphales_. I hope he will take great care of himself. + +You will have heard from dear Louise of our voyage, etc. I cannot +reconcile myself to be _here_ again, and pine for my _dear_ +Highlands, the hills, the pure air, the quiet, the retirement, the +liberty--_all_--more than is right. The children are well. I am sorry +to hear that you are not quite so yet. + +3.30.--The King and Montpensier arrived quite safely at two, and are +both looking extremely well. We have just lunched with them. It seems +like a dream to me, and a very pleasant one. + +Albert sends his affectionate love. Ever your devoted Niece, + +VICTORIA R. + +Bertie has immediately taken a passion for Montpensier. + + + + +_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._ + +BROCKET HALL, _9th October 1844._ + +Lord Melbourne presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and thanks +your Majesty much for the letter of the 7th inst., which he has just +received, and with very great satisfaction, as he had begun to think +your Majesty's silence rather long. But he perfectly understands the +reasons which prevented your Majesty from writing during your stay in +the Highlands. Lord Melbourne is very glad to find that your Majesty +enjoyed that country so much, and is so enthusiastically fond of it. +Lord Melbourne believes that he was at the places which your Majesty +mentions. In the year 1802 he stayed some months in Perthshire with +the late Lord Kinnaird, and enjoyed it much. It annoys him sometimes +to think how altered he is in strength since that time. Lord Melbourne +has never yet thanked your Majesty for the pretty etchings of poor +Islay and Eos, which your Majesty sent to Lord Melbourne when he was +last at Windsor. Lord Melbourne has ordered them both to be framed, +and will hang them up in his room here. They will afford Lord +Melbourne most agreeable and pleasing souvenirs of the happiest period +of his life, for he cannot say otherwise than that he continually +misses and regrets the time when he had daily confidential +communication with your Majesty. Lord Glenlyon[30] has one merit +in Lord Melbourne's eyes, which is that he was a steady and firm +supporter to the last of Lord Melbourne's Government. Lord Melbourne +hopes and trusts that he feels no animosity against those who opposed +him. But he does and always shall entertain a kindly and grateful +recollection of those who supported him. + +Lord Melbourne begs to be remembered to His Royal Highness. + + [Footnote 30: _See_ vol. i. p. 429.] + + + + +_The Queen of the Belgians to Queen Victoria._ + +LAEKEN, _12th October 1844._ + +MY DEARLY BELOVED VICTORIA,--... I thank you very much for attending +to all my recommendations about _my_ father: I only fear that they +will lead you to believe that we consider him as a _great child_ and +treat him like one: but he is so _precious_ and _dear_ to _us all_ +that I am sure you will _understand_ and _excuse_ our being _over +anxious_... Yours most devotedly, + +LOUISE. + + + + +[Pageheading: A SUCCESSFUL VISIT] + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +OSBORNE HOUSE, _17th October 1844._ + +MY DEAREST UNCLE,--I had intended to have written to you on Monday, +but you will since have heard of the great _confusion_ of that day +which prevented me from doing so. The dear King's visit went off to +perfection, and I much and deeply regret its being passed. He was +_delighted_, and was _most_ enthusiastically and affectionately +received wherever he showed himself. Our proceedings I wrote to good, +dear Louise (whom you should not leave so long alone), who will no +doubt have given you the details. What an extraordinary man the King +is! What a wonderful memory, and how lively, _how sagacious!_He spoke +very openly to us all, and is determined that our affairs should go on +well. He wishes Tahiti _au fond de la mer_. He spoke also very openly +about poor Hadjy's _brochure_ which seems to have distressed him more +than anything. The King praised my dearest Albert most highly, and +fully appreciates his great qualities and talents--and what gratifies +me _so much_, treats him completely as his equal, calling him "Mon +Frere," and saying to me that _my husband_ was the same as me, which +it is--and "Le Prince Albert, c'est pour moi le Roi." The King is +_very_ sad to go, but he is determined, he says, _to see me every +year_. Another _very_ great thing is, that the officers of the two +Navies staying at Portsmouth were on the best terms together and +paying one another every sort of compliment. As Admiral La Susse (a +very gentlemanlike man) and his squadron were sadly disappointed on +Monday,[31] we thought it would please them if we went on board the +_Gomer_, which we did, on Tuesday morning, and breakfasted there, and +I drank the King's health. I am certain that the visit and everything +connected with it can but do the _greatest good_. + +We stay here till Monday. It is a very comfortable little house, and +the grounds and place are delightful, so private--and the view so +fine. + +I must now conclude, begging you to believe me, ever your devoted +Niece, + +VICTORIA R. + +I forgot to say how much we liked good Montpensier, who got on +extremely well. + + [Footnote 31: It had been intended that the King should return + to France, as he had come, by way of Portsmouth, crossing in + the frigate _Gomer_, but, in consequence of the wet and stormy + weather, he returned by Dover and Calais.] + + + + +[Pageheading: DEPARTURE OF THE KING] + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the French._ + +OSBORNE HOUSE, _le 17 Octobre 1844._ + +SIRE, ET MON TRES CHER FRERE,--Votre Majeste m'a ecrit deux bien +bonnes lettres de Douvres pour lesquelles je vous remercie de tout mon +c[oe]ur. Les expressions de bonte et d'amitie que vous me vouez ainsi +qu'a mon cher Albert nous touchent sensiblement; je n'ai pas besoin +de vous dire encore, combien nous vous sommes attaches et combien nous +desirons voir se raffermir de plus en plus cette _entente +cordiale_ entre nos deux pays qui existe si heureusement entre nous +personnellement. C'etait avec un vif regret que nous nous sommes +separes de votre Majeste, et de Montpensier, et ce sera une grande +fete que de voir renouveler une visite dont le souvenir nous est si +cher. + +Albert se met a vos pieds, Sire, bien sensible ainsi que moi-meme de +l'amitie et la confiance que vous lui avez temoignees. + +J'ose prier votre Majeste d'offrir mes plus tendres hommages a la +Reine et a Madame votre S[oe]ur et de me rappeler au souvenir de +Montpensier. Je suis pour la vie, Sire et mon cher Frere, de votre +Majeste la bien affectionnee S[oe]ur et fidele Amie, + +VICTORIA R. + + + + +[Pageheading: OPENING OF ROYAL EXCHANGE] + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _29th October 1844._ + +MY DEAREST UNCLE,--I had the happiness of receiving your kind letter +of the 26th while I was dressing to go to the City for the opening +of the Royal Exchange.[32] Nothing ever went off better, and the +procession there, as well as all the proceedings _at_ the Royal +Exchange, were splendid and royal in the extreme. It was a fine and +gratifying sight to see the myriads of people assembled--more than at +the Coronation even, and all in such good humour, and so loyal; the +articles in the papers, too, are most kind and gratifying; they say +_no_ Sovereign _was more_ loved than I am (I am bold enough to say), +and _that_, from our _happy domestic home_--which gives such a good +example. The _Times_ you have, and I venture to add a _Chronicle_, +as I think it very pretty; you should read the accounts. _I_ seldom +remember being so gratified and pleased with any public show, and my +beloved Albert was so enthusiastically received by the people. He +is _so_ beloved by all the really influential people, and by _all_ +right-thinking ones. We came back here yesterday evening. The accounts +from Paris are excellent too. How long are the good Joinvilles to +remain in the south, and where? By-the-by, dearest Uncle, have +you read the continuation of Consuelo,[33] called the "Comtesse de +Rudolstadt"? It is _dreadfully_ interesting. + +The Knights of the Garter did _not_ wear the whole costume, but only +the mantle. Being on this topic, shall tell you that I intend giving +the Garter to Ernest, but pray do not mention it to E. or _any one_. + +With Albert's affectionate love. Ever your devoted Niece and Child, + +VICTORIA R. + + [Footnote 32: On the preceding day.] + + [Footnote 33: The novel by George Sand (1804-1876), published + in 1842.] + + + + +_The King of the French to Queen Victoria._ + +SAINT CLOUD, _le 15 Novembre 1844._ + +MADAME MA BIEN CHERE S[OE]UR,--Mes souvenirs de Windsor sont de ceux +dont aucun ne s'efface. Je n'oublie donc pas une petite question qui +m'a ete si joliment adressee, _Where is my gun?_ et a present j'en ai +trouve un qui serait indigne de la destinee que je prie votre Majeste +de me permettre de lui donner, si le regret que la disparition du +premier fusil avait cause, ne m'avait pas appris que le second devait +etre d'un genre a supporter tous les accidents que l'enfance aime a +infliger a ses joujoux. C'est donc tout simplement un tres modeste +fusil de munition adapte a sa taille que j'adresse a votre Majeste +pour son auguste et charmant enfant le Prince de Galles, comme ma +reponse a sa question. + +J'ai encore une autre dette dont je vous prie de me permettre de +m'acquitter. Quelque vif que soit mon desir de revoir Windsor, ce +serait un trop long retard que d'attendre cet heureux moment, pour +offrir a la Princesse Royale cette petite boite a ouvrage, de Paris, +qu'elle m'a fait esperer lui serait agreable, et tout ce que je desire +c'est que vos enfants se ressouviennent un jour d'avoir vu celui qui +a ete le fidele ami de leur grand-pere, comme il l'est et le sera +toujours de leurs bien aimes parents. + +Que votre Majeste me permette encore d'offrir ici au Prince Albert +l'expression de la vive et sincere amitie que je lui porte et que +je lui garderai toujours, et d'accepter celle de l'inalterable +attachement avec lequel je suis pour la vie, Madame ma bien chere +S[oe]ur, de votre Majeste, le bon Frere bien affectionne et fidele +Ami, + +LOUIS PHILIPPE R. + + + + +[Pageheading: EDUCATION IN INDIA] + +[Pageheading: SIR HENRY HARDINGE] + + +_Sir Henry Hardinge to Queen Victoria._ + +_23rd November 1844._ + +Sir Henry Hardinge[34] with his most humble duty to your Majesty, +humbly submits for your Majesty's consideration the following +observations on the state of affairs in this large portion of your +Majesty's dominions. + +The return of peace has also increased the desire of the native +population to receive the advantages of English education. The +literature of the West is the most favourite study amongst the Hindoos +in their schools and colleges. They will discuss with accuracy the +most important events in British History. Boys of fifteen years of +age, black in colour, will recite the most favourite passages +from Shakespeare, ably quoting the notes of the English and German +commentators. They excel in mathematics, and in legal subtleties their +acuteness is most extraordinary. + +In order to reward native talent and render it practically useful to +the State, Sir Henry Hardinge, after due deliberation, has issued a +resolution, by which the most meritorious students will be appointed +to fill the public offices which fall vacant throughout Bengal. + +This encouragement has been received by the Hindoo population with the +greatest gratitude. The studies in the Mohammedan schools and colleges +have hitherto been confined to Arabic, the Koran, and abstruse studies +relating to their religion, having always shown a marked aversion to +English literature. Since the publication of the Resolution they have +at once determined to change their system in order to participate in +the benefits held out to native merit of every sect. + +It is impossible throughout your Majesty's immense Empire to employ +the number of highly paid European civil servants which the public +service requires. This deficiency is the great evil of British +Administration. By dispersing annually a proportion of well-educated +natives throughout the provinces, under British superintendence, +well-founded hopes are entertained that prejudices may gradually +disappear, the public service be improved, and attachment to British +institutions increased.... + +Sir Henry Hardinge, in closing these observations, most humbly +ventures to assure your Majesty that he anticipates no occurrence as +probable, by which the tranquillity of this portion of your Majesty's +dominions is likely to be disturbed. + +H. HARDINGE. + + [Footnote 34: Governor-General of India, in succession to Lord + Ellenborough.] + + + + +INTRODUCTORY NOTE + +TO CHAPTER XIV + + +The new year (1845) opened auspiciously, trade improving owing to the +great impetus given to it by the many lines of railway then in +course of promotion. Over two hundred schemes were prepared at +the commencement of the session to seek legislative sanction, and +speculation outran all reasonable limits. The Income Tax (which in the +ordinary course would have expired) was renewed, and the Anti-Corn +Law Leaguers were more persistent than ever in their assaults on +Protection, while the attacks on the Ministry from a section of their +own party were redoubled. The most remarkable measure of the year was +the Government Bill for increasing the grant to the Roman Catholic +College of Maynooth, which was strongly opposed from the Conservative +and the Protestant points of view; Mr Gladstone, though he approved of +the measure, retired from the Ministry, as he had a few years before +written in the opposite sense. Towards the close of the year the +condition of Ireland, owing to the failure of the potato crop, became +very alarming, and the Ministry greatly embarrassed. Lord John Russell +wrote from Edinburgh to the electors of the City of London, announcing +his conversion to the Repeal of the Corn Laws, and the _Times_ +announced that such a Bill would be brought in by the Ministry. Peel, +reluctant to accept the task, resigned office in December, and a Whig +Ministry was attempted. Owing to dissensions, the attempt had to be +abandoned, and Peel returned to office, without Lord Stanley, but +with Mr Gladstone, who however did not seek re-election for the seat +vacated by his acceptance of office. + +A dispute of great importance arose during the year with the United +States, relating to the boundary line between English and American +territory west of the Rocky Mountains. Twenty-five years earlier the +same question had arisen, and had been settled on the footing of joint +occupancy. The increased importance of the Pacific slope made the +matter more vital, involving as it did the ownership of Vancouver +Island and the mouth of the Columbia River; President Polk +unequivocally claimed the whole, and said he would not shrink from +upholding America's interests; the British Government was equally +firm, and the matter was not adjusted till 1846. + +In India, which during nearly the whole year enjoyed peace, the Sikhs +in December assumed the aggressive, and crossed the Sutlej, invading +British India. They were signally defeated by Sir Hugh Gough at +Moodkee and Ferozeshah. In Scinde Sir Charles Napier prosecuted +operations against the mountain desert tribes. + +In New Zealand some disastrous collisions took place between the +natives and the settlers; the former on two occasions either defeating +or repulsing the British arms. + +In France the most important events were the Bill for fortifying +Paris, the campaign waged against Abd-el-Kader in Algeria, and +a horrible act of cruelty perpetrated there. In Spain Don Carlos +abdicated his claims to the throne in favour of his son; the Queen's +engagement to Count Trapani was rumoured. In other parts of Europe +little that was eventful occurred. + + + + +CHAPTER XIV + +1845 + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _14th January 1845._ + +MY DEAREST UNCLE,--What you say about Aquila[1] and Montpensier +interests me. What madness is it then to force Trapani on Spain! Pray +explain to me the cause of the King's obstinacy about that Spanish +marriage, for _no_ country has a right to dictate in that way to +another. If Tatane[2] was _to think_ of the Infanta, England would be +extremely indignant, and would (and with right) consider it tantamount +to a marriage with the Queen herself. Ever your devoted Niece, + +VICTORIA R. + + [Footnote 1: Louis Charles, Comte d'Aquila, a son of Francis + I., King of the Two Sicilies, and brother of the Comte de + Trapani and of Queen Christina; he and his brother were + therefore uncles of Queen Isabella.] + + [Footnote 2: The Duc de Montpensier.] + + + + +_The King of the Belgians to Queen Victoria._ + +LAEKEN, _18th January 1845._ + +MY DEAREST VICTORIA,--... The Spanish marriage question is really very +curious; in fact, all the other Bourbon branches are hostile to the +Orleans family, but the idea that makes the King so constant in his +views about it, is that he imagines it would create in France a bad +impression if _now_ any other than a Bourbon was to marry the Queen of +Spain. That feeling they have _themselves created_, as in France +they did not at all care about it; having, however, declared _quasi_ +officially in the French Chambers that they _will not have any but +a Bourbon_, if circumstances should after all decide it otherwise it +would now be a defeat, but certainly one of their own making.... Your +devoted Uncle, + +LEOPOLD R. + + + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _28th January 1845._ + +...The feeling of loyalty in this country is happily _very_ strong, +and wherever we show ourselves we are most heartily and warmly +received, and the civilities and respect shown to us by those we visit +is _most_ satisfactory. I mention merely a trifling instance to show +_how_ respectful they are--the Duke of Buckingham, who is immensely +proud, bringing the cup of coffee after dinner on a waiter to Albert +himself. And everywhere my dearest Angel receives the respect and +honours I receive. + +Many thanks for returning the list;[3] it was not Albert but _Tatane_ +who made the black crosses. Are not "Les 3 Mousquetaires," by Dumas, +and "Arthur," by Eugene Sue, _readable_ for _me_? + +Now adieu, dearest, best Uncle. Ever your truly devoted Niece, + +VICTORIA R. + + [Footnote 3: A list of French books which the Queen was + proposing to read.] + + + + +[PAGEHEADING: STATE OF BUCKINGHAM PALACE] + + +_Queen Victoria to Sir Robert Peel._ + +PAVILION, _10th February 1845._ + +Though the Queen knows that Sir Robert Peel has already turned his +attention to the urgent necessity of doing something to Buckingham +Palace, the Queen thinks it right to recommend this subject herself to +his serious consideration. Sir Robert is acquainted with the state of +the Palace and the total want of accommodation for our little family, +which is fast growing up. Any building must necessarily take some +years before it can be safely inhabited. If it were to be begun this +autumn, it could hardly be occupied before the spring of 1848, when +the Prince of Wales would be nearly seven, and the Princess Royal +nearly eight years old, and they cannot possibly be kept in the +nursery any longer. A provision for this purpose ought, therefore, to +be made this year. Independent of this, most parts of the Palace are +in a sad state, and will ere long require a further outlay to render +them _decent_ for the occupation of the Royal Family or any visitors +the Queen may have to receive. A room, capable of containing a larger +number of those persons whom the Queen has to invite in the course +of the season to balls, concerts, etc., than any of the present +apartments can at once hold, is much wanted. Equally so, improved +offices and servants' rooms, the want of which puts the departments +of the household to great expense yearly. It will be for Sir Robert to +consider whether it would not be best to remedy all these deficiencies +at once, and to make use of this opportunity to render the exterior of +the Palace such as no longer to be a _disgrace_ to the country, which +it certainly now is. The Queen thinks the country would be better +pleased to have the question of the Sovereign's residence in London +so finally disposed of, than to have it so repeatedly brought before +it.[4] + + [Footnote 4: Peel replied that, as a renewal of the Income Tax + was about to be proposed, it would be better to postpone the + application to Parliament till the public feeling as to the + tax had been ascertained.] + + + + +[PAGEHEADING: TITLE OF KING CONSORT] + + +_Queen Victoria to Sir Robert Peel._ + +PAVILION, _18th February 1845._ + +The Queen has received Sir Robert Peel's letter, and is glad that the +progress in the House of Commons was so satisfactory. + +The Queen was much hurt at Mr Borthwick's most impertinent manner of +putting the question with respect to the title of King Consort, and +much satisfied with Sir Robert's answer.[5] The title of King is +open assuredly to many difficulties, and would perhaps be no _real_ +advantage to the Prince, but the Queen is positive that something must +at once be done to place the Prince's position on a constitutionally +recognised footing, and to give him a title adequate to that +position.[6] _How_ and _when_, are difficult questions.... + + [Footnote 5: A paragraph had appeared in the _Morning + Chronicle_, giving credence to a rumour that this title was + about to be conferred on the Prince, but, in answer to Mr + Peter Borthwick, Sir Robert Peel positively contradicted it.] + + [Footnote 6: + + _Sir Robert Peel to the Prince Albert._ + + WHITEHALL, _15th February 1845._ + + SIR,--I received yesterday the accompanying note from Mr + Borthwick, and in conformity with the notice therein given, + he put the question to me in the House of Commons last evening + respecting the paragraph which appeared in the _Morning + Chronicle_ respecting the intention of proposing to Parliament + that your Royal Highness should assume the title of King + Consort. + + I very much regret that the _Morning Chronicle_ inserted that + paragraph. + + The prominent place assigned to it in the newspaper, and a + vague intimation that there was some authority for it, have + caused a certain degree of credit to be attached to it. It has + been copied into all the country newspapers and has given rise + to a good deal of conjecture and speculation, which it is far + from desirable to excite without necessity. + + It appears to me that the editor of the _Morning Chronicle_ + acted most unwarrantably in inserting such a paragraph with a + pretence of some sort of authority for it. + + It has produced an impression which strongly confirms the + observations which I took the liberty of making to your Royal + Highness on Sunday evening. + + I trust, however, that my decided contradiction of the + paragraph will put a stop to further surmise and discussion on + the subject. + + To Mr Borthwick's note I add one of several letters + addressed to me, which shows the proneness to speculate upon + constitutional novelties. + + I have the honour to be, Sir, with sincere respect, your Royal + Highness's most faithful and obedient Servant, + + ROBERT PEEL.] + + + + +_Queen Victoria to Sir Robert Peel._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _24th March 1845._ + +The Queen has received Sir Robert Peel's box containing his +recommendation relative to the filling up of the vacant Bishopric of +Ely. The Queen quite approves of the present Dean of Westminster[7] +as the new Bishop. As Sir Robert has asked the Queen whether she +would like to see Archdeacon Wilberforce succeed to the Deanery of +Westminster in case the Dean should accept the Bishopric, she must say +that such an arrangement would be _very satisfactory_ to us, and the +Queen believes would highly please the Archdeacon. This would again +vacate, the Queen believes, a stall at Winchester, which she would +like to see filled by a person decidedly adverse to Puseyism. + +The Queen approves of the Bishop of Lichfield[8] being transferred to +the See of Ely in case Doctor Turton should decline it. + +It would give the Queen much pleasure to stand sponsor to Sir Robert +Peel's little grandson, and perhaps Sir Robert would communicate this +to Lady Villiers. + + [Footnote 7: Dr Thomas Turton (1780-1864), formerly Dean of + Peterborough.] + + [Footnote 8: John Lonsdale (1788-1867) was Bishop of Lichfield + from 1843 till his death.] + + + + +[Pageheading: PURCHASE OF OSBORNE] + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _25th March 1845._ + +... I copied what you wrote me about Peel[9] in a letter I wrote him, +which I am sure will please him much, and a Minister in these days +_does_ require a little encouragement, for the abuse and difficulties +they have to contend with are dreadful. Peel works so hard and has so +much to do, that sometimes he says he does not know _how_ he is to get +through it all! + +You will, I am sure, be pleased to hear that we have succeeded in +purchasing _Osborne_ in the Isle of Wight,[10] and if we can manage +it, we shall probably run down there before we return to Town, for +three nights. It sounds so snug and nice to have a place of _one's +own_, quiet and retired, and free from all Woods and Forests, and +other charming Departments who really are the plague of one's life. + +Now, dearest Uncle, adieu. Ever your truly devoted Niece, + +VICTORIA R. + + [Footnote 9: See Peel's reply, _Life of the Prince Consort_, + chap. xiii.] + + [Footnote 10: The purchase was suggested by Sir Robert Peel.] + + + + +_Queen Victoria to Viscount Melbourne._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _3rd April 1845._ + +The Queen had intended to have written to Lord Melbourne from Osborne +to thank him for his last note of the 19th, but we were so occupied, +and so delighted with _our new_ and really delightful _home_, that +she hardly had time for anything; besides which the weather was so +beautiful, that we were out almost all day. The Queen refers Lord +Melbourne to Mr Anson for particulars of the new property, which is +very extensive, as she is not at all competent to explain about +acres, etc. But she thinks it is impossible to imagine a prettier +spot--valleys and woods which would be beautiful anywhere; but all +this near the sea (the woods grow into the sea) is quite perfection; +we have a charming beach quite to ourselves. The sea was so blue and +calm that the Prince said it was like Naples. And then we can walk +about anywhere by ourselves without being followed and mobbed, which +Lord Melbourne will easily understand is delightful. And last, not +least, we have Portsmouth and Spithead so close at hand, that we shall +be able to watch what is going on, which will please the Navy, and be +hereafter very useful for our boys. + +The Children are all well. The Queen has just had a lithograph made +after a little drawing which she did herself of the three eldest, and +which she will send Lord Melbourne with some Eau de Cologne. + +Fanny and Lord Jocelyn dined here last night; she is looking very +well, and he seems much pleased at being in office, and being +employed. + +The Queen hopes Lord Melbourne is enjoying this fine weather, and here +concludes with the Prince's kind remembrance. + + + + +[Pageheading: THE MAYNOOTH GRANT] + +[Pageheading: RELIGIOUS BIGOTRY] + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _15th April 1845._ + +MY BELOVED UNCLE,--Here we are in a great state of agitation about one +of the greatest measures ever proposed;[11] I am sure poor Peel ought +to be _blessed by_ all Catholics for the manly and noble way in +which he stands forth to protect and do good to poor Ireland. But +the bigotry, the wicked and blind passions it brings forth is quite +dreadful, and I blush for Protestantism![12] A Presbyterian clergyman +said very truly, "_Bigotry_ is more _common than shame_...." + + [Footnote 11: The Bill to increase the grant to the Roman + Catholic College of Maynooth was carried by Peel in the teeth + of opposition from half his party: another measure was passed + to establish colleges for purely secular teaching ("godless + colleges" they were nicknamed) in Cork, Belfast, and Galway, + and affiliate them to a new Irish university.] + + [Footnote 12: As Macaulay had said during the previous night's + debate: "The Orangeman raises his war whoop, Exeter Hall sets + up its bray, Mr Macneile shudders to see more costly cheer + than ever provided for the priests of Baal at the table of + the Queen, and the Protestant operatives of Dublin call for + impeachments in exceedingly bad English."] + + + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _23rd April 1845._ + +MY DEAREST UNCLE,--Our Maynooth Bill is through the second reading. I +think, if you read Sir Robert's admirable speeches, you will see how +good his plan is. The _Catholics_ are quite delighted at it--full +of gratitude, and behave extremely well; but the Protestants behave +shockingly, and display a narrow-mindedness and want of sense on the +subject of religion which is quite a disgrace to the nation. The case +of Austria, France, etc., cannot be compared to this, as _this_ is a +_Protestant_ country, while the others are Catholic; and I think it +would never do to support a Roman Catholic Church with money belonging +to the Protestant Church. The Protestant Establishment in Ireland +must remain untouched, but let the Roman Catholic Clergy be well and +handsomely educated. + +The Duc de Broglie[13] dined with us last night; his _travaux_ are +going on satisfactorily; he asked when you were coming, and said you +were "_beaucoup Anglais et un peu Francais_," which is true, I think. + +With Albert's affectionate respects, believe me always, your devoted +Niece, + +VICTORIA R. + + [Footnote 13: Achille Charles, Duc de Broglie, ex-Minister of + Foreign Affairs.] + + + + +_Mr Goulburn[14] to Queen Victoria._ + +DOWNING STREET, _30th April 1845._ + +Mr Goulburn submits with his humble duty to your Majesty that several +representations have been made to the Treasury as to the convenience +which the public would derive from the circulation of silver +threepenny-pieces. Such pieces are lawfully current under your +Majesty's Proclamation of the 5th July 1838. But as such pieces have +been hitherto reserved as your Majesty's Maundy money, and as such +especially belong to your Majesty's service, Mr Goulburn considers +that a coinage of them for general use could not take place without a +particular signification of your Majesty's pleasure. + +Mr Goulburn therefore humbly submits for your Majesty's gracious +consideration the signification of your Majesty's pleasure as to the +issue of such a coinage. + + [Footnote 14: Chancellor of the Exchequer.] + + + + +[Pageheading: PUBLIC EXECUTIONS] + + +_Sir James Graham to Queen Victoria._ + +WHITEHALL, _13th May 1845._ + +Sir James Graham, with humble duty, begs to lay before your Majesty +the enclosed Memorial. + +The proceedings in Newgate on the occasion of the last condemned +sermon and on the morning of the execution have been fully +investigated;[15] and the report established the necessity of +legislative interference to prevent the recurrence of scenes so +disgraceful and demoralising. The policy of depriving capital +executions of their present publicity is well worthy of careful +revision; and Sir James Graham, in obedience to your Majesty's desire, +will bring the subject under the notice of his colleagues. He is +disposed to think that the sentence might be carried into execution in +the presence of a Jury to be summoned by the Sheriff with good effect; +and that the great body of idle spectators might be excluded, without +diminishing the salutary terror and awful warning which this extreme +punishment is intended to produce on the public mind. In dealing, +however, with a matter in which the community has so deep an interest, +it is prudent not to violate public opinion, and caution is necessary +before a change of the long-established usage is proposed.[16] + +Sir James Graham deeply regrets the part taken by the newspapers in +seeking to indulge the general curiosity with respect to all details +of the conduct, habits, and demeanour of these wretched criminals in +their last moments; but he fears that the license of the Press cannot +be checked by any act of authority; if the public be excluded from +witnessing the executions, they will probably become still more +anxious to obtain a printed report of all that has taken place; and +Sir James Graham is so thoroughly convinced that the punishment of +death in certain cases must be maintained, that he would consider any +course inexpedient which was likely to lead the public to desire the +remission of capital executions in all cases without exception.... + +J. R. G. GRAHAM. + + [Footnote 15: The attraction these executions had for the + general public was at this time a great scandal.] + + [Footnote 16: Public executions were abolished in 1868.] + + + + +[Pageheading: A BIRTHDAY LETTER] + +[Pageheading: THE PRINCESS CHARLOTTE] + + +_The King of the Belgians to Queen Victoria._ + +LAEKEN, _21st May 1845._ + +MY DEAREST AND MOST BELOVED VICTORIA,--Receive my sincerest and most +heartfelt good wishes on the happy reappearance of your birthday. I +need not dwell on my sentiments of devotion to you; they began with +_your life, and will only end with mine_. The only claim I make is to +be remembered with some little affection. Thank heaven, I have little +to wish you, than that your present happiness may not be disturbed, +and that those who are dear to you may be preserved for your +happiness. + +My gift is Charlotte's portrait. The face is extremely like, and the +likest that exists; the hair is a little too fair, it had become +also darker. I take this opportunity to repeat that Charlotte was a +noble-minded and highly gifted creature. She was nervous, as all +the family have been; she could be violent, but then she was full +of repentance for it, and her disposition _highly generous_ and +_susceptible_ of _great devotion_. + +I am the more bound to say this, as I understood that you had some +notion that she had been _very imperious_, and not mistress of her +temper. Before her marriage some people by dint of flattery had tried +to give her masculine tastes; and in short had pushed her to become +one day a sort of Queen Elizabeth. These sentiments were already +a little modified before her marriage. But she was particularly +determined to be a _good_ and _obedient_ wife; some of her friends +were anxious she should _not_; amongst these Madame de Flahaut must be +mentioned _en premiere ligne_. + +This became even a subject which severed the intimacy between them. +Madame de Flahaut, much older than Charlotte, and of a sour and +determined character, had gained an influence which partook on +Charlotte's part a little of fear. She was afraid of her, but when +once supported took courage. + +People were much struck on the 2nd of May 1816 at Carlton House with +the clearness and firmness with which she pronounced "_and obey_," +etc., as there had been a _general belief_ that it would be _for the +husband_ to give _these promises_. The Regent put me particularly on +my guard, and said, "If you don't resist she will govern you with a +high hand." Your own experience has convinced you that real affection +changes many sentiments that may have been implanted into the mind of +a young girl. With Charlotte it was the more meritorious, as from a +very early period of her life she was considered as the heiress of the +Crown; the Whigs flattered her extremely, and later, when she got by +my intervention reconciled to the Tories, they also made great efforts +to please her. + +Her understanding was extremely good; she knew everybody, and I even +afterwards found her judgment generally extremely correct. _She had +read a great deal and knew well what she had read._ Generous she was +almost _too much_, and her _devotion_ was quite affecting, from a +character so much pushed to be selfish and imperious. + +I will here end my souvenir of poor dear Charlotte, but I thought +that the subject could not but be interesting to you. Her constancy in +wishing to marry me, which she maintained under difficulties of every +description, has been the foundation of all that touched the family +afterwards. You know, I believe, that your poor father was the chief +promoter, though also the Yorks were; but our correspondence from 1814 +till 1816 was entirely carried on through his kind intervention; it +would otherwise have been impossible, as she was really treated as a +sort of prisoner. Grant always to that good and generous Charlotte, +who sleeps already with her beautiful little boy so long, where all +will go to, an affectionate remembrance, and believe me she deserves +it. + +Forgive my long letter, and see in it, what it really is, a token of +the great affection I have for you. Ever, my dearest Victoria, your +devoted Uncle. + +LEOPOLD R. + + + + +_Queen Victoria to Sir Robert Peel._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _12th June 1845._ + +The Queen understands that the Deanery of Worcester has become vacant +by some new arrangement. Believing that Sir Robert's brother, Mr John +Peel, has a fair claim to such preferment, but being afraid that Sir +Robert would perhaps hesitate to recommend him on account of his near +relationship to him, the Queen wishes to offer herself this Deanery +through Sir Robert to his brother. + + + + +_Sir Robert Peel to Queen Victoria._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _12th June 1845._ + +Sir Robert Peel, with his humble duty to your Majesty, hastens to +acknowledge your Majesty's most kind and considerate communication, +and to express his grateful acknowledgments for it. + +He must, in justice to his brother, assure your Majesty that he never +has expressed, and probably never would express, a wish to Sir Robert +Peel on the subject of preferment in the Church. + +Sir Robert Peel might have hesitated to bring the name of one so +nearly connected with him under the notice of your Majesty, but as his +brother was highly distinguished in his academical career at Oxford, +and is greatly respected for the discharge of every professional +duty, Sir Robert Peel could not feel himself justified in offering an +impediment to the fulfilment of your Majesty's gracious intentions in +his favour, if, when the vacancy shall have actually occurred in the +Deanery of Worcester, no superior claim should be preferred.[17] + + [Footnote 17: Dean Peel lived till 1875.] + + + + +[Pageheading: AUSTRALIAN WINE] + + +_Lord Stanley to Queen Victoria._ + +DOWNING STREET, _10th July 1845._ + +Lord Stanley, with his humble duty, submits to your Majesty a despatch +just received from the Governor of South Australia, enclosing the +letter of a settler in the province, Mr Walter Duffield, who is +anxious to be allowed the honour of offering for your Majesty's +acceptance a case of the first wine which has been made in the colony. + +Lord Stanley will not venture to answer for the quality of the +vintage; but as the wine has been sent over with a loyal and dutiful +feeling, and the importer, as well as the colonists in general, might +feel hurt by a refusal of his humble offering, he ventures to hope +that he may be permitted to signify, through the Governor, your +Majesty's gracious acceptance of the first sample of a manufacture +which, if successful, may add greatly to the resources of this young +but now thriving colony. + +The above is humbly submitted by your Majesty's most dutiful Servant +and Subject, + +STANLEY. + + + + +[Pageheading: THE KING OF HOLLAND] + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +OSBORNE, _29th July 1845._ + +MY DEAREST UNCLE,--Accept my best thanks for your very kind little +note of the 26th. As Albert writes to you about the King of Holland's +visit[18] I will say but little, except that it really went off +wonderfully well in our little house. We took him a sail in the +_Victoria and Albert_ on Saturday, which he admired amazingly, and +after luncheon he went away, Albert taking him over to Gosport. He +intends, I believe, to come here one morning for luncheon to take +leave. He is grown old, and has lost all his front teeth, but he is as +talkative and lively as he used to be, and seems very happy to be in +England again. He was very anxious that we should pay him a visit this +year, but was quite satisfied when we told him that this year it was +impossible, but that we hoped some other time to do so. He was much +struck at seeing me now independent and unembarrassed, and talking; +as when he was here in 1836[19] I was extremely crushed and kept +under and hardly dared say a word, so that he was quite astonished. +He thought me grown. Believe me, always, dearest Uncle, your devoted +Niece, + +VICTORIA R. + + [Footnote 18: This visit lasted ten days, and included a visit + to Goodwood races and a review of the Household troops in Hyde + Park. His Majesty was also appointed a Field-Marshal.] + + [Footnote 19: _Ante_, vol. i. p. 47. He was then Prince of + Orange, and succeeded his father, who abdicated in his favour + in 1840.] + + + + +_Queen Victoria to Viscount Melbourne._ + +OSBORNE, _31st July 1845._ + +The Queen thanks Lord Melbourne very much for his last kind letter of +the 11th, by which she was truly rejoiced to see he was better. We are +comfortably and peacefully established here since the 19th, and derive +the greatest benefit, pleasure, and satisfaction from our little +possession here. The dear Prince is constantly occupied in directing +the many necessary improvements which are to be made, and in watching +our new house, which is a constant interest and amusement. We are most +anxiously waiting for the conclusion of the Session that we may set +off on our much-wished-for journey to Germany. The Queen is extremely +sorry to leave England without seeing Lord Melbourne, and without +having seen him all this season; but something or other always +prevented us from seeing Lord Melbourne each time we hoped to do so. +We only return the night before the Prorogation and embark that same +day. We have the children here. We went to the Undercliff--Ventnor, +Bonchurch, etc.--on Monday, and were much delighted with all we saw. +We had a visit from the King of Holland last week, who is grown old, +but otherwise just the same as he used to be. + +The Queen joins with Lord Melbourne in unfeigned satisfaction at the +success of the Irish measures, after so much factious opposition. Lord +Grey's death[20] will have shocked Lord Melbourne, as it has us. Poor +Lord Dunmore's death is a very shocking event. The Prince wishes to be +most kindly remembered to Lord Melbourne. + + [Footnote 20: Charles, second Earl Grey, had been Prime + Minister, 1830-1834.] + + + + +[Pageheading: THE SOVEREIGN'S ABSENCE] + + +_Sir Robert Peel to Queen Victoria._ + +WHITEHALL, _6th August 1845._ + +Sir Robert Peel presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and begs +leave to acquaint your Majesty that in the course of a long speech +made by Lord John Russell last night, reviewing the policy of the +Government and the proceedings of the Session, Lord John expressed +himself strongly on the subject of your Majesty's absence from +the country, without provision made for the exercise of the Royal +authority by the appointment of Lords Justices. + +Sir Robert Peel thinks it very probable that a motion will be made +upon the subject in the course of the next Session--particularly in +the event of any occurrence during your Majesty's absence, which might +cause public inconvenience from the want of immediate access to the +Royal authority, or compel any assumption of power on the part of your +Majesty's servants of a questionable character. + +The present Law Officers of the Crown were rather startled at the +intention of departing from the precedent of George IV.'s reign, on +seeing the legal opinions of their predecessors; they did not differ +from the _legal_ doctrines laid down by them, but were not very well +satisfied on the point of discretion and policy. + +Sir Robert Peel feels it to be his duty to state to your Majesty +what has passed on this subject, and to apprize your Majesty of the +possibility of a question being hereafter raised in Parliament upon +it. + +Sir Robert Peel thinks that in the case of a short absence, and +a distance not precluding easy and rapid communication with your +Majesty, the appointment of Lords Justices may be dispensed with; but +he is humbly of opinion that were the distance greater or the period +of absence longer than that contemplated by your Majesty, the reasons +for the nomination of Lords Justices would preponderate. + +Should the subject be again mentioned in Parliament and a direct +question be put upon it, Sir Robert Peel will, of course, assume +the entire responsibility for the non-appointment of Lords Justices; +vindicating the departure from the precedent of George IV. on the +ground of the shorter period of absence and the more easy means of +communication.[21]... + + [Footnote 21: The Queen was accompanied by a Secretary of + State (Lord Aberdeen), so that an act of State could be + performed as well abroad as at home; see _Life of the Prince + Consort_, vol. i. p. 272.] + + + + +[Pageheading: VISIT TO THE CHATEAU D'EU] + +[Pageheading: THE SPANISH MARRIAGES] + + +_The Earl of Aberdeen to Sir Robert Peel._ + +CHATEAU D'EU, _8th September 1845._ + +MY DEAR PEEL,--We left Antwerp very early yesterday morning, and +anchored for a few hours off Flushing.[22] We passing down the Channel +during the night, and as the weather was perfectly bright and fine, +found ourselves off Treport before nine o'clock this morning. The King +came off to the yacht, and took the Queen in his barge to land. I need +not say how joyfully she was received by all the Royal Family. + +Although I shall have opportunities, both this evening and to-morrow +morning, of speaking again with the King and Guizot, I have already +discussed several subjects with each of them; and as the Queen +particularly desires to send a messenger this evening, I will give you +some notion of what has passed between us. + +I think the marriage of the Queen of Spain is the subject on which the +greatest interest is felt at this moment. It was the first introduced, +both by the King and Guizot, and treated by both in the same manner. +They said, that having promised to support the King of Naples, they +were bound not to abandon the Count de Trapani, so long as there was a +chance of his being successful in his suit. I said in answer to +their desire, that we would assist this arrangement, that we had no +objection to Count Trapani, and that we would take no part against +him; but unless it should be the decided wish of the Spanish +Government and people, we could give no support to the marriage, as we +were honestly of opinion that it was not desired in Spain, and that +we saw nothing in the proposal to call for our support under these +circumstances. Both the King and Guizot said they had no objection to +the Duke of Saville[23] (Don Enrique), and that if it should be found +that Count Trapani was impossible, they would willingly support him. + +With respect to the Infanta, they both declared in the most positive +and explicit manner, that _until the Queen was married and had +children_, they should consider the Infanta precisely as her sister, +and that any marriage with a French Prince would be entirely out of +the question. The King said he did not wish that his son should have +the prospect of being on the throne of Spain; but that if the Queen +had children, by whom the succession would be secured, he did not +engage to preclude himself from the possibility of profiting by the +great inheritance which the Infanta would bring his son. All this, +however, was uncertain, and would require time at all events to +accomplish; for I distinctly understood, that it was not only a +marriage and a child, but _children, that were necessary to secure the +succession_. + +I thought this was as much as we could desire at present, and that the +policy of a marriage with a French Prince might safely be left to be +considered whenever the contingency contemplated should arrive. Many +things may happen, both in France and Spain, in the course of a few +years to affect this question in a manner not now apparent. + +ABERDEEN. + + [Footnote 22: Parliament was prorogued on the 9th of August, + and the Queen and Prince sailed in the evening for Antwerp + in the Royal yacht. Sir Theodore Martin gives a very full + description of the visit to Coburg. The Queen was especially + delighted with the Rosenau and Reinhardtsbrunn. On the morning + of the 8th of September the yacht, which had left the Scheldt + on the previous evening, arrived at Treport, and a second + visit was paid to the King and Queen of the French at the + Chateau d'Eu.] + + [Footnote 23: Younger son of Don Francisco de Paula, and first + cousin to Queen Isabella, both through his father and his + mother.] + + + + +[Pageheading: CHURCH APPOINTMENTS] + + +_Sir Robert Peel to Queen Victoria._ + +OSBORNE, _15th September 1845._ + +Sir Robert Peel, with his humble duty to your Majesty, begs leave to +acquaint your Majesty that there remains the sum of L700 to be applied +in the current year to the grant of Civil List Pensions. + +Sir Robert Peel humbly recommends to your Majesty that another sum +of L200 should be offered to Mr Tennyson, a poet of whose powers of +imagination and expression many competent judges think most highly. + +He was brought under the notice of Sir Robert Peel by Mr Hallam. His +pecuniary circumstances are far from being prosperous. + +There is a vacancy in the Deanery of Lincoln, but the preferment is +less eligible from there being no residence, and the necessity for +building one at the immediate expense of the new Dean. + +Sir Robert Peel is inclined to recommend to your Majesty that an +offer of this preferment should be made to Mr Ward, the Rector of St +James's. + +Should Mr Ward decline, there is a clergyman of the name of +Maurice,[24] of whom the Archbishop says: "Of unbeneficed London +clergy there is no one, I believe, who is so much distinguished by his +learning and literary talent as the Rev. Frederick Maurice, Chaplain +of St Guy's Hospital. His private character is equally estimable." + +Should Mr Ward decline[25] the Deanery it might, should your Majesty +approve of it, be offered to Mr Maurice. The Archbishop says that the +appointment of Mr Maurice would be very gratifying to the _King of +Prussia_. + + [Footnote 24: Frederick Denison Maurice (1805-1872), the + friend of Kingsley, afterwards Chaplain of St. Peter's, Vere + Street.] + + [Footnote 25: Mr Ward accepted the Deanery.] + + + + +_The King of the Belgians to Queen Victoria._ + +ST CLOUD, _10th October 1845._ + +MY DEAREST VICTORIA,--... All you say about our dear Albert, whom +I love like my own child, is perfectly true. The attacks, however +unjust, have but one advantage, that of showing the points the enemy +thinks _weakest_ and best calculated to hurt. This, being the case, +Anson, without boring A. with _daily_ accounts which in the end +become very irksome, should pay attention to these very points, and +contribute to avoid what may be turned to account by the enemy. +To hope to _escape_ censure and calumny is next to impossible, but +whatever is considered by the enemy as a fit subject for attack is +better modified or avoided. The dealings with artists, for instance, +require great prudence; they are acquainted with all classes of +society, and for that very reason dangerous; they are hardly _ever +satisfied_, and when you have too much to do with them, you are sure +to have _des ennuis_.... Your devoted Uncle, + +LEOPOLD R. + + + + +[Pageheading: LORD METCALFE] + + +_Queen Victoria to Lord Stanley._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _2nd November 1845._ + +The Queen has read with great concern Lord Stanley's letter of the +1st November. From private information she had been led to expect that +Lord Metcalfe would not be able to continue at his irksome post.[26] +He will be an immense loss, and the selection of a successor will be +most difficult. The Queen hopes that there will not be too great a +delay in making the new appointment, as experience has shown that +nothing was more detrimental to the good government of Canada than the +last interregnum after Sir Charles Bagot's death; it would certainly +likewise be desirable that Lord Metcalfe should be able personally +to make over his Government to his successor, whom he could verbally +better put in possession of the peculiarities of his position than +any instructions could do. It strikes the Queen to be of the _greatest +importance_, that the judicious system pursued by Lord Metcalfe (and +which, after a long continuation of toil and adversities, only +now just begins to show its effect) should be followed up by his +successor. + +The Queen knows nobody who would be as fit for the appointment as Lord +Elgin, who seems to have given great satisfaction in Jamaica, where he +has already succeeded Lord Metcalfe, whose original appointment there +had _likewise_ taken place under circumstances of great difficulty, +which his prudence and firmness finally overcame.[27] + + [Footnote 26: He retired from the Governor-Generalship of + Canada through ill-health.] + + [Footnote 27: Lord Stanley, in reply, submitted a private + letter from Lord Elgin, expressing a wish to return home; Earl + Cathcart was provisionally appointed Governor-General.] + + + + +_Queen Victoria to Sir Robert Peel._ + +OSBORNE, _28th November 1845._ + +The Queen is very sorry to hear that Sir Robert Peel apprehends +further differences of opinion in the Cabinet, at a moment of +impending calamity; it is more than ever necessary that the Government +should be strong and united. + +The Queen thinks the time is come when a removal of the restrictions +upon the importation of food cannot be successfully resisted. Should +this be Sir Robert's own opinion, the Queen very much hopes that none +of his colleagues will prevent him from doing what it is _right_ to +do. + + + + +[Pageheading: THE CORN LAWS] + + +_Sir Robert Peel to Queen Victoria._ + +WHITEHALL, _4th December 1845._ + +Sir Robert Peel, with his humble duty to your Majesty, begs leave +to acquaint your Majesty that a leading paragraph in the _Times_ of +to-day, asserting that your Majesty's servants had unanimously agreed +to an immediate and total repeal of the Corn Laws, is quite without +foundation.[28] + + [Footnote 28: See _Memoirs of the Life of Henry Reeve_, vol. + i. p. 175, for Lord Dufferin's refutation of the story that + Sidney Herbert confided the secret to Mrs Norton, and that she + sold it to the _Times_. The story has obtained a wide currency + through Mr Meredith's _Diana of the Crossways_. Lord Stanmore, + in his _Life of Sidney Herbert_, substantially attributes + the communication to Lord Aberdeen, but does not give the + details.] + + + + +_Sir Robert Peel to Queen Victoria._[29] + +WHITEHALL, _5th December 1845._ + +(_Friday evening._) + +Sir Robert Peel presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and will +wait upon your Majesty to-morrow evening, leaving London by the +half-past twelve train. + +Sir Robert Peel will avail himself of your Majesty's kind proposal to +remain at Osborne until Monday morning. + +He will come to Osborne with a heart full of gratitude and devotion to +your Majesty, but with a strong conviction (all the grounds for which +he will, with your Majesty's permission, explain to your Majesty) that +in the present state of affairs, he can render more service to your +Majesty and to the country in a private than in a public station. + + [Footnote 29: Peel reported to the Queen the Cabinet + discussions on the Corn Law question. The Queen wrote that + the news caused her much uneasiness, and that she felt certain + that her Minister would not leave her at a moment of such + difficulty, and when a crisis was impending.] + + + + +[Pageheading: CABINET DISSENSIONS] + +[Pageheading: INTERVIEW WITH PEEL] + + +_Memorandum by the Prince Albert._ + +OSBORNE, _7th December 1845._ + +On receiving the preceding letter[30] ... we were, of course, in great +consternation. Yesterday Sir Robert Peel arrived here and explained +the condition of affairs. + + [Footnote 30: From Sir Robert Peel, 5th December, _ante._] + +On 1st November he had called his Cabinet, and placed before its +members the reports of the Irish Commissioners, Dr Buckland, Dr +Playfair and Dr Lindley, on the condition of the potato crop, which +was to the effect that the half of the potatoes were ruined by the +rot, and that no one could guarantee the remainder. Belgium, Holland, +Sweden, and Denmark, in which states the potato disease had likewise +deprived the poorer class of its usual food, have immediately taken +energetic means, and have opened the harbours, bought corn, and +provided for the case of a rise of prices. Sir Robert proposed the +same thing for England, and, by opening the ports, a preparation for +the abolition of the Corn Laws. His colleagues refused, and of the +whole Cabinet only Lord Aberdeen, Sir James Graham, and Mr Sidney +Herbert voted with him. Sir Robert hoped that in time the opinions of +the others would change, and therefore postponed a final decision. +In the meanwhile the agitation of the Anti-Corn Law League began; +in every town addresses were voted, meetings were held, the +_Times_--barometer of public feeling--became suddenly _violently_ +Anti-Corn Law, the meetings of the Cabinet roused attention, a general +panic seized on the mass of the public. Sir Robert called anew his +Cabinet. In the midst of their deliberation Lord John Russell issues +from Edinburgh an address to the City of London.[31] + + [Footnote 31: Declaring for the Repeal of the Corn Laws.] + +The whole country cries out: the Corn Laws are doomed. + +Thereon Sir Robert declared to his Cabinet that nothing but unanimity +could save the cause, and pressed for a decision. + +The Duke of Buccleuch and Lord Stanley declared they could not take a +part in a measure abolishing the Corn Laws, and would therefore have +to resign. The other members, including the Duke of Wellington, showed +themselves ready to support Sir Robert, yet, as the latter says, +"apparently not willingly and against their feelings." Thereupon Sir +Robert resolved to lay down his office as Minister. + +When he arrived here he was visibly much moved, and said to me, that +it was one of the most painful moments of his life to separate himself +from us, "but it is necessary, and if I have erred it was from loyalty +and too great an anxiety not to leave Her Majesty in a moment of such +great difficulty. I ought to have gone when I was first left by my +colleagues in a minority in my own Cabinet. I was anxious, however, to +try my utmost, but it is impossible to retrieve lost time. As soon as +I saw Lord John's letter I felt that the ground was slipping away +from under me, and that whatever I might now propose would appear as +dictated by the Opposition, as taking Lord John's measure. On the 1st +of November the whole country was prepared for the thing; there had +been no agitation, everybody looking to the Government, as soon as +they saw this wavering and hesitating, the country decided for itself, +and Lord John has the merit, owing to his most dexterous move and our +want of unanimity." + +On my observing that Sir Robert has a majority of one hundred in the +House of Commons, and asking whether it was not possible for him to +continue the Government, he said:-- + +"The Duke of Buccleuch will carry half Scotland with him, and Lord +Stanley, leading the Protectionists in the House of Lords, would lead +to great and immediate defections even in Her Majesty's household. The +Duchess of Buccleuch, Lord Hardwicke, Lord Exeter, Lord Rivers, +Lord Beverley, etc., would resign, and we should not be able to find +successors; in the House of Commons I am sure I should be beat, the +Tories, agriculturists, etc., in rage would turn round upon me and +be joined by the Whigs and Radicals, who would say, 'This is _our_ +measure and we will not allow you to carry it.' It is better that +I should go now, when _nobody has committed himself_ in the heat +of party contest, when no factions have been formed, no imprudent +declarations been made; it is better for Her Majesty and for the +country that it should be so." + +After we had examined what possibilities were open for the Crown, the +conclusion was come to that Lord John was the only man who could be +charged with forming a Cabinet. Lord Stanley, with the aristocracy as +his base, would bring about an insurrection [or riots], and the ground +on which one would have to fight would be this: to want to force the +mass of the people, amidst their great poverty, to pay for their bread +a high price, in favour of the landlords. + +It is a matter of the utmost importance not to place the House of +Lords into direct antagonism with the Commons and with the masses of +the people. Sir Robert says very correctly:-- + +"I am afraid of other interests getting damaged in the struggle about +the Corn Laws; already the system of promotion in the Army, the Game +Laws, the Church, are getting attacked with the aid of the league." + +After Victoria had in consequence [of the foregoing] decided in favour +of Lord John, and asked Sir Robert: "But how is it possible for him +to govern with so exceedingly small a minority?" Sir Robert said: "He +will have difficulties and perhaps did not consider what he was doing +when he wrote that letter; but _I will support him_. I feel it my duty +to your Majesty not to leave you without a Government. Even if Lord +John goes to the full extent of his declaration in that letter (which +I think goes too far), I will support him in Parliament and use all +my influence with the House of Lords to prevent their impeding his +progress. I will do more, if he likes it. I will say that the increase +of the estimates which will become necessary are my work, and I alone +am responsible for it." + +Sir Robert intends to give me a memorandum in which he is to make this +promise in writing. + +He was greatly moved, and said it was not "the loss of power (for I +hate power) nor of office," which was nothing but a plague for him, +but "the breaking up of those relations in which he stood to the Queen +and me, and the loss of our society," which was for him a loss, for +which there was no equivalent; we might, however, rely on his being +always ready to serve us, in what manner and in what place it might +be. Lord Aberdeen is said to feel the same, and very deeply so; and on +our side the loss of two so estimable men, who possess our whole and +perfect confidence in public as well as in private affairs, and have +always proved themselves true friends, leaves _a great gap_. + +ALBERT. + + + + +[Pageheading: LORD MELBOURNE INFORMED] + + +_Victoria to Viscount Melbourne._ + +OSBORNE, _7th December 1845._ + +Sir Robert Peel has informed the Queen that in consequence of +differences prevailing in the Cabinet, he is very reluctantly +compelled to solicit from the Queen the acceptance of his resignation, +which she has as reluctantly accepted. + +From the Queen's unabated confidence in Lord Melbourne, her first +impulse was to request his immediate attendance here that she might +have the benefit of his assistance and advice, but on reflection the +Queen does not think herself justified, in the present state of Lord +Melbourne's health, to ask him to make the sacrifice which the return +to his former position of Prime Minister would, she fears, impose upon +him. + +It is this consideration, and this _alone_, that has induced the Queen +to address to Lord John Russell the letter of which she sends a copy. +The Queen hopes, however, that Lord Melbourne will not withhold from +her new Government his advice, which would be so valuable to her. + +It is of the _utmost importance_ that the whole of this communication +should be kept a _most profound secret_ until the Queen has seen Lord +John Russell. + + + + +[Pageheading: LORD MELBOURNE'S ATTITUDE] + + +_Memorandum by the Prince Albert._ + +_8th December 1845._ + +Sir Robert helped us in the composition of the letters to Lord John +and to Lord Melbourne. We considered it necessary to write to the +latter, in consideration of the confidential position which he +formerly enjoyed. + +Sir Robert Peel has not _resigned_, thinking it a matter of great +strength for the Sovereign to keep his ministry until a new one can be +got. + +ALBERT. + + + + +_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._ + +BROCKET HALL, _9th December 1845._ + +Lord Melbourne presents his humble duty to your Majesty; he has just +received your Majesty's letter of the 7th inst., which, of course, +has astonished him by the magnitude of the event which it announces, +although something of this sort has been long pending and to be +expected. Lord Melbourne returns your Majesty many thanks for +this communication, and more for your Majesty's great kindness and +consideration for him personally at the present moment. He is better, +but so long a journey would still not have been convenient to him, +and he has such a horror of the sea, that a voyage from Southampton +to Cowes or from Portsmouth to Ryde seems to him in prospect as +formidable as a voyage across the Atlantic. + +Lord Melbourne will strictly observe your Majesty's injunction of +secrecy. + +With respect to the kind wishes about office which your Majesty +is pleased to express, Lord Melbourne will of course give to your +Majesty's new Government, if formed under Lord John Russell, all the +support in his power, but as to taking office, he fears that he would +find some difficulty. He would be very unwilling to come in pledged +to a total and immediate reform of the Corn Law, and he also strongly +feels the difficulty which has in fact compelled Sir Robert Peel to +retire, viz. the difficulty of carrying on the Government upon the +principle of upholding and maintaining the present law with respect to +corn. + +Lord Melbourne again thanks your Majesty for your great and +considerate kindness. + + + + +[Pageheading: PEEL'S ATTITUDE] + + +_Sir Robert Peel to Queen Victoria._ + +WHITEHALL, _10th December 1845._ + +Sir Robert Peel presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and +influenced by no other motive than the desire to contribute if +possible to the relief of your Majesty from embarrassment, and the +protection of the public interests from injury, is induced to make +this confidential communication to your Majesty explanatory of his +position and intentions with regard to the great question which is now +agitating the public mind. + +Your Majesty can, if you think fit, make this communication known to +the Minister who, as successor to Sir Robert Peel, may be honoured by +your Majesty's confidence. + +On the first day of November last Sir Robert Peel advised his +colleagues, on account of the alarming accounts from Ireland and many +districts of Great Britain as to the failure of the potato crop from +disease, and for the purpose of guarding against contingencies which +in his opinion were not improbable, humbly to recommend to your +Majesty that the duties on the import of foreign grain should be +suspended for a limited period either by Order in Council, or by +Legislative Enactment, Parliament in either case being summoned +without delay. + +Sir Robert Peel foresaw that this suspension, fully justified by the +tenor of the reports to which he has referred, would compel, during +the interval of suspension, the reconsideration of the Corn Laws. + +If the opinions of his colleagues had been in concurrence with his +own, he was fully prepared to take the responsibility of suspension, +and of the necessary consequence of suspension, a comprehensive review +of the laws imposing restrictions on the import of foreign grain and +other articles of food, with a view to their gradual diminution and +ultimate removal. He was disposed to recommend that any new laws to be +enacted should contain within themselves the principle of gradual and +ultimate removal. + +Sir Robert Peel is prepared to support in a private capacity measures +which may be in general conformity with those which he advised as a +Minister. + +It would be unbecoming in Sir Robert Peel to make any reference to the +details of such measures. + +Your Majesty has been good enough to inform him that it is your +intention to propose to Lord John Russell to undertake the formation +of a Government. + +The principle on which Sir Robert Peel was prepared to recommend the +reconsideration of the laws affecting the import of the main articles +of food, was in general accordance with that referred to in the +concluding paragraph of Lord John Russell's letter to the electors of +the City of London.[32] + +Sir Robert Peel wished to accompany the removal of restrictions on the +admission of such articles, with relief to the land from such charges +as are unduly onerous, and with such other provisions as in the terms +of Lord John Russell's letter "caution and even scrupulous forbearance +may suggest." + +Sir Robert Peel will support measures founded on that general +principle, and will exercise any influence he may possess to promote +their success. + +Sir Robert Peel feels it to be his duty to add, that should your +Majesty's servants, after consideration of the heavy demands upon the +Army of this country for colonial service, of our relations with the +United States, and of the bearing which steam navigation may have upon +maritime warfare, and the defence of the country, deem it advisable +to propose an addition to the Army, and increased naval and military +estimates, Sir Robert Peel will support the proposal, will do all that +he can to prevent it from being considered as indicative of hostile +or altered feeling towards France, and will assume for the increase in +question any degree of responsibility present or retrospective which +can fairly attach to him. + +ROBERT PEEL. + + [Footnote 32: That paragraph urged that, with a revision + of taxation to make the arrangement more equitable, and the + safeguards suggested by caution and scrupulous forbearance, + restrictions on the admission of the main articles of food and + clothing used by the mass of the people should be removed.] + + + + +[Pageheading: LORD STANLEY RESIGNS] + + +_Lord Stanley to Queen Victoria._ + +ST JAMES'S SQUARE, _11th December 1845._ + +... Lord Stanley humbly hopes that he may be permitted to avail +himself of this opportunity to express to your Majesty the deep regret +and pain with which he has felt himself compelled to dissent from the +advice intended to have been tendered to your Majesty on the subject +of the Corn Laws. He begs to assure your Majesty that he would have +shrunk from making no personal sacrifice, short of that of principle, +for the purpose of avoiding the inconvenience to your Majesty and to +the country inseparable from any change of Administration; but being +unconvinced of the necessity of a change of policy involving an +abandonment of opinions formerly maintained, and expectations held +out to political supporters, he felt that the real interests of +your Majesty's service could not be promoted by the loss of personal +character which the sacrifice of his own convictions would necessarily +have involved; and that he might far more usefully serve your Majesty +and the country out of office, than as the official advocate of a +policy which he could not sincerely approve. Lord Stanley begs to +assure your Majesty that it will be his earnest endeavour to allay, +as far as may lie in his power, the excitement which he cannot but +foresee as the consequence of the contemplated change of policy; and +he ventures to indulge the hope that this long trespass upon your +Majesty's much occupied time may find a sufficient apology in the deep +anxiety which he feels that his regret at being compelled not only to +retire from your Majesty's service, but also to take a step which he +is aware may have had some influence on the course finally adopted +by Sir Robert Peel, may not be still farther increased by the +apprehension of having, in the performance of a most painful duty, +incurred your Majesty's displeasure. All which is humbly submitted by +your Majesty's most dutiful Servant and Subject, + +STANLEY. + + + + +_Queen Victoria to Lord Stanley._ + +OSBORNE, _12th December 1845._ + +The Queen, of course, _much regrets_ that Lord Stanley could not agree +in the opinions of Sir Robert Peel upon a subject of such importance +to the country. However, Lord Stanley may rest assured that the Queen +gives full credit to the disinterested motives which guided Lord +Stanley's conduct. + + + + +[Pageheading: THE COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF] + + +_Queen Victoria to the Duke of Wellington._ + +OSBORNE, _12th December 1845._ + +The Queen has to inform the Duke of Wellington that, in consequence of +Sir Robert Peel's having declared to her his inability to carry on any +longer the Government, she has sent for Lord John Russell, who is not +able at present to state whether he can form an Administration, and is +gone to Town in order to consult his friends. Whatever the result of +his enquiries may be, the Queen has a _strong_ desire to see the Duke +of Wellington remain at the head of her Army. The Queen appeals to the +Duke's so often proved loyalty and attachment to her person, in asking +him to give her this assurance. The Duke will thereby render the +greatest service to the country and to her own person. + + + + +[Pageheading: THE DUKE'S ADVICE] + + +_The Duke of Wellington to Queen Victoria._ + +STRATHFIELDSAYE, _12th December 1845._ + +(_11 at night._) + +Field-Marshal the Duke of Wellington presents his humble duty to your +Majesty; he has just now received your Majesty's commands from Osborne +of this day's date. + +He humbly submits to your Majesty that the duties of the +Commander-in-Chief of your Majesty's Land Forces places him in +constant confidential relations with all your Majesty's Ministers, +and particularly with the one filling the office of First Lord of the +Treasury. + +Under these circumstances he submits to your Majesty the counsel, that +your Majesty would be graciously pleased to consult the nobleman or +gentleman who should be your Majesty's first Minister, before any +other step should be taken upon the subject. He might think that he +had reason to complain if he should find that it was arranged that +the Duke of Wellington should continue to fill the office of +Commander-in-Chief, and such impression might have an influence upon +his future relations with that office. + +Field-Marshal the Duke of Wellington believes that Lord John Russell +and all your Majesty's former Ministers were aware, that during +the whole period of the time during which Lord Hill was the General +Commanding-in-Chief your Majesty's Forces, the professional opinion +and services of Field-Marshal the Duke of Wellington were at all times +at the command and disposition of your Majesty's servants, and were +given whenever required. + +He happened to be at that time in political opposition to the +Government in the House of Parliament, of which he was a member; but +that circumstance made no difference. + +It is impossible for the Duke of Wellington to form a political +connection with Lord John Russell, or to have any relation with the +political course of the Government over which he should preside. + +Such arrangement would not conciliate public confidence, be considered +creditable to either party, or be useful to the service of your +Majesty. + +Nor, indeed, would the performance of the duties of the +Commander-in-Chief of the Army require that such should exist; on the +other hand, the performance of these duties would require that the +person filling the office should avoid to belong to, or to act in +concert with, a political party opposed to the Government. + +Field-Marshal the Duke of Wellington has considered it his duty +to submit these considerations, in order that your Majesty may be +perfectly aware of the position in which he is about to place himself, +in case Lord John Russell should counsel your Majesty to command +Field-Marshal the Duke of Wellington to continue to hold the office of +Commander-in-Chief of your Majesty's Land Forces. + +He at once submits to your Majesty the assurance that he will +cheerfully devote his service to your Majesty's command upon receiving +the official intimation thereof, and that he will as usual make every +effort in his power to promote your Majesty's service. + +All of which is humbly submitted to your Majesty by your Majesty's +most dutiful Subject and devoted Servant, + +WELLINGTON. + + + + +[Pageheading: KING LOUIS PHILIPPE] + + +_The King of the French to Queen Victoria._ + +ST CLOUD, _le 16 Decembre 1845._ + +MADAME MA TRES CHERE S[OE]UR,--J'ai a remercier votre Majeste de +l'excellente lettre que ma bonne Clem m'a remise de sa part. Elle m'a +ete droit au c[oe]ur, et je ne saurais exprimer a quel point j'ai ete +touche de vos bons voeux pour ma famille, et de tout ce que vous +me temoignez sur l'accroissement qu'il a plu a la Providence de lui +donner dans mes _onze petits fils_. + +Je me disposais a dire a votre Majeste que, quoiqu'avec un bien vif +regret, je comprenais parfaitement les motifs qui vous portaient a +remettre a une autre annee, cette visite si vivement desiree, et que +j'esperais toujours trouver une compensation a cette privation, en +allant de nouveau Lui offrir en Angleterre, l'hommage de tous les +sentiments que je Lui porte, et qui m'attachent si profondement a +Elle, ainsi qu'au Prince son Epoux, lorsque j'ai recu la nouvelle de +la demission de Sir Robert Peel, de Lord Aberdeen et de tous leurs +Collegues. Je me flattais que ces Ministres qui s'etaient toujours +si bien entendus avec les miens pour etablir entre nos deux +Gouvernements, cette heureuse _entente cordiale_ qui est la base du +repos du monde et de la prosperite de nos pays, continueraient encore +longtemps a l'entretenir, et a la consolider de plus en plus. Cet +espoir est decu!![33] Il faut s'y resigner; mais je suis empresse +d'assurer votre Majeste, que quelque soit son nouveau Ministere, celui +qui m'entoure aujourd'hui, et que je desire, et que j'espere conserver +longtemps, n'omettra aucun effort pour cultiver et maintenir cet +heureux accord qu'il est si evidemment dans notre interet commun de +conserver intact. + +Dans de telles circonstances, il me devient doublement precieux d'etre +uni a votre Majeste et au Prince Albert par tant de liens, et qu'il se +soit forme entre nous cet attachement mutuel, cette affection et cette +confiance, qui sont au dessus et independants de toute consideration +politique; mais qui pourront toujours plus ou moins exercer +une influence salutaire sur l'action et la marche de nos deux +Gouvernements. Aussi, je le dis a votre Majeste et a son Epoux avec +un entier abandon, j'ai besoin de compter sur cette assistance +occasionnelle, et j'y compte entierement en vous demandant d'avoir la +meme confiance de mon cote, et en vous repetant que cette confiance ne +sera pas plus decue dans l'avenir, qu'elle ne l'a ete dans le passe. + +Votre Majeste me permettra d'offrir ici au Prince Albert l'expression +de ma vive et sincere amitie. Je la prie aussi de recevoir celle de +l'inviolable attachement avec lequel je suis, Madame ma tres chere +S[oe]ur, de votre Majeste, le bon Frere et bien fidele Ami, + +LOUIS PHILIPPE R. + + [Footnote 33: The return of Palmerston to the Foreign Office + was of course dreaded by the King and Guizot.] + + + + +[Pageheading: LORD JOHN RUSSELL'S ACCEPTANCE] + + +_Queen Victoria to Lord John Russell._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _16th December 1845._ + +The Queen has just received Lord John Russell's letter of this day's +date,[34] and considering that it is of great importance that no time +should be lost, has immediately forwarded it to Sir Robert Peel. + +The Queen fully understands the motives which guide Lord John in +using every effort to ensure the success of the great measure which is +impending before he undertakes to form a Government. + +The Queen sees from Lord John's second letter that he has taken a copy +of Sir R. Peel's letter of the 15th to her. As she does not feel to +have been authorised to allow this, the Queen hopes that in case Sir +Robert should have an objection to it Lord John will not retain the +copy. + + [Footnote 34: It is printed in the _Annual Register_, 1846, p. + 17. Lord John considered the temporary suspension or repeal + of duties, with the prospect of their re-imposition, open to + grave objections.] + + + + +[Pageheading: INSUPERABLE DIFFICULTIES] + + +_Queen Victoria to Sir Robert Peel._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _18th December 1845._ + +Lord John Russell returned at five this evening, and informed +the Queen that after considerable discussion, and after a full +consideration of his position, _he will undertake to form a +Government_. + +As at present arranged, the Council is to be on Monday; the Queen much +wishing to have a parting interview with Sir R. Peel, however painful +it will be to her, wishes Sir Robert Peel to inform her when he thinks +it best to come down here.[35] + + [Footnote 35: Lord John Russell, however, found insuperable + difficulties in forming the Cabinet; and, to quote Disraeli, + "handed back with courtesy the poisoned chalice to Sir + Robert."] + + + + +[Pageheading: GREY AND PALMERSTON] + + +_Memorandum by the Prince Albert._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _20th December 1845._ + +(_12 o'clock._) + +We just saw Lord John Russell, who came in order to explain why he had +to give up the task of forming a Government. He had written to all his +former colleagues to join him in his attempt, amongst others to Lord +Grey, who answered, "that he could only belong to a Government which +pledged itself to the principle of absolute free trade and abolition +of all protection; that he had his own views upon the sugar question +(as to which he advocated the admission of slave labour) and upon +the Irish question (as to which his principle was to establish entire +religious equality); that he hoped that in the formation of a new +Government no personal considerations should stand in the way of a +full attention to public Duty." + +Lord John replied that he advocated free trade, but as the immediate +question before them was the _Corn Laws_, he thought it wiser not to +complicate this by other declarations which would produce a good deal +of animosity; that the sugar question and Ireland might be discussed +in Cabinet when circumstances required it; that he agreed entirely in +the last sentence. + +After this Lord Grey declared himself quite satisfied. Lord John +considered now with his colleagues the peculiar measure to be +proposed, and Mr Baring thought he could arrange a financial scheme +which would satisfy Lord Lansdowne's demands for relief to the landed +interest. They all felt it their duty to answer the Queen's call upon +them, though they very much disliked taking office under such peculiar +difficulties. Now Lord John undertook to apportion the different +offices. He saw Lord Palmerston, and told him that the Queen had some +apprehension that his return to the Foreign Office might cause great +alarm in other countries, and particularly in France, and that this +feeling was still more strongly manifested in the city; whether under +these circumstances he would prefer some other office--for instance, +the Colonies? Lord Palmerston declared that he was not at all anxious +for office, and should much regret that his accession should in any +way embarrass Lord John; that he was quite prepared to support him out +of office, but that his taking another department than his former one +would be a public recognition of the most unjust accusations that +had been brought against him; that he had evinced throughout a long +official life his disposition for peace, and only in one instance +broke with France;[36] that that matter was gone by, and that nobody +had stronger conviction of the necessity to keep in amity with that +Power than himself. Upon this Lord John said that he could not form a +Government without him, and showed himself quite satisfied with Lord +Palmerston's declaration. + + [Footnote 36: In reference to affairs in Syria in 1840.] + +Suddenly Lord Grey, who had heard of this, cried out: "This was an +infringement of their compact"; that no _personal_ consideration +should interfere with the discharge of public duty, and that he must +decline entering the Government, as he considered Lord Palmerston's +return to the Foreign Office as fraught with danger to the peace +of Europe. Lord John could not, under these circumstances, form a +Government. He read to us a long letter from Lord Grey, written with +the intention that it should be seen by the Queen, in which Lord +Grey enters more fully into his motives, and finishes by saying +that therefore _he_ was not answerable for the failure to form an +Administration.[37] + + [Footnote 37: Lord Grey's attitude was condemned by Macaulay + in a letter to a Mr Macfarlan, who unwisely communicated it to + the Press.] + +Lord John gave the Queen a written statement[38] of the causes which +induced him to relinquish the Government, and of the position he means +to assume in Parliament. (He is most anxious that Sir R. Peel should +re-enter and successfully carry his measures.) + + [Footnote 38: Printed in _Annual Register_, 1846, p. 20.] + +The arrangements Lord John had contemplated have been-- + + Lord PALMERSTON, _Foreign Secretary_. + Lord GREY, _Colonial Secretary_. + Sir GEORGE GREY, _Home Secretary_. + +(Sir George was anxious later to retire from Parliament, and willing +to go as Governor-General to Canada.) + + Mr BARING, _Chancellor of the Exchequer_. + Lord CLARENDON, _President of the Board of Trade_. + +(The Vice-Presidency was to have been offered to his brother, Mr +Villiers, but finally, by his advice, to Mr Cobden!! (Lord Grey wanted +Mr Cobden to be in the Cabinet!!!) This Lord John thought quite out of +the question.) + + Lord LANSDOWNE, _President of the Council_. + + + + +[Pageheading: CHIVALROUS ATTITUDE OF PEEL] + +[Pageheading: PEEL RESUMES OFFICE] + + +_Memorandum by the Prince Albert._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _20th December 1845._ + +(_4 o'clock_ P.M.) + +We saw Sir Robert Peel, who had been apprised by Sir James Graham (to +whom Lord John Russell had written) of what had passed. He was much +affected, and expressed his concern at the failure of Lord John to +form a Government, seemed hurt at Lord John's not having shown more +confidence in the integrity of his (Sir Robert Peel's) motives. He +would have supported Lord John in _any_ measure which he should have +thought fit to introduce, and many would have followed his example. He +blamed the want of deference shown to the Queen, by not answering +her call with more readiness; he said it was quite new and +unconstitutional for a man to take a week before he undertook to form +a Government, and to pass that time in discussion with other people, +to whom the Sovereign had not yet committed the task; and he had been +certain it would end so, when so many people were consulted. He in +1834 had been called from Italy, had travelled with all haste and +had gone straight to the King, had told him that he had seen nobody, +consulted nobody, but immediately kissed the King's hand as his +Minister. + +He was now prepared to stand by the Queen, all other considerations +he had thrown aside, he would undertake to deal with the difficulties, +and should have to go down alone to the House of Commons. He had +written to his colleagues that he would serve the Queen if she called +upon him to do so, that he expected them to meet him at nine o'clock +that evening, and that he would tell them what he meant to do. Those +who would not go with him, he would dismiss at once. He did not wish +to avail himself of any undue advantage, and therefore would not +advise an Order in Council, but go at once to Parliament, laying his +measure before it: "Reject it, if you please; there it is!" + +He called the crisis an alarming one, which determination alone could +overcome. + +We showed him Lord John Russell's statement, with which he declared +himself very much satisfied. He advised the Queen to write a letter +to Lord John, announcing to him Sir Robert's consent to go on with the +Government, and wrote a draft of it, which follows here. + +He had heard strange instances of disagreement amongst the men whom +Lord John had assembled in town. + +Sir Robert seemed throughout much moved, and said with much warmth: +"There is no sacrifice that I will not make for your Majesty, except +that of my honour." + + + + +_Queen Victoria to Lord John Russell._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _20th December 1845._ + +Sir Robert Peel has just been here. He expressed great regret that +Lord John Russell had felt it necessary to decline the formation of a +Government. + +He said he should have acted towards Lord John Russell with the most +scrupulous good faith, and that he should have done everything in his +power to give Lord John support. + +He thinks many would have been induced to follow his example. + +Sir Robert Peel did not hesitate a moment in withdrawing his offer of +resignation. He said he felt it his duty at once to resume his office, +though he is deeply sensible of the difficulties with which he has to +contend. + + + + +[Pageheading: PEEL CORDIALLY SUPPORTED] + + +_Sir Robert Peel to Queen Victoria._ + +WHITEHALL, _21st December 1845._ + +Sir Robert Peel presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and proceeds +to give your Majesty an account of what has passed since he left your +Majesty at four o'clock yesterday. + +The Cabinet met at Sir Robert Peel's house in Downing Street at +half-past nine. + +Sir Robert Peel informed them that he had not summoned them for the +purpose of deliberating on what was to be done, but for the purpose +of announcing to them that he was your Majesty's Minister, and whether +supported or not, was firmly resolved to meet Parliament as your +Majesty's Minister, and to propose such measures as the public +exigencies required. + +Failure or success must depend upon their decision, but nothing could +shake Sir Robert Peel's determination to meet Parliament and to advise +the Speech from the Throne. + +There was a dead silence, at length interrupted by Lord Stanley's +declaring that he must persevere in resigning, that he thought the +Corn Law ought to be adhered to, and might have been maintained. + +The Duke of Wellington said he thought the Corn Law was a subordinate +consideration. He was _delighted_ when he received Sir Robert Peel's +letter that day, announcing to the Duke that his mind was made up to +place his services at your Majesty's disposal. + +The Duke of Buccleuch behaved admirably--was much agitated--thought +new circumstances had arisen--would not then decide on resigning. + +Sir Robert Peel has received this morning the enclosed note from the +Duke.[39] + +He has written a reply very strongly to the Duke, stating that the +present question is not one of Corn Law, but whether your Majesty's +former servants or Lord Grey and Mr Cobden shall constitute your +Majesty's Government. Sir Robert Peel defied the wit of man to suggest +now another alternative to your Majesty. + +Lord Aberdeen will see the Duke to-day. + +All the other members of the Government cordially approved of Sir +Robert Peel's determination not to abandon your Majesty's service. + +There was no question about details, but if there is any, it shall not +alter Sir Robert Peel's course. + + [Footnote 39: _See_ next letter.] + + + + +_The Duke of Buccleuch to Sir Robert Peel._ + +MONTAGU HOUSE, _20th December 1845._ + +MY DEAR SIR ROBERT,--That which has occurred this evening, and that +which you have communicated to us, the very critical state in which +the country now is, and above all the duty which I owe to her Majesty +under the present circumstances, has made a most strong impression +upon my mind. At the risk, therefore, of imputation of vacillation +or of any other motive by others, may I ask of you to give me a few +hours' time for further reflection, before finally deciding upon the +course which I may feel it to be my duty to pursue? Believe me, my +dear Sir Robert, yours most sincerely, + +BUCCLEUCH. + + + + +_Sir Robert Peel to Queen Victoria._ + +WHITEHALL, _22nd December 1845._ + +Sir Robert Peel presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and has the +utmost satisfaction in informing your Majesty that Mr Gladstone is +willing to accept the Seals of the Colonial Office should your Majesty +be pleased to confide them to him.[40] + +Sir Robert Peel thinks this of great importance, and that immediate +decision in filling up so eminent a post will have a good effect. + + [Footnote 40: Mr Gladstone, by accepting office, vacated the + seat at Newark which he had held through the influence of the + Protectionist Duke of Newcastle. He did not seek re-election, + and though a Secretary of State, remained without a seat in + Parliament.] + + + + +[Pageheading: THE QUEEN'S ESTIMATE OF PEEL] + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _23rd December 1845._ + +MY DEAREST UNCLE,--Many thanks for your two kind letters of the +17th and 19th, which gave me much pleasure. I have little to add to +Albert's letter of yesterday, except my _extreme_ admiration of +our worthy Peel, who shows himself a man of unbounded _loyalty_, +_courage_, patriotism, and _high-mindedness_, and his conduct towards +me has been _chivalrous_ almost, I might say. I never have seen him +so excited or so determined, and _such_ a good cause must succeed. We +have indeed had an escape, for though Lord John's _own notions_ were +_very_ good and moderate, he let himself be entirely twisted and +twirled about by his _violent_ friends, and _all_ the moderate ones +were crushed.... + +VICTORIA R. + + + + +_Sir Robert Peel to the Prince Albert._ + +WHITEHALL, _23rd December 1845._ + +SIR,--I think Her Majesty and your Royal Highness will have been +pleased with the progress I have made in execution of the great trust +again committed to me by Her Majesty. + +It will be of great importance to conciliate Lord Stanley's support +out of office, to induce him to _discourage_ hostile combinations. + +I would humbly recommend Her Majesty, when Her Majesty sees Lord +Stanley to-day, to receive him with her usual kindness, to say that I +had done full justice in my reports to Her Majesty to the motives by +which he had been actuated, and to the openness and frankness of his +conduct, to regret greatly the loss of his services, but to hope +that he might be still enabled not to oppose and even to promote +the accomplishment of what cannot now be safely resisted. I have the +honour to be, etc., etc., etc., + +ROBERT PEEL. + + + + +[Pageheading: THE NEW ARRANGEMENTS] + +[Pageheading: THE CORN LAWS] + +[Pageheading: THE UNEMPLOYED] + + +_Memorandum by the Prince Albert._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _25th December 1845._ + +We had a Council yesterday, at which Parliament was prorogued to +the 22nd of January, then to meet for the despatch of business. Lord +Stanley had an audience of the Queen before, and delivered up the +Seals of his office. He was much agitated, and had told Sir Robert +that he dreaded this interview very much. The Queen thanked him for +his services, and begged he would do his best out of office to smooth +down the difficulties her Government would have to contend with. At +the Council Lord Dalhousie took his seat, and Mr Gladstone received +the Colonial Seals. The Queen saw the Duke of Buccleuch and +thanked him for the devotion he had shown her during these trying +circumstances; the same to the Duke of Wellington, who is in excellent +spirits. On my saying, "You have such an influence over the House +of Lords, that you will be able to keep them straight," he answered: +"I'll do anything; I am now beginning to write to them and to convince +them singly of what their duty is." + +We saw afterwards Sir Robert Peel, who stayed more than three hours. +He is in the highest spirits at having got Mr Gladstone and kept the +Duke of Buccleuch; he proposed that the Duke should be made President, +and Lord Haddington Privy Seal in his stead. (Lord Haddington had +behaved very well, had given up his place to Sir Robert, and told him +he should do with him just as he liked--leave him out of the Cabinet, +shift him to another place, or leave him at the Admiralty, as would +suit him best.) + +Sir Robert hinted to Lord Ripon that Lord Haddington had behaved so +well, but got no more out of him, but "that he would _almost_ have +done the same." Sir Robert proposes to see Lord Ellenborough in order +to offer him the Admiralty, received the Queen's sanction likewise to +Lord St Germans (the Postmaster-General) being put into the Cabinet. I +said: "With your Government that has no inconvenience, and even if you +had a hundred members in the Cabinet, as you don't tell them but +what is absolutely necessary, and follow your own course." He said in +reply, that he should be very sorry if he had to have told his +Cabinet that he meant to send for Lord Ellenborough. We could not help +contrasting this conduct with the subjection Lord John has shown to +his people. It is to his _own_ talent and firmness that Sir Robert +will owe his success, which cannot fail. He said he had been +determined not to go to a general election with the fetters the last +election had imposed upon him, and he had meant at the end of the next +Session to call the whole Conservative Party together and to declare +this to them, that he would not meet another Parliament pledged to the +maintenance of the Corn Laws, which could be maintained no longer, and +that he would make a public declaration to this effect before another +general election came on. This had been defeated by events coming too +suddenly upon him, and he had no alternative but to deal with the Corn +Laws before a national calamity would _force_ it on. The league had +made immense progress, and had enormous means at their disposal. If +he had resigned in November, Lord Stanley and the Protectionists would +have been prepared to form a Government, and a Revolution might have +been the consequence of it. Now they felt that it was too late. + +Sir Robert has _an immense scheme in view_; he thinks he shall be able +to remove the contest entirely from the dangerous ground upon which it +has got--that of a war between the manufacturers, the hungry and the +poor against the landed proprietors, the aristocracy, which can only +end in the ruin of the latter; he will not bring forward a measure +upon the Corn Laws, but a much more comprehensive one. He will deal +with the whole commercial system of the country. He will adopt +the principle of the League, _that of removing all protection and +abolishing all monopoly_, but not in favour of one class and as a +triumph over another, but to the benefit of the nation, farmers as +well as manufacturers. He would begin with cotton, and take in all the +necessaries of life and corn amongst them. The experiments he had +made in 1842 and 1845 with boldness but with caution had borne out the +correctness of the principle: the wool duty was taken off, and wool +sold higher than ever before; foreign cattle were let in, and the +cattle of England stood better in the market than ever. He would not +ask for compensation to the land, but wherever he could give it, and +at the same time promote the social development, there he would do it, +but on that ground. For instance, one of the greatest benefits to +the country would be the establishment of a rural police on the +same principle as the metropolitan police. By taking this on the +Consolidated Fund, the landowners would be immensely relieved in all +those counties which kept a police. One of the heaviest charges on +the land was the present administration of law and the carrying on of +prosecutions. Sir Robert could fancy this to be very much improved +by the appointment of a _public_ prosecutor by the State, which would +give the State a power to prevent vexatious, illegal, and immoral +prosecutions, and reduce the expenses in an extraordinary degree. Part +of the maintenance of the poor, according to the Poor Law, might be +undertaken by the State. A great calamity must be foreseen, when the +innumerable railroads now in progress shall have been terminated, +which will be the case in a few years. This will throw an enormous +labouring population suddenly out of employment. There might be a +law passed which would provide employment for them, and improve the +agriculture and production of the country, by enabling the State to +advance money to the great proprietors for the improvements of their +estates, which they could not obtain otherwise without charging their +estates beyond what they already have to bear. + +Sir Robert means to go with Mr Gladstone into all these details. + +ALBERT. + + + + +[Pageheading: LORD PALMERSTON'S JUSTIFICATION] + +[Pageheading: LORD PALMERSTON'S POLICY] + + +_Viscount Palmerston to Viscount Melbourne._[41] + +BOWOOD, _26th December 1845._ + +MY DEAR MELBOURNE,--I return you with many thanks George Anson's +letter, which was enclosed in yours of the 23rd, which I received just +as we were setting off for this place. Pray, when next you write to +George Anson, say how gratefully I appreciate the kind consideration +on the part of H.R.H. Prince Albert, which suggested George Anson's +communication. But I can assure you that although John Russell, in his +Audience of the Queen, may inadvertently have overstated the terms in +which he had mentioned to me what Her Majesty had said to him about +my return to the Foreign Office, yet in his conversations with me upon +that subject he never said anything more than is contained in George +Anson's letter to you; and I am sure you will think that under all the +circumstances of the case he could hardly have avoided telling me thus +much, and making me aware of the impression which seemed to exist upon +the Queen's mind as to the way in which other persons might view my +return to the Foreign Office. + +With regard to Her Majesty's own sentiments, I have always been +convinced that Her Majesty knows me too well to believe for an instant +that I do not attach the greatest importance to the maintenance, not +merely of peace with all foreign countries, but of the most friendly +relations with those leading Powers and States of the world with which +serious differences would be attended with the most inconvenience. As +to Peace, I succeeded, as the organ of Lord Grey's Government and of +yours, in preserving it unbroken during ten years[42] of great and +extraordinary difficulty; and, if now and then it unavoidably happened +during that period of time, that in pursuing the course of policy +which seemed the best for British interests, we thwarted the views +of this or that Foreign Power, and rendered them for the moment less +friendly, I think I could prove that in every case the object which we +were pursuing was of sufficient importance to make it worth our while +to submit to such temporary inconvenience. There never was indeed, +during those ten years, any real danger of war except on three +occasions; and on each of those occasions the course pursued by the +British Government prevented war. The first occasion was just after +the accession of the King of the French, when Austria, Russia, and +Prussia were disposed and preparing to attack France, and when the +attitude assumed by the British Government prevented a rupture. The +second was when England and France united by a Convention to wrest the +Citadel of Antwerp from the Dutch, and to deliver it over to the +King of the Belgians.[43] If England had not then joined with France, +Antwerp would have remained with the Dutch, or the attempt to take it +would have led to a war in Europe. The third occasion was when Mehemet +Ali's army occupied Syria, and when he was constantly threatening +to declare himself independent and to march on Constantinople; while +Russia, on the one hand, asserted that if he did so she would occupy +Constantinople, and on the other hand, France announced that if Russia +did so, she, France, would force the Dardanelles. The Treaty of July +1840, proposed and brought about by the British Government, and the +operations in execution of that Treaty, put an end to that danger; +and, notwithstanding what has often been said to the contrary, the +real danger of war arising out of the affairs of Syria was put an end +to, and not created by the Treaty of 1840. + +I am well aware, however, that some persons both at home and abroad +have imbibed the notion that I am more indifferent than I ought to be +as to running the risk of war. That impression abroad is founded upon +an entire mistake, but is by some sincerely felt, and being sincere, +would soon yield to the evidence of contradictory facts. At home that +impression has been industriously propagated to a limited extent, +partly by the legitimate attacks of political opponents, and partly +by a little cabal within our own ranks. These parties wanted to attack +me, and were obliged to accuse me of something. They could not charge +me with failure, because we had succeeded in all our undertakings, +whether in Portugal, Spain, Belgium, Syria, China, or elsewhere; they +could not charge me with having involved the country in war, because, +in fact, we had maintained peace; and the only thing that was left for +them to say was that my policy had a _tendency_ to produce war, and I +suppose they would argue that it was quite wrong and against all rule +that it did not do so. + +But notwithstanding what may have been said on this matter, the +transaction which has by some been the most criticised in this +respect, namely, the Treaty of 1840, and the operations connected with +it, were entirely approved by the leaders of the then Opposition, who, +so far from feeling any disposition to favour me, had always made a +determined run at the Foreign Policy of the Whig Government. The Duke +of Wellington, at the opening of the Session of 1841, said in +the House of Lords that he entirely approved our policy in that +transaction, and could not find that any fault had been committed +by us in working it out; and I happen to know that Sir Robert Peel +expressed to the representative of one of the German Powers, parties +to the Alliance, his entire approval of our course, while Lord +Aberdeen said to one of them, that the course I had taken in that +affair made him forgive me many things of former years, which he had +thought he never should have forgiven. + +I am quite ashamed of the length to which this letter has grown, and +shall only add, with reference to our relations with France, that +I had some very friendly interviews with Thiers, who was my chief +antagonist in 1840, and that although we did not enter into any +conspiracy against Guizot and Peel, as the newspapers pretended, we +parted on very good terms, and he promised to introduce me to all his +friends whenever I should go to Paris, saying that of course Guizot +would do me the same good office with his supporters. My dear +Melbourne, yours affectionately, + +PALMERSTON. + + [Footnote 41: Submitted to the Queen by Lord Melbourne.] + + [Footnote 42: 1830-1834, and 1835-1841.] + + [Footnote 43: The English and French came in 1832 to the + assistance of the Belgians, who some time before had entered + Antwerp, but failed to take the Citadel.] + + + + +[Pageheading: THE MINISTRY REINSTATED] + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the French._ + +CH. DE W., _le 30 Decembre 1845._ + +SIRE ET MON TRES CHER FRERE,--Votre Majeste me pardonnera si je viens +seulement maintenant vous remercier de tout mon c[oe]ur de votre +lettre si bonne et si aimable du 16, mais vous savez combien j'etais +occupee pendant ces dernieres 3 semaines. La Crise est passee et j'ai +tout lieu de croire que le Gouvernement de Sir R. Peel va s'affermir +de plus en plus, ce que je ne puis que desirer pour le bien-etre du +pays. Je dois cependant dire a votre Majeste que si le Ministere +eut change, j'ai la certitude que le nouveau se serait empresse de +maintenir, comme nous le desirons si vivement, cette entente cordiale +si heureusement etablie entre nos deux Gouvernements. + +Permettez-moi, Sire, de vous offrir au nom d'Albert et au mien nos +felicitations les plus sinceres a l'occasion de la nouvelle Annee, +dans lequel vous nous donnez le doux espoir de vous revoir. Nous avons +lu avec beaucoup d'interet le Speech de V.M., dans lequel vous parlez +si aimablement du "friendly call" a Eu et des cooperations des 2 +pays dans differentes parties du monde, et particulierement pour +l'Abolition de la Traite des noirs. + +Ayez la grace, Sire, de deposer nos hommages et nos felicitations aux +pieds de la Reine et de votre S[oe]ur. Agreez encore une fois, les +expressions d'amitie et d'attachement sincere avec lesquelles je suis, +Sire et mon bien cher Frere, de votre Majeste, la bien bonne S[oe]ur +et fidele Amie, + +VICTORIA R. + + + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _30th December 1845._ + +MY DEAREST UNCLE,--Many thanks for your kind letter of the 27th, +by which I see how glad you are at our good Peel being again--and I +sincerely and confidently hope for many years--my Minister. I have +heard many instances of the confidence the country and _all_ parties +have in Peel; for instance, he was immensely cheered at Birmingham--a +most Radical place; and _Joseph Hume_ expressed great distress when +Peel resigned, and the greatest contempt for Lord John Russell. The +Members of the Government have behaved extremely well and with much +disinterestedness. The Government has secured the services of Mr +Gladstone and Lord Ellenborough,[44] who will be of great use. Lord E. +is become very quiet, and is a very good speaker. + +We had a very happy Christmas. This weather is extremely unwholesome. +Now, ever your devoted Niece, + +VICTORIA R. + + [Footnote 44: Lord Ellenborough was one of the few + Conservative statesmen of the day who, after remaining + faithful to Sir Robert Peel till the middle of 1846, + subsequently threw in his fortunes with Lord Derby and Mr + Disraeli. He was President of the Board of Control with those + Ministers in 1858 for the fourth time.] + + + + +INTRODUCTORY NOTE + +TO CHAPTER XV + + +The closing days of the year 1845 had been marked by startling +political events, and Lord John Russell's failure to form a +Government, and Sir Robert Peel's resumption of office, with Mr +Gladstone substituted for Lord Stanley, were now followed by the +Ministerial measure for the Repeal of the Corn Laws. Embarrassed as +he now was by the attacks of his old supporters, led by Bentinck +and Disraeli, Peel was supported whole-heartedly but in a strictly +constitutional manner by the Queen and the Prince. Amid bitter taunts, +the Premier piloted the measure through Parliament, but on the night +that it finally passed the Lords he was defeated on an Irish Coercion +Bill by a factious combination in the Commons between the Whigs and +Protectionists, and resigned. Lord John Russell on this occasion was +able to form an administration, though he failed in his attempt to +include in it some important members of the outgoing Government. + +Thus, owing to the Irish famine, the Tory party which had come into +power in 1841 with a majority of ninety to support the Corn Laws, was +shattered; after Peel's defeat it became clear that no common action +could take place between his supporters in the struggle of 1846 +and men like Bentinck and Disraeli, who now became leaders of the +Protectionist party. For the remainder of the year Peel was on the +whole friendly to the Russell Government, his chief care being to +maintain them in office as against the Protectionists. + +In India the British army was successful in its operations against the +Sikhs, Sir Harry Smith defeating them at Aliwal, and Sir Hugh Gough at +Sobraon. Our troops crossed the Sutlej, and terms of peace were agreed +on between Sir Henry Hardinge (who became a Viscount) and the Sirdars +from Lahore, peace being signed on 8th March. + +On the continent of Europe the most important events took place in the +Peninsula. The selection of husbands for the Queen of Spain and her +sister, which had so long been considered an international question, +came at last to a crisis; the policy of Great Britain had been to +leave the matter to the Spanish people, except in so far as might be +necessary to check the undue ambition of Louis Philippe; and neither +the Queen, Prince Albert, Peel, nor Aberdeen had in any way supported +the candidature of Prince Leopold of Saxe-Coburg. + +It was common ground that no son of Louis Philippe should marry the +Queen, but both that monarch and Guizot had further solemnly engaged +at the Chateau d'Eu that no son should marry even the Infanta until +the Queen was married and had children. The return of Palmerston to +the Foreign Office, and his mention of Prince Leopold in a Foreign +Office despatch as one of the candidates, gave the King and his +Minister the pretext they required for repudiating their solemn +undertaking. In defiance of good faith the engagements were +simultaneously announced of the Queen to her cousin, Don Francisco +de Asis, and of the Infanta to the Duc de Montpensier, Don Francisco +being a man of unattractive, even disagreeable qualities, and feeble +in _physique_. By this unscrupulous proceeding Queen Victoria and the +English nation were profoundly shocked. + +At the same time Queen Maria found some difficulty in maintaining her +position in Portugal. She dismissed in a somewhat high-handed manner +her Minister the Duc de Palmella, and had to bear the brunt of an +insurrection for several months: at the close of the year her arms +were victorious at the lines of Torres Vedras, but the Civil War was +not entirely brought to an end. + +In February a Polish insurrection broke out in Silesia, and the +Austrian troops were driven from Cracow; the rising was suppressed by +Austria, Russia, and Prussia, who had been constituted the "Protecting +Powers" of Cracow by the Treaty of Vienna. This unsuccessful attempt +was seized upon as a pretext for destroying the separate nationality +of Cracow, which was forthwith annexed to Austria. This unjustifiable +act only became possible in consequence of the _entente_ between +England and France (equally parties to the Treaty of Vienna) having +been terminated by the affair of the Spanish marriages; their formal +but separate protests were disregarded. + +There remains to be mentioned the dispute between Great Britain and +the United States as to the Oregon boundary, which had assumed so +ominous a phase in 1845. Lord Aberdeen's last official act was to +announce in the Lords that a Convention, proposed by himself for +adjusting the question, had been accepted by the American President. + + + + +CHAPTER XV + +1846 + + +_Queen Victoria to Sir Robert Peel._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _23rd January 1846._ + +The Queen must compliment Sir Robert Peel on his beautiful and indeed +_unanswerable_ speech of last night, which we have been reading with +the greatest attention.[1] The concluding part we also greatly admire. +Sir R. Peel has made a very strong case. Surely the impression which +it has made must have been a good one. Lord John's explanation is +a fair one;[2] the Queen has _not_ a doubt that he will support Sir +Robert Peel. + +He has indeed pledged himself to it. He does not give a very +satisfactory explanation of the causes of his failure, but perhaps he +could not do so without exposing Lord Palmerston. + +What does Sir Robert think of the temper of the House of Commons, and +of the debate in the House of Lords? The debates not being adjourned +is a good thing. The crowd was immense out-of-doors yesterday, and we +were never better received. + + [Footnote 1: The Queen had opened Parliament in person; the + Prime Minister took the unusual course of speaking immediately + after the seconder of the Address, and in his peroration, + after laying stress on the responsibilities he was incurring, + proceeded: "I do not desire to be Minister of England; but + while I am Minister of England I will hold office by no + servile tenure; I will hold office unshackled by any other + obligation than that of consulting the public interests and + providing for the public safety."] + + [Footnote 2: He explained that the attitude of Lord Grey made + the difficulties attending the formation of a Whig Ministry + insuperable.] + + + + +[Pageheading: EXTENSION OF INDIAN FRONTIER] + + +_Sir Henry Hardinge to Queen Victoria._[3] + +CAMP, LULLIANEE, 24 miles from LAHORE, _18th February 1846._ + +The territory which it is proposed should be ceded in perpetuity to +your Majesty is a fine district between the Rivers Sutlej and Beas, +throwing our frontier forward, within 30 miles of Amritsar, so as +to have 50 miles of British territory in front of Loodiana, which, +relatively with Ferozepore, is so weak, that it appeared desirable to +the Governor-General to improve our frontier on its weakest side, to +curb the Sikhs by an easy approach towards Amritsar across the Beas +River instead of the Sutlej--to round off our hill possessions near +Simla--to weaken the Sikh State which has proved itself to be too +strong--and to show to all Asia that although the British Government +has not deemed it expedient to annex this immense country of the +Punjab, making the Indus the British boundary, it has punished the +treachery and violence of the Sikh nation, and exhibited its powers +in a manner which cannot be misunderstood. For the same political +and military reason, the Governor-General hopes to be able before the +negotiations are closed to make arrangements by which Cashmere may be +added to the possessions of Gholab Singh, declaring the Rajpoot Hill +States with Cashmere independent of the Sikhs of the Plains. The Sikhs +declare their inability to pay the indemnity of one million and a +half, and will probably offer Cashmere as an equivalent. In this case, +if Gholab Singh pays the money demanded for the expenses of the war, +the district of Cashmere will be ceded by the British to him, and the +Rajah become one of the Princes of Hindostan. + +There are difficulties in the way of this arrangement, but considering +the military power which the Sikh nation has exhibited of bringing +into the field 80,000 men and 300 pieces of field artillery, it +appears to the Governor-General most politic to diminish the means of +this warlike people to repeat a similar aggression. The nation is in +fact a dangerous military Republic on our weakest frontier. If the +British Army had been defeated, the Sikhs, through the Protected +States, which would have risen in their favour in case of a reverse, +would have captured Delhi, and a people having 50,000 regular troops +and 300 pieces of field artillery in a standing permanent camp within +50 miles of Ferozepore, is a state of things that cannot be tolerated +for the future.... + +The energy and intrepidity displayed by your Majesty's +Commander-in-Chief, Sir Hugh Gough, his readiness to carry on the +service in cordial co-operation with the Governor-General, and the +marked bravery and invincibility of your Majesty's English troops, +have overcome many serious obstacles, and the precautions taken have +been such that no disaster or failure, however trifling, has attended +the arduous efforts of your Majesty's Arms. + + [Footnote 3: The Sikhs were defeated at Sobraon on 10th + February by the British troops under Sir Hugh Gough, + reinforced by Sir Harry Smith, fresh from his victory at + Aliwal. _See_ p. 71.] + + + + +[Pageheading: PEEL'S ANXIETIES] + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +OSBORNE, _3rd March 1846._ + +MY DEAREST UNCLE,--I hasten to thank you for a most dear and kind +letter of the 28th, which I received this morning. You know how I +love and esteem my dearest Louise; she is the dearest friend, after my +beloved Albert, I have. + +I wish you could be here, and hope you will come here for a few days +during your stay, to see the innumerable alterations and improvements +which have taken place. My dearest Albert is so happy here, out all +day planting, directing, etc., and it is so good for him. It is a +relief to be away from all the bitterness which people create for +themselves in London. Peel has a very anxious and a very peculiar +position, and it is the force of circumstances and the great energy +he _alone possesses_ which will carry him through the Session. He +certainly acts a most disinterested part, for did he not feel (as +_every one_ who is fully acquainted with the _real state_ of the +country must feel) that the line he pursues is the _only right_ and +sound one for the welfare of this country, he never would have +exposed himself to all the annoyance and pain of being attacked by his +friends. He was, however, determined to have done this before the next +general election, but the alarming state of distress in Ireland forced +him to do it now. I must, however, leave him to explain to you fully +himself the peculiar circumstances of the present very irregular state +of affairs. His majority was _not_ a _certain_ one _last year_, for on +Maynooth, upwards of a _hundred_ of his followers voted against him. + +The state of affairs in India is very serious. I am glad you do +justice to the bravery of our good people. + + + + +[Pageheading: DEATH OF SIR ROBERT SALE] + + +_Queen Victoria to Sir Henry Hardinge._ + +OSBORNE, _4th March 1846._ + +The Queen is anxious to seize the first opportunity of expressing to +Sir Henry Hardinge, her admiration of his conduct on the last most +trying occasion, and of the courage and gallantry of the officers and +men who had so severe a contest to endure.[4] Their conduct has been +in every way worthy of the British name, and both the Prince and Queen +are deeply impressed with it. The severe loss we have sustained in +so many brave officers and men is very painful, and must alloy the +satisfaction every one feels at the brilliant successes of our Arms. +Most deeply do we lament the death of Sir Robert Sale, Sir John +M'Caskill,[5] and Major Broadfoot,[6] and most deeply do we sympathise +with that high-minded woman, Lady Sale, who has had the misfortune +to lose her husband less than three years after she was released from +captivity and restored to him. + +We are truly rejoiced to hear that Sir H. Hardinge's health has +not suffered, and that he and his brave son have been so mercifully +preserved. The Queen will look forward with great anxiety to the next +news from India. + + [Footnote 4: At Moodkee on 18th December, and Ferozeshah on + 21st and 22nd December.] + + [Footnote 5: Who had commanded a brigade under Pollock in the + second Afghan campaign.] + + [Footnote 6: Major George Broadfoot, C.B., Political Agent on + the north-western frontier.] + + + + +[Pageheading: THE PRINCE'S MEMORANDUM] + + +_Memorandum by the Prince Albert._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _1st April 1846._ + +I saw this day Sir R. Peel, and showed him a memorandum, which I had +drawn up respecting our conversation of the 30th. + +It filled six sheets, and contained, as minutely as I could render +it, the whole of the arguments we had gone through. Sir Robert read +it through and over again, and, after a long pause, said: "I was not +aware when I spoke to your Royal Highness that my words would be taken +down, and don't acknowledge that this is a fair representation of my +opinion." He was visibly uneasy, and added, if he knew that what he +said should be committed to paper, he would speak differently, and +give his opinion with all the circumspection and reserve which a +Minister ought to employ when he gave responsible advice; but he had +in this instance spoken quite unreservedly, like an advocate defending +a point in debate, and then he had taken another and tried to carry +this as far as it would go, in order to give me an opportunity of +judging of the different bearings of the question. He did so often in +the Cabinet, when they discussed important questions, and was often +asked: "Well, then, you are quite against this measure?" "Not at +all, but I want that the counter argument should be gone into to the +fullest extent, in order that the Cabinet should not take a one-sided +view." + +He viewed the existence of such a paper with much uneasiness, as it +might appear as if he had left this before going out of office in +order to prepossess the Queen against the measures, which her future +Minister might propose to her, and so lay secretly the foundation +of his fall. The existence of such a paper might cause great +embarrassment to the Queen; if she followed the advice of a Minister +who proposed measures hostile to the Irish Church, it might be said, +she knew what she undertook, for Sir R. Peel had warned her and left +on record the serious objections that attached to the measure. + +I said that I felt it to be of the greatest importance to possess +his views on the question, but that I thought I would not have been +justified in keeping a record of our conversation without showing it +to him, and asking him whether I had rightly understood him; but if +he felt a moment's uneasiness about this memorandum, I would at once +destroy it, as I was anxious that nothing should prevent his +speaking without the slightest reserve to me in future as he had done +heretofore. I felt that these open discussions were of the greatest +use to me in my endeavour to investigate the different political +questions of the day and to form a conclusive opinion upon them. +As Sir Robert did not say a word to dissuade me, I took it as an +affirmative, and threw the memorandum into the fire, which, I could +see, relieved Sir Robert. + +ALBERT. + + + + +_Mr Gladstone to Queen Victoria._ + +13 CARLTON HOUSE TERRACE, _1st April 1846._ + +Mr William Gladstone presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and +prays that he may be honoured with your Majesty's permission to direct +that the Park and Tower Guns may be fired forthwith in celebration of +the victory which was achieved by your Majesty's forces over the Sikh +army in Sobraon on the 10th of February.[7] + + [Footnote 7: In September 1882 Mr Gladstone quoted this as + a precedent for firing the Park Guns after the victory of + Tel-el-Kebir. See _Life of Right Hon. Hugh C. E. Childers_, by + Colonel Childers, C.B., R.E., vol. ii p. 127.] + + + + +_Queen Victoria to Sir Henry Hardinge._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _6th April 1846._ + +The Queen must write a line to Sir Henry Hardinge in order to express +her extreme satisfaction at the brilliant and happy termination of +our severe contest with the Sikhs, which he communicated to her in his +long and interesting letter of the 18th and 19th February. The +Queen much admires the skill and valour with which their difficult +operations have been conducted, and knows how much she owes to Sir +Henry Hardinge's exertions. The Queen hopes that he will see an +acknowledgment of this in the communication she has ordered to be made +to him relative to his elevation to the Peerage. + +The Prince, who fully knows all the Queen's feelings on this glorious +occasion, wishes to be named to Sir Henry Hardinge. + + + + +[Pageheading: KING LOUIS PHILIPPE] + + +_The King of the French to Queen Victoria._ + +PARIS, _5 Mai 1846._ + +MADAME MA TRES CHERE S[OE]UR,--Quand le 1^er de Mai, au moment ou +j'allais commencer les nombreuses et longues receptions de mon jour +de fete, on m'a remis la lettre si gracieuse que votre Majeste a eu +l'aimable attention de m'ecrire de maniere a ce que je la recoive ce +jour la, j'en ai ete penetre, et j'ai pense tout de suite aux paroles +du Menuet d'Iphigenie comme exprimant le remerciment qu'a mon grand +regret, je ne pouvais que sentir, et non exprimer par ecrit dans un +pareil moment. J'ai donc fait chercher tout de suite la partition de +ce menuet, et celles du Ch[oe]ur du meme Opera de Glueck "_Chantons, +celebrons notre Reine!_" mais on n'a pu, ou pas su se les procurer, et +j'ai du me contenter de les avoir arranges pour le piano dans un +livre (pas meme relie) qui a au moins pour excuse de contenir toute la +musique de cet Opera. Je l'ai mis dans une grande enveloppe adressee +a votre Majeste et j'ai fait prier Lord Cowley de l'expedier par +le premier Courier qui pourrait s'en charger, comme Depeche, afin +d'eviter ces postages dont Lord Liverpool m'a revele l'etonnant usage. + +Que vous dirai-je, Madame, sur tous les sentiments dont m'a penetre +cette nouvelle marque d'amitie de votre part? Vous connaissez celle +que je vous porte, et combien elle est vive et sincere. J'espere +bien que l'annee ne s'ecoulera pas sans que j'aie ete presenter mes +hommages a votre Majeste.... + +Tout ce que j'entends, tout ce que je recueille, me donne de plus en +plus l'esperance que la crise Parlementaire dans laquelle le Ministere +de votre Majeste se trouve engage, se terminera, comme Elle sait +que je le desire vivement, c'est-a-dire que Sir Robert Peel, Lord +Aberdeen, etc., will hold fast, et qu'ils seront encore ses Ministres +quand j'aurai le bonheur de Lui faire ma Cour. Je vois avec plaisir +que ce v[oe]u est a peu pres general en France, et qu'il se manifeste +de plus en plus.... + +Que votre Majeste me permette d'offrir ici au Prince Albert +l'expression de ma plus tendre amitie, et qu'elle veuille bien me +croire pour la vie, Madame ma tres chere S[oe]ur, de votre Majeste, le +bon Frere et bien fidele Ami, + +LOUIS PHILIPPE, R. + +J'ai vole ces feuilles de papier a ma bonne Reine pour echapper aux +reproches trop bien fondes que Lord Aberdeen a faits a la derniere +fourniture dont je me suis servi. + + + + +[Pageheading: IRISH CRIMES BILL] + + +_Sir Robert Peel to Queen Victoria._ + +HOUSE OF COMMONS, _12th June 1846._ (_Friday Night._) + +Sir Robert Peel, with his humble duty to your Majesty, begs leave to +acquaint your Majesty that no progress has been made to-night with the +Irish Bill.[8] + +On reading the order of the day Sir Robert Peel took that opportunity +of defending himself from the accusations[9] brought forward by +Lord George Bentinck and Mr Disraeli against Sir Robert Peel for +transactions that took place twenty years since. The debate on this +preliminary question lasted until nearly half-past eleven. + +Like every unjust and malignant attack, this, according to Sir Robert +Peel's impressions, recoiled upon its authors. + +He thinks the House was completely satisfied. Lord John Russell and +Lord Morpeth behaved very well. + +The vindictive motive of the attack was apparent to all but a few +Protectionists. + + [Footnote 8: In consequence of a serious increase of crime in + Ireland, a Coercion Bill had been introduced.] + + [Footnote 9: This refers to the Catholic Emancipation + discussions of 1827, when Bentinck and Disraeli accused Peel + of having hounded Canning to death.] + + + + +[Pageheading: ATTACK ON PEEL] + + +_Sir Robert Peel to Queen Victoria._ + +WHITEHALL, _22nd June 1846._ + +Sir Robert Peel presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and assures +your Majesty that he is penetrated with a deep sense of your Majesty's +great kindness and your Majesty's generous sympathy with himself and +Lady Peel. + +Sir Robert Peel firmly believes that the recent attack made upon him +was the result of a foul conspiracy concocted by Mr Disraeli and Lord +George Bentinck, in the hope and belief that from the lapse of time +or want of leisure in Sir Robert Peel to collect materials for his +defence, or the destruction of documents and papers, the means of +complete refutation might be wanting.... + +He hopes, however, he had sufficient proof to demonstrate the +falseness of the accusation, and the malignant motives of the +accusers. + +He is deeply grateful to your Majesty and to the Prince for the kind +interest you have manifested during the progress of this arduous +struggle, which now he trusts is approaching to a successful +termination. + + + + +_Sir Robert Peel to Queen Victoria._ + +DOWNING STREET, _26th June 1846._ (_Two o'clock._) + +Sir Robert Peel, with his humble duty to your Majesty, begs leave +to acquaint your Majesty that the members of the Government met in +Cabinet to-day at one. + +Sir Robert Peel is just returned from this meeting. + +He stated to the Cabinet that after the event of yesterday (the +rejection of the Irish Bill by so large a majority as 73) he felt +it to be his duty as head of the Government humbly to tender his +resignation of office to your Majesty. He added that, feeling no +assurance that the result of a Dissolution would be to give a majority +agreeing with the Government in general principles of policy, and +sufficient in amount to enable the Government to conduct the business +of the country with credit to themselves and satisfaction to your +Majesty and the public at large, he could not advise your Majesty to +dissolve the Parliament. + +Sir Robert Peel said that, in his opinion, the Government generally +ought to resign, but his mind was made up as to his own course. + +There was not a dissenting voice that it was the duty of the +Government to tender their resignation to your Majesty, and for the +reasons stated by Sir Robert Peel, not to advise dissolution. If Sir +Robert Peel does not receive your Majesty's commands to wait upon your +Majesty in the course of to-day, Sir Robert Peel will be at Osborne +about half-past three to-morrow. + + + + +[Pageheading: PEEL'S RESIGNATION] + + +_Memorandum by the Prince Albert._ + +OSBORNE HOUSE, _28th June 1846._ + +Sir Robert Peel arrived yesterday evening and tendered his +resignation. He is evidently much relieved in quitting a post, the +labours and anxieties of which seem almost too much for anybody to +bear, and which in these last six months were particularly onerous. +In fact, he said that he would not have been able to stand it much +longer. Nothing, however, would have induced him to give way before +he had passed the Corn Bill and the Tariff.[10] The majority upon the +Irish Bill was much larger than any one had expected; Sir Robert was +glad of this, however, as it convinced his colleagues of the necessity +of resigning. He told them at the Cabinet that, as for himself +personally, he had made up his mind to resign, and on being asked +what he advised his Cabinet to do, he recommended them to do the +same, which received general concurrence. The last weeks had not been +without some intrigue. There was a party headed by Lord Ellenborough +and Lord Brougham, who wished Sir Robert and Sir James Graham to +retire, and for the rest of the Cabinet to reunite with the Protection +section of the Conservatives, and to carry on the Government. Lord +Ellenborough and Lord Brougham had in December last settled to head +the Protectionists, but this combination had been broken up by Lord +Ellenborough's acceptance of the post of First Lord of the Admiralty; +Lord Brougham then declared for free trade, perhaps in order to follow +Lord Ellenborough into office. The Duke of Wellington had been for +dissolution till he saw the complete disorganisation of his party +in the House of Lords. The Whigs, having been beat twice the evening +before by large majorities on the Roman Catholic Bill, had made every +exertion on the Coercion Bill, and the majority was still increased by +Sir Robert's advising the Free Traders and Radicals, who had intended +to stay away in order not to endanger Sir Robert's Government, not to +do so as they would not be able to save him. Seventy Protectionists +voted with the majority. + + [Footnote 10: By a remarkable coincidence the Corn Bill passed + through the Lords on the same night that the Ministry were + defeated in the Commons.] + +Before leaving Town Sir R. Peel addressed a letter to Lord John +Russell, informing him that he was going to the Isle of Wight in order +to tender his and his colleagues' resignation to the Queen, that he +did not the least know what Her Majesty's intentions were, but that in +case she should send for Lord John, he (Sir Robert) was ready to see +Lord John (should he wish it), and give him any explanation as to +the state of public affairs and Parliamentary business which he could +desire. Sir Robert thought thereby, without in the least committing +the Queen, to indicate to Lord John that he had nothing to fear on his +part, and that, on the contrary, he could reckon upon his assistance +in starting the Queen's new Government. He hoped likewise that this +would tend to dispel a clamour for dissolution which the Whigs have +raised, alarmed by their defeats upon the Catholic Bill. + +ALBERT. + + + + +[Pageheading: END OF THE OREGON DISPUTE] + + +_Sir Robert Peel to Queen Victoria._ + +HOUSE OF COMMONS, _29th June 1846._ + +Sir Robert Peel, with his humble duty to your Majesty, begs leave to +acquaint your Majesty that he has just concluded his speech notifying +to the House the resignation of the Government. + +He thinks it was very well received.[11] Lord Palmerston spoke after +Sir Robert Peel, but not very effectively, but no other person spoke. +Sir Robert Peel is to see Lord John Russell at ten to-morrow morning. + +Sir Robert Peel humbly congratulates your Majesty on the intelligence +received _this day_ from America. The defeat of the Government on +the day on which they carried the Corn Bill, and the receipt of the +intelligence from America[12] on the day on which they resign, are +singular coincidences. + + [Footnote 11: He expressed his hope to be remembered with + goodwill "in the abodes of those whose lot it is to labour, + and to earn their daily bread by the sweat of their brows, + when they shall recruit their exhausted strength with abundant + and untaxed food, the sweeter because no longer leavened with + a sense of injustice."] + + [Footnote 12: The Convention for adjusting the dispute as to + the Oregon boundary had been accepted by the United States + Government.] + + + + +[Pageheading: PEEL'S TRIBUTE TO COBDEN] + + +_The Bishop of Oxford[13] to Mr Anson._ + +61 EATON PLACE, _29th June 1846._ (_Midnight._) + +MY DEAR ANSON,--Your kind letter reached me half an hour ago whilst +Sir T. Acland was sitting with me; and I must say a few words in reply +by the early post. I went down to hear Peel in the House of Commons, +and very fine it was. The House crowded, Peers and Ambassadors filling +every seat and overflowing into the House. Soon after six all private +business was over; Peel not come in, all waiting, no one rose for +anything; for ten minutes this lasted: then Peel came in, walked up +the House: colder, dryer, more introverted than ever, yet to a close +gaze showing the fullest working of a smothered volcano of emotions. +He was out of breath with walking and sat down on the Treasury Bench +(placing a small despatch box with the Oregon despatches on the table) +as he would be fully himself before he rose. By-and-by he rose, amidst +a breathless silence, and made the speech you will have read long ere +this. It was very fine: very effective: really almost solemn: to fall +at such a moment. He spoke as if it was his last political scene: as +if he felt that between alienated friends and unwon foes he could +have no party again; and could only as a shrewd bystander observe and +advise others. There was but one point in the Speech which I thought +doubtful: the apostrophe to "Richard Cobden."[14] I think it was +wrong, though there is very much to be said for it. The opening of the +American peace was noble; but for the future, what have we to look to? +Already there are whispers of Palmerston and War; the Whig budget and +deficiency. The first great question all men ask is: does Lord John +come in, leaning on Radical or Conservative aid? Is Hawes to be in the +Cabinet? the first Dissenter? the first tradesman? the Irish Church? I +wish you were near enough to talk to, though even then you would know +too much that must not be known for a comfortable talk. But I shall +hope soon to see you; and am always, my dear Anson, very sincerely and +affectionately yours, + +S. OXON. + + [Footnote 13: Dr S. Wilberforce.] + + [Footnote 14: "Sir, the name which ought to be, and which will + be, associated with the success of these measures, is the name + of a man who, acting, I believe, from pure and disinterested + motives, has advocated their cause with untiring energy, and + by appeals to reason, enforced by an eloquence the more to + be admired because it was unaffected and unadorned--the + name which ought to be and which will be associated with the + success of these measures is the name of Richard Cobden."] + + + + +[Pageheading: THE NEW GOVERNMENT] + + +_Memorandum by the Prince Albert._ + +OSBORNE HOUSE, _30th June 1846._ + +Lord John Russell arrived here this afternoon; he has seen Sir Robert +Peel this morning, and is prepared to undertake the formation of +a Government which he thinks will stand; at least, for the present +session he anticipates no difficulty, as Sir R. Peel has professed +himself ready not to obstruct its progress, and as the Protectionists +have held a meeting on Saturday at which Lord Stanley has declared +that he would let this Government go on smoothly unless the word +"Irish Church" was pronounced. About men and offices, Lord John has +consulted with Lord Lansdowne, Palmerston, Clarendon, and Cottenham, +who were of opinion that the Liberal members of Sir Robert's Cabinet +ought to be induced to retain office under Lord John, viz. Lord +Dalhousie, Lord Lincoln, and Mr Sidney Herbert. Sir Robert Peel at the +interview of this morning had stated to Lord John that he would not +consider it as an attempt to draw his supporters away from him (it not +being his intention to form a party), and that he would not dissuade +them from accepting the offer, but that he feared that they would not +accept. We concurred in this opinion, but Lord John was authorised +by Victoria to make the offer. Mr F. Baring, the Chancellor of the +Exchequer under the late Whig Government, has intimated to Lord John +that he would prefer if no offer of office was made to him; Lord John +would therefore recommend Mr Charles Wood for this office. Lord Grey +was still a difficulty; in or out of office he seemed to be made a +difficulty. It would be desirable to have him in the Cabinet if he +could waive his opinions upon the Irish Church. His speech in the +House of Lords[15] at the beginning of the session had done much harm, +had been very extreme, and Lord John was decidedly against him in +that. Lord Grey knew that everybody blamed it, but said everybody +would be of those (his) opinions ten years hence, and therefore he +might just as well hold them now. Mr Wood having great influence with +him might keep him quiet, and so would the Colonial seals, as he would +get work enough. About Lord Palmerston, he is satisfied, and would no +more make any difficulty. + + [Footnote 15: On the 23rd of March, in the course of a long + speech on the state of Ireland, Earl Grey had contrasted the + poverty of the Roman Catholic Church in that country with the + affluence of the Establishment, diverted, as he said, by the + superior power of England from its original objects; adding + that the Protestant Church was regarded by the great mass of + the Irish people as an active cause of oppression and misery.] + +Lord John Russell told me in the evening that he had forgotten to +mention one subject to the Queen: it was that Sir Robert Peel by his +speech and his special mention of Mr Cobden as the person who had +carried the great measure, had made it very difficult for Lord John +not to offer office to Mr Cobden. The Whigs were already accused of +being exclusive, and reaping the harvest of other people's work. The +only thing he could offer would be a _Cabinet_ office. Now this would +affront a great many people whom he (Lord J.) had to conciliate, and +create even possibly dissension in his Cabinet. As Mr Cobden was going +on the Continent for a year, Lord John was advised by Lord Clarendon +to write to Mr C., and tell him that he had heard he was going +abroad, that he would not make any offer to him therefore, but that +he considered him as entitled once to be recommended for office to the +Queen. This he would do, with the Queen's permission.... + + + + +[Pageheading: THE NEW MINISTRY] + + + + +_Queen Victoria to Sir Robert Peel._ + +OSBORNE, _1st July 1846._ + +The Queen returns these letters, with her best thanks. The settlement +of the Oregon question has given us the greatest satisfaction. It does +seem strange that at the moment of triumph the Government should +have to resign. The Queen read Sir Robert Peel's speech with great +admiration. The Queen seizes this opportunity (though she will see Sir +Robert again) of expressing her _deep_ concern at losing his services, +which she regrets as much for the Country as for herself and the +Prince. In whatever position Sir Robert Peel may be, we shall ever +look on him as a kind and true friend, and ever have the greatest +esteem and regard for him as a Minister and as a private individual. + +The Queen will not say anything about what passed at Lord John +Russell's interview, as the Prince has already written to Sir Robert. +She does not think, however, that he mentioned the wish Lord John +expressed that Lord Liverpool should retain his office, which however +(much as we should personally like it) we think he would not do. + +What does Sir Robert hear of the Protectionists, and what do his own +followers say to the state of affairs? + + + + +[Pageheading: WHIG JEALOUSIES] + + +_Memorandum by the Prince Albert._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _6th July 1846._ + +Yesterday the new Ministry were installed at a Privy Council, and the +Seals of Office transferred to them. We had a long conversation with +Sir Robert Peel, who took leave. I mentioned to him that his word +of "Richard Cobden" had created an immense sensation, but he was not +inclined to enter upon the subject. When we begged him to do nothing +which could widen the breach between him and his party, he said, "I +don't think that we can ever get together again." He repeated that he +was anxious not to undertake a Government again, that his health would +not stand it, that it was better likewise for the Queen's service +that other, younger men should be brought forward. Sir Robert, Lord +Aberdeen, and Sir James Graham parted with great emotion, and had +tears in their eyes when they thanked the Queen for her confidence +and support. Lord Aberdeen means to have an interview with Lord +Palmerston, and says that when he (Lord A.) came into office, Lord +Palmerston and the _Chronicle_ assailed him most bitterly as an +imbecile Minister, a traitor to his country, etc., etc. He means now +to show Lord P. the contrast by declaring his readiness to assist him +in every way he can by his advice, that he would at all times speak to +him as if he was his colleague if he wished it. + +The new Court is nearly completed, and we have succeeded in obtaining +a very respectable and proper one, notwithstanding the run which +the Party made upon it which had been formerly used to settle these +matters, to _their_ liking only. The Government is not a united one, +however, by any means. Mr Wood and Lord Clarendon take the greatest +credit in having induced Lord Grey to join the Government,[16] and are +responsible to Lord John to keep him quiet, which they think they will +be able to do, as he had been convinced of the folly of his former +line of conduct. Still, they say Lord Lansdowne will have the lead +only nominally, that Lord Grey is to take it really in the House +of Lords. There is the _Grey Party_, consisting of Lord Grey, Lord +Clarendon, Sir George Grey, and Mr Wood; they are against Lord +Lansdowne, Lord Minto, Lord Auckland, and Sir John Hobhouse, +stigmatising them as old women. Lord John leans entirely to the +last-named gentlemen. There is no cordiality between Lord John and +Lord Palmerston, who, if he had to make a choice, would even forget +what passed in December last, and join the Grey Party in preference to +Lord John personally. The curious part of all this is that they +cannot keep a secret, and speak of all their differences. They got +the _Times_ over by giving it exclusive information, and the leading +articles are sent in and praise the new Cabinet, but the wicked paper +added immediately a furious attack upon Sir John Hobhouse, which +alarmed them so much that they sent to Sir John, sounding him, whether +he would be hereafter prepared to relinquish the Board of Control. +(This, however, is a mere personal matter of Mr Walter, who stood +against Sir John at Nottingham in 1841 and was unseated.) Sir John +Easthope, the proprietor of the _Morning Chronicle_, complains +bitterly of the subserviency to the _Times_ and treason to him. He +says he knows that the information was sent from Lord John's house, +and threatens revenge. "If you will be ruled by the _Times_," he +said to one of the Cabinet, "the _Times_ has shown you already by a +specimen that you will be ruled by a rod of iron." + + [Footnote 16: In spite of the opposition of the latter to + Palmerston's re-appointment to the Foreign Office. See _ante_, + p. 60.] + +A Brevet for the Army and Navy is proposed, in order to satisfy Lord +Anglesey with the dignity of Field-Marshal. + +ALBERT. + +The Protectionists, 150 strong, including Peers and M.P.'s, are to +give a dinner to Lord Stanley at Greenwich, at which he is to announce +his opinions upon the line they are to take. Lord George Bentinck is +there to lay down the lead which the Party insisted upon. Who is to +follow him as their leader in the Commons nobody knows. + + + + +[Pageheading: A WEAK GOVERNMENT] + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _7th July 1846._ + +MY DEAREST UNCLE,--I have to thank you for your kind letter of the +3rd. It arrived yesterday, which was a very hard day for me. I had to +part with Sir R. Peel and Lord Aberdeen, who are irreparable losses +to us and the Country; they were both so much overcome that it quite +overset me, and we have in them two devoted friends. We felt so safe +with them. Never, during the five years that they were with me, did +they _ever_ recommend a _person_ or a thing which was not for my or +the Country's best, and never for the Party's advantage only; and the +contrast _now_ is very striking; there is much less respect and much +less high and pure feeling. Then the discretion of Peel, I believe, is +unexampled. + +Stockmar has, I know, explained to you the state of affairs, which +is unexampled, and I think the present Government _very_ weak and +extremely disunited. What may appear to you as a mistake in November +was an inevitable evil. Aberdeen very truly explained it yesterday. +"We had ill luck," he said; "if it had not been for this famine in +Ireland, which rendered immediate measures necessary, Sir Robert would +have prepared them gradually for the change." Then, besides, the Corn +Law Agitation was such that if Peel had not wisely made this change +(for which the _whole_ Country blesses him), a convulsion would +shortly have taken place, and we should have been _forced_ to yield +what has been granted as a boon. No doubt the breaking up of the Party +(which _will_ come together again, whether under Peel or some one +else) is a very distressing thing. The only thing to be regretted, and +I do not know exactly _why_ he did it (though we _can_ guess), was his +praise of _Cobden_, which has shocked people a good deal. + +But I can't tell you how sad I am to lose Aberdeen; you can't think +what a delightful companion he was; the breaking up of all this +intercourse during our journeys, etc., is deplorable. + +We have contrived to get a _very_ respectable Court. + +Albert's use to me, and I may say to the _Country_, by his firmness +and sagacity, is beyond all belief in these moments of trial. + +We are all well, but I am, of course, a good deal overset by all these +tribulations. + +Ever your devoted Niece, + +VICTORIA R. + +I was much touched to see Graham so very much overcome at taking leave +of us. + + + + +[Pageheading: THE QUEEN'S ANXIETY] + + +_Queen Victoria to Viscount Hardinge._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _8th July 1846._ + +The Queen thanks Lord Hardinge for his interesting communications. +Lord Hardinge will have learnt all that has taken place in the +Country; one of the most brilliant Governments this Country ever +had has fallen at the moment of victory! The Queen has now, besides +mourning over this event, the anxiety of having to see the Government +carried on as efficiently as possible, for the welfare of the Country. +The Queen would find a guarantee for the accomplishment of this +object in Lord Hardinge's consenting to continue at the head of the +Government of India, where great experiments have been made which +require unity of purpose and system to be carried out successfully. + + + + +_Queen Victoria to Lord John Russell._ + +OSBORNE, _10th July 1846._ + +... The Queen approves of the pensions proposed by Lord J. Russell, +though she cannot conceal from him that she thinks the one to Father +Mathew a doubtful proceeding. It is quite true that he has done much +good by preaching temperance, but by the aid of superstition, which +can hardly be patronised by the Crown.[17] + +The Queen is sure that Lord John will like her at all times to speak +out her mind, and has, therefore, done so without reserve. + + [Footnote 17: The pension was, however, granted.] + + + + +[Pageheading: THE FRENCH ROYAL FAMILY] + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +OSBORNE, _14th July 1846._ + +MY DEAREST UNCLE,--We are very happily established here since +Thursday, and have beautiful weather for this truly enjoyable place; +we drive, walk, and sit out--and the nights are so fine. I long for +you to be here. It has quite restored my spirits, which were much +shaken by the sad leave-takings in London--of Sir R. Peel, Lord +Aberdeen, Lord Liverpool, etc. Lord L. could _not well_ have stayed. +Lord Aberdeen was very much overset. + +The present Government is weak, and I think Lord J. does not possess +the talent of keeping his people together. Most people think, +however, that they will get through this Session; the only question of +difficulty is the _sugar_ question. + +I think that the King of the French's visit is more than ever +desirable--now; for if he were to be shy of coming, it would prove +to the world that this _new_ Government was hostile, and the _entente +cordiale_ no longer sure. Pray impress this on the King--and I _hope_ +and _beg_ he will let the dear Nemours pay us a little visit in +November. It would have the best effect, and be so pleasant, as we are +so dull in the winter all by ourselves. I hope that in future, when +the King and the Family are at _Eu_, some of them will frequently come +over to see us _here_. It would be so nice and _so near_. + +Now adieu, dearest Uncle. I hope I shall _not_ have to _write_ to +you again, but have the happiness of _saying de vive voix_, that I am +ever, your devoted Niece, + +VICTORIA R. + + + + +[Pageheading: THE SPANISH MARRIAGES] + + +_Viscount Palmerston to Queen Victoria._ + +FOREIGN OFFICE, _16th July 1846._ + +... With regard to the marriage of the Queen of Spain, Viscount +Palmerston has received a good deal of general information from +persons who have conversed with him on the subject, but he has learnt +nothing thereupon which was not already known to your Majesty. The +state of that matter seems, in a few words, to be that the Count +of Trapani is now quite out of the question, that the Count of +Montemolin, though wished for by Austria, and in some degree supported +by the Court of the Tuileries, would be an impossible choice, and that +the alternative now lies between Don Enrique and the Prince Leopold +of Coburg, the two Queens being equally set against the Duke of Cadiz, +Don Enrique's elder brother. In favour of Prince Leopold seem to be +the two Queens, and a party (of what extent and influence does not +appear) in Spain. Against that Prince are arrayed, ostensibly at +least, the Court of the Tuileries and the Liberal Party in Spain; and +probably to a certain degree the Government of Austria. + +In favour of Don Enrique are a very large portion of the Spanish +nation, who would prefer a Spanish prince for their Sovereign's +husband; and the preference, expressed only as an opinion and without +any acts in furtherance of it, by your Majesty's late Administration. +Against Don Enrique are the aversion of the Queen Mother, founded on +her family differences with her late sister, and the apprehensions of +the present Ministers in Spain, who would think their power endangered +by the political connection between Don Enrique and the more Liberal +Party. The sentiments of the King of the French in regard to Don +Enrique seem not very decided; but it appears likely that the King of +the French would prefer Count Montemolin or the Duke of Cadiz to Don +Enrique; but that he would prefer Don Enrique to the Prince Leopold of +Coburg, because the former would fall within the category of Bourbon +princes, descended from Philip the Fifth of Spain, proposed by the +King of the French as the limited circle within which the Queen of +Spain should find a husband. + + + + +_Queen Victoria to Viscount Palmerston._ + +_16th July 1846._ + +The Queen has received Lord Palmerston's interesting letter, and is +very much satisfied with his parting conversation with Ibrahim +Pasha, which she conceives will not be lost upon him. The view Lord +Palmerston takes about the present position of the Spanish marriage +question appears to the Queen quite correct. She finds only one +omission, which is Queen Isabella's personal objection to Don Enrique, +and the danger which attaches to marriage with a Prince taken up by a +Political Party in Spain, which makes him the political enemy of the +opposite Party.[18] + +The Queen thanks Lord Palmerston for his zeal about Portugal, which +is really in an alarming state.[19] She sends herewith the last letter +which she received from the King of Portugal. The Queen is sorry to +have lost the opportunity of seeing Marshal Saldanha. + + [Footnote 18: On the 18th of July Lord Palmerston wrote his + celebrated despatch to Mr Bulwer, and unfortunately showed + a copy of it to Jarnac, the French Ambassador in London. The + mention of Prince Leopold in it, as a possible candidate for + the Queen of Spain's hand, gave the French King and Minister + the opportunity they wanted, and brought matters to a crisis. + See _Life of the Prince Consort_, vol. i. chap. xvii.; + Dalling's _Life of Lord Palmerston,_ vol. iii. chaps. vii. and + viii.] + + [Footnote 19: Owing to the insurrection, a run took place on + the Bank of Lisbon. The Ministry (in which Saldanha was War + Minister) had some difficulty in raising a loan.] + + + +[Pageheading: THE PREROGATIVE OF DISSOLUTION] + + +_Queen Victoria to Lord John Russell._ + +OSBORNE HOUSE, _16th July 1846._ + +The Queen has received Lord John Russell's communication of yesterday, +and sincerely hopes that Lord John's sugar measure[20] may be such +that the Committee of the Cabinet, as well as the whole Cabinet and +_Parliament_, may concur in it, which would save the country another +struggle this year. The Queen trusts, moreover, that late experience +and good sense may induce the West Indians to be moderate and +accommodating. As Lord John touches in his letter on the possibility +of a Dissolution, the Queen thinks it right to put Lord John in +possession of her views upon this subject _generally_. She considers +the power of dissolving Parliament a most valuable and powerful +instrument in the hands of the Crown, but which ought not to be used +except in extreme cases and with a certainty of success. To use this +instrument and be defeated is a thing most lowering to the Crown +and hurtful to the country. The Queen strongly feels that she made +a mistake in allowing the Dissolution in 1841; the result has been a +majority returned against her of nearly one hundred votes; but suppose +the result to have been nearly an equality of votes between the two +contending parties, the Queen would have thrown away her last remedy, +and it would have been impossible for her to get any Government which +could have carried on public business with a chance of success. + +The Queen was glad therefore to see that Sir Robert Peel did not ask +for a Dissolution, and she _entirely concurs_ in the opinion expressed +by him in his last speech in the House of Commons, when he said: + +"I feel strongly this, that no Administration is justified in advising +the exercise of that prerogative, unless there be a fair, reasonable +presumption, even a strong moral conviction, that after a Dissolution +they will be enabled to administer the affairs of this country through +the support of a party sufficiently powerful to carry their measures. +I do not think a Dissolution justifiable to strengthen a party. I +think the power of Dissolution is a great instrument in the hands of +the Crown, and that there is a tendency to blunt that instrument if it +be resorted to without necessity. + +"The only ground for Dissolution would have been a strong presumption +that after a Dissolution we should have had a party powerful enough in +this House to give effect practically to the measures which we might +propose. I do not mean a support founded on a concurrence on _one +great question of domestic policy_, however important that may be, not +of those who differ from us on almost all questions of public policy, +agreeing with us in one; but that we should have the support of a +powerful party united by a general concurrence of political opinions." + +The Queen is confident that these views will be in accordance with +Lord John Russell's own sentiments and opinions upon this subject. + + [Footnote 20: In pursuance of the policy of free trade, the + Ministry introduced and passed a Bill reducing the duties + on foreign slave-grown sugar, with the ultimate intention of + equalising them with those on Colonial produce.] + + + + +[Pageheading: LORD MELBOURNE'S VIEWS] + + +_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._ + +SOUTH STREET, _21st July 1846._ + +Lord Melbourne presents his humble duty to your Majesty. He has just +received your Majesty's letter of yesterday, and is much delighted at +again hearing from your Majesty. + +What your Majesty says of the state of public affairs and of parties +in Parliament is true. But in November last Sir Robert Peel had +a party which might have enabled him to have long carried on the +Government if he had not most unaccountably chosen himself to scatter +it to the winds. + +Lord Melbourne is much gratified by the intimation that your Majesty +would not have been displeased or unwilling to see him again amongst +your confidential servants, but your Majesty acted most kindly and +most judiciously in not calling upon him in November last, and John +Russell has done the same in forbearing to make to Lord Melbourne any +offer at present. When Lord Melbourne was at Brocket Hall during +the Whitsuntide holidays he clearly foresaw that Sir Robert Peel's +Government must be very speedily dissolved; and upon considering the +state of his own health and feelings, he came to the determination, +which he communicated to Mr Ellice, who was with him, that he could +take no active part in the then speedily approaching crisis. He felt +himself quite unequal to the work, and also to that of either of the +Secretaries of State, or even of the more subordinate and less heavy +and responsible offices. He is very subject to have accesses of +weakness, which render him incapable for exertion, and deprive his +life of much of its enjoyment. They do not appear at present to hasten +its termination, but how soon they may do so it is impossible to +foretell or foresee. + +Lord Melbourne hopes that he shall be able to wait upon your Majesty +on Saturday next, but he fears the weight of the full dress uniform. +He begs to be remembered to His Royal Highness. + + + + +[Pageheading: THE PRINCE AND PEEL] + + +_Sir Robert Peel to the Prince Albert._ + +DRAYTON MANOR, FAZELEY, _August 1846._ + +SIR,--I shall be very happy to avail myself of your Royal Highness's +kind permission occasionally to write to your Royal Highness. However +much I am enjoying the contrast between repose and official life, +I may say--I hope without presumption, I am sure with perfect +sincerity--that the total interruption of every sort of communication +with your Royal Highness would be a very severe penalty. + +It was only yesterday that I was separating from the rest of my +correspondence all the letters which I had received from the Queen +and your Royal Highness during the long period of five years, in order +that I might ensure their exemption from the fate to which in these +days all letters seem to be destined, and I could not review them +without a mixed feeling of gratitude for the considerate indulgence +and kindness of which they contained such decisive proofs, and +of regret that such a source of constantly recurring interest and +pleasure was dried up. + +I can act in conformity with your Royal Highness's gracious wishes, +and occasionally write to you, without saying a word of which the most +jealous or sensitive successor in the confidence of the Queen could +complain.... Your faithful and humble Servant, + +ROBERT PEEL. + + + + +_Queen Victoria to Lord John Russell._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _3rd August 1846._ + +The Queen has just seen Lord Bessborough, who presses very much for +her going to Ireland; she thinks it right to put Lord John Russell in +possession of her views on this subject. + +It is a journey which must one day or other be undertaken, and which +the Queen would be glad to have accomplished, because it must be +disagreeable to her that people should speculate whether she _dare_ +visit one part of her dominions. Much will depend on the proper +moment, for, after those speculations, it ought to succeed if +undertaken. + +The Queen is anxious that when undertaken it should be a National +thing, and the good which it is to do must be a permanent and not a +transitory advantage to a particular Government, having the appearance +of a party move. + +As this is not a journey of pleasure like the Queen's former ones, but +a State act, it will have to be done with a certain degree of State, +and ought to be done handsomely. It cannot be expected that the main +expense of it should fall upon the Civil List, nor would this be able +to bear it. + + + + +[Pageheading: CANADIAN AFFAIRS] + + +_The Prince Albert to Earl Grey._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _3rd August 1846._ + +MY DEAR LORD GREY,--The Queen wishes me to return you the enclosed +letter. The subject of the Government of Canada is one which the Queen +has much at heart. Canada has been for a long time, and may probably +_still_ be for the future, a source of great weakness to this Empire, +and a number of experiments have been tried. It was in a very bad +state before the Union, continually embarrassing the Home Government, +and the Union has by no means acted as a remedy, but it may be said +almost to have increased the difficulties. The only thing that has +hitherto proved beneficial was the prudent, consistent, and impartial +administration of Lord Metcalfe. Upon the continuance and consistent +application of the system which he has laid down and acted upon, +will depend, in the Queen's estimation, the future welfare of that +province, and the maintenance of proper relations with the mother +country. The Queen therefore is most anxious that in the appointment +of a new Governor-General (for which post she thinks Lord Elgin very +well qualified), regard should be had to securing an uninterrupted +development of Lord Metcalfe's views. The Queen thought it the more +her duty to make you acquainted with her sentiments upon this subject, +because she thinks that additional danger arises from the impressions +which the different agents of the different political parties in +Canada try to produce upon the Home Government and the imperial +Parliament, and from their desire to mix up Canadian _party_ politics +with general English _party_ politics.[21] Ever yours, etc. + +ALBERT. + + [Footnote 21: In the event, Lord Elgin was appointed.] + + + + +_Lord John Russell to Queen Victoria._ + +CHESHAM PLACE, _4th August 1846._ + +Lord John Russell presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and is +greatly obliged to your Majesty for your Majesty's communication +respecting a Royal visit to Ireland. He concurs in your Majesty's +observations on that subject. He is of opinion that if the visit +partook in any way of a party character, its effects would be +mischievous, and not beneficial. + +He is also doubtful of the propriety of either incurring very large +expense on the part of the public, or of encouraging Irish proprietors +to lay out money in show and ceremony at a time when the accounts of +the potato crop exhibit the misery and distress of the people in an +aggravated shape. + + + + +[Pageheading: THE WELLINGTON STATUE] + + +_Queen Victoria to Lord John Russell._ + +_7th August_ [_1846_]. + +With regard to the Statue[22] on the arch on Constitution Hill, the +Queen is of opinion that if she is considered individually she is +bound by her word, and must allow the Statue to go up, however bad the +appearance of it will be. If the constitutional fiction is applied to +the case, the Queen acts by the advice of her _responsible_ advisers. +One Government advised her to give her assent, another advises the +withdrawal of that assent. This latter position has been taken in Lord +Morpeth's former letter to the Committee, and in the debate in the +House of Commons; it must therefore now be adhered to, and whatever +is decided must be the act of the Government. It would accordingly +be better to keep the word "Government" at the conclusion of Lord +Morpeth's proposed letter, and that the Prince should not go to Town +to give an opinion upon the appearance of the figure, when up. + + [Footnote 22: The equestrian statue of the Duke of Wellington + at Hyde Park Corner was much criticised at the time of its + erection: it is now at Aldershot.] + + + + +_The Prince Albert to Viscount Palmerston._ + +[_9th August 1846._] + +MY DEAR LORD PALMERSTON,--The Queen is much obliged for Lord Howard +de Walden's private letter to you, and begs you will never hesitate to +send her such private communications, however unreserved they may +be in their language, as our chief wish and aim is, by hearing all +parties, to arrive at a just, dispassionate, and correct opinion +upon the various political questions. This, however, entails a strict +scrutiny of what is brought before us.... + + + + +[Pageheading: ENGLAND AND SPAIN] + + + + +_Queen Victoria to Lord John Russell._ + +OSBORNE, _17th August 1846._ + +The Queen has received a draft to Mr Bulwer from Lord Palmerston. The +perusal of it has raised some apprehensions in the Queen's mind, +which she stated to Lord Palmerston she would communicate to Lord John +Russell. + +The draft lays down a general policy, which the Queen is afraid may +ultimately turn out very dangerous. It is this: + +England undertakes to interfere in the internal affairs of Spain, and +to promote the development of the present constitutional Government of +Spain in a more democratic direction, and this for the avowed purpose +of counteracting the influence of France. England becomes therefore +_responsible_ for a particular direction given to the _internal_ +Government of Spain, which to control she has no sufficient means. All +England can do, and will have to do, is: to keep up a particular party +in Spain to support her views. + +France, knowing that this is directed against her, must take up the +opposite party and follow the opposite policy in Spanish affairs. + +This must bring England and France to quarrels, of which we can hardly +foresee the consequences, and it dooms Spain to eternal convulsions +and reactions. + +This has been the state of things before; theory and experience +therefore warn against the renewal of a similar policy. + +The natural consequence of this is that Don Enrique would appear +as the desirable candidate for the Queen of Spain's hand, and Lord +Palmerston accordingly for the first time deviates from the line +hitherto followed by us, and _urges_ Don Enrique, which in the eyes of +the world must stamp him as "_an English Candidate_." Lord Palmerston, +from his wish to see him succeed, does, in the Queen's opinion, not +sufficiently acknowledge the obstacles which stand in the way of +this combination, and which all those who are on the spot and in the +confidence of the Court represent as almost insurmountable. + +The Queen desires Lord John Russell to weigh all this most maturely, +and to let her know the result. + + + + +_Lord John Russell to Queen Victoria._ + +CHESHAM PLACE, _19th August 1846._ + +Lord John Russell presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and has +the honour to state that he has maturely considered, together with +Lord Palmerston, Lord Lansdowne, and Lord Clarendon, your Majesty's +observations on the draft sent by Lord Palmerston for your Majesty's +approbation. + +Lord John Russell entirely concurs in your Majesty's wish that England +and France should not appear at Madrid as countenancing conflicting +parties. Lord John Russell did not attach this meaning to Lord +Palmerston's proposed despatch, but he has now re-written the draft in +such a manner as he trusts will obtain your Majesty's approval. + +Lord John Russell will pay the utmost attention to this difficult and +delicate subject. + + + + +[Pageheading: THE SPANISH MARRIAGES] + +[Pageheading: DON ENRIQUE] + + +_Viscount Palmerston to Queen Victoria._ + +FOREIGN OFFICE, _19th August 1846._ + +Viscount Palmerston presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and has +endeavoured to modify and rearrange his proposed instruction to Mr +Bulwer in deference to your Majesty's wishes and feelings as expressed +to Lord John Russell; and with this view also Viscount Palmerston has +divided the instruction into two separate despatches--the one treating +of the proposed marriage of the Queen, the other of the possible +marriage of the Infanta. But with regard to these new drafts, as well +as with regard to the former one, Viscount Palmerston would beg +to submit that they are not notes to be presented to any Foreign +Government, nor despatches to be in any way made public; but that they +are confidential instructions given to one of your Majesty's Ministers +abroad, upon matters upon which your Majesty's Government have been +urgently pressed, to enable that Minister to give advice; and Viscount +Palmerston would beg also to submit that in a case of this kind it +would not be enough to communicate drily the opinion of the British +Government, without stating and explaining some of the reasons upon +which those opinions are founded. + +It is quite evident from Mr Bulwer's communication, and especially +from the postscript to his despatch of the 4th of this month, that +Queen Christina, the Duke of Rianzares, and Senor Isturitz, are +earnestly and intently bent upon marrying the Queen Isabella to Prince +Leopold of Saxe-Coburg, and it is very difficult to find conclusive +grounds for saying that such a match would not perhaps, on the whole, +be the best for Queen Isabella and the Spanish nation. But still, all +things considered, your Majesty's Government incline to the opinion +that a Spanish Prince would be a preferable choice, and they are +prepared to give that opinion to the Spanish Court. + +There is however but one Spanish Prince whom it would be creditable +to the British Government to recommend as husband to the Queen, and to +that Prince Queen Christina is known to feel objections, principally +founded upon apprehensions bearing upon her own personal interests. +Viscount Palmerston has endeavoured to furnish Mr Bulwer with such +arguments in favour of Don Enrique as appeared likely to meet Queen +Christina's fears, and he has occasion to believe, from a conversation +which he had a few days ago with Count Jarnac, that the French +Government, impelled by the apprehension that your Majesty's +Government intend to support Prince Leopold of Coburg, would be +willing, in order to draw the British Government off from such a +course, to give at least an ostensible though perhaps not a very +earnest support to Don Henry. But your Majesty will no doubt at +once perceive that although the British Government may come to an +understanding with that of France as to which of the candidates shall +be the one in whose favour an opinion is to be expressed, it would be +impossible for the British Government to associate itself with that of +France in any joint step to be taken upon this matter, and that each +Government must act separately through its own agent at Madrid. For +the two Governments have not only different objects in view in these +matters, England wishing Spain to be independent, and France desiring +to establish a predominant influence in Spain; but moreover, in regard +to this marriage question, Great Britain has disclaimed any right to +interfere except by opinion and advice, while France has assumed +an authority of dictation, and it is essential that your Majesty's +Government should so shape the mode of co-operating with France as not +to appear to sanction pretensions which are founded in no right and +are inconsistent with justice. + +Viscount Palmerston is by no means confident that the joint advice of +the British and French Governments in favour of Don Enrique will be +successful, and especially because he fears that M. Bresson has taken +so active a part in favour of other arrangements, that he will not be +very eager in support of Don Enrique, and will perhaps think that if +this arrangement can be rendered impossible the chances may become +greater in favour of some other arrangement which he and his +Government may prefer. But such future embarrassments must be dealt +with when they arise, and Viscount Palmerston submits that for the +moment, unless the British Government had been prepared to close with +the offers of the Duke of Rianzares, and to follow at once the course +recommended by Mr Bulwer, the steps suggested in the accompanying +drafts are the safest and the best. + +Viscount Palmerston has great pleasure in submitting the accompanying +private letter from Mr Bulwer announcing the withdrawal of the Spanish +troops from the frontier of Portugal. + + + + +[Pageheading: THE DOUBLE BETROTHAL] + + +_Mr Bulwer to Viscount Palmerston._ + +MADRID, _29th August 1846._ + +MY LORD,--I have troubled your Lordship of late with many +communications.... + +I have now to announce to your Lordship that the Queen declared last +night at twelve o'clock that she had made up her mind in favour of +His Royal Highness Don Francisco de Asis.... Your Lordship is aware +under what circumstances Don Francisco was summoned here, the Court +having been, when I wrote on the 4th, most anxious to conclude a +marriage with Prince Leopold of Saxe-Coburg, and only induced to +abandon this idea from the repeated intimations it received that it +could not be carried out.... + +The same night a Council was held of the Queen Mother's friends, +who determined to bring matters forthwith to a conclusion. Queen +Christina, I understand, spoke to her daughter and told her she +must choose one of two things, either marrying now, or deferring the +marriage for three or four years. That the Prince of Saxe-Coburg was +evidently impossible; that Count Trapani would be dangerous; that Don +Henry had placed himself in a position which rendered the alliance +with him out of the question, and that Her Majesty must either make up +her mind to marry her cousin Don Francisco de Asis, or to abandon for +some time the idea of marrying. + +The Queen, I am told, took some little time to consider, and then +decided in favour of her cousin. The Ministers were called in, and the +drama was concluded.... + +H. L. BULWER. + +_P.S._--I learn that directly the Queen had signified her intention +of marrying her cousin, Count Bresson formally asked the hand of the +Infanta for the Duke of Montpensier, stating that he had powers to +enter upon and conclude that affair, and the terms of the marriage +were then definitively settled between M. Isturitz and him. + +H.L.B. + + + + +[Pageheading: THE QUEEN'S INDIGNATION] + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +On Board the _Victoria and Albert_, FALMOUTH HARBOUR, _7th September +1846._ + +MY DEAREST UNCLE,--Though I have not heard from you for ages, you will +perhaps be glad to hear from us, and to hear that our trip has been +most successful. We left Osborne on the 2nd, at eight in the morning, +and reached Jersey at seven that evening. We landed at St Heliers the +next morning, and met with a most brilliant and enthusiastic reception +from the good people. The island is beautiful, and like an orchard. + +The settlement of the Queen of Spain's marriage, _coupled with +Montpensier's_, is _infamous_, and we _must_ remonstrate. Guizot has +had the barefacedness to say to Lord Normanby that though _originally_ +they said that Montpensier should _only_ marry the Infanta _when_ the +Queen _was married_ and _had children_, that Leopold's being named one +of the candidates had changed all, and that they must settle it now! +This is _too_ bad, for _we_ were so honest as _almost to prevent_ +Leo's marriage (which _might_ have been, and which Lord Palmerston, as +matters now stand, regrets much did not take place), and the return is +this unfair _coupling_ of the _two_ marriages which have nothing, and +ought to have nothing, to do with one another. The King should know +that _we_ are extremely indignant, and that this conduct is _not_ the +way to keep up the _entente_ which _he_ wishes. It is done, moreover, +in such a _dishonest_ way. I must do Palmerston the credit to say that +he takes it very quietly, and will act very temperately about it. + +I must now conclude. Ever your devoted Niece, + +VICTORIA R. + +Vicky and Bertie enjoy their tour very much, and the people here are +delighted to see "the Duke of Cornwall." + + + + +[Pageheading: THE QUEEN OF THE FRENCH] + + +_The Queen of the French to Queen Victoria._ + +NEUILLY, _8 Septembre 1846._ + +MADAME,--Confiante dans cette precieuse amitie dont votre Majeste +nous a donne tant de preuves et dans l'aimable interet que vous avez +toujours temoigne a tous nos Enfants, je m'empresse de vous annoncer +la conclusion du mariage de notre fils Montpensier avec l'Infante +Louise Fernanda. Cet evenement de famille nous comble de joie, parce +que nous esperons qu'il assurera le bonheur de notre fils cheri, et +que nous retrouverons dans l'Infante une fille de plus, aussi bonne +et aussi aimable que ses Ainees, et qui ajoutera a notre bonheur +interieur, le seul vrai dans ce monde, et que vous, Madame, savez +si bien apprecier. Je vous demande d'avance votre amitie pour +notre nouvel Enfant, sure qu'elle partagera tous les sentiments de +devouement et d'affection de nous tous pour vous, pour le Prince +Albert, et pour toute votre chere Famille. Madame, de votre Majeste, +la toute devouee S[oe]ur et Amie, + +MARIE AMELIE. + + + + +_Queen Victoria to the Queen of the French._ + +OSBORNE, _10 Septembre 1846._ + +MADAME,--Je viens de recevoir la lettre de votre Majeste du 8 de ce +mois, et je m'empresse de vous en remercier. Vous vous souviendrez +peut-etre de ce qui s'est passe a Eu entre le Roi et moi, vous +connaissez, Madame, l'importance que j'ai toujours attachee au +maintien de Notre Entente Cordiale et le zele avec lequel j'y ai +travaille, vous avez appris sans doute que nous nous sommes refuses +d'arranger le mariage entre la Reine d'Espagne et notre Cousin Leopold +(que les deux Reines avaient vivement desire) dans le seul but de ne +pas nous eloigner d'une marche qui serait plus agreable a votre Roi, +quoique nous ne pouvions considerer cette marche comme la meilleure. +Vous pourrez donc aisement comprendre que l'annonce soudaine de ce +_double mariage_ ne pouvait nous causer que de la surprise et un bien +vif regret. + +Je vous demande bien pardon de vous parler de politique dans ce +moment, mais j'aime pouvoir me dire que j'ai toujours ete _sincere_ +envers vous. + +En vous priant de presenter mes hommages au Roi, je suis, Madame, de +votre Majeste, la toute devouee S[oe]ur et Amie, + +VICTORIA R. + + + + +[Pageheading: VIEWS OF THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT] + + +_Viscount Palmerston to Queen Victoria._ + +CARLTON TERRACE, _12th September 1846._ + +Viscount Palmerston presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and +returns with many acknowledgments the accompanying letters which your +Majesty has been pleased to send him, and which he has thought your +Majesty would wish him also to communicate to Lord John Russell. + +The letter of the Queen of the French seems to Viscount Palmerston to +look like a contrivance to draw your Majesty on to express, in +regard to the Montpensier marriage in its character as a domestic +arrangement, some sentiments or wishes which might be at variance +with the opinions which your Majesty might entertain regarding that +marriage in its political character and bearing. But your Majesty's +most judicious answer has defeated that intention, if any such +existed, and has stated in a firm, but at the same time in the +friendliest manner, the grounds of complaint against the conduct of +the French Government in this affair. + +Viscount Palmerston had yesterday afternoon a very long conversation +with the Count de Jarnac upon these matters. + +Viscount Palmerston said that with regard to the marriage of the Queen +of Spain, that was a matter as to which the British Government have +no political objection to make. They deeply regret that a young Queen +should have been compelled by moral force, and to serve the personal +and political interests of other persons, to accept for husband a +person whom she can neither like nor respect, and with whom her future +life will certainly be unhappy at home, even if it should not be +characterised by circumstances which would tend to lower her in the +estimation of her people. But these are matters which concern the +Queen and people of Spain more than the Government and people of +England. But that the projected marriage of the Duke of Montpensier is +a very different matter, and must have a political bearing that must +exercise a most unfortunate effect upon the relations between England +and France. + + + + +[Pageheading: THE SPANISH MARRIAGES] + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +OSBORNE, _14th September 1846._ + +MY DEAREST UNCLE,--I have to thank you for a most kind letter of the +31st from Basle, by which I was sorry to see that your journey had +been delayed, and that you were still not well. + +We are, alas! sadly engrossed with this Spanish marriage, which, +though it does not threaten _war_ (for the English care very little +about the Spanish marriages) threatens complications. Albert has told +you all that passed between the dear Queen and me, and the very absurd +ground on which the French make their stand. The details of the story +are very bad--and I grieve to say that the good King, etc., have +behaved _very dishonestly_. + +We have protested, and mean to protest very strongly, against +Montpensier's marriage with the Infanta, _as long as she is +presumptive heiress to the Throne of Spain_. The King departs from his +principle, for _he insisted_ on a _Bourbon_, _because_ he declared he +would _not_ marry one of his sons to the Queen; and now he effects the +Queen's marriage with the worst Bourbon she could have, and marries +his son to the Infanta, who in all probability will become Queen! +It is very bad. Certainly at Madrid [Palmerston] mismanaged it--as +Stockmar says--by forcing Don Enrique, in spite of all Bulwer could +say. If our dear Aberdeen was still at his post, the whole thing would +not have happened; for he would _not_ have forced Enriquito (which +enraged Christine), and secondly, Guizot would not have _escamote_ +Aberdeen with the wish of triumphing over him as he has done over +Palmerston, who has behaved most openly and fairly towards France, I +must say, in this affair. But say what one will, it is _he again_ who +_indirectly_ gets us into a squabble with France! And it is such a +personal sort of a quarrel, which pains and grieves me so; and I pity +the poor good Piat,[23] whom we are very fond of. One thing, however, +I feel, that in opposing this marriage, we are not really affecting +his happiness, for he has never seen the Infanta--and she is a child +of fourteen, and not pretty. The little Queen I pity so much, for +the poor child dislikes her cousin, and she is said to have consented +_against her will_. We shall see if she really does marry him. +Altogether, it is most annoying, and must ruffle our happy intercourse +with the French family for a time at least. + +I was obliged to write very strongly and openly to poor dear Louise +too. You may rely upon nothing being done rashly or intemperately on +our part. Lord Palmerston is quite ready to be guided by us. In haste, +ever your devoted Niece, + +VICTORIA R. + +We go into our new house to-day. + + [Footnote 23: A name by which the Duc de Montpensier was + sometimes called in the family circle.] + + + + +_Baron Stockmar to Queen Victoria._ + +_18th September 1846._ + +Baron Stockmar has been honoured with your Majesty's kind note of the +17th instant. The very day the Baron heard of the Spanish news, he +wrote to a man at Paris, whom the King sees as often as he presents +himself at the palace. In this letter the Baron stated _fairly and +moderately but without palliation_ in what light M. Bresson's conduct +must necessarily appear _in London_, and what very naturally and most +probably _must be the political consequences of such conduct_. + +The Baron's statement was read to the King, word for word, the very +evening it reached Paris. + +His Majesty listened to it most attentively, and said after some +pause: "Notwithstanding all this, the marriage will take place. I +don't consider Montpensier's marriage an affair between nations, and +the English people, in particular, care very little about it; it is +much more a private affair between myself and the English Secretary, +Lord Palmerston, _and as such_ it will not bring on important +political consequences." + + + + +[Pageheading: LETTER TO QUEEN LOUISE] + + +_Queen Victoria to the Queen of the Belgians._ + +OSBORNE, _18 Septembre 1846._ + +MA BIEN CHERE LOUISE,--Je te remercie pour ton retour de franchise; +je ne desire pas que cette controverse entre de plus dans notre +correspondance privee, comme elle est le sujet et le sera je crains +encore davantage de discussion politique. Je veux seulement dire qu'il +est _impossible_ de donner a cette affaire le cachet d'une simple +affaire de famille; l'attitude prise a Paris sur cette affaire de +mariage des le commencement etait une fort etrange; il fallait toute +la discretion de Lord Aberdeen pour qu'elle n'amenat un eclat plutot; +mais ce denouement, si contraire a la parole du Roi, qu'il m'a donnee +lors de cette derniere visite a Eu _spontanement_, en ajoutant a la +complication, pour la _premiere fois_, celle du projet de mariage de +Montpensier, aura mauvaise mine devant toute l'Europe. + +Rien de plus penible n'aurait pu arriver que toute cette dispute qui +prend un caractere si personnel.... + +VICTORIA R. + + + + +[Pageheading: THE QUEEN'S INDIGNATION] + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +OSBORNE, _21st September 1846._ + +MY DEAREST UNCLE,--I have to thank you very much for your very kind +letter of the 5th from Zurich. It is very unfortunate that you should +be so far off at this moment. Since I wrote to you we have decided to +remonstrate both at Madrid (this went a week ago), and at Paris, but +this last not in a formal note but in a despatch to Lord Normanby, +against this very unjustifiable breach of faith on the part of France. +We have seen these despatches, which are very firm, but written in a +very proper and kind tone, exposing at the same time the fallacy +of what has been done; for the King himself declared that he would +_never_ let _one of his sons marry_ the Queen, he _insisted_ on her +marrying a descendant of Philip V. This has been done, and at the same +moment he says his _son_ is to marry the _Infanta_, who may _become +Queen to-morrow!_And to all this he says, "C'est seulement une +affaire de famille"! The King is very fond of England, and still more +of peace, and he never _can_ sacrifice this (for though it would +not be immediate war it would cause coolness with us and with other +Powers, and would probably lead to war in a short time), for a +breach of faith and _for one of his sons'_ marriages. No quarrel or +misunderstanding in the world _could be more disagreeable_ and to me +_more cruelly painful_, for it is _so personal_, and has come into +the midst of all our communications and correspondence, and is too +annoying. It is so sad, too, for dear Louise, to whom one cannot say +that her father has behaved dishonestly. I hope, however, another ten +days will show us some _daylight_. I will not mention anything about +Leopold's[24] answer, as Albert will, I doubt not, write to you all +about it. It is very satisfactory, however. + +We are since this day week in our charming new house, which is +delightful, and to-morrow we go, alas! to Windsor, where we expect the +Queen-Dowager and the Princess of Prussia, who will remain a week with +us. Ever your devoted Niece, + +VICTORIA R. + +I received this afternoon your kind letter from Gais of the 12th. One +word more I must just add. No doubt if Lord Aberdeen had been at his +post what has happened would _not_ have taken place, and suspicion of +Lord Palmerston _has_ been the cause of the _unjustifiable_ conduct of +the French Government. But just as they _did_ suspect him, they should +have been more cautious to do anything which could bring on a quarrel, +which is surely not what the King can wish. + + [Footnote 24: Prince Leopold of Saxe-Coburg.] + + + + +[Pageheading: THE PRINCESS OF PRUSSIA] + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _29th September 1846._ + +MY DEAREST UNCLE,--I received last week your very kind and +_satisfactory_ letter of the 16th. Your opinion on this truly +unfortunate and, on the part of the French, disgraceful affair is a +great support to us. Stockmar has, I know, communicated to you what +has passed, and he will send you copies of the King's letter and my +answer. Our conduct has been throughout _honest_, and the King's and +Guizot's the contrary. _How_ the King _can_ wantonly throw away the +friendship of one who has stood by him with such sincere affection, +for a _doubtful_ object of personal and family aggrandizement, is to +me and to the whole country inexplicable. Have _confidence_ in _him_ I +fear I never can again, and Peel, who is here on a visit, says a +_war may_ arise any moment, _once_ that the good understanding is +disturbed; think, then, that the King has done this in his 74th +year, and leaves this inheritance to his successor; and to whom--to +a _Grandchild_, and a _Minor!_And for Nemours and Paris, _our_ +friendship is of the greatest importance, and yet he prefers the +troubles of governing Spain, which will be a source of constant worry +and anxiety, to the happy understanding so happily existing between +our two countries! I cannot comprehend him. Guizot behaves shamefully, +and so totally without good faith. Our protests have been presented. I +feel more than ever the loss of our valuable Peel. + +I wish, dearest Uncle, you would not go to Paris at all at present. + +The Queen-Dowager and the Princess of Prussia[25] have left us this +morning after a week's stay, and I have been delighted with the +Princess. I find her so clever, so amiable, so well informed, and so +good; she seems to have some enemies, for there are whispers of +her being _false_; but from all that I have seen of her--from her +discretion, her friendship through thick and thin, and to her own +detriment, for Helene, and for the Queen-Dowager who has known her +from her birth, I _cannot_ and will not believe it. Her position is +a very difficult one; she is too enlightened and liberal for the +Prussian Court not to have enemies; but _I believe_ that she is a +friend to us and our family, and I do believe that _I_ have a friend +in her, who may be most useful to us. I must conclude, envying your +being in Tyrol. Ever your devoted Niece, + +VICTORIA R. + + [Footnote 25: Marie Louise Augusta, daughter of the Grand + Duke Charles of Saxe-Weimar, subsequently Empress of Germany, + mother of Prince Frederick William, afterwards the Emperor + Frederick, who in 1858 married the Princess Royal.] + + + + +[Pageheading: ENGLAND AND THE THREE POWERS] + + +_Queen Victoria to Viscount Palmerston._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _1st October 1846._ + +The Queen wishes to express her approval of the step taken by Lord +Palmerston in urging the Three Northern Powers to join in the protest +against the Montpensier marriage on the ground of the Treaty of +Utrecht and the Declaration of Philip V. She thinks, however, that it +is necessary to do more, and wishes Lord Palmerston should send a note +to the Cabinets of the three Powers, explanatory of the whole of the +proceedings relative to the Spanish marriages, showing the attitude +taken by us from the first, and disclosing the facts which led to this +unfortunate termination. The three Powers ought to be enabled to see +the whole of the transaction if we wish them to sympathise with us. + + + + +_Lord John Russell to Queen Victoria._ + +_1st October 1846._ + +Lord John Russell saw Count Jarnac to-day, and told him that your +Majesty's displeasure had not been removed. He had in his hands a +memorandum, which is apparently word for word the letter of the King +of the French to the Queen of the Belgians.[26] + +Lord John Russell observed that it was admitted that the Duke of +Montpensier was not to marry the Infanta till the Queen of Spain had +children, and that voluntary engagement had been departed from. We +might expect the same departure from the professions now made not to +interfere in the affairs of Spain. + +Count Jarnac protested against this inference, and repeated that the +promise with regard to the Infanta was only conditional. + +Lord John Russell expects that in consequence of the remonstrances of +England, and the attention of Europe to the question, France will be +cautious in her interference with the internal government of Spain, +and may probably not be able to direct her external policy. + +M. Bresson has written a long letter to Lord Minto, defending his own +conduct. + + [Footnote 26: See Louis Philippe's long letter of the 14th of + September, printed in the _Life of the Prince Consort_, vol. + i. Appendix B. Queen Victoria's complete and unanswerable + reply will be found there also.] + + + + +[Pageheading: THE SPANISH MARRIAGES] + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _6th October 1846._ + +MY DEAREST UNCLE,--I thank you very much for your last kind letter +from Gais of the 23rd. This unfortunate Spanish affair has gone on, +heedlessly--and our _entente wantonly_ thrown away! I mourn over it, +and feel deeply the ingratitude shown; for--without boasting--I must +say they never had a _truer_ friend than we; and one who _always_ +stood by them. When Hadjy wrote that foolish _brochure_, who stood +by him through thick and thin, but we? and our friendship for the +children will ever continue, but how can we _ever_ feel at our ease +with L. P. again? Guizot's conduct is beyond _all_ belief shameful, +and so _shabbily_ dishonest. Mole and Thiers both say he cannot stand. +It is the King's birthday to-day, but I thought it better _not_ +to write to him, for to say _fine words_ at _this_ moment would be +mockery. For my beloved Louise my heart bleeds; it is _so_ sad.... + +I must now conclude. Begging you to believe me, ever your devoted +Niece, + +VICTORIA R. + + + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _17th November 1846._ + +MY DEAREST UNCLE,--I yesterday received your long and interesting +letter of the 14th. I would much rather not say anything more about +this truly unfortunate and painful Spanish business; but in justice to +myself I must make a few observations. You say that the King thinks +me _resentful_; this is extraordinary, for I have no such feeling; my +feelings were and are _deeply_ wounded at the unhandsome and secret +manner (so totally, in _letter_ and _in meaning_, contrary to an +_entente cordiale_) in which this affair was settled, and in which the +two marriages were incorporated. + +What can I do? + +The King and French Government never _expressed regret_ at the sudden +and _unhandsome_ manner, to say the _least_, in which they behaved to +their _best ally_ and _friend_, and _we_ really _cannot admit_ that +_they have to forgive us for duping us!_Why have they not tried to +make _some_ sort of apology? What do I do, but remain silent _for the +present_? + +It is a sad affair, but _resentment_ I have none whatever, and this +accusation is a new version of the affair. + +With respect to Portugal, I refute most positively the unfounded +accusations against us; we _cannot_ interfere in internal dissensions +beyond ensuring the personal safety of the King, Queen, and Royal +Family. The Constitution may be, and I believe is, an unfortunate +thing in those Southern countries; but once it is established, the +Queen must abide by it; but, unfortunately, the _coup de main_ in +sending away Palmella's Government (which would inevitably have +crumbled to pieces of itself), was both unconstitutional and unsafe, +and I fear they are in a much worse position _vis-a-vis_ of the +country than they ever were.[27] + +We are all going to-morrow to Osborne for four weeks. Ever your truly +devoted Niece, + +VICTORIA R. + + [Footnote 27: The Duke de Palmella's Ministry was abruptly + dismissed by the Queen of Portugal on the 10th of October, in + consequence of their inability to raise money on loan. Civil + war broke out, Das Antas, Loule, Fornos, and Sa da Bandeira + being the chief rebel leaders. The British Fleet was ordered + to the Tagus to support the Queen against her subjects, with + the ulterior object of restoring Constitutional Government.] + + + + +[Pageheading: ETON MONTEM] + + +_Lord John Russell to Queen Victoria._ + +DOWNING STREET, _19th November 1846._ + +... Lord John Russell breakfasted with Dr Hawtrey yesterday, and had +much conversation with him. He finds Dr Hawtrey strongly impressed +with the evils of Montem, and he declared himself as decidedly against +its continuance. He thinks your Majesty would please the Etonians +equally by going to the boats once a year, which he said the late King +was in the habit of doing. The Chancellor of the Exchequer,[28] who +was at Eton, wishes to see Montem abolished. Lord Morpeth would prefer +seeing it regulated. Upon the whole, Lord John Russell thinks it would +not be advisable for your Majesty to interpose your authority +against the decided opinion of Dr Hawtrey, the Provost, and the +assistants.[29] + + [Footnote 28: Mr (who a few weeks later became Sir) Charles + Wood.] + + [Footnote 29: Montem, the triennial Eton ceremony, the chief + part of which took place at Salt Hill (_ad montem_), near + Slough, was abolished in 1847.] + + + + +[Pageheading: A PENINSULAR MEDAL] + + +_Queen Victoria to the Duke of Wellington._ + +OSBORNE, _25th November 1846._ + +The Queen has learned from various quarters that there still exists a +great anxiety amongst the officers and men who served under the Duke +of Wellington's orders in the Peninsula to receive and wear a medal as +a testimony that they assisted the Duke in his great undertaking. The +Queen not only thinks this wish very reasonable, considering that for +recent exploits of infinitely inferior importance such distinctions +have been granted by her, but she would feel personally a great +satisfaction in being enabled publicly to mark in this way her sense +of the great services the Duke of Wellington has rendered to his +country and to empower many a brave soldier to wear this token in +remembrance of the Duke. + + + + +[Pageheading: THE DUKE'S VIEW] + + +_The Duke of Wellington to Queen Victoria._ + +STRATHFIELDSAYE, _27th November 1846._ + +Field-Marshal the Duke of Wellington presents his humble duty to your +Majesty. + +He has just now received your Majesty's most gracious commands from +Osborne, dated the 26th instant. + +He does not doubt that many of the brave officers and soldiers who +served in the armies in the Peninsula under the command of the Duke +are anxious to receive and wear a medal, struck by command of the +Sovereign, to commemorate the services performed in that seat of the +late war. + +Many of them have, upon more than one occasion, expressed such +desire, in their letters addressed to the Duke, in their petitions +to Parliament, and, as the Duke has reason to believe, in petitions +presented to your Majesty. + +Although the Duke has never omitted to avail himself of every occasion +which offered to express his deep sense of the meritorious services of +the officers and soldiers of the Army which served in the Peninsula, +he did not consider it his duty to suggest to the Sovereign, under +whose auspices, or the Minister under whose direction the services in +question were performed, any particular mode in which those services +of the Army should be recognised by the State. + +Neither has he considered it his duty to submit such suggestion since +the period at which the services were performed, bearing in mind the +various important considerations which must have an influence upon +the decision on such a question, which it was and is the duty of your +Majesty's confidential servants alone to take into consideration, and +to decide. + +Neither can the Duke of Wellington now venture to submit to your +Majesty his sense of a comparison of the services of the Army which +served in the Peninsula, with those of other armies in other parts of +the world, whose recent services your Majesty has been most graciously +pleased to recognise by ordering that medals should be struck, to +commemorate each of such services, one of which to be delivered to +each officer and soldier present, which your Majesty was graciously +pleased to permit him to wear. + +Field-Marshal the Duke of Wellington humbly solicits your Majesty, +in grateful submission to your Majesty upon the subject of the last +paragraph of your Majesty's most gracious letter, that, considering +the favour with which his services were received and rewarded by the +gracious Sovereign, under whose auspices they were performed; the +professional rank and the dignity in the State to which he was raised, +and the favour with which his services were then and have been ever +since received, that your Majesty would be graciously pleased to +consider upon this occasion only the well-founded claims upon your +Majesty's attention of the officers and soldiers who served in the +Army in the Peninsula; and to consider him, as he considers himself, +amply rewarded for any service which he might have been instrumental +in rendering; and desirous only of opportunities of manifesting his +gratitude for the favour and honour with which he has been treated by +his Sovereign. + +All of which is humbly submitted to your Majesty by your Majesty's +most dutiful and devoted Servant and Subject, + +WELLINGTON. + + + + +_Queen Victoria to Viscount Palmerston._ + +OSBORNE, _28th November 1846._ + +The Queen has just received Lord Palmerston's draft to Mr +Southern,[30] and must observe that she does not quite approve the +tone of it, as it will be likely only to irritate without producing +any effect. If our advice is to be taken, it must be given in a spirit +of impartiality and fairness. Lord Palmerston's despatch must give +the impression that we entirely espouse the cause of the rebels, whose +conduct is, to say the least, illegal and very reprehensible. Lord +Palmerston likewise takes the nation and the Opposition to be one and +the same thing. What we must insist upon is a return to Constitutional +Government. And what we may advise is a compromise with the +Opposition. What Ministry is to be formed ought to be left to the +Portuguese themselves. It being the 28th to-day, the Queen is afraid +the despatch went already yesterday. The Queen hopes in future that +Lord Palmerston will not put it out of her power to state her opinion +in good time. + +[Footnote 30: Secretary of Legation at Lisbon, and Charge d'Affaires +in the absence of Lord Howard de Walden.] + + + + +[Pageheading: THE PENINSULAR MEDAL] + + +_Queen Victoria to the Duke of Wellington._ + +ARUNDEL CASTLE, _1st December 1846._ + +The Queen has not yet acknowledged the Duke of Wellington's last +letter. + +She fully appreciates the delicacy of the Duke in not wishing to +propose himself a step having reference to his own achievements, but +the Queen will not on that account forgo the satisfaction of granting +this medal as an acknowledgment on her part of those brilliant +achievements. + +The Queen has been assured by Lord John Russell that her confidential +servants will be ready to assume the responsibility of advising such a +measure. + + + + +_The Duke of Wellington to Queen Victoria._ + +ARUNDEL CASTLE, _2nd December 1846._ (_Morning._) + +Field-Marshal the Duke of Wellington presents his humble duty to your +Majesty. He did not receive your Majesty's commands, dated the 1st +instant, in this Castle, till seven o'clock in the afternoon; and +being under the necessity of attending at [? Dover] in the evening, +he has not had it in his power till this time to express his +acknowledgment of the receipt of them. + +He submits to your Majesty that he has always been aware that it would +be impolitic to confer upon the officers and soldiers who served in +the Peninsula the wished-for distinction without the concurrence of +your Majesty's confidential servants. + +They alone can give the orders to carry into execution the measure, +and can adopt means to remedy any inconvenience which may result from +it; and it is satisfactory to him to learn, from the perusal of +your Majesty's note, that Lord John Russell is disposed to adopt it, +notwithstanding that the Duke has no personal wish or feeling in the +adoption of the measure, excepting to see gratified the wishes of so +many gallant officers and brave soldiers, who have so well served. + +The few words which he addressed to your Majesty in his last letter +of the 27th of November in relation to himself, referred to the +expressions in that of your Majesty of the 26th November, to the Duke; +from which it appeared to be your Majesty's intention "to empower many +a brave soldier to wear this token, in remembrance of the Duke." + +Having stated to your Majesty that he would serve your Majesty, and +would promote the objects of your Majesty's Government, to the utmost +of his power, he has faithfully performed his engagement, as he +believes, to the satisfaction of your Majesty's servants. + +His whole life being devoted to your Majesty's service, he is most +anxious to deserve and receive your Majesty's approbation. + +But he wishes that it should be conveyed only when it may be +convenient to your Majesty's Government. Your Majesty and your +Majesty's servants must be the best judges upon this point, as well +as whether the medal in question shall be struck and granted at all or +not. + +If granted, or whatever may be the mode in which granted, or whether +the Duke's name is recalled to recollection or not, the Duke will be +equally satisfied, and grateful for your Majesty's gracious favour, +and desirous to merit a continuance of it, by his devotion to your +Majesty's service. + +All of which is humbly submitted by your Majesty's most dutiful +Subject and most devoted Servant, + +WELLINGTON. + + + + +[Pageheading: THE QUEEN'S DECISION] + + +_Queen Victoria to Lord John Russell._ + +OSBORNE, _14th December 1846._ + +The Queen has still to acknowledge Lord John Russell's letter of the +11th. She has carefully read the Duke of Wellington's letter to Lord +John, which evinces all the Duke's honourable feelings. He should +certainly be relieved from the appearance of having refused honours to +others, but agreed to the granting of them the moment it was intended +to couple the measure with an honour conferred upon himself. On the +other hand, the Queen still wishes the step to be taken as a means +of doing honour to the Duke. His name should, therefore, certainly be +connected with it. The introduction of the names of other commanders, +even of that of Sir John Moore, the Queen does not think advisable. +She does not quite understand from Lord John's letter whether he +proposes to adopt the Duke's recommendation to _re_-issue all the +medals formerly granted, or to adhere to the original idea of striking +a new one. In the latter case, which appears the most natural, the +word "Peninsula" would cover all the campaigns, and in these the Duke +of Wellington had by far so much the greatest share that his +name being introduced on _all_ the medals cannot be considered as +anomalous. + + + + +[Pageheading: CRACOW] + + +_Queen Victoria to Viscount Palmerston._ + +OSBORNE, _14th December 1846._ + +The Queen returns the enclosed private letters.[31] The view Lord +Palmerston takes of the affair of Cracow appears to the Queen a very +sound one, and she would much wish to see the plan of a conference +realised against which Lord Ponsonby does not bring any very relevant +reasons. Prince Metternich's plan of a declaration "that the case is +to be considered an exceptional one and not to afford a precedent to +other powers" is too absurd. The Prince very justly compared it to the +case of a person giving another a box on the ear and declaring at the +same time that he is to consider it as exceptional, and that it is in +no way to afford him a precedent for returning it. The Queen hopes the +Cabinet will well consider the question, and contrive to find means to +prevent the evil consequences of the unjustifiable step against Cracow +by speaking out in time, before Russia or France may have decided on +acts of further infraction of the Treaty of Vienna. It seems quite +clear that Russia was at the bottom of the measure relative to Cracow, +and it is therefore but reasonable to expect that she has an ulterior +object in view. + + [Footnote 31: The first ill fruits of the disruption of the + _entente_ between England and France were seen in the active + co-operation of Russia, Prussia, and Austria to destroy Polish + independence. See _ante_, p. 72.] + + + + +INTRODUCTORY NOTE + +TO CHAPTER XVI + +During the year 1847 the Parliament which had been elected in 1841 +with a great Tory majority was dissolved, and, as a result, the +position of the Whig Ministry was slightly improved; but they were +still dependent on the support of Sir Robert Peel. A Factory Act +limiting the labour of women and children to ten hours a day was +passed. An autumn session was rendered necessary by an acute financial +crisis, the Ministry having authorised the Bank of England to infringe +the provisions of the recent Bank Charter Act, and as a consequence +being compelled to ask Parliament for an indemnity. The knowledge of +the Bank's authority to issue notes beyond the prescribed limits was +of itself sufficient to allay the panic. The Church of England was +convulsed by the promotion of Dr Hampden, whom Lord Melbourne had made +Regius Professor of Divinity at Oxford, to the See of Hereford; his +orthodoxy was impugned in a memorial presented by thirteen bishops to +the Prime Minister, and an unsuccessful application was made to the +Queen's Bench (the Court being divided in opinion) to compel the +Primate to hear objections to Dr Hampden's consecration. The new House +of Lords was used for the first time this year. + +Perhaps the most important event in France was the cold-blooded murder +of the Duchesse de Praslin (daughter of Count Sebastiani, formerly +French Ambassador in England) by her husband, an incident which, like +the Spanish intrigue of 1846, contributed subsequently to the downfall +of the Orleanist dynasty. + +Switzerland was torn by internecine strife, partly owing to the +existence, side by side, of Catholic and Protestant cantons; the +proposed expulsion of Jesuits and the formation of the "Sonderbund" +were the questions of the day. The latter was an offensive and +defensive confederation of seven cantons, and civil war raged round +the question of its legality. + +In Italy the death of Pope Gregory XVI. and the election of a more +liberal successor induced Lord John Russell to send his father-in-law, +Lord Minto, the Lord Privy Seal, on a special mission to the new Pope +Pius IX., to encourage him in the path of Reform. But more violent +measures were in progress, and it was soon clear that Lombardy and +Venetia were rising against Austria, and the way being paved for the +Unity of Italy. + +Spain was in a ferment, frequent changes of Ministry taking place, +and the miserable marriage of the Queen having all the evil results +anticipated in England. Portugal continued in a state of civil war, +the British attempting to mediate, but the revolutionary Junta refused +to abide by their terms, and ultimately armed intervention became +necessary. + + + + +CHAPTER XVI + +1847 + + +_Queen Victoria to Lord John Russell._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _7th January 1847._ + +The turn which the Portuguese affairs are now likely to take is really +very satisfactory. The Queen is sure that the Court will not allow +violent measures of revenge to be taken against the vanquished party +nor the overthrow of a Constitutional Government; but the Queen of +Portugal will have to punish those who have broken their oath of +allegiance, and will have to remove from the country those who would +infallibly ere long plunge the country afresh into those _horrors_ +from which it is just emerging. The further infusion of democracy +into the Charter would at this moment be quite misplaced, but this +opportunity should be taken by the Queen of Portugal to _establish_ a +_state_ of _legality_ and _security_, by compelling any new Ministry +to lay the accounts every year before the Cortes (which has not been +done for the last ten years, either by Progressistas, Septembristas, +or others), by establishing irremovable judges, and appointing thereto +incorruptible persons, by _honestly and fairly_ distributing the +patronage in the Army--apart from the party--which will now be +possible as the King has the command himself, and by adopting such +measures of _internal_ improvement as will promote the _material_ +welfare of the people. + +_These_ are the principles which the Queen would wish to see _her_ +representative urge upon the Portuguese Court and Government, and +she has no doubt that they are in perfect conformity with Lord John +Russell's own views. The Queen cannot help repeating that the tone and +bearing of Mr Southern are more those of a Portuguese Demagogue than +of an English Representative. + + + + +[Pageheading: A CONCILIATORY POLICY] + + +_The King of the Belgians to Queen Victoria._ + +TUILERIES, _15th January 1847._ + +MY DEAREST VICTORIA,--I am truly happy to learn what you say about +your feelings on those troublesome politics; I can assure you that +many people who are, in fact, quite indifferent +to politics, _rencherissent_ in expressions of dislike and contempt +_seulement_, because they believe that you have those opinions. Many +wise people repeat sayings which they assume to come from your +own mouth, such, for instance, "that Louis Philippe could never be +trusted, being, after all, an old fox," etc. + +The King's Speech was as unobjectionable as possible. I trust that +there will be no _bitterness_ in yours. It is as much, if not more, +in the interest of Great Britain to keep France quiet and continuing a +peaceable policy than in that of France. France, as the old Duke once +said with great truth, has been already _under water several times, +what could be spoiled has been spoiled_, what remains _is pretty +solid_. To attack France in France would lead to the most dangerous +consequences. In general, if we get once a great war again you will +be sure to have everywhere revolutions, and to imagine that you will +escape in England all reactions would be a grievous mistake. When one +looks to the changes, brought about in England in consequence of the +Revolution of July, one is quite astounded. Here they changed nothing +but the dynasty, in England _the very spirit of the old Monarchy +has been abolished_, and what will be, in the course of time, the +consequences, it is not easy to tell. A bad Constitution acts strongly +on the people. Look to America, even to Belgium. Ever, my dearest +Victoria, your devoted Uncle, + +LEOPOLD R. + + + + +[Pageheading: ENGLAND AND PORTUGAL] + + +_Queen Victoria to Lord John Russell._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _14th February 1847._ + +Lord John Russell's memorandum contains two different questions. The +one is this: how far the interests of England require an interference +in the affairs of Portugal for the restoration of peace in that +country and the preservation of its Throne, and how far England is +bound by existing treaties to interfere. + +As to this question, it appears from Lord John's memorandum that +the ancient treaties having reference to _foreign_ invasion only are +inapplicable to the present case, that the Quadruple Treaty +would revive on the appearance of Dom Miguel in Portugal, that an +understanding with Spain ought to be come to for its execution, but +Lord John does not make any specific proposal. + +The other question is, what wrongs the Queen, the Ministers, and the +rebels may have done to bring about the present state of affairs. This +the Queen conceives can only be decided by a _most minute, impartial, +and anxious scrutiny_. She indignantly rejects the notion to leave +this decision to Mr Southern.... Lord John's statement contains, +however, nothing but the echo of his reports. + +Lord John will upon reflection admit that to say "that recent events +exhibit a spirit of tyranny and cruelty in the Portuguese Government +_without a parallel_ in any part of Europe," there, where not _one_ +execution has taken place, is rather a strong expression. + +That the cruelties and miseries inseparable from a Civil War are to +be deplored, there can be no doubt of, and it is in order to stop a +further continuance and perhaps aggravation of these horrors, that +the Queen is so anxious to see the struggle brought to an early +termination. + +The Queen hopes to see Lord John to-morrow at three o'clock, when she +hopes that he will be able to submit a definitive step. + + + + +[Page Heading: ENGLAND AND PORTUGAL] + + + +_Queen Victoria to Lord John Russell._ + +_14th March 1847._ + +The Queen wishes again to call Lord John Russell's serious attention +to the state of Spain and Portugal, and to the policy which has been +pursued with regard to them, and the result of this policy. In Spain +we have taken up the cause of the Progressistas, and what has been the +consequence? They desert us. + +We have no longer the slightest influence in that country; France has +it all her own way, and we shall see the Cortes confirm the succession +of the Infanta and her children without being able to prevent it. Of +the Progressistas, on whom Lord Palmerston, Lord Clarendon, and others +always placed their hopes, Mr Bulwer says _now_: "The fact is, that +though they are the party least servile to France, they are the most +impracticable party, and belonging to a lower class of society, who +have not the same feelings of honourable and gentlemanlike conduct +which sometimes guide a portion, though a very small one, of their +opponents." + +In Spain therefore it is, the Queen fears, _too late_; but let us not +throw away this lesson, and, if it is still possible, not also lose +Portugal. Our influence there is fast going, and Sir H. Seymour[1] +confirms what _every one_ but Mr Southern has stated for the last +two months, viz. that we are believed to be favourable to the rebels; +consequently, that no advice of ours will be listened to. Sir H. +Seymour further says: "I should have been glad to have gained a little +time, and not at the outset of my mission to be obliged to call the +Government to account upon various scores. Your orders, however, +leave me no option, and I shall be obliged to administer a series of +reproofs which will, I fear, confirm the notion as to our unfriendly +feelings." This is the course the Queen thinks so very unfortunate; +trifles about two horses, the beating of a gardener of Lord Howard's +by some soldiers on a march in times of Civil War, etc., are made +topics of serious complaint. Most peremptory notes are written, +threatening the Government with our men-of-war, whilst it is held to +be unwise to threaten the insurgents. + +Then, the Court is told to believe _our feelings of attachment_ for +them! + +Sir H. Seymour says that his position is rendered very difficult in +consequence. We have now the results before us. Let us, therefore, +before Portugal, our ancient ally, turns also away from us, and leans +to France or Spain in preference, as she _must_, if we give her such +doubtful support, try to pursue a more conciliatory course; these +peremptory and dictatory notes, these constant complaints, produce the +worst and most unfortunate effect. + +These very Septembristas have been always the greatest enemies +of England, and would be the first to turn against us should they +succeed. + +There should more latitude be given to the resident Minister not +to press things at moments when they produce embarrassment to a +Government already _tottering_, but to give him the option of waiting +for a fit opportunity, and for the manner in which it is to be done, +which a person on the spot can be a better judge of than we can in +England. + +Once more the Queen earnestly warns Lord John of the imminent danger +of England losing _all_ legitimate influence in Portugal, which ought +now, more than ever, to be of the greatest _importance_ to us. + +The Queen has in all this _spoken_ solely of English influence, but +this influence becomes of still greater importance to her when the +Sovereigns of that country are her near and dear relations.[2] + + [Footnote 1: Envoy Extraordinary at Lisbon.] + + [Footnote 2: This letter at once bore fruit, a conference + being held in London between the representatives of Great + Britain, Spain, France, and Portugal, and armed co-operation + to enforce the acceptance of certain terms by the + Revolutionary Junta being decided upon.] + + + + +[Page Heading: THE SEPTENNIAL ACT] + + +_Lord John Russell to Queen Victoria._ + +CHESHAM PLACE, _19th March 1847._ + +Lord John Russell presents his humble duty to your Majesty. Lord John +Russell thinks it right to state to your Majesty that the prevailing +opinion in the Cabinet is that when the necessary business in the +House of Commons has been finished, a Dissolution of Parliament should +take place. + +This course would be conformable to the usage from the passing of the +Septennial Act till 1830. From 1830 to the present year no House of +Commons has been allowed to continue six years. The Dissolutions of +Lord Grey in 1831 and 1832, of Sir Robert Peel in 1834, the death of +William the Fourth in 1837, Lord Melbourne's Dissolution in 1841, have +all interrupted the natural life of Parliaments. But all Governments +since the accession of the House of Hanover have been of opinion (with +one or two exceptions) that it is hazardous to allow a Parliament to +continue seven years, as circumstances may arise making a Dissolution +very detrimental to the public welfare. + +These being general considerations, Lord John Russell would reserve +any decision on the subject till the moment shall arrive when a +Dissolution may appear to your Majesty's advisers to be the course +most likely to secure moderate and fair elections. + + + + +_Queen Victoria to Lord John Russell._ + +_25th March 1847._ + +The Queen with pleasure approves the appointment of Lord Clarendon's +brother to the vacant stall at St Paul's. The Queen would, however, +draw Lord John's attention generally to the mode of filling up +those Church sinecures. She is quite aware how necessary it is for a +Minister to be able to recommend to such places persons of political +connections, but she thinks that where it can be done, it would be of +great use both to the Church and the country to give these places +of emolument to Churchmen distinguished for their _scientific +attainments_, who have neither the means nor the time to prosecute +their researches, whilst their labours might be of the greatest +importance to the country. Such person of this kind, for instance, +the Prince thinks, is a Mr Cureton, who has just published the _real_ +epistles of St Ignatius, which he translated from the Syriac, and +is about to produce a Gospel of St Matthew which is considered the +undoubted original in the Coptic dialect, and other most important +documents lately acquired for the British Museum. + + + + +[Page Heading: FOREIGN OFFICE DRAFTS] + + +_Queen Victoria to Viscount Palmerston._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _17th April 1847._ + +The Queen has several times asked Lord Palmerston, through Lord +John Russell and personally, to see that the drafts to our Foreign +Ministers are not despatched _previous_ to their being submitted to +the Queen. Notwithstanding, this is still done, as for instance to-day +with regard to the drafts for Lisbon. The Queen, therefore, once more +repeats her desire that Lord Palmerston should prevent the recurrence +of this practice. + + + + +_Lord John Russell to Queen Victoria._ + +CHESHAM PLACE, _18th May 1847._ + +Lord John Russell has the painful duty of announcing to your Majesty +the death of the Earl of Bessborough.[3] The firmness and kindness of +his temper, together with his intimate knowledge of Ireland and his +sound judgment, make this event a public misfortune. + +It appears to Lord John Russell very desirable that his successor +should be named without loss of time, and as the Cabinet agreed +yesterday that the Earl of Clarendon was the fittest person for the +office, Lord John Russell would suggest that a Council should be held +on Thursday next, at the hour your Majesty may appoint, for a Council +for the purpose of the declaration of your Majesty's pleasure. + +It was the opinion of the Cabinet that although it is advisable +finally to abolish the office of Lord-Lieutenant, it is not advisable +to propose any measure, or make any announcement for the present. + + [Footnote 3: John William, formerly Lord Duncannon, 4th Earl, + born 1781; Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland.] + + + + +[Pageheading: JENNY LIND] + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _12th June 1847._ + +MY DEAREST UNCLE,--We are here in terrible hot water, though _I_ think +we shall get out of it.[4] But only think that the Radicals _and_ +Protectionists join to attack Government for our interference in +Portugal! A change of Government on such a subject would be _full_ +of mischief for the future, independent of the great momentary +inconvenience; but it would cripple all future Governments in their +future conduct respecting Foreign Affairs, would create distrust +abroad in our promises, and is totally contrary to England's ancient +policy of upholding Portugal. + +In short, it would be _very_ bad. The old Duke will do _every_ thing +to set matters right. + +To-night we are going to the Opera in state, and will hear and see +Jenny Lind[5] (who is perfection) in _Norma_, which is considered one +of her best parts. Poor Grisi is quite going off, and after the pure +angelic voice and extremely quiet, perfect acting of J. Lind, she +seems quite _passee_. Poor thing! she is _quite_ furious about it, and +was excessively impertinent to J. Lind. + +To-morrow we go to a ball at Stafford House, and on Thursday to one at +Gloucester House. Ever your truly devoted Niece, + +VICTORIA R. + + [Footnote 4: The Government were severely attacked by + a coalition of Radicals and Protectionists for their + intervention in Portugal. A hostile motion of Lord Stanley's + in the House of Lords was opposed by the Duke of Wellington + and defeated, while one of Mr Hume's in the House of Commons + was talked out, Sir Robert Peel supporting the Ministry.] + + [Footnote 5: She made her _debut_ in London on the 4th of + May in _Roberto il Diavolo_. The Queen had heard her sing + previously at Stolzenfels. In May 1849, after singing for two + years to enthusiastic audiences, she retired from the stage, + and made extended concert tours in Europe and America.] + + + + +[Pageheading: THE WELLINGTON STATUE] + + +_The Duke of Wellington to Queen Victoria._ + +LONDON, _12th July 1847._ (_Five in the afternoon_.) + +Field-Marshal the Duke of Wellington presents his humble duty to your +Majesty. He submits to your Majesty the expression of his sorrow and +shame that your Majesty should be troubled for a moment by anything so +insignificant as a statue of himself. + +When he first heard of the intention to remove the statue from the +pedestal on which it had been placed, he was apprehensive that the +measure might be misconstrued and misrepresented in this country as +well as abroad. + +That feeling was increased when the probable existence of such +misconstruction was adverted to in one of the printed papers +circulated by the Committee for the erection of the statue; and still +farther when the removal became the subject of repeated discussions in +Parliament. His daily experience of your Majesty's gracious reception +of his endeavours to serve your Majesty; and the events of every +day, and the repeated marks which he received of your Majesty's +consideration and favour proved clearly, as the Duke stated in his +letter to Lord John Russell, that there was no foundation for the +misconstruction of the intended act--which undoubtedly existed. The +apprehension of such misconstruction had from the first moment created +an anxious wish in the mind of the Duke that the removal should be so +regulated and should be attended by such circumstances as would +tend to relieve the transaction from the erroneous but inconvenient +impression which had been created. + +The Duke apprehended that he might find it impossible to perform the +duties with which he had been entrusted, and therefore, when Lord John +Russell wrote to him, he deprecated the measure in contemplation; +and he rejoices sincerely that your Majesty has been most graciously +pleased to countermand the order for the removal of the statue. + +All of which is most humbly submitted to your Majesty by your +Majesty's most dutiful Subject and most devoted Servant, + +WELLINGTON.[6] + + [Footnote 6: The Duke of Wellington wrote to Croker, 19th + of December 1846:--"I should desire never to move from my + principles of indifference and non-interference on the subject + of a statue of myself to commemorate my own actions." + + And again, on the 14th of June 1847, the Duke wrote to + Croker:--"It has always been my practice, and is my invariable + habit, to say nothing about myself and my own actions. + + "More than forty years ago Mr Pitt observed that I talked + as little of myself or my own acts as if I had been an + assistant-surgeon of the army.... + + "I follow the habit of avoiding to talk of myself and of what + I have done; with the exception only of occasions when I am + urging upon modern contemporaries measures which they don't + like, and when I tell them I have some experience, and + have had some success in these affairs, and feel they would + experience the benefit of attending to my advice, I never talk + of myself. + + "These are the reasons for which they think that I don't care + what they do with the statue. + + "But they must be idiots to suppose it possible that a man who + is working day and night, without any object in view excepting + the public benefit, will not be sensible of a disgrace + inflicted upon him by the Sovereign and Government whom he is + serving. The ridicule will be felt, if nothing else is!"...] + + + + +_Queen Victoria to Lord Palmerston._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _12th July 1847._ + +The Queen has been informed by Lord John Russell that the Duke of +Wellington is apprehensive that the removal of his statue from the +Arch to another pedestal might be construed as a mark of displeasure +on her part. Although the Queen had hoped that her esteem and +friendship for the Duke was so well known to the public in general +as not to render such a construction possible, and although she had +thought that another pedestal would have been more suitable for _this_ +statue, and that the Arch might have been more becomingly ornamented +in honour of the Duke than by the statue _now_ upon it, she has given +immediate direction that the Statue should remain in its present +situation, and only regrets that this monument should be so unworthy +of the great personage to whose honour it has been erected. + + + + +[Pageheading: INDIAN AFFAIRS] + + +_Viscount Hardinge to Queen Victoria._ + +_27th July 1847._ + +Lord Hardinge, with his most humble duty to your Majesty, humbly +acknowledges the letter in which your Majesty has been graciously +pleased to approve of his conduct in the Government of your Majesty's +Eastern Empire, and to sanction his return to Europe the end of this +year. + +It will always be a source of happiness to Lord Hardinge to have +contributed his efforts towards maintaining the stability of your +Majesty's Indian possessions committed to his charge, and he feels, in +the performance of these duties, that the approbation of his Sovereign +is the most grateful distinction to which honourable ambition can +aspire. + +The Governor-General entertains the most sanguine expectations that +peace has been securely established beyond the north-west frontiers, +as well as throughout India, and in this confidence he has ordered +nearly 50,000 men of the native force to be reduced, which reductions +have caused no discontent, being for the most part voluntary on the +part of the men and accompanied by gratuities in proportion to the +service performed. + +As regards internal dangers, there is no native power remaining able +to face a British army in the field. The people are very generally +engaged in trade and agriculture, and to a great extent in the British +Provinces no longer carry arms. Confidence in the protection of the +Government has superseded the necessity. Formerly trade and wealth +were concentrated in a few large cities--and Indian manufactures have +been ruined by cheaper goods sent from England; but wealth and comfort +have, under British rule, been more extensively diffused through the +agricultural districts, and all classes, including the warlike tribes, +are becoming more devoted to the happier and safer pursuits of peace. + +In this state of things Lord Hardinge entertains a very confident +expectation that the Government of India, by judicious attention +to the native army in time of peace--which may have its peculiar +dangers--will maintain due subordination in its ranks; and by +abstaining from all interference in the religious prejudices of the +people, will secure their loyal attachment to your Majesty, and their +willing obedience to the Governor acting in your Majesty's behalf. + +Lord Hardinge has the honour to subscribe himself your Majesty's most +humble and dutiful Subject and Servant, + +HARDINGE. + + + + +[Pageheading: A GENERAL ELECTION] + + +_Lord John Russell to Queen Victoria._ + +PEMBROKE LODGE, _5th August 1847._ + +Lord John Russell presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and has +the honour to state that he considers the elections which have taken +place since he last addressed your Majesty as satisfactory. + +The Liberal gains, upon the whole, have been upwards of thirty, and +when the elections are concluded will probably be upwards of forty. + +The rejection of so distinguished a man as Mr Macaulay[7] is the most +disgraceful act in the whole election. It has only a parallel in the +rejection of Mr Burke by the city of Bristol. + +The result of the whole elections will be, even if Sir George Grey +is defeated in Northumberland, that neither Lord John Russell or any +other Minister will have the command of a regular party majority. + +But it is probable that Government will be sufficiently strong to +resist both a reaction against free trade, and any democratic movement +against the Church or the aristocracy. + + [Footnote 7: In consequence of his vote on Maynooth. The poem + he wrote on the present occasion will be remembered.] + + + + +[Pageheading: THE IRISH ELECTIONS] + + +_Lord John Russell to Queen Victoria._ + +PEMBROKE LODGE, _21st August 1847._ + +Lord John Russell presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and has +the honour to state that Lord Fitzwilliam writes that he shall feel +hurt if the Earldom of Strafford should be given to Lord Strafford. + +To save his feelings on this subject (Lord Fitzwilliam having the +first Wentworth Earl of Strafford's property), Lord John Russell +would humbly propose that Lord Strafford should be created Earl of +Middlesex. + +But as the relations of the late Duke of Dorset might also object, +Lord John Russell will adhere to his original proposal if your Majesty +should deem it best. + +In fact, many titles have been given in succession to different +families. Leinster, Orford, Westmorland, are familiar instances. + +Lord John Russell has drawn up a paper respecting the Irish elections, +on which the Prince wished to have his remarks. The subject is a dark +and a dreary one.... + +Changes of Ministry may occur, but it is to be hoped that your Majesty +may be enabled to keep the present Parliament for five or six years. +For nothing tends so much to favour such reformations, to impede +sober improvements, and to make members stand in servile awe of their +constituents, as frequent General Elections. + +Lord John Russell is happy to see in the newspapers the successful +progress of your Majesty's journey. It has occurred to Lord John +Russell that as the harvest is very promising, and the election heats +will have subsided, it may be desirable that your Majesty should go +for three days to Ireland on your Majesty's return. The want of notice +might in some respects be favourable, and would be an excuse to many +Irish peers, who might otherwise complete their ruin in preparations. + + + + +_Queen Victoria to Earl Fitzwilliam._ + +_3rd September 1847._ + +The Queen has received Lord Fitzwilliam's letter of the 31st.[8] As +she sees Lord Strafford's elevation to an Earldom already announced in +the _Gazette_ of the same day, it will be impossible for the Queen to +have the question of Lord Fitzwilliam's adverse claim reconsidered. +She thinks it right, however, to say, that, knowing that the Wentworth +property came to Lord Fitzwilliam, it was only after the Heralds +College had proved that Lord Strafford was the representative of the +Earl of Strafford of the Second Creation, whilst Lord Fitzwilliam +was not properly considered the representative of the first, that the +Queen approved the selection of the title of Earl of Strafford for the +present Lord. The Queen is very sorry to find that this step should +have been annoying to Lord Fitzwilliam, for whom she has ever +entertained a sincere regard. She has sent his letter on to Lord John +Russell. + + [Footnote 8: On John, Baron Strafford, who as Sir John Byng + had been distinguished in the Peninsula and at Waterloo, + receiving the Earldom of Strafford, Lord Fitzwilliam had + written: "Your Majesty has, undoubtedly, the power of + conferring this, or any other titular dignity, according to + your good pleasure, but I venture to hope that, if it be your + Majesty's pleasure to revive the Earldom of Strafford, it will + not be bestowed upon any other person than the individual who + has now the honour of addressing your Majesty. + + "The name and history of the first Earl of Strafford is, of + course, familiar to your Majesty, and I venture to conclude + that your Majesty is not unaware of my being his descendant, + his heir, and his successor. I own his lands, I dwell in his + house, I possess his papers, and, if neither my father nor + myself have ever applied to the Crown for a renewal of his + titles, it has not been because either of us was indifferent + to those honours or to the favour of the Sovereign, but + because we were well aware of the embarrassment which + such applications frequently occasion to the Crown and its + advisers."] + + + + +[Pageheading: MISSION TO THE VATICAN] + + +_Queen Victoria to Lord John Russell._ + +ARDVERIKIE, _3rd September 1847._ + +The Queen has received Lord John Russell's two letters of the 31st +and 1st inst., and is glad to find that the views expressed in the +Prince's Memorandum coincide with those entertained by Lord John and +Lord Palmerston, and also by Lord Minto, as she infers. As it seems +difficult to find a person of inferior rank and position than Lord +Minto, and of equal weight, the Queen sanctions his undertaking +the mission on the understanding that the object of it will be +communicated beforehand to the Courts of Vienna and Paris, and that +both these Governments will be made fully acquainted with the position +England thinks herself bound to take with regard to the Italian +controversy.[9] After this shall have been done, the sending of Sir +William Parker with his fleet to the West Coast of Italy strikes the +Queen as a very proper measure to give countenance to the Sovereigns +engaged in Liberal Reform, and exposed alike to the inroads of their +absolutist neighbour, and to the outbreaks of popular movements +directed by a republican party, and perhaps fostered by the Austrian +Government. + + [Footnote 9: Lord John Russell proposed that Lord Minto + should be sent on a special mission to the Vatican. _See_ + Introductory Note for the Year, _ante_, p. 115.] + + + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +ARDVERIKIE, _7th September 1847._ + +MY DEAREST UNCLE,--I thank you much for your kind letter of the 28th. +Mamma writes me _such_ a good report of you both, which gives us the +greatest pleasure. I hope you like young Ernest? This horrid Praslin +tragedy [10] is a subject one cannot get out of one's head. The +Government can in no way be accused of these murders, but there is +_no_ doubt that the _standard of morality_ is _very low_ indeed, in +France, and that the higher classes are extremely unprincipled. This +must shake the security and prosperity of a nation. In my opinion, +nothing has gone on so well since the _unfortunate_ false move of the +Spanish marriages, and I think you will admit _que cela n'a pas +porte bonheur au Roi_. I am very anxious to explain that I was out of +spirits, and, I fear, humour, when I wrote to you last, for I _love_ +this place dearly, and the quiet, simple and wild life we lead here, +particularly, in spite of the _abominable_ weather we have had; and +I _am not_ the enemy of _La Chasse_, as I expressed myself--on the +contrary, I am very keen about it, and am only annoyed at being unable +to see it all. Really, when one thinks of the _very dull life_, and +particularly the life of constant _self-denial_, which my poor, dear +Albert leads, he deserves _every_ amusement in the world, and even +about his amusements he is so accommodating that I am deeply touched +by it. He is very fond of shooting, but it is all with the greatest +moderation. Do you know that you never wished Albert joy of his +birthday? + +The state of politics in Europe is very critical, and one feels _very_ +anxious for the future. + +With my dearest Albert's love, and mine, to my beloved Louise. Believe +me, ever your devoted Niece, + +VICTORIA R. + + [Footnote 10: The sensational murder in Paris of the Duchesse + de Praslin, daughter of the diplomatist, Sebastiani, by her + husband, who committed suicide. This event, as well as the + affair of the Spanish marriages, largely contributed to the + Orleanist catastrophe of 1848, for it was suspected that + the Court and the police had not merely connived at, but had + actually furnished the means for, the Duke's suicide, in order + to prevent certain exposures which would have resulted from + his trial.] + + + + +[Pageheading: PORTUGAL] + + +_Queen Victoria to Viscount Palmerston._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _9th October 1847._ + +The Queen has just received these drafts, which she has read +attentively, and thinks very proper; she only perceives _one_ omission +which should be rectified, viz. the one in which Lord Palmerston +directs Sir H. Seymour and the Admiral to remain perfectly neutral in +case of a conflict, and that is that our Fleet should naturally give +protection to the persons of the King and Queen and Royal Family in +case of danger, for we cannot allow them to be _murdered_, even if +we should not be able to prevent their losing their Crown (which God +forbid). + +The Queen must _again_ observe that the drafts have since some weeks +past been sent to her _after_ they were gone, so that she can make no +remark upon them. The Queen wishes to have copies of these drafts. + + + + +[Pageheading: CRISIS IN THE CITY] + +[Pageheading: MR COBDEN] + + + +_Lord John Russell to Queen Victoria._ + +CHESHAM PLACE, _14th October 1847._ + +Lord John Russell presents his humble duty to your Majesty. He has +seen the Governor (Mr Morris) and Deputy-Governor (Mr Prescott) of the +Bank, Mr Jones Loyd[11] and Mr Newman. Sir Charles Wood has seen many +others connected with the City, and they have both made statements to +the Cabinet. + +The general result is: That an unsound state of trade has prevailed +for some time. + +More failures may be expected.[12] + +The funds may fall still lower. + +Any interference by Government in the way of issuing more notes might +postpone but would aggravate the distress. + +The railway calls add much to the present difficulty. + +No forcible interference with railways would be justifiable, but +a voluntary postponement of the execution of their Acts might be +proposed to Parliament. + +It will be seen by this short summary that the persons who by official +position, practical experience, and much reflection are most capable +of giving an opinion think that little or nothing can be done by +Parliament or by Government. + +It is one of those revulsions in trade which take place periodically, +increased in extent by the expansion of commerce, but controlled in +its operation by the sound principles of currency which have lately +prevailed. + +The Act of 1844 is generally blamed, but without the least reason. +The accommodation afforded by the Bank has been large, liberal, and +continuous. The circulation of notes approaches nineteen millions. + +Upon fully considering the difficulty of finding a person of ability +and experience to place at the head of the Poor Law Commission, Lord +John Russell has come to the conclusion that the best course he can +take is to propose to Mr Cobden to accept the Presidency with a seat +in the Cabinet, and to propose to the Duke of Bedford at the same time +a seat in the Cabinet without office. + +Various reasons for making this offer to Mr Cobden will occur to your +Majesty. His ability, his popularity with the working classes, and his +knowledge of sound principles of political economy are undoubted. Sir +Robert Peel's tribute to him has raised him both on the Continent +and in this country, so that his presence in the Cabinet would give +satisfaction to many. + +On the other hand, the landed nobility and gentry would be glad to see +the Duke of Bedford take part in the deliberations of the Government. + +With your Majesty's permission Lord John Russell will propose these +arrangements to the Cabinet to-morrow. + +He has sent for Mr Lee[13] to offer him the Bishopric of Manchester. +It is with great regret he states that Mr Stephen[14] is obliged from +ill health to retire from the Colonial Office. He has asked Lord Grey +to be made a Privy Councillor, having received an assurance from Lord +Stanley that Sir Robert Peel would propose it to your Majesty on his +retirement. Lord John Russell submits the proposal to your Majesty as +an honour due to Mr Stephen's long, able, and calumniated[15] public +services. + +Lord John Russell has the honour to submit a letter of Lord +Clarendon's in reference to a Memorandum of His Royal Highness Prince +Albert. + +Lord John Russell thinks that in the present state of affairs, the +abolition of the Lord-Lieutenancy must not be thought of, and that +with the exception noticed by Lord Clarendon, the suggestions made by +the Prince would be the best measures for adoption, when that event +takes place. + +It is possible the Prince may not have a copy of the Memorandum. + + [Footnote 11: Afterwards Lord Overstone.] + + [Footnote 12: There had been many failures in London, + Liverpool, and elsewhere.] + + [Footnote 13: James Prince Lee, then Headmaster of King + Edward's School, Birmingham, Bishop of Manchester, 1847-1869.] + + [Footnote 14: James Stephen, Under-Secretary for the + Colonies, 1836-1847, afterwards Professor of Modern History at + Cambridge.] + + [Footnote 15: He had made enemies by supporting the abolition + of slavery.] + + + + +_Queen Victoria to Lord John Russell._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _14th October 1847._ + +The Queen has received Lord John Russell's letter, bringing several +very important subjects before her. She regrets that the state of the +Money Market should still be so uncomfortable, but is sure that the +Government cannot by any interference do much to mend matters, though +it might easily render them still more complicated, and make itself +responsible for a crisis, which it has in no way either brought on or +been able to avert.[16] + +As to Mr Cobden's appointment to the Poor Law Board, the Queen thinks +that he will be well qualified for the place in many respects, and +that it will be advantageous to the Government and the Country that +his talents should be secured to the service of the State, but the +elevation to the Cabinet directly from Covent Garden[17] strikes her +as a very sudden step, calculated to cause much dissatisfaction in +many quarters, and setting a dangerous example to agitators in general +(for his main reputation Mr Cobden gained as a successful agitator). +The Queen therefore thinks it best that Mr Cobden should first enter +the service of the Crown, serve as a public functionary in Parliament, +and be promoted subsequently to the Cabinet, which step will then +become a very natural one. + +The Duke of Bedford's entrance into the Cabinet the Queen would see +with great pleasure. + +The Queen returns the Prince's Memorandum to Lord John, whilst she has +retained Lord Clarendon's letter upon it, which the Prince is anxious +to keep if Lord John will allow him. The Queen must agree with Lord +John and Lord Clarendon that the present moment is not a favourable +one for the experiment of abolishing the Lord-Lieutenancy. + +Mr Stephen's elevation to the Privy Council will be a very proper +reward for his long and faithful services. Would he not be a proper +person for one of the new Civil degrees of the Bath?[18] + + [Footnote 16: Matters, however, became worse, and Lord John + Russell and Sir Charles Wood wrote recommending that the Bank + should enlarge their discounts and advances, for which they + would propose a bill of indemnity. By degrees the panic + subsided.] + + [Footnote 17: Free Trade meetings had taken place in Covent + Garden Theatre.] + + [Footnote 18: He was made a K.C.B.] + + + + +[Pageheading: ENGLAND'S FOREIGN POLICY] + + +_Queen Victoria to Lord John Russell._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _18th October 1847._ + +The Queen cannot resist drawing Lord John Russell's attention to the +enclosed paragraph taken from the _Revue des Deux Mondes_, which gives +an account of the late events in Spain. How little honourable our line +of policy appears according to this version, which the Queen is afraid +is so very plausible that it will be received as the truth by the +whole French public and a great part of the European public at large! +It is, no doubt, perverted, but still the Queen must admit that our +policy, and especially Mr Bulwer's conduct at Madrid, lays itself +open to similar construction. After the gross duplicity and immorality +which characterised the conduct of France with respect to the Spanish +marriages, though she had all the profit and we all the loss, still +we had a very strong position on the side of integrity, morality, and +honour. The Queen is afraid that the diplomatic intrigues and counter +intrigues at Madrid have made us lose daily more of that advantageous +position without _any_ compensation on the other side. The Queen +entreats Lord John Russell not to underrate the importance of keeping +our foreign policy beyond reproach. Public opinion is recognised as a +ruling power in our domestic affairs; it is not of less importance in +the society of Europe with reference to the conduct of an individual +state. To possess the _confidence_ of Europe is of the utmost +importance to this country. That is the reason why the Queen is +uneasy about our dealings in Greece, and anxious that we should not +be misunderstood with respect to Italy. The Queen is sorry to perceive +that the French complain of unfair dealing on our part with reference +to the negotiations in the River Plate.[19] Have they any right to do +so? Have Lord Howden's private instructions been at variance in any +way with the public instructions which had been agreed upon with the +French Government? The Queen would consider any advantage gained at +the expense of an ally as a loss. + + [Footnote 19: Sir John Hobart Caradoc, second Lord Howden, + British Minister at Rio Janeiro, was, together with Count + Walewski, the French Minister there, engaged in a special + mission to the River Plate and Uruguay; Buenos Ayres was + blockaded by the British Fleet.] + + + + +[Pageheading: THE QUEEN OF SPAIN] + + +_Queen Victoria to Viscount Palmerston._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _24th October 1847._ + +The Queen has perused with eagerness Mr Bulwer's accounts of the late +extraordinary events in Spain, but must confess that she has in +vain looked for an explanation of the real motives and causes of the +crisis. Has Lord Palmerston received any private letters throwing more +light upon the matter? There seems to prevail the greatest mystery +about the affair. Is the Queen reconciled with her husband? Has she +sent for him? Have all the accounts of her hatred for Don Francisco +and the Queen-Mother been false? All these questions are unanswered. + + + + +[Pageheading: THE QUEEN OF PORTUGAL] + + +_Viscount Palmerston to Queen Victoria._ + +FOREIGN OFFICE, _30th October 1847._ + +Viscount Palmerston presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and has +many apologies to make for not having attended your Majesty's Council +to-day, and the more so as his absence arose from an inadvertence +which he is almost ashamed to mention. But having got on horseback +to ride to the station, with his thoughts occupied with some matters +which he was thinking of, he rode mechanically and in a fit of absence +to the Nine Elms Station,[20] and did not recollect his mistake till +he had got there; and although he made the best of his way afterwards +to the Paddington Station, he could not get there in time for any +train that would have taken him early enough to Windsor. + +Viscount Palmerston received this morning your Majesty's remarks upon +his proposed drafts to Sir Hamilton Seymour, and has modified some of +the expressions in those drafts; but those drafts are only private +and confidential answers in his own name to private and confidential +communications from Sir Hamilton Seymour, and they express only his +own personal opinions, and not those of the Government. + +Viscount Palmerston is sorry to say that the circumstances lately +mentioned by Sir Hamilton Seymour, coupled with the course pursued +at Lisbon almost ever since the successful interference of the Allied +Powers, have brought Viscount Palmerston to the painful convictions +expressed in the above-mentioned drafts, and he feels desirous, for +his own sake, to place those convictions at least upon record in this +Office. He will be most happy to find that he is mistaken, and will +most truly and heartily rejoice if events should prove that the +confidence which your Majesty reposes in the sincerity and good faith +of the Queen of Portugal is well founded; but in a matter of this +importance Viscount Palmerston feels that it is his bounden duty to +your Majesty not to conceal his opinions, even though they should, +as in the present case, unfortunately differ from those which your +Majesty entertains. + + [Footnote 20: The former terminus of the London and + South-Western Railway.] + + + + +_Queen Victoria to Viscount Palmerston._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _21st October 1847._ + +The Queen acknowledges Lord Palmerston's letter of yesterday. She can +have no objections to Lord Palmerston's putting on record his opinion +that the Queen of Portugal is leaning to the Chartist Party, and +exposing herself, her Throne and country, to great danger by so +doing; but she would _much_ deprecate the putting on record the grave +accusation "that the Queen of Portugal is in a secret and perfect +understanding with the Cabrals,"[21] which is really not warranted by +the facts of the case, and is likely to mislead both our Government +and the Minister at Lisbon. Since the Queen wrote yesterday the Prince +received a letter from the King of Portugal (which he sent to Lord +Palmerston), and which quite explains the position and views of +the Court: we must not forget either that Sir Hamilton Seymour +acknowledges that a change of Ministry at this moment would provoke +a fresh Revolution at Lisbon. Although this would come from the +Cabralists, the Queen of Portugal very naturally may not feel inclined +to run that risk to avoid a danger the existence of which she does not +see or comprehend. + + [Footnote 21: The Ministry in which Castro Cabral had been + Premier, and his brother, Jose, Minister of Justice, had + resigned in May 1846.] + + + + +[Pageheading: THE HAMPDEN CONTROVERSY] + + +_Lord John Russell to Queen Victoria._ + +CHESHAM PLACE, _10th November 1847._ + +Lord John Russell presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and +after reflecting on the various reasons in favour of, and objections +against, different Bishops for promotion to the Archbishopric of York, +he humbly submits to your Majesty the name of Dr Musgrave, Bishop of +Hereford, to be appointed Archbishop of York. The Bishop of Hereford +is a man of sound information, good judgment, and business habits. It +is of such consequence to have an Archbishop of York, who will, like +the late Archbishop, avoid quarrels and crotchets, and live peaceably +with all men. + +Should your Majesty approve, he would then submit the name of Dr +Hampden to be the new Bishop, and that of the Bishop of Oxford[22] as +Queen's Almoner. + + [Footnote 22: Samuel Wilberforce.] + + + + +_The Bishop of Oxford to Mr Anson._ + +_16th November 1847._ + +MY DEAR ANSON,--I enclose you a letter from Lord John Russell, +offering me the Lord Almonership. I have ventured to write direct to +Her Majesty, to express to her my grateful feelings at this notice of +me. But I have been so afraid of offending by anything like freedom +of expression that I much fear I have instead said coldly and formally +what, if I had said it naturally, would have expressed the deepest and +most exuberant feelings of what I trust I may venture to say is not an +ungrateful heart. Ungrateful it would be most certainly if it did +not feel to its deepest core the uniform and great kindness I have +received now for so many years from Her Majesty and from the Prince. I +wish I could better show them my feelings.... + +You have read no doubt the _Times_ article on Dr Hampden. I am +afraid it is too true. I cannot conceive _what_ was Dr Hampden's +recommendation. He was not a persecuted man, for he had got a station +far higher than he ever dreamed of already; he is not an able, or +an active man, or one popular with any party, and unless Lord John +Russell wished for an opportunity of shocking the young confidence +of the Church in him, I cannot conceive why he should have made it. +I deeply lament it. Pray let me hear of your health, if it be only +a single line (to Cuddesdon), and believe me to be, ever your truly +affectionate, + +S. OXON. + + + + +[Pageheading: LORD PALMERSTON'S DESPATCHES] + + +_Queen Victoria to Viscount Palmerston._ + +_17th November 1847._ + +The Queen has been struck by the concluding passage of the +accompanying draft to Mr Bulwer. It gives an official declaration of +the views of England with respect to a point of the greatest gravity +and importance, and upon which the Queen apprehends that the mind +of the Cabinet is not yet made up. The Queen herself has come to no +determination upon it, and it may involve the question of peace +or war. Surely our line of policy under future and uncertain +contingencies ought not to be pledged beforehand and in such an +indirect way. The Queen wishes Lord Palmerston to speak to Lord John +Russell upon the subject, and to show him the draft and these remarks +of the Queen upon it. + + + + +_Viscount Palmerston to Queen Victoria._ + +FOREIGN OFFICE, _17th November 1847._ + +Viscount Palmerston presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and in +compliance with your Majesty's wishes he has omitted the whole of the +latter part of the proposed despatch to Mr Bulwer. + + + + +_Queen Victoria to Lord John Russell._ + +(_Undated._) + +The Queen has seen with surprise in the _Gazette_ the appointment of +Mr Corigan,[23] about which she must complain to Lord John Russell. +Not only had her pleasure not been taken upon it, but she had actually +mentioned to Lord Spencer that she had her doubts about the true +propriety of the appointment. Lord John will always have found the +Queen desirous to meet his views with regard to all appointments and +ready to listen to any reasons which he might adduce in favour of +his recommendations, but she must insist upon appointments in her +Household not being made _without_ her previous sanction, and least of +all such as that of a _Physician to her person_. + + [Footnote 23: Dominic John Corigan, M.D., + Physician-in-Ordinary to Her Majesty in Ireland.] + + + + +[Pageheading: SWITZERLAND] + +[Pageheading: LETTER FROM THE KING OF PRUSSIA] + + +_The King of Prussia to Queen Victoria._ + +[_Translation._] + +_25th November 1847._ + +... I hear with delight and thankfulness that it has pleased your +Majesty to agree to a Conference for regulating the dreadful Swiss +quarrels.[24] I took the liberty to propose my beloved and truly +amiable town of Neuchatel as the place for the Conference, not only +because its position in neutral territory and in Switzerland +herself qualifies it above every other place for that purpose, but +_particularly_ because this meeting of the representatives of the +great Powers there would protect it and the courageous and faithful +country of Neuchatel from indignities, spoliation, and all the +_horrors_ which oppress at this moment the unfortunate and far from +courageous Fribourg. I am afraid that your Majesty has not a full +appreciation of the people and the partisans who fill Switzerland +with murders and the miseries of the most abominable Civil War. Your +Majesty's happy realms have centuries ago passed through the "phase" +of such horrors, and with you the state of parties has been (as one +says here) grown in bottles,[25] under the glorious Constitution given +by God and History, but _not_ "made"; but there, in Switzerland, a +party is becoming victorious!!! which, notwithstanding the exercise +of Christian charity, can only be called "_Gottlos und Rechtlos_" +(without God and without right). For Germany, the saving of +Switzerland from the hands of the Radicals is _simply_ a _vital +question_. If they are victorious there, in Germany likewise torrents +of blood will flow; I will answer for that. The murder of Kings, +Priests, and Aristocrats is no empty sound with them, and Civil War in +song, writing, word, and deed, is their watchword. "Toute charite bien +entendue commence par soi-meme." So they begin with their own country, +true to this "Christian" (!) motto. If they are allowed to proceed, +surely they _won't stop there_. Thousands of emigrated malefactors +wait only for a sign (which their comrades and allies in Germany will +not be backward in giving) to pour forth beyond the German frontier. +In Germany the PEOPLE are just as little fond of them as they were in +Switzerland, but the experience of Switzerland teaches us that +that alone cannot stem their victorious march, if circumstances are +favourable to them. The German people rely upon their Governments, and +do nothing, but Governments are weakened by the modern Liberalism +(the precursor of Radicalism, as the dying of chickens precedes +the Cholera) and will have to take the consequences of their own +negligence. Notwithstanding people and princes, that godless band will +march through Germany, because, though small, it is strong through +being united and determined. All this I have pondered in my head and +heart (led, so to say, by the hand of History), and that has prompted +me now to propose that the German Confederation (which _en parenthese_ +includes a population of more than forty millions) should appear +as one of the great Powers of Europe at the settlement of the Swiss +dispute, and should be admitted as such by the other great Powers. +_Would your Majesty do justice, and give_ PROTECTION _to this +idea_?... + +F. W. + + [Footnote 24: _See_ Introductory Note for the year, _ante_, p. + 115.] + + [Footnote 25: As old wine improves by being kept in bottles.] + + + + +[Pageheading: THE QUEEN'S REPLY] + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of Prussia._ + +OSBORNE, _5th December 1847._ + +Since your letter was written events have followed each other so +rapidly that at this moment the war in Switzerland may be considered +as terminated; by the capitulations of the Cantons formerly +constituting the Sonderbund, _two_ parties, between which a mediation +of the great Powers could have taken place, have ceased to exist, and +consequently mediation and the Conference resulting from it are in +fact no longer necessary or possible. I had proposed London as +the place of conference, but should with pleasure have waived this +proposition to adopt the place which you have expressed a wish of +seeing fixed for that purpose, viz. Neuchatel, and I should have felt +truly happy if by so doing I could have met your wishes, and given +further protection to the principality against possible aggressions +on the part of the Federal Government of Switzerland. As matters +now stand, the only complication which might arise is that between +Neuchatel and the Diet. I have, in anticipation of any such event, +instructed Sir Stratford Canning to exert himself to his utmost to +dissuade the Diet from any plan of aggression on your territory, and +he has been furnished with an able and elaborate state paper for his +guidance, which Chevalier Bunsen had drawn up, discussing the legal +merits of the case. Should events prove that Sir S. Canning did +not arrive in time, or had not the power of averting a hostile step +against Neuchatel, you may rely upon my readiness at all times to +put my good offices at your disposal. Should a conference upon Swiss +affairs still become necessary, I conceive that the only plea upon +which the great Powers could meet in conference would be their having +guaranteed the independence and neutrality of Switzerland, and by +implication the Federal Compact amongst the Cantons. This has not been +the case with regard to the German Confederation, and I do not readily +see in consequence how the Confederation could be admitted into this +Conference, however much I confess I would like to see Germany take +her place amongst the Powers of Europe, to which her strength and +population fairly entitle her. I may say that my Government are +equally impressed with me with the importance of German unity and +strength and of this strength weighing in the balance of power +of Europe; I am sure that the English public generally share this +feeling, but I must not conceal from your Majesty that much would +depend upon the manner in which this power was represented. Much +as the English would like to see this power represented by the +enlightened councils of your Majesty, they would be animated with very +different feelings in seeing it in the hands of Prince Metternich ... + +VICTORIA R. + + + + +_Queen Victoria to Lord John Russell._ + +OSBORNE, _19th December 1847._ + +The Queen has to acknowledge the receipt of several letters from +Lord John Russell. She was pleased to see that the Debates have been +brought to such a satisfactory conclusion, all the propositions of +the Government having passed with such good majorities. The Queen must +mention to Lord John that she was a little shocked at Sir Charles Wood +in his speech upon the Commission of Inquiry, designating the _future +Government_, and selecting Lord George Bentinck, Mr Disraeli(!), and +Mr Herries as the persons destined to hold _high offices_ in the next +Government. + +The Bishops behave extremely ill about Dr Hampden, and the Bishop of +Exeter[26] is gone so far, in the Queen's opinion, that he might be +prosecuted for it, in calling the Act settling the supremacy on the +Crown a _foul act_ and _the Magna Charta of Tyranny_. + +The Queen is glad to hear that Lord John is quite recovered. We are +going to Windsor the day after to-morrow. + + [Footnote 26: Henry Phillpotts, Bishop of Exeter, 1830-1869.] + + + + +[Pageheading: LORD MELBOURNE] + + +_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._ + +BROCKET HALL, _30th December 1847._ + +Lord Melbourne presents his humble duty to your Majesty. He has +received with great pleasure your Majesty's letter of this morning, +and reciprocates with the most cordial heartiness your Majesty's good +wishes of the season, both for your Majesty and His Royal Highness. +Lord Melbourne is pretty well in health, perhaps rather better than he +has been, but low and depressed in spirits for a cause which has long +pressed upon his mind, but which he has never before communicated to +your Majesty. Lord Melbourne has for a long time found himself much +straitened in his pecuniary circumstances, and these embarrassments +are growing now every day more and more urgent, so that he dreads +before long that he shall be obliged to add another to the list of +failures and bankruptcies of which there have lately been so many. +This is the true reason why Lord Melbourne has always avoided the +honour of the Garter, when pressed upon him by his late Majesty +and also by your Majesty. Lord Melbourne knows that the expense of +accepting the blue ribbon amounts to L1000, and there has been of late +years no period at which it would not have been seriously inconvenient +to Lord Melbourne to lay down such a sum.[27] + + [Footnote 27: The Queen, through the agency of Mr Anson, + advanced Lord Melbourne a considerable sum of money, which + seems to have been repaid at his death. Apparently Lord + Melbourne's declining health caused him to magnify his + difficulties. The report which Mr Anson made shows that he was + in no sense seriously embarrassed.] + + + + +INTRODUCTORY NOTE + +TO CHAPTER XVII + + +At the outset of the year 1848 great alarm was felt throughout England +at the supposed inadequacy of her defences, a panic being caused by +the indiscreet publication of a confidential letter from the Duke of +Wellington to Sir John Burgoyne, to the effect that in his judgment +the whole South Coast was open to invasion, and that there were no +means of opposing a hostile force. The Government turned its attention +to reconstructing the Militia, and raising the Income Tax for +the purpose. But the outlook was completely changed by the French +Revolution; Louis Philippe, who had just lost his sister and +counsellor, Madame Adelaide, impulsively abdicated, on a rising +taking place, and escaped with his family to this country. England and +Belgium were unaffected by the outburst of revolution which convulsed +Europe: the Emperor of Austria was forced to abdicate, and Metternich, +like Guizot, became a fugitive; Prussia was shaken to her foundation, +and throughout Germany the movement in favour of representative +institutions made rapid headway; a National Assembly for Germany was +constituted, and Schleswig was claimed as an integral part of the +German dominions. In Italy also the Revolution, though premature, was +serious. The Pope, not yet reactionary, declared war against Austria; +the Milanese rose against Radetzky, the Austrian Governor, and King +Charles Albert of Sardinia marched to their assistance. A republic was +proclaimed in Venice, but these successes were afterwards nullified, +and a Sicilian rising against Ferdinand II. of Naples was suppressed. +In France the revolutionary movement held steadily on its course, a +National Assembly was elected, and national workshops established; +Louis Bonaparte, who had been a fugitive in England, was allowed +to return, and was elected President of the Republic by an immense +majority of the popular vote. + +The friends of Revolution had no success in England; a very serious +riot at Glasgow was dispersed, and the meeting convened by Feargus +O'Connor for the 10th of April on Kennington Common, which was to +carry a huge petition in favour of the People's Charter to the House +of Commons, proved a ridiculous _fiasco_. Ireland was much disturbed +during the year by what was known as the Young Ireland agitation, +a movement organised by youthful, and for the most part cultivated, +leaders, and utterly different from the sturdy Repeal movement +of O'Connell. Smith O'Brien, brother of Lord Inchiquin, was the +ringleader, and was backed by Mitchel, Duffy, Meagher, and others, +as well as by the _Nation_ and _United Irishman_ newspapers. Like +Chartism, the movement ignominiously collapsed and its leaders were +convicted of treason. An Act was at the same time passed reducing +some offences (till then legally defined as treason) to felonies, and +improving the law as to offences against the person of the Sovereign. + +The treacherous murder of two Englishmen in the Punjab led to +operations against the Sikhs, Lord Dalhousie--who had recently +become Viceroy--after some hesitation, reinforcing Lord Gough, the +Commander-in-Chief, and proceeding in person to the frontier; a +British force sustained a reverse at Ramnuggur on 22nd November, and a +decisive result was not arrived at till 1849. + +In South Africa, a proclamation by Sir Harry Smith, the Governor of +the Cape of Good Hope, extending British sovereignty over the country +between the Orange and Vaal rivers, led to a collision with the Boers, +and ultimately to the founding of the Transvaal State. Sir Harry Smith +defeated the Boers on the 29th of August at Boom Platz. + + + + +CHAPTER XVII + +1848 + + +_The King of the Belgians to Queen Victoria._ + +LAEKEN, _1st January 1848._ + +MY DEAREST VICTORIA,--This is a most melancholy beginning of the +year. Our poor Aunt Adelaide,[1] so kind to us, has departed this life +yesterday morning. Poor Louise feels it dreadfully, as nothing could +be more affectionate and more motherly than she was for Louise. She +was always very kind and friendly to me, and I must confess I feel the +blow much. I am very much alarmed about the poor King; he must feel +the loss of a sister and friend so entirely devoted to him deeply; +it is the thing most likely to hurt and shake his health. You will +forgive if I cut short here, as I am much disturbed by this melancholy +event. I think you would act kindly in writing to the King. We are too +nearly connected not to do it, and it will soothe him, who has been +enough persecuted since last year. I trust you begin better than we do +this most melancholy January. My best love to Albert, and believe me +ever, my dearest Victoria, your truly and devoted Uncle, + +LEOPOLD R. + + [Footnote 1: Sister of King Louis Philippe.] + + + + +[Pageheading: DEATH OF MADAME ADELAIDE] + + +_Queen Victoria to Lord John Russell._[2] + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _3rd January 1848._ + +The Queen sends Lord John Russell a letter from her Uncle, the King +of the Belgians, which will show how dreadful a blow Mme. Adelaide's +death will be to the King of the French and Royal Family. The Queen's +first thought was to write to the King, which she would not have done +without first mentioning it to Lord John; but upon reflection +she thought it quickest and best to write _at once_ to her cousin +Clementine (Princess Augustus of Saxe-Coburg), to convey in her name +to the King her sincere sympathy at this melancholy event. The King of +the Belgians' letter has, however, brought back to the Queen her first +thought of writing to the King, and she wishes to know what Lord John +thinks of it. The Queen thinks it as undignified as unfeeling to carry +on political coolness at moments like these, when her own feelings of +sympathy are so strong and so sincere. The Queen would certainly under +other circumstances have instantly written to the King. On the other +hand, her first letter to her cousin (the King's daughter) may be +sufficient, as it conveys a direct message; and there may be people +who will construe this into a political act, but the Queen thinks that +this risk should rather be run than that she should appear unfeeling +and forgetful of former kindness and intimacy. + +The Queen would be glad to have Lord John's opinion on this subject as +soon as possible. + + [Footnote 2: This letter is headed "Reproduction--Substance of + a letter to Lord John Russell, written from recollection."] + + + + +_The Queen of the Belgians to Queen Victoria._ + +LAEKEN, _3rd January 1848._ + +MY DEARLY BELOVED VICTORIA,--I thank you _most sincerely_ for your +kind last letter, and all your good wishes for the New Year. Alas! the +year _ended_ and _began_ in a _most painful_ and _heartrending way +for us_. The loss of my good, excellent, beloved Aunt is an _immense +misfortune_ for _us all_, and the most _dreadful blow_ for my poor +Father. We are all broken-hearted by this, at last _unexpected_ event. +Some years we were uneasy about my poor Aunt's health, and of late +I had been particularly alarmed by what I heard of her increasing +weakness; but I was very far from believing that her end was _so +near_. I was only anxious for the winter. At least her end was +peaceful. She went to sleep and did not wake more. She died without a +struggle; the horror of death, and the still greater pang of the last +farewell, of the last leave-taking of her beloved brother, was spared +her. I thank God for _this_ proof of His mercy, and hope He will +keep up my Father under _such a heavy affliction_. To him the loss is +_irretrievable_. My Aunt lived _but_ for him; one may almost say +that her affection alone had kept her alive these last years, and a +devotion like hers--that devotion of all instants--so complete, so +full of self-denial--cannot, will never, be replaced. A heart _like +hers_, so true, so noble, so warm, so loving, so devoted, is _rarely_ +seen. To us also, independently of my Father, the loss is a _dreadful_ +one. My Aunt was a second mother for us; we loved her and looked up to +her in this way, and certainly few mothers do for their children what +she did for us, or loved them better. We are overwhelmed with grief by +the sudden disappearance of a being _so dear_ and _so necessary_ to us +all, and we go to-morrow to Paris, to mourn with the remainder of the +family, and offer my poor Father the only consolation he can feel at +this cruel moment, that of being surrounded by all those he loves. +I have still so much to do previous to our melancholy journey that +I cannot say more to-day. I am sure you will excuse me. I shall, God +willing, write in a more proper way the next time. In the meanwhile I +thank God that you are _unberufen_ all well, and, in sorrow or in joy, +I am equally, my beloved Victoria, from the bottom of my heart, yours +most devotedly, + +LOUISE. + + + + +[Pageheading: LETTER TO KING LOUIS PHILIPPE] + + +_Lord John Russell to Queen Victoria._ + +WOBURN ABBEY, _4th January 1848._ + +Lord John Russell presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and has +no hesitation in saying that he thinks your Majesty will do well to +follow your own kind impulse to write a letter to the King of the +French. There will be some persons, and M. Guizot perhaps among the +number, who will construe this into a political act; but it is better +to be subject to such misconstructions than to leave undone any act of +sympathy to the King of the French in his sore affliction. + +Should the King attempt to found upon your Majesty's letter any +political intercourse, Lord John Russell has no doubt that your +Majesty will explain to him that your present proceeding is entirely +founded upon private regard, and past recollections of intimacy, and +is not intended as an opening for political correspondence. + + + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the French._ + +CH. DE WINDSOR, _5 Janvier 1848._ + +SIRE ET MON BON FRERE,--Je ne voulais pas suivre l'impulse de mon +c[oe]ur, dans les premiers instants de la vive douleur de votre +Majeste, en vous ecrivant--mais maintenant ou la violence de cette +rude secousse peut-etre sera un peu adoucie, je viens moi-meme +exprimer a votre Majeste la part sincere que nous prenons, le Prince +et moi, a la cruelle perte que vous venez d'eprouver, et qui doit +vous laisser un vide irreparable. Ayez la bonte, Sire, d'offrir nos +expressions de condoleance a la Reine, et faisant des v[oe]ux pour le +bonheur de V.M., je me dis, Sire et mon bon Frere, de V.M., la bonne +S[oe]ur, + +V. R. + +A S.M. le Roi des Francais. + + + + +[Pageheading: ENGLAND AND THE PORTE] + + +_The King of the French to Queen Victoria._ + +PARIS, _8 Janvier 1848._ + +MADAME MA BONNE S[OE]UR,--Dans la profonde douleur ou m'a plonge le +coup cruel qui vient de me frapper, une des plus douces consolations +que je pusse recevoir, est la lettre que votre Majeste a eu la bonte +de m'adresser, tant en son nom qu'en celui du Prince son Epoux. +L'expression de la part que vous prenez tous deux a mon malheur, et de +l'interet que vous continuez a me porter, m'a vivement emu, et quelque +douloureuse qu'en soit l'occasion, qu'il me soit permis, Madame, de +vous en remercier, et de dire a votre Majeste que mon c[oe]ur et mes +sentimens pour elle, sont et seront toujours les memes que ceux que +j'etais si heureux de Lui manifester a Windsor et au Chateau d'Eu. + +Je prie votre Majeste de vouloir bien etre, aupres du Prince son +Epoux, l'interprete de toute ma sensibilite. La Reine est bien touchee +de ce que votre Majeste m'a charge de Lui temoigner, et je la prie +de croire que je suis toujours, Madame, ma bonne S[oe]ur, de votre +Majeste, le bon Frere, + +LOUIS PHILIPPE R. + + + + +_Queen Victoria to Viscount Palmerston._ + +CLAREMONT, _11th January 1848.[sic: 1843]_ + +The Queen has this morning seen a draft addressed to Lord Cowley, +in which he is desired to advise the Sultan to give Abd-el-Kader +a command in his Army--a step which the Queen cannot approve, not +because it is not good advice to the Porte, but because it is uncalled +for on our part, and might be considered by France as a hostile step +towards her. What would we say if the French were to advise M. Ali to +give Akbar Khan the command of his army?[3] + + [Footnote 3: See _ante_, vol. i. p. 254.] + + + + +[Pageheading: CLAREMONT] + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +CLAREMONT, _11th January 1848._ + +MY DEAREST UNCLE,--I always write with pleasure to you from this _so_ +very dear old place, where we are safely and happily housed with our +_whole_ little family since yesterday. The weather is very cold, and +it is the third night of a black frost which is likely to continue +for some days. Many thanks for your kind letter of the 7th, which, +according to the new arrangement, I received already on the 8th. +Your visit will, I fear, have been a very melancholy one. Poor Mme. +Adelaide's death was so extremely sudden, it must be a dreadful blow +to the poor King. I _have_ written to him. Louise will have told you +that poor Aunt Sophia[4] is decidedly sinking. + +I wish, dearest Uncle, if even Louise feels unequal to coming to us +now (which would be a _sad disappointment_), _you_ would come to see +us. Why not come while she is at Paris? It would be such a pleasure to +us. You will of course have no balls, and you might come even sooner +than you originally intended. Pray do see if you could manage this. I +am sure you could. If Louise could come, of course that would be still +better. + +Albert desires me to ask you the following favour, viz. if you +would give us the picture that is here of Grand Uncle Frederic (the +Field-Marshal), that we might hang it up in London, where we have made +a fine collection of his contemporaries, and we would replace it by +a faithful copy, which could be hung up in the frame here. Will you +grant this? + +We are very desirous of getting the Woods and Forests to build a small +_glass dome_ to the greenhouse here where the palm-trees are, and (if +you approved) there could be no difficulty in getting this done; the +palm-trees are beautiful, and will be quite stunted and spoilt if not +allowed to grow. We shall stay here till Monday next. With Albert's +love, ever your truly devoted Niece, + +VICTORIA R. + + [Footnote 4: Fifth daughter of George III., born 1777. She + died in May 1848.] + + + + +[Pageheading: THE FRENCH ROYAL FAMILY] + + +_The King of the Belgians to Queen Victoria._ + +LAEKEN, _12th January 1848._ + +MY DEAREST VICTORIA,--A messenger of my own going to England, I take +advantage of it to write you a few words. Your kind letter to the +poor King was an act for which I thank you from the bottom of my soul, +because it made him so happy. I was still in his rooms--where the +family has been breakfasting and dining till now--when your letter +arrived; he was so delighted with it that he _kissed it most +tenderly_. I left him tolerably well on Monday, but with rather a +severe cold. He had certainly at the end of December the Grippe, +which perhaps was the immediate cause of poor Aunt's death, as from +over-anxiety for her beloved brother, she got up in the night to find +out how he was. His cold had been better when he went to Dreux, then +he met the procession, and walked with it bareheaded to the church; +this seems to have given him a new cold. His nerves are also a good +deal shaken, and this renders him very irritable. He is much occupied +about some of the arrangements connected with poor Aunt's fortune; +she left her landed property to Nemours, Joinville, and Montpensier, +charged with the various sums she left to nearly all the branches of +her family. The King is to have, however, the enjoyment of the whole +of this fortune for his life. His great wish would be to employ the +revenues, from the whole of the succession legacies as well as landed +property, to free the landed property of the mortgage of the various +legacies. This will require a good many years, and I told him that it +would force him to live till it would be arranged, which will easily +require ten years. In France a good feeling has been shown on this +occasion. I heard from trustworthy quarters that even people who were +known to be personally not very kind to the King, expressed themselves +most anxious for his preservation. Whenever that sad event will take +place, the reaction in Europe will be great, as all the bad passions +which are kept down by him will then of course try to get the over +hand. The Queen is much affected by all this, and thinks much of her +own end. The children, including good Helene, have all behaved +with the utmost affection to their parents, and nothing can equal +particularly good Nemours' devotion and attention. My beloved Child, +your truly devoted Uncle, + +LEOPOLD R. + + + + +[Pageheading: REVOLUTION IN FRANCE] + + +_The King of the Belgians to Queen Victoria._ + +LAEKEN, _12th February 1848._ + +MY DEAREST VICTORIA,--... From Paris the news are alarming;[5] the +struggle of the Liberal Party leaning towards radicalism, or in fact +merely their own promotion; principles are _out_ of the question. This +state of affairs reacts in a very lamentable way upon the well-being +of the great European community. Great complaints are made that the +working classes are deprived of work and at the same time political +agitation is kept up, which must have the effect of stopping +transactions of every description. The human race is a _sad_ creation, +and I trust the other planets are better organised and that we may get +there hereafter.... Your devoted Uncle, + +LEOPOLD R. + + [Footnote 5: The Republican movement had been making rapid + headway in Paris, and the leader of the Opposition, M. Odilon + Barrot, proposed Guizot's impeachment on the 22nd of February. + Louis Philippe, when it was unfortunately too late, consented + to a change of Ministry, but the formation of a new Government + proved impossible. The Revolution could have been quelled, had + it not been for the King's reluctance to shed blood in defence + of the Throne to which he had been elected; even to the + agitators themselves the completeness of the Revolution was a + surprise.] + + + + +_Lord John Russell to Queen Victoria._ + +DOWNING STREET, _23rd February 1848._ + +Lord John Russell presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and +will have the honour of waiting upon your Majesty at three o'clock +to-morrow. + +Lord Normanby's letters from Paris give a little information.[6] + +There has been some fighting in the streets, and some apprehension +for the night. But it does not appear probable that any serious danger +will be incurred, with the troops in such force in Paris. + +Hereafter there may be a serious struggle between the Government of +the King, and the Republicans. But in that case such men as M. Odilon +Barrot will shrink from the contest. + + [Footnote 6: A letter from Lord Normanby on the 13th of + March to Lord Palmerston (published in Ashley's _Life of + Palmerston_, vol. i. chap. iii.) gives an account of the + situation on the eve of the 22nd of February. On the 25th of + February he wrote:-- + + "The National Guards, mixed with the people, were in full + march upon the Tuileries, and the latter threatening the life + of the King, when Emile Girardin, the editor of the _Presse_ + newspaper, who was in advance as an officer of the National + Guard, hastily drew up an Act of Abdication, and placed it + before the King as the only means of safety. The King at + first refused, saying that he would rather die; but the Duc de + Montpensier urged him, not only for his own sake, but to save + his country from confusion. The King at last signed it, + and threw it impatiently at the Duc de Montpensier, who, + I believe, has been in favour of conciliatory counsel + throughout. The Royal Family then retired through the garden, + the King saying to every one as he passed, 'J'abdique, + j'abdique.'"] + + + + +_The King of the Belgians to Queen Victoria._ + +LAEKEN, _26th February 1848._ + +MY DEAREST VICTORIA,--I am very unwell in consequence of the _awful_ +events at Paris. How will this end? Poor Louise is in a state of +despair which is pitiful to behold. What will soon become of us God +alone knows; great efforts will be made to revolutionise this country; +as there are poor and wicked people in all countries it may succeed. + +Against France we, of course, have a right to claim protection from +England and the other Powers. I can write no more. God bless you. Ever +your devoted Uncle, + +LEOPOLD R. + + + + +[Pageheading: FLIGHT OF FRENCH ROYAL FAMILY] + + +_The Queen of the Belgians to Queen Victoria._ + +BRUSSELS, _27th February 1848._ + +MY DEARLY BELOVED VICTORIA,--I understand by an account arrived this +morning, and which seems to be correct, that my unfortunate parents +arrived in England before yesterday evening: but I don't know _where_ +they are. (I don't know anything of them since the 23rd, evening!!!) +But you will surely know, and kindly forward the letter to my poor +mother. I have just received your kind letter of the 25th, but I +am unable to say more to-day. You will easily conceive my agony and +anguish. What an _unbelievable_ clap of thunder! I know still nothing +of what Nemours and Montpensier are become. I rely on your interest +and sympathy, and remain as ever, yours most devotedly, + +LOUISE. + +I hear this moment with an _extreme relief_ that my parents were to +arrive yesterday at London, and thank God from the bottom of my heart +for their safety! In my agony I did not wish for anything else. + + + + +[Pageheading: THE KING OF PRUSSIA] + +[Pageheading: ANARCHY IN PARIS] + + +_The King of Prussia to Queen Victoria._ + +[_Translation._] + +_27th February 1848._ + +MOST GRACIOUS QUEEN AND SISTER,--Even at this midnight hour of the +day, on the evening of which the awful news from Paris has arrived, +I venture to address these lines to your Majesty. God has permitted +events which decisively threaten the peace of Europe. + +It is an attempt to "spread the principles of the Revolution by +_every_ means throughout the whole of Europe." This programme binds +together both these individuals and their parties. The consequences +for the peace of the world are _clear_ and _certain_. If the +revolutionary party carries out its programme, "The sovereignty of +the people," my minor crown will be broken, no less certainly than the +mighty crowns of your Majesty, and a fearful scourge will be laid upon +the nations; a century [will follow] of rebellion, of lawlessness, and +of godlessness. The late King did not dare to write "by the Grace +of God." _We_, however, call ourselves King "by the Grace of God," +because it is true. Well, then, most gracious Queen, let us now show +to men, to the peoples threatened with disruption and nameless misery, +both _that_ we understand our sacred office and _how_ we understand +it. God has placed in your Majesty's hands, in the hands of the two +Emperors, in those of the German Federation, and in mine, a power, +which, if it now acts in union and harmony, with reliance on Heaven, +is able humanly speaking, to enforce, with certainty, the maintenance +of the peace of the world. This power is _not that of arms_, for +these, more than ever, must only afford the _ultima ratio_. + +The power I mean is "the power of united speech." In the year 1830 +the use of this immeasurable power was criminally neglected. But now I +think the danger is much more pressing than it was then. This power is +divided among _us_ in equal portions. I possess the smallest portion +of it, and your Majesty has by far the greatest share. That share is +so great that your Majesty, by your powerful word, might alone carry +out the task. But the certainty of victory lies, subject to the Divine +blessing, solely in our utterance being united. This must be our +message to France; "that all of us are cordial well-wishers to France; +we do not grudge her all possible welfare and glory; we mean never to +encroach on it, and we will stand by the new Government as by the old, +_foi de gentils-hommes_. But the first breach of the peace, be it with +reference to Italy, Belgium, or Germany would be, undoubtedly and at +the same time, a breach with 'all of us,' and we should, with all the +power that God has given us, let France feel by _sea_ and by _land_, +as in the years '13, '14, and '15, what our union may mean." + +_Now_ I bless Providence for having placed Lord Palmerston at the head +of your Foreign Office, and keeping him there at this very moment. +During the last quarter of the past year I could not always cordially +agree with him. His genuine British disposition will honour this open +confession. All the more frankly may I now express the hopes which +rise in me, from the very fact of _his_ holding that office at the +present moment; for a more active, more vivid, more energetic Minister +of foreign affairs, a man that would more indefatigably pursue great +aims, your Majesty could probably never have. If at this grave hour +he sets himself to proclaim that our forces are united; if he himself +utters his message as befits St George, he will earn the blessing of +millions, and the blessing of God and of the world will rest on your +Majesty's sacred head. That I am your Majesty's and _Old England's_ +most faithful and most devoted brother and companion, you are aware, +and I mean to prove it. On both, knees I adjure you, use, for the +welfare of Europe, "_Engellands England_." + +With these words I fall at your Majesty's feet, most gracious Queen, +and remain your Majesty's most faithfully devoted, most attached +Servant and good Brother, + +FREDERIC WILLIAM. + +_P. S._--The Prince I embrace. He surely feels with me, and justly +appraises my endeavours. + +_Post scriptum, 28th, in the evening._ + +I venture to open my letter again, for this day has brought us news +from France, which one can only call _horrible_. According to what +we hear, there is no longer left a King in France. A regency, a +government, and the most complete anarchy has ensued, under the name +of the Republic--a condition of things in which, at first, there will +be no possibility of communicating with the people, infuriated with +crime. In case a Government should evolve itself out of this chaos, I +conscientiously hold that the "united word" of the great Powers, such +as I have indicated in the preceding pages, should be made known, +_without any modification, to the new holders of power_. Your +Majesty's gracious friendship will certainly not take amiss this +addition to my letter, though it be not conformable to strict +etiquette. + +The fate of the poor old King, of the Duchess of Orleans, of the whole +honourable and amiable family, cuts me to the heart, for up to this +time we do not know what has become of any of them. We owe Louis +Philippe eighteen happy years of peace. No noble heart must forget +that. And yet--who would not recognise the avenging hand of the King +of kings in all this? + +I kiss your Majesty's hands. + + + + +[Pageheading: LETTER FROM QUEEN LOUISE] + +[Pageheading: ANXIETY OF QUEEN LOUISE] + + +_The Queen of the Belgians to Queen Victoria._ + +BRUSSELS, _28th February 1848._ + +MY DEARLY BELOVED VICTORIA,--_What a misfortune! What_ an _awful, +overwhelming, unexpected_ and _inexplicable catastrophe_. _Is it +possible_ that we should witness _such events_, and that _this_ should +be the end of nearly eighteen years of courageous and successful +efforts to maintain order, peace, and make France happy, what _she +was_? I have heard, I read hourly, _what has happened: I cannot +believe it yet_; but if _my beloved parents_ and the remainder of +the family are at least _safe_ I won't mind the rest. In the hours of +agony we have gone through I asked God _only_ to spare _the lives_, +and I ask still _nothing else_: but we don't know them yet _all_ +saved, and till I have heard of my unfortunate parents, of my unhappy +brothers far away, of all those for whom I would lay my life at any +moment and whose danger I could not even share or alleviate, I cannot +exist. + +I was _sure_, my beloved Victoria, of all _you_ would _feel for us_ +when you would hear of these awful events. I received yesterday your +two kind, warm, sympathising letters of the 25th and 26th, and thank +you with _all my heart_ for them, and for yours and Albert's share and +sympathy. + +_Our anguish_ has been _undescribable_. We have been _thirty-six hours +without any news_, not knowing even if my parents and the family were +still alive or not, and what had been their fate. Death is not worse +than what we endured during these horrible hours. We don't know yet +what to think, what to believe, I would almost say, what to wish; we +are _stunned_ and _crushed_ by the awful blow. What has happened is +_unaccountable, incomprehensible_; it appears to us like a _fearful_ +dream. Alas! I fear my dear beloved father was led away by his +_extreme courage_; by that same courage which had made his success and +a part of his strength; for it is strange to say that even those that +deplored most his resolution never to yield on certain things gave him +credit for it. The exaggeration of the system of peace and resistance, +or rather _immobility_, lost him, as that of war lost Napoleon. Had he +shunned less war _on all occasions_, and granted in time some trifling +reforms, he would have satisfied public opinion, and would probably +be still where he was _only eight days ago_, strong, beloved, and +respected! Guizot's accession has been _as fatal_ as his fall, and +is perhaps the _first cause_ of our ruin, though my father cannot be +blamed for having kept him in office, as he had the majority in the +Chamber, and an overwhelming one. _Constitutionally_, he could not +have been turned out, and it was _impossible to foresee_ that when +all was quiet, the country prosperous and happy, the laws and +liberty respected, the Government strong, a _Revolution_--and _such +a Revolution_--would be brought on by a few imprudent words, and the +resistance (lamentable as it was) to a manifestation which, in fact, +the Government had a right to prevent. _It was the Almighty's will: +we must submit._ He had decreed our loss the day He removed my beloved +brother[7] from this world. Had he lived still, all this would +have turned otherwise. It has been also an immense misfortune that +Joinville and Aumale were both away. They were both popular (which +poor dear _never-to-be-sufficiently-respected_ Nemours was _not_), +energetic, courageous, and capable of turning chance in our favour. +Oh! _how I long_ to know what is become of them! I cannot live till +then, and the thought of my unfortunate parents _annihilates_ me! Poor +dear Joinville had foreseen and foretold almost all that has happened, +and it was the idea of the crisis he apprehended which made him so +unhappy to go. He repeated it to me several times six weeks ago. Alas! +_nobody_ would believe him, and who _could believe_ that in _a day_, +almost without struggle, _all would be over_, and the past, the +present, the future carried away on an unaccountable storm! _God's +will be done!_ He was at least _merciful_ to my dear Aunt, and I hope +He will preserve all those dear to me! + +Here everything is quiet: the horror general, and the best feeling +and spirit prevailing. There is still now nothing to fear: but if _a +republic really established_ itself in France, it is impossible to +tell what may happen. For this reason your Uncle thinks it right that +we should remove to some place of safety what we have of precious. +If you permit I will avail myself of the various messengers that are +going now to send _under your care_ several boxes, which you will +kindly send to Claremont to Moor, to keep with those your Uncle +already sent. They contain your Uncle's letters and those of my +parents--the treasure I most value in the world. + +_29th._--MY DEARLY BELOVED VICTORIA,--This was written yesterday, in +a moment of comparative quiet, when I thought my parents at least safe +and in security in England. Albert's letter to your Uncle of the 27th, +which arrived yesterday evening, says they were _not arrived yet_, and +I am again in the most horrible agony. I had also yesterday evening +details of their flight (_my father flying!!!_) by Madame de Murat, +Victoire's lady, who has gone to England, which quite distracted me. +Thank God that Nemours and Clem at least _are safe!_I am quite unable +to say more, and I hope the Duchess and Alexandrine will excuse me if +I don't write to them. Truly, I _can't_. I thank you only once more, +my beloved Victoria, _for all your kindness_ and _interest_ for my +unfortunate family, and trust all the anxiety you feel for us won't +hurt you. God bless you ever, with all those dear to you. Believe me +always, my beloved Victoria, yours most devotedly, + +LOUISE. + +I send you no letter for my mother in the present uncertainty. + + [Footnote 7: The Duc d'Orleans, who was killed on 13th July + 1842.] + + + + +_Lord John Russell to Queen Victoria._ + +CHESHAM PLACE, _29th February 1848._ + +Lord John Russell presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and has +the honour to transmit a short note from Lord Normanby, which is very +satisfactory. + +Lord John Russell declared last night that your Majesty would not +interfere in the internal affairs of France. But in repeating this +declaration, in answer to Mr Cobden, he added that the sacred duties +of hospitality would be, as in all times, performed towards persons of +all opinions. Both declarations were generally cheered. In extending +this hospitality to members of the Royal Family of France, it is only +to be observed that no encouragement should be given by your Majesty +to any notion that your Majesty would assist them to recover the +Crown. In this light it is desirable that no _Prince_ of the House +of Orleans should inhabit one of your Majesty's palaces in or near +London. + + + + +[Pageheading: THE NEW FRENCH GOVERNMENT] + + +_Queen Victoria to Viscount Palmerston._ + +(_Undated._)[8] + +The Queen has perused the enclosed despatches and the proposed Minutes +of a draft to Lord Normanby with Lord John Russell's remarks. She +approves generally of the Minutes, but would like that amongst the +laudable intentions of the new French Government, _that_ of keeping +_inviolate_ the European Treaties should be brought in in some way. +In the paper No. 2, the expression "_most cordial friendship_" strikes +the Queen as rather too strong. We have just had sad experience of +_cordial_ understandings. "Friendly relations" might do better or +the whole sentence might run thus: "that not peace only but cordial +friendship with France _had been at all times_ [instead of "is one +of the," etc.] one of the first wishes of the British Government, and +that this _will_ remain," etc., etc., etc. + + [Footnote 8: Apparently written at the end of February.] + + + + +[Pageheading: ESCAPE OF KING LOUIS PHILIPPE] + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _1st March 1848._ + +MY DEAREST UNCLE,--Every hour seems to bring fresh news and events. +Victoire and her children and Montpensier are at Jersey, and are +expected to arrive to-morrow. About the King and Queen, we still know +nothing, but we have some clue, and think _he may be_ somewhere on the +coast, or even _in_ England. We do everything we can for the poor +dear Family, who are indeed most dreadfully to be pitied; but you will +naturally understand that we cannot _make cause commune_ with them and +cannot take a hostile position opposite to the new state of things +in France; we leave them alone, but if a Government which has the +approbation of the country be formed, we shall feel it necessary to +recognise it, in order to pin them down to maintain peace and the +existing Treaties, which is of great importance. It will not be +pleasant for us to do this, but the public good and the peace of +Europe go before one's feelings. God knows what _one feels_ towards +the French. I trust, dear Uncle, that you will maintain the fine and +independent position you are now in, which is so gratifying to us, and +I am sure you will feel that much as we all must sympathise with +our poor French relations, you should not for that quarrel with the +existing state of things, which however is very uncertain. There were +fresh reports of great confusion at Paris, which is sure to happen. +All our poor relations have gone through is worthy only of a +_dreadful_ romance, and poor Clem behaves beautifully, courageously, +and calmly, and is full of resignation; but she can get no sleep, poor +thing--and hears the horrid cries and sees those _fiend-like +faces_ before her! The children are very happy with ours, but very +unmanageable. I saw the Duchesse de Montpensier to-day. + +Now, with every wish for _all_ going on well, believe me ever, your +devoted Niece, + +VICTORIA R. + + + + +[Pageheading: MR FEATHERSTONHAUGH] + +[Pageheading: A GRAPHIC NARRATIVE] + + + + +_Mr Featherstonhaugh[9] to Viscount Palmerston._ + +HAVRE, _3rd March 1848._ + +MY DEAR LORD PALMERSTON,--It was a hair-trigger affair altogether, but +thanks be to God everything has gone off admirably. I was obliged +to abandon the plan of trusting the King in a fishing-boat from +Trouville. The weather was very stormy; had he attempted to find the +steamer, he might have failed, for the sea was in a furious state and +the wind ahead. There was also the danger of the fishing-boat being +lost, a contingency the very idea of which made me miserable. + +I therefore abandoned the plan altogether, and after much and careful +reflection determined to execute one more within my control, and the +boldness of which, though trying to the nerves, was its very essence +for success. It was to bring the King and Queen into Havre itself +before anybody could suspect such a dangerous intention, and have +everything ready for their embarkation to a minute. To carry out the +plan, I wanted vigilant, intelligent, and firm agents, and I found +them as it turned out. It was known to me that the lower classes +suspected it was M. Guizot concealed at Trouville, and as some +sinister occurrence might reasonably be expected there, I sent a +faithful person into Calvados. It was high time. The mob had assembled +at the place where the King was, who had to slip out at the back door +and walk two leagues on foot. At length he reached a small cottage +belonging to a gardener at Honfleur, where the Queen was. This was +half-past six o'clock A.M. yesterday. My agent saw the King and Queen, +who, after some conversation, sent him back with this message, that +they "would wait where they were until they again heard from me, and +would carry out my final arrangements with exactitude, as far as it +depended upon them." I now instructed Captain Paul to be ready at +half-past seven P.M., when it would be dark, to have his water hot, +ready to get up steam; to have only a rope moored to the quay with an +anchor astern; to expect me with a party a little before eight P.M., +and as soon as I had got on board with my party and told him to push +off, he was to let me go on shore, cut his rope and cable, get into +the middle of the Basin, up with his steam and jib and push for +England. Not a word was to be spoken on board. + +To get the King here from Honfleur the following method was adopted: +M. Bresson, a loyal and intelligent officer in the French Navy and +well known to the King, and Mr Jones, my Vice-Consul and principal +Clerk, went in the steam ferry-boat a quarter before five P.M. to +Honfleur. From the landing-place it is three-quarters of a mile to the +place where the King and Queen were concealed. The ferry-boat was to +leave Honfleur for Havre a quarter before seven o'clock. I had given +M. Bresson a passport for Mr and Mrs Smith, and with this passport the +King was to walk to the landing-place, where he was to be met by my +Vice-Consul and be governed by him. + +If the _gens d'armes_ disputed his passport Mr Jones was to vouch for +its regularity, and say that he was sent by me to conduct Mr Smith to +Havre, who was my Uncle. M. Bresson was to follow with the Queen, +and the rest of the suite were to come to the ferry-boat one after +another, but none of the party were to know each other. The ferry-boat +was to arrive in Havre about half-past seven, and I was to do the +rest. A white pocket-handkerchief was to be twice exhibited as a +signal that all was right so far. The difficulty of the _gens d'armes_ +being infinitely more to be provided against and apprehended here, I +first confidentially communicated to the greatest gossips in the town +that I had seen a written statement from an official person that the +King had reached England in a fishing-boat from the neighbourhood of +Treport, and then got some persons whom I could rely upon, sons of my +tradesmen here who are in the National Guard, to be near the steamer +that was to receive the King, to give me their assistance if it should +be necessary, on account of the turbulence of the crowd, to +embark some friends of mine who were going to England. And if an +extraordinary number of _gens d'armes_ were stationed at the steamer, +and they hesitated about letting my Uncle go on board, then about one +hundred yards off I had two persons who were to pretend a quarrel and +a fight, to which I knew the _gens d'armes_ would all go as well as +the crowd. In the meantime I hoped that as Captain Paul made no noise +with his steam that the crowd would not assemble, and that we might +find no _gens d'armes_. The anxiously expected moment at length +arrived. The ferry-boat steamer came to the quay; it was almost dark, +but I saw the white pocket-handkerchief. There was a great number of +passengers, which favoured the debarkation. When half of them were +out, the trembling Queen came up the ladder. I took her hand, told her +it was me, and M. Bresson walked with her towards our steamer. At last +came the King, disguised, his whiskers shaved off, a sort of casquette +on his head, and a coarse overcoat, and immense goggles over his eyes. +Not being able to see well, he stumbled, when I advanced, took his +hand and said, "Ah, dear Uncle, I am delighted to see you." Upon which +he answered, "My dear George, I am glad you are here." The English +about me now opened the crowd for their Consul, and I moved off to a +quiet and shaded part of the quay. But my dear Uncle talked so loud +and so much that I had the greatest difficulty to make him keep +silence. At length we reached the steamer; it was like a clock-work +movement. The crowd was again opened for me. I conducted the King to +a state-room below, gave him some information, and having personally +ascertained that the Queen was in her cabin, and being very +much touched with her tears and her grateful acknowledgments, I +respectfully took my leave, gave the Captain the word to cut loose, +and scrambled ashore. In twenty minutes the steamer was outside, +steaming away for England. I drove down to the jetty, and had that +last satisfaction of seeing her beyond all possibility of recall, and +then drove home. Much has been said this morning about the mysterious +departure of Captain Paul, and I have been obliged to confess that the +gentleman I was seen conducting on board was a brother of the King +of Naples, who was immensely frightened without cause, and that I had +engaged the steamer for him and his family. Many think, however, that +it was the King, but then again that could not be if he crossed over +from Treport in a fishing-boat. We have got everybody completely +mystified, and there are only four persons in the secret, who will all +remain in the same story. + +I have scribbled, amidst the most hurried engagements, this little +narrative, believing that it would interest your Lordship. It has the +interest of romance and the support of truth. I have the honour to be, +etc. + +G. W. FEATHERSTONHAUGH. + +Information has just reached me that one hour after the King and Queen +left their hiding-place last night, and just when I was embarking +them, an officer and three _gens d'armes_ came to the place to arrest +him. They were sent by the new Republican _Prefet_. It appears that +the man who gave him refuge had confessed who he was as soon as the +King had left Trouville, and had betrayed the King's hiding-place at +Honfleur. What an escape! Your Lordship will see a paragraph in the +enclosed newspaper not altogether false. We in the secret know nothing +about Louis Philippe; we know something about the Count of Syracuse +and something about Mr William Smith. If it leaks out, it must come +from England. Here no one has any proof. In the meantime almost +everybody here is delighted to think that he may have escaped. + + [Footnote 9: British Consul at Havre. This letter was + submitted to the Queen by Lord Palmerston.] + + + + +[Pageheading: ARRIVAL IN ENGLAND] + +[Pageheading: RECEPTION AT CLAREMONT] + + +_Viscount Palmerston to Queen Victoria._ + +CARLTON GARDENS, _3rd March 1848._ +(3 P.M.) + +Viscount Palmerston presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and begs +to state that General Dumas has just been with him to announce that +the King and Queen of the French landed this morning at Newhaven, +having been brought over in the Steam Packet Express, in which they +embarked at Havre yesterday evening about eight o'clock. + +General Dumas says that till the morning of their arrival at Dreux the +King and the Queen imagined that the Comte de Paris had succeeded to +the Throne, and that the Duchess of Orleans had been declared Regent; +that when they heard that a Republic and a Provisional Government had +been declared they thought it unsafe to remain at Dreux; and that they +then separated in order to go by different roads to Honfleur, where +they were to meet at a small house belonging to a friend of +General Dumas. At that house they remained for some days, until Mr +Featherstonhaugh opened a communication with them. The King then +removed to Trouville in order to embark from thence in a manner which +Mr Featherstonhaugh had arranged, and he remained there two or three +days for that purpose; but the weather was too stormy, and prevented +his departure. In the meanwhile the people of Trouville found out who +he was, and their demonstrations of attachment became inconvenient. +He therefore returned to Honfleur, and the arrangements were altered. +Yesterday evening at seven o'clock the King, the Queen, and General +Dumas came to the ferry-boat which plies between Honfleur and Havre, +and were met by the Vice-Consul, who treated the King as uncle of +the Consul. On landing at Havre the King walked straight down to the +Express Packet, which was lying ready; the Queen went separately, +and after making a slight round through the streets of Havre embarked +also; the Packet then immediately started, and went into Newhaven in +preference to any other port, because no Packets start from thence +for the French coast. General Dumas says that the whole party were +unprovided with anything but the clothes they wore, and he was going +to the King's banker to provide funds to enable him to come to town, +and said that the King begged him to apologise for his not having +at once written to your Majesty to thank your Majesty for the great +interest which your Majesty has taken in his safety, and for the +assistance, which he has received for his escape, but that he would do +so this evening. + +General Dumas said that the King's present intention is to remain in +England in the strictest _incognito_, and that he and the Queen will +assume the title of Count and Countess of Neuilly. + +Viscount Palmerston explained to General Dumas that your Majesty has +made arrangements for the King's reception at Claremont, and that your +Majesty intended to send down an officer of your Majesty's Household +to communicate with the King. + +General Dumas said that the King would most gratefully avail himself +of the arrangement as to Claremont, but that under all circumstances, +and as the King wished to remain in entire privacy, he thought it +would be better that no person from your Majesty's Household should +go down to the King at Newhaven, and that he was sure the King would +rather find his own way from the railway station at London Bridge to +Claremont than attract attention by being met at the station by any of +your Majesty's carriages. + +The King would remain to-night at Newhaven, and would come up +to-morrow morning. General Dumas said that the King and the Queen had +gone through much personal fatigue and mental anxiety, but are both +well in health. The General was going to Count Jarnac before he +returned to Newhaven. + + + + +[Pageheading: THE KING'S GRATITUDE] + + +_The King of the French to Queen Victoria._ + +NEWHAVEN, SUSSEX, _3eme Mars 1848._ + +MADAME,--Apres avoir rendu graces a Dieu, mon premier devoir est +d'offrir a votre Majeste l'hommage de ma reconnaissance pour la +genereuse assistance qu'elle nous a donnee, a moi et a tous les miens +et que la Providence vient de couvrir d'un succes complet, puisque +j'apprends qu'ils sont tous a present sur la terre hospitaliere de +l'Angleterre. + +Ce n'est plus, Madame, que _le Comte de Neuilly_ qui, se rappelant vos +anciennes bontes, vient chercher sous ses auspices, un asyle et une +retraite paisible et aussi eloignee de tout rapport politique que +celle dont il y a joui dans d'autres temps, et dont il a toujours +precieusement conserve le souvenir. + +On me presse tellement pour ne pas manquer le train qui emportera ma +lettre que j'ai a peine le temps de prier votre Majeste d'etre mon +interprete aupres du Prince votre auguste Epoux. + +Ma femme, accablee de fatigue par la vie que nous venons de mener +depuis dix jours! ecrira un peu plus tard a votre Majeste. Tout ce +qu'elle a pu faire, est de tracer quelques mots pour notre bien aimee +Louise que je recommande a votre bonte. On me presse encore, Madame, +je ne puis que me souscrire avec mon vieil attachement pour vous, de +votre Majeste, tres affectionne, + +LOUIS PHILIPPE. + + + + +_The Queen of the French to Queen Victoria._ + +NEWHAVEN, _3eme Mars 1848._ + +MADAME,--A peine arrivee dans cette contree hospitaliere apres 9 +jours d'une cruelle agonie, mon premier sentiment, apres avoir beni la +Divine Providence, c'est de remercier, du fond de mon c[oe]ur, votre +Majeste, pour les facilites qu'elle a bien voulu nous donner pour +venir dans ce pays terminer nos vieux jours dans la tranquillite et +l'oubli. Une vive inquietude me tourmente, c'est d'apprendre le sort +de mes enfants cheris desquels nous avons du nous separer; j'ai la +confiance qu'ils auront trouve aussi un appui dans le c[oe]ur genereux +de votre Majeste, et qu'ils auront ete egalement sauves comme leur +admirable Pere, mon premier tresor. Que Dieu vous benisse, Madame, +ainsi que le Prince Albert et vos enfants, et vous preserve de +malheurs pareils aux notres, c'est le v[oe]u le plus sincere de celle +qui se dit, Madame, de votre Majeste, la toute devouee, + +MARIE AMELIE. + + + + +[Pageheading: ARRIVAL OF GUIZOT] + + +_Lord John Russell to Queen Victoria._ + +HOUSE OF COMMONS, _3rd March 1848._ + +Lord John Russell presents his humble duty to your Majesty: he has +read with deep interest the affecting letter of the fallen King. + +After the vicissitudes of a long life, it may be no irremediable +calamity if a Prince of great powers of mind and warm domestic +affections is permitted by Providence to end his days in peace and +tranquillity. + +Of course all enmity to his projects as a King ceases with his +deposition. + +M. Guizot came to London from Dover at half-past six. + + + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the French._ + +PALAIS DE BUCKINGHAM, _3eme Mars 1848._ + +SIRE ET MON CHER FRERE,--C'etait une consolation bien vive pour moi de +recevoir la bonne lettre de votre Majeste qui m'a bien touchee. Nous +avons tous ete dans de vives inquietudes pour vous, pour la Reine et +toute la famille, et nous remercions la Providence pour que vous soyez +arrives en surete sur le sol d'Angleterre, et nous sommes bien heureux +de savoir que vous etes ici loin de tous ces dangers qui vous ont +recemment menaces. Votre Majeste croira combien ces derniers affreux +evenements si inattendus nous ont peniblement agites. Il nous tarde +de savoir que vos santes n'ont pas ete alterees par ces derniers jours +d'inquietude et de fatigue. Albert me charge d'offrir les hommages a +votre Majeste, et je vous prie de deposer les notres aux pieds de la +Reine, a qui je compte repondre demain. Je me dis, Sire et mon bon +Frere, de votre Majeste, la bien affectionnee S[oe]ur, + +VICTORIA R. + + + + +_Queen Victoria to the Queen of the French._ + +PALAIS DE BUCKINGHAM, _4eme Mars 1848._ + +MADAME,--Votre Majeste aura excuse que je ne vous ai pas de suite +remercie de votre bonne et aimable lettre de hier. C'est des fonds +de mon c[oe]ur que je me rejouis de vous savoir en surete a Claremont +avec le Roi. Mes pensees etaient aupres de votre Majeste pendant tous +ces affreux jours, et je fremis en pensant a tout ce que vous avez +souffert de corps et d'ame. + +Albert sera le Porteur de ces lignes; j'aurais ete si heureuse de +l'accompagner pour vous voir, mais je n'ose plus quitter Londres. + +Avec l'expression de l'affection et de l'estime, je me dis toujours, +Madame, de votre Majeste, la bien affectionnee S[oe]ur, + +VICTORIA R. + + + + +[Pageheading: THE ROYAL FUGITIVES] + + +_Viscount Palmerston to Queen Victoria._ + +CARLTON GARDENS, _5th March 1848._ + +Viscount Palmerston presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and +cannot see that there could be any objection to the King and Queen of +the French coming to town to visit your Majesty, and indeed, on +the contrary, it would seem under all the circumstances of the case +natural that they should be anxious to see your Majesty, and that your +Majesty should be desirous of receiving them. + +Viscount Palmerston was sure that your Majesty would read with +interest Mr Featherstonhaugh's account of the manner in which he +managed the escape of the King and Queen of the French. It is like one +of Walter Scott's best tales, and the arrangements and the execution +of them do great credit to Mr Featherstonhaugh, who will be highly +gratified to learn, as Viscount Palmerston proposes to inform him, +that your Majesty has approved his conduct. Mr Featherstonhaugh has +also probably rendered a good service to the Provisional Government, +who would have been much embarrassed if their Commissioner had +arrested the King and Queen. + + + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _7th March 1848._ + +MY DEAREST UNCLE,--Albert has written to you so constantly that I have +little to add; he just tells me this is not quite true. However, +there is nothing very new except that we have seen the King and Queen; +Albert went down to Claremont to see them on Saturday, and yesterday +they came here with Montpensier. They both look very _abattus_, +and the poor Queen cried much in thinking of what she had gone +through--and what dangers the King had incurred; in short, humbled +poor people they looked. Dearest Vic I saw on Sunday; _she_ has also +gone through much, and is so dear and good and gentle. She looked +wonderfully well _considering_. They are still _very_ much in want of +means, and live on a very reduced scale. + + + + +[Pageheading: THE QUEEN'S VIEW OF THE CRISIS] + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _11th March 1848._ + +MY DEAREST UNCLE,--I profit by the departure of Andrews to write to +you a few lines, and to wish you joy of the continued satisfactory +behaviour of my friends, the good Belgians; fervently do I hope and +really trust all will go on well; but what an extraordinary state of +things everywhere! _"Je ne sais plus ou je suis,"_ and I fancy really +that we have gone back into the _old_ century. But I also feel one +must not be nervous or alarmed at these moments, but be of good cheer, +and muster up courage to meet all the difficulties. + +Our little riots are mere nothing, and the feeling here is good.... +_What_ is _your_ opinion as to the late events at Paris? Do you not +think the King ought to have retired to Vincenness or somewhere else a +day or two before, and put himself at the head of the army? Ought +not Montpensier at least to have gone to Vincennes? I know Clem even +thinks this--as also that _one_ ought to have foreseen, and ought to +have managed things better. Certainly at the _very last_, if they had +not gone, they would all have been massacred; and _I_ think they were +quite right, and in short could not avoid going as quickly as they +could; but there is an impression they _fled_ too quickly. Still the +recollection of Louis XVI.... is enough to justify all, and everybody +will admit that; but the Princes, they think, ought to have remained. +_What_ do _you_ think of all this? I think the blunders were _all_ on +the last three or four days--and on the last day, but were no longer +to be avoided at last; there seemed a _fatality_, and _all_ was lost. +Poor Nemours did his best till he could _no longer_ get to the troops. +People here also abuse him for letting Victoire go alone--but he +_remained_ to do his _duty_; a little more _empressement_ on her +arrival here I would have wished. Albert told you all about the +Montpensiers' journey. It would do the King irreparable mischief if +they went now to Spain; the feeling of anger would all return. Poor +people! they are all in a sad state of _want_ at present. + +I must conclude. Hoping to hear from you, and to have your opinion. + +Ever your devoted Niece, + +VICTORIA R. + + + + +[Pageheading: THE QUEEN'S SYMPATHY] + + +_Queen Victoria to Viscount Melbourne._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _15th March 1848._ + +The Queen cannot let this day pass without offering Lord Melbourne +hers and the Prince's best wishes for many happy returns of it in +health and strength. + +Lord Melbourne will agree with the Queen that the last three weeks +have brought back the times of the last century, and we are in the +midst of troubles abroad. The Revolution in France is a sad and +alarming thing.... The poor King and his Government made many mistakes +within the last two years, and were obstinate and totally blind at +the last till flight was inevitable. But for _sixteen_ years he did a +great deal to maintain peace, and made France prosperous, which should +_not_ be forgotten.... Lord Melbourne's kind heart will grieve +to think of the _real want_ the poor King and Queen are in, their +dinner-table containing barely enough to eat. And the poor Nemours +hardly know which way to turn. If the private property be not restored +God only knows what is to become of these distinguished young Princes +and their little children. What will be their _avenir_? It breaks +one's heart to think of it, and the Queen, being so nearly related +to them and knowing them all, feels it very much. Surely the poor +old King is sufficiently punished for his faults. Lord Beauvale will +surely be shocked at the complete ruin of the family. Has he seen or +heard from his old friend Madame de Montjoye, who is here with the +Queen of the French? The poor dear Queen of the Belgians is quite +broken-hearted, but, thank God, Belgium goes on admirably. In Germany +also there are everywhere disturbances, but the good Germans are at +bottom very loyal.... + +The state of Paris is very gloomy; the rabble armed--keeping the +Government in awe--failures in all directions, and nothing but ruin +and misery. This is too gloomy a letter for a birthday, and the Queen +must apologise for it. The Prince wishes to be kindly remembered to +Lord Melbourne. + + + + +[Pageheading: THE CZAR'S VIEW] + + +_The Emperor of Russia to Queen Victoria._ + + 22 Mars +ST. PETERSBURG, _le ------- 1848._ + 3 Avril + +MADAME MA S[OE]UR,--Veuillez me permettre, Madame, d'offrir a votre +Majeste mes sinceres felicitations de son heureuse delivrance.[10] +Puisse le bon Dieu conserver votre Majeste et toute son auguste +famille, c'est mon v[oe]u de tous les jours. Plus que jamais, Madame, +au milieu des desastres qui renversent l'ordre social, l'on eprouve le +besoin de relier les liens d'amitie que l'on a ete heureux de former +dans de meilleurs temps; ceux-la au moins nous restent, car ils sont +hors de la portee des hommes, et je suis fier et heureux de ce que +votre noble c[oe]ur me comprendra. En jettant les yeux sur ce qui se +passe, peut-etre votre Majeste accordera-t-elle un souvenir a ce que +j'eus l'honneur de lui predire, assis a table pres d'elle: depuis, 4 +annees a peine se sont ecoulees, et que reste-t-il encore debout en +Europe? La Grande-Bretagne et la Russie! + +Ne serait-il pas naturel d'en conclure que notre union intime est +appelee peut-etre a sauver le monde? Excusez, Madame, cet epanchement +d'un c[oe]ur qui vous est devoue et qui a pris l'habitude de souvenir +a vous. + +J'ose avec une entiere confiance compter sur l'amitie de votre +Majeste, et la prie de recevoir l'assurance de l'inviolable +attachement avec lequel je suis, Madame, de votre Majeste, le tout +devoue et fidele bon Frere et Ami, + +NICOLAS. + +Veuillez, Madame, me rappeler au souvenir de son Altesse Royale +Monsieur le Prince Albert. + + [Footnote 10: The Princess Louise was born on 18th March.] + + + + +_The King of the Belgians to Queen Victoria._ + +BRUSSELS, _25th March 1848._ + +MY DEAREST VICTORIA,--... England seems quiet, and even the attempt in +Ireland seems to have passed over. But Germany is in an awful state, +beyond what I ever should have thought possible in that country, and +with such a good nation. For years, however, all sorts of people had +been stirring them up, and half measures, seeming dishonest, of the +Sovereigns have done harm. Curious enough that I, who in fact was +desirous of retiring from politics, should be on the Continent the +only Sovereign who stood the storm, though I am at ten hours' distance +from Paris. I trust we shall be able to go on with our money matters +to enable us to keep up; our working classes are at this moment what +occupies us most, and much has been done, and our Banks, which were +much threatened, are now safe. + +We work hard, and with these few days I suffered a little, but I +am better to-day. Louise is tolerably well; the poor children are +attentive and amiable. Poor things! _their existence_ is a good deal +on the cards, and fortunes, private and public, are in equal danger. + +Now I will leave you that you should not be tired. Ever, my beloved +child, your devoted Uncle, + +LEOPOLD R. + + + + +[Pageheading: THE CHARTIST DEMONSTRATION] + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _4th April 1848._ + +MY DEAREST UNCLE,--I have to thank you for three most kind letters, of +the 18th and 25th March, and of the 1st. Thank God, I am _particularly +strong_ and _well_ in _every possible respect_, which is a blessing in +these _awful, sad, heart-breaking_ times. From the first I heard all +that passed, and my only thoughts and talk were--Politics; but I never +was calmer and quieter or less nervous. _Great_ events make me quiet +and calm, and little trifles fidget me and irritate my nerves. But +_I feel_ grown old and serious, and the future is very dark. God, +however, will come to help and protect us, and we must keep up our +spirits. _Germany_ makes me so sad; on the other hand, Belgium is a +real pride and happiness. + +We saw your poor father and mother-in-law with the Nemours, Joinville, +and Aumale yesterday. Still a dream to see them _thus, here!_They +are well in health, and the young people's conduct most praiseworthy; +really the three Princesses are astonishing, and a beautiful lesson to +every one. They are so much admired and respected for it. My beloved +Vic, with her lovely face, is perfection, and so cheerful. She often +comes to see me, and this is a great pleasure to me, if only it was +not caused by such misfortunes! + +Now good-bye. With fervent prayers for the continuation of your +present most flourishing position, ever your devoted Niece, + +VICTORIA R. + + + + +_Lord John Russell to the Prince Albert._ + +CHESHAM PLACE, _9th April 1848._ + +SIR,--The Cabinet have had the assistance of the Duke of Wellington in +framing their plans for to-morrow. + +Colonel Rowan[11] advised that the procession should be formed, and +allowed to come as far as the bridge they may choose to pass, and +should there be stopped. He thinks this is the only way to avoid a +fight. If, however, the Chartists fire and draw their swords and use +their daggers, the Military are to be called out. + +I have no doubt of their easy triumph over a London mob. + +But any loss of life will cause a deep and rankling resentment. I +trust, for this and every reason, that all may pass off quietly. I +have the honour to be, your Royal Highness's most obedient Servant, + +J. RUSSELL. + + [Footnote 11: Chief Commissioner of Police, afterwards Sir + C. Rowan, K.C.B. The Chartist meeting had been fixed for the + 10th.] + + + + +[Pageheading: THE UNEMPLOYED] + + + + +_The Prince Albert to Lord John Russell._ + +OSBORNE, _10th April 1848._ + +MY DEAR LORD JOHN,--To-day the strength of the Chartists and all +evil-disposed people in the country will be brought to the test +against the force of the law, the Government, and the good sense of +the country. I don't feel doubtful for a moment who will be found +the stronger, but should be exceedingly mortified if anything like a +commotion was to take place, as it would shake _that_ confidence which +the whole of Europe reposes in our stability at this moment, and upon +which will depend the prosperity of the country. I have enquired a +good deal into the state of employment about London, and I find, to +my great regret, that the number of workmen of all trades out of +employment is _very_ large, and that it has been increased by the +reduction of all the works under Government, owing to the clamour for +economy in the House of Commons. Several hundred workmen have been +discharged at Westminster Palace; at Buckingham Palace much fewer +hands are employed than are really wanted; the formation of Battersea +Park has been suspended, etc., etc. Surely this is not the moment for +the tax-payers to economise upon the working classes! And though +I don't wish our Government to follow Louis Blanc in his system of +_organisation du travail_,[12] I think the Government is bound to do +what it can to help the working classes over the present moment of +distress. It may do this consistently with real economy in its +own works, whilst the reductions on the part of the Government are +followed by all private individuals as a sign of the times. I have +before this spoken to Lord Morpeth[13] upon this subject, but I wish +to bring it specially under your consideration at the present moment. +Ever yours truly, + +ALBERT. + + [Footnote 12: Alluding to the _Ateliers Nationaux_, to + be established under the guidance of a Council of + Administration.] + + [Footnote 13: Chief Commissioner of Woods and Forests.] + + + + +[Pageheading: FEARGUS O'CONNOR] + + +_Lord John Russell to Queen Victoria._ + +DOWNING STREET, _10th April 1848._ +(2 P.M.) + +Lord John Russell presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and has +the honour to state that the Kennington Common Meeting has proved a +complete failure. + +About 12,000 or 15,000 persons met in good order. Feargus O'Connor, +upon arriving upon the ground in a car, was ordered by Mr Mayne[14] to +come and speak to him. He immediately left the car and came, looking +pale and frightened, to Mr Mayne. Upon being told that the meeting +would not be prevented, but that no procession would be allowed to +pass the bridges, he expressed the utmost thanks, and begged to shake +Mr Mayne by the hand. He then addressed the crowd, advising them to +disperse, and after rebuking them for their folly he went off in a cab +to the Home Office, where he repeated to Sir George Grey his thanks, +his fears, and his assurances that the crowd should disperse quietly. +Sir George Grey said he had done very rightly, but that the force at +the bridges should not be diminished. + +Mr F. O'Connor--"Not a man should be taken away. The Government have +been quite right. I told the Convention that if they had been the +Government they never would have allowed such a meeting." + +The last account gave the numbers as about 5,000 rapidly dispersing. + +The mob was in good humour, and any mischief that now takes place will +be the act of individuals; but it is to be hoped the preparations made +will daunt those wicked but not brave men. + +The accounts from the country are good. Scotland is quiet. At +Manchester, however, the Chartists are armed, and have bad designs. + +A quiet termination of the present ferment will greatly raise us in +foreign countries. + +Lord John Russell trusts your Majesty has profited by the sea air. + + [Footnote 14: Mr Richard Mayne, Commissioner of Police, + created a K.C.B. in 1851.] + + + + +_Lord John Russell to Queen Victoria._ + +CHESHAM PLACE, _15th April 1848._ + +Lord John Russell has a letter from Lord Clarendon to-day in better +spirits, but somewhat fearing an outbreak in Dublin to-night. He +speaks confidently of the disposition of the troops. + +Lord John Russell cannot wonder that your Majesty has felt deeply the +events of the last six weeks. The King of the French has brought +upon his own family, upon France, and upon Europe a great calamity. +A moderate and constitutional Government at home, coupled with an +abstinence from ambitious projects for his family abroad, might have +laid the foundation of permanent peace, order, and freedom in Europe. +Selfishness and cunning have destroyed that which honesty and wisdom +might have maintained. It is impossible not to pity the innocent +victims of the misconduct of Louis Philippe. Still less can one +refrain from regarding with dread the fearful state of Germany, of her +princes, her nobles, and her tempest-tossed people. + +The example of Great Britain, may, however, secure an interval of +reflection for Europe. The next six months will be very trying, but +they may end with better prospects than we can now behold. It was +impossible that the exclusion of free speaking and writing which +formed the essence of Prince Metternich's system could continue. It +might have been reformed quietly; it has fallen with a crash which +spreads ruin and death around. + +Lady John is deeply grateful for the congratulations of your Majesty +and the Prince.[15] She is going on well to-day. + + [Footnote 15: On the birth of a second son.] + + + + +[Pageheading: ALARMING STATE OF IRELAND] + + +_Queen Victoria to Lord John Russell._ + +OSBORNE, _16th April 1848._ + +The Queen has received Lord John Russell's letter. The state of +Ireland is most alarming and most anxious; altogether, there is so +much inflammable matter all around us that it makes one tremble. +Still, the events of Monday must have a calming and salutary effect. +Lord John Russell's remarks about Europe, and the unfortunate and +calamitous policy of the Government of the poor King of the French are +most true. But is he not even most to be pitied for being the cause +of such misery? (Though perhaps he does not attribute it to himself), +for, to see all his hopes thus destroyed, his pride humbled, his +children--whom he loves dearly--ruined--is not this enough to make a +man wretched? and indeed much to be pitied; for _he_ cannot feel _he_ +could _not_ have prevented all this. Still Guizot is more to blame; +_he_ was the responsible adviser of all this policy: he is _no_ +Bourbon, and he ought to have behaved differently. Had the poor King +died in 1844 after he came here, and before that most unfortunate +Spanish marriages question was started, he would have deservedly gone +down to posterity as a great monarch. _Now_, what will be his name in +history? His fate is a great _moral!_ + +With regard to Germany, Prince Metternich is the cause of half the +misfortune. His advice was taken by almost all the sovereigns of that +country, and it has kept them from doing in time what has now been +torn from them with the loss of many rights which they need not have +sacrificed. We heard yesterday that the Archduke John[16] had arrived +at Frankfort. This is a wise measure, and may do much good and prevent +much evil, as he is a popular and most distinguished prince.... + + [Footnote 16: Uncle of the Emperor (Ferdinand I.) of Austria, + born 1782.] + + + + +[Pageheading: LORD PALMERSTON AND THE QUEEN] + + +_Queen Victoria to Viscount Palmerston._ + +OSBORNE, _17th April 1848._ + +The Queen not having heard anything from Lord Palmerston respecting +foreign affairs for so long a time, and as he must be in constant +communication with the Foreign Ministers in these most eventful and +anxious times, writes to urge Lord Palmerston to keep her informed +of what he hears, and of the views of the Government on the important +questions before us. + +She now only gets the Drafts when they are gone. + +The acceptance of the mediation between Denmark and Holstein is too +important an event not to have been first submitted to the Queen. + + + + +_Viscount Palmerston to Queen Victoria._ + +CARLTON GARDENS, _18th April 1848._ + +Viscount Palmerston presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and +regrets much that he has not lately had an opportunity of giving +your Majesty verbally such explanations as your Majesty might wish to +receive with respect to the progress of foreign affairs, but Viscount +Palmerston hopes to be able to get down to Broadlands for a few days +on Saturday next, and he could easily from thence wait upon your +Majesty on any morning and at any hour your Majesty might be pleased +to appoint. + +Although events of the greatest importance have been passing in +rapid succession in almost every part of Europe, the position of +your Majesty's Government has been one rather of observation than of +action, it being desirable that England should keep herself as free as +possible from unnecessary engagements and entanglements, in order that +your Majesty may be at liberty to take such decisions as the state of +things may from time to time appear to render most advisable. + + + + +[Pageheading: LOYALTY OF BELGIUM] + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +BARTON, _18th April 1848._ + +DEAREST UNCLE,--Detained here by a heavy shower of rain, I begin my +letter to you and thank you warmly for your dear and kind letter of +the 15th, which I received yesterday. + +_Truly_ proud and delighted are we at the conduct of the Belgians,[17] +and at their loyalty and affection for you and yours, which I am sure +must be a reward for all that you have done these seventeen years. +I must beg to say that you are wrong in supposing that no mention is +made of what took place on the 9th in our papers; on the contrary, it +has been _most gratifyingly_ mentioned in the _Times_, _Chronicle_, +_John Bull_, _etc._ _You_ are held up as a pattern to the German +Sovereigns, and the Belgians as a pattern to the German people. + +In France, really things go on _dreadfully_.... One does not like to +attack those who are fallen, but the poor King, Louis Philippe, +_has_ brought much of this on by that ill-fated return to a _Bourbon +Policy_. I always think he _ought not_ to have abdicated; every one +seems to think he _might_ have stemmed the torrent _then_ still. On +the other hand, Joinville says it was sure to happen, for that the +French want constant change, and were quite tired of the present +Government. _Qu'en dites-vous?_ How is poor, dear Louise? I hope her +spirits are better. + +Our weather is terribly rainy, though very fine between. We have got +nightingales in the pleasure ground, and in the wood down near the +sea. We are all extremely well, and expect the Prince of Prussia here +to-day for two nights. Ever your devoted and attached Niece, + +VICTORIA R. + + [Footnote 17: A party of French Republicans entered Belgium + with the intention of exciting an insurrection; the attempt + signally failed.] + + + + +_Queen Victoria to Viscount Palmerston._ + +OSBORNE, _1st May 1848._ + +The Queen has this morning received Lord Palmerston's letter.[18] She +cannot see any reason for deviating from the established rules, and +inviting to Court Frenchmen who are not recognised in their official +capacity, and have no natural representatives to present them as +private individuals. As an invitation cannot be claimed by them, the +omission of it ought not to lead to any misrepresentation; whilst the +contrary, under the fiction of their being private individuals, might +lead to misconstruction and to most inconvenient precedents. + + [Footnote 18: M. de Tallenay had arrived in London with a + letter from M. Lamartine, accrediting him as provisional + _charge d'affaires_ of the French Government, and Lord + Palmerston had suggested to the Queen that etiquette would not + be violated by inviting him to a Court Ball.] + + + + +[Pageheading: AFFAIRS IN FRANCE] + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _9th May 1848._ + +MY DEAREST UNCLE,--Many thanks for your very kind letter of the 6th. +How delightful it is to hear such good accounts of Belgium! If only +dear Germany gets right and if all our interests (those of the smaller +Sovereigns) are not sacrified! I cannot say _how_ it distresses and +vexes me, and _comme je l'ai a c[oe]ur_. My good and dear Albert is +much worried and works _very_ hard.... + +I had a curious account of the opening of the _Assemblee_ from Lady +Normanby.[19] No _real_ enthusiasm, dreadful confusion, and the +Blouses taking part in everything, and stopping the Speakers if they +did not please them. The opinion is that it cannot last. + +I enclose another letter from Lady Normanby, with an account of the +poor Tuileries, which is very curious and sad; but the respect shown +for poor Chartres is very touching, and might interest poor dear +Louise, if you think fit to show it her. But why show such hatred to +poor Nemours and to the Queen? Montpensier's marriage may cause _his_ +unpopularity, possibly. I shall beg to have the letter back. + +I must conclude, as we are going to pay a visit at Claremont this +afternoon. Ever your truly devoted Child and Niece, + +VICTORIA R. + + [Footnote 19: The National Assembly commenced its sittings on + 4th May, when the Oath of Allegiance was abolished, and the + Republic proclaimed in the presence of 200,000 citizens.] + + + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _16th May 1848._ + +MY DEAREST UNCLE,--I have just heard the news of the extraordinary +confusion at Paris, which must end in a _Blutbad_. Lamartine has quite +lost all influence by yielding to and supporting Ledru Rollin![20] It +seems inexplicable! In Germany, too, everything looks most anxious, +and I _tremble_ for the result of the Parliament at Frankfort.[21] I +am _so_ anxious for the fate of the poor smaller Sovereigns, which it +would be infamous to sacrifice. I feel it _much_ more than Albert, as +it would break my heart to see Coburg _reduced_. + +Many thanks for your kind and dear letter of the 13th. Thank God! that +with you everything goes on so well. I will take care and let Lord +Normanby know your kind expressions. The visit to old Claremont was a +touching one, and it seemed an incomprehensible dream to see them +all there. They bear up wonderfully. Nothing can be kinder than +the Queen-Dowager's behaviour towards them all. The poor Duchess of +Gloster is again in one of her nervous states, and gave us a dreadful +fright at the Christening by quite forgetting where she was, and +coming and kneeling at my feet in the midst of the service. Imagine +our horror! + +I must now conclude. The weather is beautiful, but too hot for me. +Ever your devoted Niece, + +VICTORIA R. + + [Footnote 20: Lamartine and Ledru Rollin were members of the + Provisional Government, and subsequently of the Executive + Committee. The mob, holding that the promises of general + employment had been broken, invaded the Assembly _en masse_, + and attempted a counter-revolution.] + + [Footnote 21: Out of the revolutionary movement in Germany + had grown their National Assembly, which after a preliminary + session as a _Vor-Parlament_, was to reassemble on 18th May.] + + + + +[Pageheading: AUSTRIA AND ITALY] + + +_Queen Victoria to Viscount Palmerston._ + +(_No date._) + +The Queen has carefully perused the enclosed papers, and wishes to +have a copy of Baron Hummelauer's[22] note sent to her to keep. + +The basis laid down in it is quite inadmissible, and the Queen was +struck by the light way in which the claims of the Dukes of Parma +and Modena are spoken of (as disposed of by the events), whilst their +position and that of Austria are in every respect identical.[23] The +Queen thinks Lord Palmerston's proposition the one which is the most +equitable, still likely to be attained, but it does not go far enough; +the position which Austria means to take _in Italy_ with her Italian +province ought to be explained, and a declaration be made that Austria +will, with this province, join any Italian league which the other +states of Italy may wish to establish. This will be useful to Italy, +and much facilitate the acceptance of the Austrian proposal, as the +Queen feels convinced that as soon as the war shall be terminated, the +question of the political constitution of Italy (as a whole) will +have to be decided. Why Charles Albert ought to get any additional +territory the Queen cannot in the least see. She thinks it will be +better to proceed at once upon the revised Austrian proposal, than +to wait for Italian propositions, which are sure to be ridiculously +extravagant. + + [Footnote 22: The Austrian Government, in its efforts to + maintain its ascendency in Lombardy, had sent Baron Hummelauer + to negotiate with Lord Palmerston.] + + [Footnote 23: The Dukes had both been driven from their + dominions, while the King (Charles Albert) of Sardinia threw + in his lot with the cause of United Italy as against Austria, + which then ruled Lombardy.] + + + + +[Pageheading: ENGLAND AND SPAIN] + + +_Queen Victoria to Viscount Palmerston._ + +OSBORNE, _23rd May 1848._ + +The Queen has received Lord Palmerston's letter respecting Spain and +Italy this morning. The sending away of Sir H. Bulwer[24] is a serious +affair, which will add to our many embarrassments; the Queen is, +however, not surprised at it, from the tenor of the last accounts from +Madrid, and from the fact that Sir H. Bulwer has for the last three +years almost been sporting with political intrigues. He invariably +boasted of at least being in the confidence of every conspiracy, +"though he was taking care not to be personally mixed up in them," +and, after their various failures, generally harboured the chief +actors in his house under the plea of humanity. At every crisis he +gave us to understand that he had to choose between a "revolution and +a palace intrigue," and not long ago only he wrote to Lord Palmerston, +that if the Monarchy with the Montpensier succession was inconvenient +to us, he could get up a Republic. Such principles are sure to be +known in Spain, the more so when one considers the extreme vanity of +Sir H. Bulwer, and his probable imprudence in the not very creditable +company which he is said to keep. Lord Palmerston will remember that +the Queen has often addressed herself to him and Lord John, in fear +of Sir H. getting us into some scrape; and if our diplomatists are +not kept in better order, the Queen may at any moment be exposed +to similar insults as she has received now in the person of Sir H. +Bulwer; for in whatever way one may wish to look at it, Sir Henry +still is _her_ Minister. + +The Queen wishes Lord Palmerston to show this letter to Lord John +Russell, and to let her know what the Government mean to propose with +respect to this unfortunate affair. + + [Footnote 24: Lord Palmerston had written a letter to Bulwer + (which the latter showed to the Spanish Premier), lecturing + the Spanish Queen on her choice of Minister. This "assumption + of superiority," as Sir R. Peel called it, led to a peremptory + order to Bulwer to leave Spain in twenty-four hours. His own + account of the affair appears in his _Life of Palmerston_, + vol. iii. chap. vii.] + + + + +[Pageheading: THE PRINCE OF PRUSSIA] + + +_The Prince of Prussia to Queen Victoria._ + +[_Translation._] + +BRUSSELS _30th May 1848._ + +MOST GRACIOUS COUSIN,--I obey the impulse of my heart in seizing my +pen, without any delay, in order to express to you my warmest and most +heartfelt thanks for the infinitely gracious and affectionate way with +which you and the Prince have treated me during my stay in London.[25] +It was a melancholy time, that of my arrival. By the sympathetic view +which you took of my situation, most gracious Cousin, it became +not only bearable, but even transformed into one that became +proportionately honourable and dignified. This graciousness of yours +has undoubtedly contributed towards the change of opinion which has +resulted in my favour, and so I owe to you, to the Prince, and to your +Government, a fortunate issue out of my calamities. So it is with a +heavy heart that I have now left England, not knowing what future +lies before me to meet--and only knowing that I shall need the +strengthening rest and tranquillity which my stay in England and an +insight into her institutions have afforded me in full measure. + +Offering my most cordial remembrances to the Prince, to whom I shall +write as soon as possible, I remain, most gracious Cousin, your +faithful and most gratefully devoted Cousin, + +PRINCE OF PRUSSIA. + + [Footnote 25: The Prince of Prussia, afterwards the Emperor + William I., having become intensely unpopular at Berlin, had + been obliged in March to fly for his life, in disguise, _via_ + Hamburg, to England.] + + + + +[Pageheading: THE ROYAL EXILES] + + +_Queen Victoria to Lord John Russell._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _1st June 1848._ + +The Queen had not time the other day to talk to Lord John Russell on +the subject of the French Royal Family, and therefore writes to him +now. As it seems now most probable that they, or at least some of +them, will take up their residence for a lengthened period in this +country, and as their position is now a defined one, viz. that of +_exiles_, their treatment should be defined and established. + +At first everything seemed temporary, and the public were much +occupied with them, inclined to criticise all that was done or was +omitted by the Court; all their movements were recorded in the papers, +etc. The lapse of three months has a good deal altered this. They have +lived in complete retirement, and are comparatively forgotten; and +their poverty and their resignation to their misfortunes have met with +much sympathy! The Queen is consequently anxious to take the right +line; particularly desirous to do nothing which could hurt the +interests of the country, and equally so to do everything kind towards +a distinguished Royal Family in severe affliction, with whom she +has long been on terms of intimacy, and to whom she is very nearly +related. She accordingly wishes to know if Lord John sees any +objection to the following: She has asked her Cousin, the Duchess of +Nemours, to come for two or three nights to see her at Osborne when +she goes there, _quite_ privately; the Duchess of Kent would bring her +with her. The Duke will not come with the Duchess, as he says he feels +(very properly) it would be unbecoming in him till their fate (as to +_fortune_, for _banished_ they already are) is decided, to be even +for a day at Osborne. The Duchess herself wishes not to appear in the +evening, but to remain alone with the Queen and the Prince. + +The Queen considers that when she is _staying_ in the country during +the summer and autumn, and any of the branches of the French Royal +Family should wish to visit her and the Prince, as they occasionally +do here, she might lodge them for one or two nights, as the distance +might be too great for their returning the same day. They are exiles, +and _not Pretenders_, as the Duc de Bordeaux and Count de Montemolin +are (and who are _for that reason only not received at Court_). In all +countries where illustrious exiles related to the Sovereign have been +they have always been received at Court, as the Duc de Bordeaux, the +Duchesse d'Angouleme, etc., etc., invariably have been at Vienna (even +on public occasions), there being a French Ambassador there, and the +best understanding existing between France and Austria. The Duke of +Orleans (King Louis Philippe) in former times was constantly received +by the Royal Family, and was the intimate friend of the Duke of Kent. +Probably, if their fortunes are restored to them, the French Royal +Family will go out into society in the course of time, and if the +state of France becomes consolidated there may no longer exist that +wish and that necessity for _extreme_ privacy, which is so obvious +now. What the Queen has just mentioned, Lord John must well +understand, is not what is _likely_ to take place (except in the case +of her cousin, the Duchess of Nemours) immediately, but only what +might occasionally occur when we are permanently settled in the +country. Of course events _might_ arise which would change this, +and which would render it inadvisable, and then the Queen would +communicate with Lord John, and ask his advice again upon the subject. +All she has suggested refers to the present state of affairs, and, +of course, merely to _strictly_ private visits, and on _no state +occasion_. This is a long letter about such a subject, but the Queen +wishes to be quite safe in what she does, and therefore could not have +stated the case and her opinion in a smaller space. + + + + +[Pageheading: AFFAIRS IN LOMBARDY] + + +_Queen Victoria to Viscount Palmerston._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _4th June 1848._ + +The Queen returns the enclosed draft. She has written upon it, +in pencil, a passage which she thinks ought to be added, if the +draft--though civil--is not to be a mere refusal to do anything for +Austria, and a recommendation that whatever the Italians ask for ought +to be given, for which a mediation is hardly necessary.[26] The Queen +thinks it most important that we should try to mediate and put a stop +to the war, and equally important that the boundary which is to be +settled should be such a one as to make a recurrence of hostilities +unlikely. The Queen has only further to remark that Lord Palmerston +speaks in the beginning of the letter only of the Cabinet, and adverts +nowhere to the proposition having been submitted to her. + + [Footnote 26: War was now raging in Lombardy between the + Austrians under Marshal Radetzky and the Piedmontese under the + King of Sardinia.] + + + + +_Lord John Russell to Queen Victoria._ + +CHESHAM PLACE, _14th June 1848._ + +Lord John Russell presents his humble duty, and thanks your Majesty +for the perusal of this interesting letter. + +An Emperor with a rational Constitution might be a fair termination +of the French follies; but Louis Napoleon, with the Communists, +will probably destroy the last chance of order and tranquillity. A +despotism must be the end. + +May Heaven preserve us in peace! + + + + +[Pageheading: SIR HENRY BULWER] + + +_Queen Victoria to Viscount Palmerston._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _15th June 1848._ + +The Queen has received Lord Palmerston's letter explaining his views +as to the reparation we may be entitled to receive from the Spanish +Government. She considers them as quite fair, but does not wish to +have Sir H. Bulwer again as her Minister at Madrid, even if it should +be necessary that he should repair there in order to be received by +the Queen of Spain. It would not be consulting the permanent interests +of this country to entrust that mission again to Sir H. Bulwer, after +all that has passed. When the Queen considers the position we had in +Spain, and what it ought to have been after the constitution of +the French Republic when we had no rival to fight and ought to have +enjoyed the entire confidence and friendship of Spain, and compares +this to the state into which our relations with that country have been +brought, she cannot help being struck how much matters must have been +mismanaged. + + + + +_Queen Victoria to Lord John Russell._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _16th June 1848._ + +The Queen sends the enclosed draft,[27] and asks whether this note is +what Lord John directed Lord Palmerston to send to Lisbon as a caution +to Sir H. Seymour not to mix himself up with party intrigues to upset +a particular Ministry?[28] ... + + [Footnote 27: The draft ran:--"As it is evident that the Queen + and the Government of Portugal will listen to no advice except + such that agrees with their own wishes, I have to instruct you + to abstain in future from giving any longer any advice to them + on political matters, taking care to explain both to the + Queen and the Government your reasons for doing so. You will, + however, at the same time positively declare to the Portuguese + Government that if by the course of policy they are pursuing + they should run into any difficulty, they must clearly + understand that they will not have to expect any assistance + from England."] + + [Footnote 28: Lord John Russell replied that he would write + immediately to Lord Palmerston respecting Portuguese affairs. + He added that he did not approve of the proposed draft.] + + + + +_Viscount Palmerston to Lord John Russell._ + +CARLTON GARDENS, _17th June 1848._ + +MY DEAR JOHN RUSSELL,--The draft to Seymour was written in consequence +of what you said to me, and what the Queen wrote to you; but my own +opinion certainly is that it would be best to leave the things with +him as they are. It must, however, be remembered that the Portuguese +Government have not in reality fulfilled the engagements taken by the +Queen in the Protocol of last year.... + +PALMERSTON. + + + + +[Pageheading: PALMERSTON'S FOREIGN POLICY] + + +_Queen Victoria to Lord John Russell._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _17th June 1848._ + +The Queen returns Lord Palmerston's letter. The country is at this +moment suffering, particularly with regard to Spain, under the evil +consequence of that system of diplomacy, which makes the taking up of +party politics in foreign countries its principal object. This system +is condemned alike by the Queen, Lord John, the Cabinet, and, the +Queen fully believes, public opinion in and out of Parliament. Lord +Palmerston's objection to caution our Minister in Portugal against +falling into this fault brings it to an issue, whether that +_erroneous_ policy is to be maintained to the detriment of the real +interests of the country, or a wiser course to be followed in future. +Does Lord John consider this so light a matter as to be surrendered +merely because Lord Palmerston is not to add to such a caution a +gratuitous attack upon the Queen and Government of Portugal? The Queen +thinks it of the utmost importance that in these perilous times this +question with regard to the basis of our foreign policy should be +_settled_, and has no objection to Lord John showing this letter to +Lord Palmerston. + + + + +_Lord John Russell to Queen Victoria._ + +PEMBROKE LODGE, _18th June 1848._ + +Lord John Russell presents his humble duty to your Majesty; he begs +to assure your Majesty that if he was disposed to rest on the known +discretion and temper of Sir Hamilton Seymour without specific +instruction, it was not from regarding the matter lightly, but from a +sense of the inconvenience which might arise to your Majesty's service +from raising a question with Lord Palmerston in the present critical +state of Europe which might induce a belief that he had not conducted +foreign affairs to the satisfaction of his colleagues or of his +Sovereign. + +Lord John Russell feeling, however, that on the particular point at +issue your Majesty has just reason to expect that precautions should +be taken against the chance of intrigue with foreign parties against a +foreign government, with which this country is on terms of friendship, +is ready to insist on an instruction to Sir Hamilton Seymour similar +to that which was given to Sir Henry Bulwer to take no part in the +struggle of parties, and to refrain from any interference with +respect to which he has not specific directions from your Majesty's +Government. + +But in this case he must take upon himself the whole responsibility of +requiring such a note from Lord Palmerston. It would not be conducive +to your Majesty's service, nor agreeable to the wholesome maxims of +the Constitution to mix your Majesty's name with a proceeding which +may lead to the most serious consequences. + +It is just to Lord Palmerston to say that his general course of policy +has met with the warm approval of the Cabinet, and that the cases of +difference of judgment have been rare exceptions. + +Lord John Russell submits to your Majesty the letter he proposes to +write before sending it to Lord Palmerston. He would wish to have it +returned as soon as your Majesty can do so. + + + + +[Pageheading: THE QUEEN AND PALMERSTON] + + +_Queen Victoria to Lord John Russell._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _18th June 1848._ + +The Queen returns to Lord John Russell his letter to Lord +Palmerston,[29] which is excellent, and shows that the Queen's and +Lord John's views upon the important question of our foreign policy +_entirely coincide_. The Queen is sorry that the trouble of such an +altercation should be added to the many anxieties which already press +upon Lord John, but she feels sure that his insisting upon a _sound_ +line of policy will save him and the country from _far greater_ +troubles.... + + [Footnote 29: The letter was to the effect that Sir H. Seymour + was to take no part in the struggle of parties in Portugal, + and to refrain from confidential communications with members + of the Opposition.] + + + + +_Viscount Palmerston to Queen Victoria._ + +CARLTON GARDENS, _26th June 1848._ + +Viscount Palmerston presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and is +sorry he is not able to submit to your Majesty the proposed draft to +Sir Hamilton Seymour to go by to-night's mail, as he has not succeeded +in settling the wording of it with Lord John Russell, and is therefore +obliged to defer it till the next mail. + + + + +_Queen Victoria to Lord John Russell._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _26th June 1848._ + +The Queen sends this letter, which she has just received from Lord +Palmerston. No remonstrance has any effect with Lord Palmerston. +Lord John Russell should ask the Duke of Bedford to tell him of the +conversation the Queen had with the Duke the other night about Lord +Palmerston. + + + + +[Pageheading: ENGLAND AND ITALY] + + +_Queen Victoria to Viscount Palmerston._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _1st July 1848._ + +The Queen has not yet answered Lord Palmerston's letter of the 29th. +She cannot conceal from him that she is ashamed of the policy which we +are pursuing in this Italian controversy in abetting wrong, and this +for the object of gaining _influence_ in Italy.[30] The Queen does +not consider influence so gained as an advantage, and though this +influence is to be acquired in order to do good, she is afraid that +the fear of losing it again will always stand in the way of this. At +least in the countries where the greatest stress has been laid on that +influence, and the greatest exertions made for it, the _least good_ +has been done--the Queen means in Spain, Portugal, and Greece. Neither +is there any kind of consistency in the line we take about Italy and +that we follow with regard to Schleswig; both cases are perfectly +alike (with the difference perhaps that there is a question of right +mixed up in that of Schleswig); whilst we upbraid Prussia, caution +her, etc., etc., we say nothing to Charles Albert except that if he +did not wish to take _all_ the Emperor of Austria's Italian Dominions, +we would not lay any _obstacles_ in the way of his moderation. The +Queen finds in Lord Palmerston's last despatch to Chevalier Bunsen +the following passage: "And it is manifest and indisputable that no +territory or state, which is not now according to the Treaty of 1815 +included in the German Confederation, can be added to that territory +without the consent of the Sovereign of that territory or state." How +does this agree with our position relative to the incorporation of +Lombardy into the states of the King of Sardinia? + + [Footnote 30: Lord Palmerston's sympathy had been with the + anti-Austrian movement in Northern Italy. For some time after + Radetzky's evacuation of Milan, the operations of the King of + Sardinia in support of the Lombards were successful, and he + had assistance from Tuscany, Naples, and Rome. The Austrians + suffered reverses at Peschiera and Goito, and the independence + of Northern Italy seemed to be accomplished. But the tide had + begun to turn.] + + + + +[Pageheading: LORD MINTO'S MISSION] + + +_Queen Victoria to Viscount Palmerston._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _6th July 1848._ + +The Queen has to acknowledge Lord Palmerston's long Memorandum +respecting our relations with Italy, the length of which, however, was +fully justified by the importance of the subject. + +The mission of Lord Minto has had the Queen's approval at the time, +and the policy pursued by him has never been called in question; but +it certainly was prejudicial to the Austrians, and imposes upon us +additional care not to appear now as the abettors of the anti-Austrian +movement, and nothing in Lord Minto's mission can prevent our +endeavouring to facilitate and forward a speedy settlement of the +present Italian difference.[31] If, therefore, the Italians should be +inclined to be moderate, there can be no dereliction of principle in +encouraging them to be so. The danger of French interference increases +with the delay and is equally great, whether the Austrians maintain +themselves in the Venetian Territory or whether Charles Albert unite +it to his proposed kingdom of Northern Italy; indeed, the French seem +to be anxious for a cause of interference from the line they pursue +even with regard to Naples. + +Lord Palmerston seeks to establish a difference between the case +of Schleswig and of Lombardy, on the fact that Schleswig is to be +incorporated into a confederation of States; but this makes the case +of Lombardy only the stronger, as this is to be incorporated into +the dominions of another Sovereign. With regard to the "Revue +Retrospective," the perusal of it has left a different impression upon +the Queen from that which it seems to have made upon Lord Palmerston. +It proved to her, that while the retiring attitude which the late +Government took with regard to the Spanish marriages, left the French +Government to try their different schemes and intrigues and to fail +with every one of them, the attempt of Lord Palmerston to re-organise +the Progressista Party and regain the so-called _English influence_, +brought Queen Christina and King Louis Philippe (who had before +seriously quarrelled) immediately together, and induced them to rush +into this unfortunate combination, which cannot but be considered as +the origin of all the present convulsions in Europe. + + [Footnote 31: Lord Minto, the Lord Privy Seal, and + father-in-law of the Prime Minister, had been sent to + encourage in the path of reform Pope Pius IX., who was halting + between progress and reaction: on the sanguinary risings + taking place in Lombardy and Venetia, his mission naturally + appeared hostile to Austria.] + + + + +[Pageheading: AN ANXIOUS PERIOD] + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _11th July 1848._ + +MY DEAREST UNCLE,--For another kind and dear letter of the 8th, I have +much to thank you. The prosperity of dear little Belgium is a bright +star in the stormy night all around. May God bless and prosper you +all, for ever and ever! + +Since the 24th February I feel an uncertainty in everything existing, +which (uncertain as all human affairs must be) one never felt before. +When one thinks of one's children, their education, their future--and +prays for them--I always think and say to myself, "Let them grow up +fit for _whatever station_ they may be placed in--_high or low_." This +one never thought of before, but I _do_ always now. Altogether one's +whole disposition is so changed--_bores_ and trifles which one would +have complained of bitterly a few months ago, one looks upon as good +things and quite a blessing--provided one can _keep one's position in +quiet!_ + +I own I have not much confidence in Cavaignac,[32] as they fear +his mother's and brother's influence, the former being a widow of a +regicide, and as _stern_ and severe as can be imagined. + +I saw the King and Queen on Saturday; he is wonderfully merry still +and quite himself, but _she_ feels it deeply--and for _her_ there is +here the greatest sympathy and admiration. + +Albert is going to York to-morrow till Friday; _how_ I wish you and +Louise could be with me, as in '44 and '46! I have, however, got dear +Victoire to come and spend a night with me; it does her always good, +and we are just like sisters, and feel as we did in 1839, when you +know how very fond we were of each other. She is a dear, noble, and +still _beautiful_ child. + +I venture to send you a snuff-box with poor Aunt Charlotte's picture +as a child, which also belonged to poor Aunt Sophia. Ever your devoted +Niece, + +VICTORIA R. + + [Footnote 32: General Cavaignac, Minister for War, had been + given _quasi_-dictatorial powers during the insurrection. + These powers, on the suppression of the revolt, he resigned, + and was thereupon almost unanimously made President of the + Council.] + + + + +_Queen Victoria to Lord John Russell._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _13th July 1848._ + +The Queen was glad to hear of the majorities the other night. She +concludes Lord John Russell cannot at all say _when_ the Session +is likely to end? Is it not much to be regretted that the measure +relative to the Navigation Laws is given up, and was it unavoidable? +The Queen sends Lord John Col. Phipps's report of the Prince's +reception at York, which she thinks will interest him. Does Lord J. +Russell think, if we should not go to Ireland, that we could go to +Balmoral for ten days or a fortnight, without shocking the Irish very +much? It strikes the Queen that to go to see _our own place_ makes a +difference, and is in fact a natural thing; it is, however, impossible +to say if we _can_ get away even for so short a time. + +The Queen concludes that there can be no possible objection to the Duc +de Nemours bringing or fetching the Duchess to and from Osborne? He is +the Queen's Cousin, and consequently in a different position to any +of the others; moreover, he does _not_ wish _at present_ to spend one +_night_ there even, but merely to pay a morning visit. + +Lastly, the Queen wishes to know if the King and Queen and the other +Princes and Princesses _should themselves_ ask to come and pay the +Queen a morning visit at Osborne, and return again the same day (as +they do here), there would be any objection to it? The Queen merely +wishes to know, in _case they_ should ask leave to do so, what she can +answer. + + + + +[Pageheading: COMMISSIONS IN THE ARMY] + + +_Queen Victoria to Sir George Grey._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _14th July 1848._ + +The Queen has received Sir George Grey's letter of yesterday, and +has considered the proposed alteration in the mode of preparing +Commissions for Officers in the Army. The Queen does not at all object +to the amount of trouble which the signature of so many Commissions +has hitherto entailed upon her, as she feels amply compensated by the +advantage of keeping up a personal connection between the Sovereign +and the Army, and she very much doubts whether the Officers generally +would not feel it as a slight if, instead of their Commissions +bearing the Queen's sign-manual, they were in future only to receive +a certificate from the Secretary at War that they have been +commissioned. + +She therefore prefers matters to remain on their old footing. + +The Secretary at War speaks in his Memorandum of his responsibility to +Parliament with respect to allowing Appointments to go on; the +Queen apprehends that his responsibility does not extend beyond the +appropriation of the money voted by Parliament for the use of her +Army. + + + + +_The Princess Charlotte of Belgium to Queen Victoria._ + +LAEKEN, _18th July 1848._ + +MY DEAREST COUSIN,--I have received the beautiful dolls' house you +have been so kind as to send me, and I thank you very much for it. +I am delighted with it; every morning I dress my doll and give her a +good breakfast; and the day after her arrival she gave a great rout at +which all my dolls were invited. Sometimes she plays at drafts on her +pretty little draft-board, and every evening I undress her and put her +to bed. + +Be so good, my dearest Cousin, as to give my love to my dear little +Cousins, and believe me always, your most affectionate Cousin, + +CHARLOTTE. + + + + +[Pageheading: ITALY AND FRANCE] + + +_Queen Victoria to Viscount Palmerston._ + +OSBORNE, _24th July 1848._ + +The Queen has received Lord Palmerston's letter[33] reporting his +conversation with M. de Tallenay. She can only repeat her opinion that +a negotiation with France in order to agree with her upon a common +line of policy to be followed with regard to the Italian question can +lead to no good; it will make us the ally of a Government which is not +even legally constituted, and which can accordingly not guarantee the +fulfilment of any engagement it may enter into, and it will call upon +the very power to judge the Italian dispute which it is the interest +of Europe to keep out of it. M. de Tallenay seems to have admitted +that the French Republic, if called upon to act, will neither allow +Austria to keep the Venetian territory nor Sardinia to acquire it, but +that she will strive to set up a Venetian Republic. It can really not +be an object for us to assist in such a scheme, or even to treat upon +it. + +Lord Cowley the Queen means to invite to dinner to-day, and she wishes +Lord Palmerston to let her know the day on which he is to leave for +Frankfort in order that she may prepare her letter for the Archduke +accordingly. + + [Footnote 33: Lord Palmerston had reported an interview with + de Tallenay, who sought the co-operation of England with France + in Northern Italy; the Austrian force in Italy to be withdrawn + or reduced, the union of Lombardy and Piedmont to be accepted + as a _fait accompli_, and Venetian territory erected into a + separate republic.] + + + + +[Pageheading: NORTHERN ITALY] + + +_Queen Victoria to Lord John Russell._ + +OSBORNE, _25th July 1848._ + +The Queen sends Lord John Russell the enclosed Despatch from Lord +Normanby, with a draft in answer to it which was sent for her +approval, but which she really cannot approve. The Queen must tell +Lord John what she has repeatedly told Lord Palmerston, but without +apparent effect, that the establishment of an _entente cordiale with +the French Republic_, for the purpose of driving the Austrians out +of _their dominions_ in Italy, would be a _disgrace_ to this country. +That the French would attach the greatest importance to it and gain +the greatest advantage by it there can be no doubt of; but how will +England appear before the world _at the moment_ when she is struggling +to maintain her supremacy in Ireland, and boasts to stand by treaties +with regard to her European relations, having declined all this +time to interfere in Italy or to address one word of caution to the +Sardinian Government on account of its attack on Austria, and having +refused to mediate when called upon to do so by Austria, because +the terms were not good enough for Sardinia, if she should now ally +herself with the arch-enemy of Austria to interfere _against her_ at +the moment when she has recovered in some degree her position in the +Venetian territory? + +The notion of establishing a Venetian State under French guarantee is +too absurd. Lord Palmerston in his draft says that we believe that the +French plan would be agreed to by Austria. Now this is completely at +variance with every account, report, or despatch we have received from +Verona, Innspruck, or Vienna; however, Lord Palmerston hints that the +King of Sardinia might expect still better terms. The French Republic +seems _not_ to be anxious for war, not able to conduct it, and the +country appears to be decidedly against it; all M. Bastide says is: +"There were two extremes which it would be very difficult for them +to admit without opposition, viz. the restoration of Lombardy to the +Dominion of Austria on the one side, and the union under one powerful +state under Charles Albert of all the principalities into which +the north of Italy has hitherto been divided." With this explicit +declaration, it would surely be best for the interests of Europe that +we should name _this_ to Charles Albert, and call upon him to rest +satisfied with his conquest, and to conclude a peace with Austria, +leaving her what he cannot take from her, and thus avoid calling in +France as an arbiter. Why this has not been done long ago, or should +not be done now, the Queen cannot comprehend. + + + + +_Queen Victoria to Lord John Russell._ + +OSBORNE, _27th July 1848._ + +The Queen has to acknowledge Lord John Russell's two letters with +respect to Italy. The alterations in the draft meet many of the +Queen's objections, giving to the whole step another appearance. The +Queen ... must acknowledge the advantage of our trying to bind [the +French] to good conduct; only this must be done in a way not to appear +as a league with them against a friendly Power, struggling to preserve +to herself a territory granted to her by a Treaty to which we were a +party. + +As the amended draft secures us against these appearances, and leaves +us free for the future, the Queen approves it. + + + + +[Pageheading: MINOR GERMAN STATES] + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +OSBORNE, _1st August 1848._ + +MY DEAREST UNCLE,--I had yesterday the happiness of receiving your +kind letter of the 29th, for which I return my best thanks. + +There are ample means of crushing the Rebellion in Ireland,[34] and +I think it now is very likely to go off without any contest.... Lord +Hardinge is going over there to serve on the Staff, which is very +praiseworthy of him. + +I do not think the fate of the Minor Princes in Germany is so +completely decided as Charles[35] ... is _so_ anxious to make one +believe. There is only a question of taking certain powers and rights +away, and not at all of getting rid of them; and I think you will see +that the _Ausfuehrung_ of the Unity will be an impossibility, at least +in the sense they propose at Frankfort. The Archduke John has spoken +very reassuringly both to Ernest and the Duke of Meiningen, and the +attachment in many of those smaller principalities is still extremely +great, and I am sure they will never consent to being _ausgewischt_. +Coburg, for instance, on the occasion of the suppression of a very +small riot, showed the greatest attachment and devotion to Ernest; at +Gotha the feeling of independence is _very_ great, and at Strelitz, on +the occasion of Augusta's confinement with a _son_, the enthusiasm and +rejoicing was universal. All this cannot be entirely despised. + +We are as happy as possible here, and would be perfectly so, if it was +not for the sorrow and misfortunes of so many dear to us, and for the +state of the world in general. + +I have always forgotten to tell you that we bought a fine marble bust +of you quite by accident in London the other day. It is in armour and +with moustaches, but quite different to the one the Gardners have at +Melbourne; Albert saw it at the window of a shop, and heard it had +been bought in a sale of a General Somebody. Now, with Albert's best +love, ever your devoted Niece, + +VICTORIA R. + +We have just heard that there has been an _action_ in Ireland in which +some of the insurgents have been killed; _fifty_ Police dispersed +_four thousand_ people. Smith O'Brien is, however, not yet taken. + + [Footnote 34: _See_ Introductory Note for the year, _ante_, p. + 141.] + + [Footnote 35: The Frankfort Assembly, in pursuance of the + policy of German consolidation, had placed the central + executive power in the hands of a Reichsverweser, or Vicar + of the Empire. The Archduke John, uncle of the Emperor + of Austria, was elected to this position, and the Queen's + half-brother Charles, Prince of Leiningen, was entrusted with + the Department of Foreign Affairs.] + + + + +[Pageheading: AN AMBASSADOR TO FRANCE] + + +_Queen Victoria to Viscount Palmerston._ + +OSBORNE, _8th August 1848._ + +... The Queen has attentively perused the statement of Lord Palmerston +in favour of accrediting an Ambassador at Paris. As the proposed +arrangement for the present is to be only a _provisional_ one, the +Queen thinks that the appointment of a _Minister_ now will leave it +quite open to have an Ambassador hereafter, if it should be found +necessary or advantageous, whilst it would set that matter at rest +for the moment. Withdrawing an Ambassador and substituting a Minister +hereafter, would be much more difficult. The French Republic would +no doubt like to have an Ambassador here, and perhaps take immediate +steps to secure that object if Lord Normanby were accredited +Ambassador at Paris, against which we would be secured in having only +a Minister there.... Lord Normanby's acquaintance with the public men +at Paris is as much an inconvenience as it may be a convenience in +some respects; his having been the great admirer and friend of M. +Lamartine, for instance, etc., etc. The possibility of mixing freely +with persons of various kinds, which Lord Palmerston adduces as an +important consideration will, in the Queen's opinion, be more easy +for a Minister than for a person of the high rank of Ambassador. All +things considered therefore, the Queen will prefer to have temporarily +a Minister accredited at Paris. + +M. de Tallenay the Queen would receive in London on Tuesday next at +six o'clock, when the Queen will be in Town. + + + + +_Queen Victoria to Viscount Palmerston._ + +OSBORNE, _11th August 1848._ + +The Queen has to acknowledge Lord Palmerston's letter of yesterday. +The Queen was quite surprised to hear from Lord Palmerston in his last +communication that he had written to Lord Normanby to offer him to +stay as Minister at Paris, after his having before stated to the Queen +that this would never do and could not be expected from Lord Normanby; +Lord Normanby's answer declining this offer therefore does in no way +alter the matter, and must have been foreseen by Lord Palmerston. +By the delay and Lord Normanby's various conversations with M. +Bastide[36] and General Cavaignac it has now become difficult to +depart from the precedent of the Belgian and Sardinian Missions +without giving offence at Paris. The Queen must, however, insist upon +this precedent being fully adhered to. She accordingly sanctions Lord +Normanby's appointment as Ambassador Extraordinary, on the _distinct +understanding_ that there is to be no Ambassador sent in return to +London now, and that a Minister is to be appointed to Paris when the +diplomatic intercourse is permanently to be settled. The Queen +wishes Lord Palmerston to bear this in mind, and to submit to her the +arrangement which he thinks will be best calculated to carry this into +effect. + + [Footnote 36: Minister of Foreign Affairs.] + + + + +[Pageheading: LORD NORMANBY'S APPOINTMENT] + + +_Queen Victoria to Lord John Russell._ + +OSBORNE, _11th August 1848._ + +The Queen has to acknowledge Lord John Russell's letter of to-day. +The Queen is highly indignant at Lord Palmerston's behaviour now again +with respect to Lord Normanby's appointment; he knew perfectly well +that Lord Normanby could not accept the post of Minister, and had +written to the Queen before that such an offer could not be made, and +has now made it after all, knowing that, by wasting time and getting +the matter entangled at Paris, he would carry his point. If the French +are so anxious to keep Lord Normanby as to make any sacrifice for that +object, it ought to make us cautious, as it can only be on account of +the ease with which they can make him serve their purposes. They, +of course, like an _entente cordiale_ with us at the expense of +Austria;... but this can be no consideration for us.... + +Threatening the Austrians with war, or making war upon them in case +they should not be inclined to surrender their provinces at his +bidding [Lord Palmerston] knows to be impossible; therefore the +_entente_ with the Republic is of the greatest value to him, enabling +him to threaten the Austrians at any time with the French intervention +which he can have at command if he agrees to it.[37] The Queen has +read the leading articles of the _Times_ of yesterday and to-day on +this subject with the greatest satisfaction as they express almost +entirely the same views and feelings which she entertains. The Queen +hopes that Lord John Russell will read them; indeed, the whole of +the Press seem to be unanimous on this subject, and she can hardly +understand how there can be two opinions upon it.... + + [Footnote 37: The success of the Piedmontese in Northern Italy + had not continued through the summer, and the States whose + assistance they had hitherto received began to fall away from + them. The King of Naples, successful within his own dominions, + had withdrawn his troops; the Pope hesitated to attack + Austria; even undivided support from Venetia could no longer + be counted upon. After several reverses, Charles Albert, now + left virtually alone in the contest, was decisively defeated + by Radetzky, at Custozza, and retreated across the Mincio. + With what was left of his troops he entered Milan, which he + was eventually forced to surrender, being unable to maintain + himself there. Italy now turned to France for assistance, but + Cavaignac, virtually Dictator in Paris, would not go further + than combining with England to effect a peaceful mediation. + Austria was not in a frame of mind to relinquish any part of + the provinces she had had so severe a struggle to retain.] + + + + +[Pageheading: THE QUEEN AND PALMERSTON] + + +_Queen Victoria to Viscount Palmerston._ + +OSBORNE, _20th August 1848._ + +The Queen has received an _autograph_ letter from the Archduke John +(in answer to the private letter she had written to him through Lord +Cowley), which has been cut open at the Foreign Office. The Queen +wishes Lord Palmerston to take care that this does not happen again. +The opening of official letters even, addressed to the Queen, which +she has _of late_ observed, is really not becoming, and ought to be +discontinued, as it used never to be the case formerly. + + + + +_Queen Victoria to Lord John Russell._ + +OSBORNE, _21st August 1848._ + +The Queen has received Lord John Russell's letter of yesterday, but +cannot say that she has been satisfied by the reasons given by Lord +Palmerston. The union of Lombardy and Piedmont cannot be considered as +a concession to France for the maintenance of peace, because we know +that it is the very thing the French object to. The Queen quite agrees +that the principal consideration always to be kept in sight is the +preservation of the peace of Europe; but it is precisely on that +account that she regrets that the terms proposed by Lord Palmerston +(whilst they are not in accordance with the views of France) are +almost the only ones which must be most offensive to Austria. Lord +Palmerston _will_ have his kingdom of Upper Italy under Charles +Albert, to which every other consideration is to be sacrificed, and +Lord Normanby's alteration of the terms certainly serve _that_ purpose +well; but it is quite independent of the question of mediation, +and the only thing in the whole proceeding which is indefensible in +principle. + + +It will be a calamity for ages to come if this principle is to become +part of the international law, viz. "that a people can at any time +transfer their allegiance from the Sovereign of one State to that of +another by universal suffrage (under momentary excitement)," and +this is what Lord Normanby--no doubt according to Lord Palmerston's +wishes--has taken as the basis of the mediation. For even the _faits +accomplis_, which are a convenient basis to justify any act of +injustice, are here against Charles Albert. + +Lord Palmerston's argument respecting Schleswig,[38] which the Queen +quoted in her last letter, had no reference to the Treaty of 1720. + + [Footnote 38: The first act of the _Vor-Parlament_, a body + which had existed temporarily at Frankfort, to pave the way + for the National Assembly of a Consolidated Germany, had been + to treat Schleswig, theretofore part of the Danish dominions, + as absorbed in the German Confederation, and Lord Palmerston's + objections to this proceeding had been treated by the Queen + in a letter of 19th August as inconsistent with his attitude + towards Austria.] + + + + +[Pageheading: PRUSSIA AND GERMANY] + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +OSBORNE, _29th August 1848._ + +MY DEAREST UNCLE,--Most warmly do I thank you for your very kind and +dear letter of the 26th, with so many good wishes for that _dearest_ +of days. It is indeed to me one of eternal thankfulness, for a purer, +more perfect being than my beloved Albert the Creator could _not_ have +sent into this troubled world. I feel that I could _not_ exist without +him, and that I should sink under the troubles and annoyances and +_degouts_ of my _very_ difficult position, were it not for _his_ +assistance, protection, guidance, and comfort. Truly do I thank you +for your _great_ share in bringing about our marriage. + +Stockmar I do not quite understand, and I cannot believe that he +_really wishes to ruin_ all the smaller States, though his principal +object is that unity which I fear he will _not_ obtain. + +I do not either at all agree in his wish that Prussia should take the +lead; his love for Prussia is to me incomprehensible, for it is the +country of all others which the _rest_ of Germany dislikes. Stockmar +cannot be my good old friend if he has such notions of injustice as +I hear attributed to him. But whatever they may be, I do _not_ believe +the _Ausfuehrung_ to be possible. + +I have great hopes of soon hearing of something decided about the +fortunes of the poor French family. You will have seen how nobly and +courageously good Joinville and Aumale behaved on the occasion of the +burning of that emigrant ship off Liverpool.[39] It will do them great +good. I must now conclude. Ever your devoted Niece, + +VICTORIA R. + + [Footnote 39: One hundred and seventy-eight persons perished + in the burning of the _Ocean Monarch_; the French Princes were + on board a Brazilian steam frigate, which saved one hundred + and fifty-six lives.] + + + + +[Pageheading: AUSTRIA DECLINES MEDIATION] + + +_Queen Victoria to Viscount Palmerston._ + +OSBORNE, _2nd September 1848._ + +The Queen has read in the papers the news that Austria and Sardinia +have nearly settled their differences, and also "that it was +confidently stated that a French and _British_ squadron, with troops +on board, _are to make a demonstration in the Adriatic_." + +Though the Queen cannot believe this, she thinks it right to inform +Lord Palmerston without delay that, should such a thing be thought of, +it is a step which the Queen could _not_ give her consent to. + + + + +_Queen Victoria to Viscount Palmerston._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _4th September 1848._ + +The Queen since her arrival in Town has heard that the answer from +Austria declining our mediation has some days ago been communicated +to Lord Palmerston. The Queen is surprised that Lord Palmerston should +have left her uninformed of so important an event. The Queen has +received Lord Palmerston's letter respecting the proposal to mediate +on the part of the central power of Germany,[40] and does not see why +that power, which has a responsible Government, is to be precluded +from taking part in a negotiation because the Archduke John might be +friendly towards Austria--whereas the French republic, which had in +public documents espoused the Italian Cause, is to be a party to it. + +Neither France nor England are neighbours to or directly interested in +Lombardy, whereas Germany is both.[41] + + [Footnote 40: See _ante_, p. 188, note 35.] + + [Footnote 41: Lord Palmerston's object, in which he ultimately + succeeded, was, by obtaining the French Government's + co-operation in mediating between Austria and Piedmont, to + prevent the aggressive party in France from maturing any + designs on Italy.] + + + + +[Pageheading: AUSTRIA AND ITALY] + + +_Queen Victoria to Lord John Russell._ + +ON BOARD THE _Victoria and Albert,_ +ABERDEEN, _7th September 1848._ + +The Queen must send the enclosed draft to Lord John Russell, with a +copy of her letter to Lord Palmerston upon it. Lord Palmerston has as +usual pretended not to have had time to submit the draft to the Queen +before he had sent it off. What the Queen has long suspected and often +warned against is on the point of happening, viz. Lord Palmerston's +using the new _entente cordiale_ for the purpose of wresting from +Austria her Italian provinces by French arms. This would be a most +iniquitous proceeding. It is another question whether it is good +policy for Austria to try to retain Lombardy, but that is for her and +not for us to decide. Many people might think that we would be happier +without Ireland or Canada. Lord John will not fail to observe how very +intemperate the whole tone of Lord Palmerston's language is. + + + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +BALMORAL CASTLE, _13th September 1848._ + +MY DEAREST UNCLE,--I yesterday received your dear and kind letter of +the 9th (it having arrived in London only the day before), which +is very quick, and I thank you much for it. The Schleswig affair at +Frankfort is _very_ unfortunate, and there seems a lamentable want of +_all_ practical sense, foresight, or even _common_ prudence.[42] + +The poor Austrians seem now to accept the (to me _very_ doubtful) +mediation. It reminds me of the wolf in the lamb's skin. _Nous +verrons_, how matters will be arranged.... + +My letter to Louise will have informed you of our voyage and our +arrival here. This house is small but pretty, and though the hills +seen from the windows are not _so_ fine, the scenery all around is the +finest almost I have seen anywhere. It is very wild and solitary, +and yet cheerful and _beautifully wooded_, with the river Dee running +between the two sides of the hills. Loch Nagar is the highest hill in +the immediate vicinity, and belongs to us. + +Then the soil is the driest and best known almost anywhere, and all +the hills are as sound and hard as the road. The climate is also dry, +and in general not very cold, though we had one or two very cold days. +There is a deer forest--many roe deer, and on the opposite hill (which +does not belong to us) grouse. There is also black cock and ptarmigan. +Albert has, however, no luck this year, and has in vain been after the +deer, though they are continually seen, and often quite close by the +house. The children are very well, and enjoying themselves much. The +boys always wear their Highland dress. + +I must now wish you good-bye, and repeat how much delighted we are +that everything goes on so well in Belgium. Ever your devoted Niece, + +VICTORIA R. + + [Footnote 42: The incorporation of Schleswig had been forcibly + resisted, and Sweden determined on armed intervention; but a + temporary armistice was arranged in August. This the National + Assembly attempted to disavow, but a few days after this + letter was written it was ratified.] + + + + +[Pageheading: THE QUEEN AND PALMERSTON] + + +_Memorandum by Queen Victoria._ + +BALMORAL, _19th September 1848._ + +I said to Lord John Russell, that I must mention to him a subject, +which was a serious one, one which I had delayed mentioning for some +time, but which I felt I must speak quite openly to him upon now, +namely about Lord Palmerston; that I felt really I could hardly go +on with him, that I had no confidence in him, and that it made me +seriously anxious and uneasy for the welfare of the country and for +the peace of Europe in general, and that I felt very uneasy from one +day to another as to what might happen. Lord John replied that he was +aware of it; that he had considered the matter already, having heard +from his brother (the Duke of Bedford) how strongly I felt about it; +that he felt the truth of all that I had said, but that, on the other +hand, Lord Palmerston was a very able man, entirely master of his +office and affairs, and a very good colleague, never making any +difficulties about other questions, but (certainly _unreasonably_) +complaining of other people mixing with and interfering in the affairs +of his office. I said that ... I fully believed that that Spanish +marriage question, which had been the original cause of so many +present misfortunes, would never have become so _embrouille_ had it +not been for Lord Palmerston. This led Lord John to say, that though +he disapproved the length of Lord Palmerston's correspondence, still +that we could not have done otherwise than object to the marriage. +This is true enough. I repeated that all that had been done in Italy +last winter had also done harm, as it was done by _Lord Palmerston_, +who was distrusted everywhere abroad, which Lord John regretted. I +said that I thought that he often endangered the honour of England by +taking a very prejudiced and one-sided view of a question;... that his +writings were always as bitter as gall and did great harm, which +Lord John entirely assented to, and that I often felt quite ill from +anxiety; that I wished Lord Clarendon (who, I had heard, was tired +of Ireland) could come over and be Secretary of State for Foreign +Affairs, and Lord Palmerston go to Ireland as Lord-Lieutenant. Lord +John said nothing would be better, for that he was sure that Lord +Palmerston would make an admirable Lord-Lieutenant, but that another +thing to be considered was the danger of making Lord Palmerston an +enemy by displacing him, that Lord Minto (who was formerly a great +friend and admirer of Lord Palmerston's) had told Lady John when she +spoke to him on the subject of placing Lord Palmerston in another +office, that _he_ (Lord Palmerston) would certainly turn against the +Government if displaced. I said that might be, but that sometimes +there were great interests at stake which exceeded the danger of +offending one man, and that this was here the case; Lord John said +it was very true, but that at moments like these one of course was +anxious not to do anything which could cause internal trouble. +I admitted this, but repeated my anxiety, which Lord John quite +understood, though he thought I a little overrated it, and said I was +afraid that some day I should have to tell Lord John that I could +not put up with Lord Palmerston any longer, which might be very +disagreeable and awkward. + +It ended by Lord John's promising to bear the subject in mind, and I +must say that he took it all just as I could wish. + +VICTORIA R. + + + + +[Pageheading: AFFAIRS IN THE PUNJAB] + +[Pageheading: HOSTILITY OF THE SIKHS] + + +_Minute by the Governor-General of India._ + +_30th September 1848._ + +... The course of events, as they have developed themselves, and long +and anxious considerations of this important subject, have finally and +immovably confirmed in my mind the conviction which the earlier events +of the insurrection at Mooltan long since had founded, that there will +be no peace for India, nor any stability of Government in the Punjab, +nor any release from anxiety and costly defensive preparations on +our frontier, unless the British Government, justly indignant at the +unprovoked and treacherous aggression once again committed against +them by the Sikhs, shall now effectually provide against future +dangers by subverting for ever the Dynasty of the Sings, by converting +the Punjab into a British province, and by adopting the only measure +which will secure the observance of peace by the Sikhs, namely, +depriving them utterly of all the means of making war. I continue as +fully convinced as ever that the establishment of a strong, friendly, +Hindoo Government in the Punjab would be the best settlement that +could be made for the interests of British India, if it could +be formed. But I am convinced that such a Government cannot be +formed.[43] + + [Footnote 43: _See_ Introductory Note for 1849, _post_, p. + 208.] + +The Chiefs of the Punjab are utterly powerless and worthless. The +great body of the nation is adverse to all control, and in no degree +submissive to the authority of those who are professedly their rulers. + +Even admitting, which I am by no means prepared to do, that the +Sirdars are not treacherously or hostilely disposed to the British +Government, of what advantage, what defence to us is the fidelity of +the Chiefs, if they are confessedly unable to control the army which +is as avowedly hostile to us? That which we desire to secure is a +peaceful and well-governed neighbour, and a frontier free from alarms, +nor demanding a permanent garrison of 50,000 men. If their army are +able to disturb and eager to disturb on every occasion the peace we +seek to render permanent, of what profit to us is the assumed fidelity +of the Chiefs, who cannot repress their soldiers' turbulence, or +command their obedience? + +I discredit altogether the assurances of the fidelity of the Chiefs on +the evidence of the facts before us.... + +To all these recommendations my colleagues in the Council have yielded +their ready assent. + +I have to the last sought to avert, or to avoid, the necessity, if it +could prudently or fitly be avoided. + +The Sikh nation have forced the necessity upon us. Having resolved +at once, and fully, to meet it, I shall proceed with all speed to the +frontier, and shall endeavour by every exertion, and by all the means +in my power, to carry into effect vigorously the measures on which +the Government of India has resolved, and which, in my conscience I +believe, are imperatively called for by regard to the peace of India, +to the security of our Empire there, and to the happiness of the +people over whom we rule. + +DALHOUSIE. + + + + +[Pageheading: PALMERSTON'S ITALIAN POLICY] + + +_Queen Victoria to Lord John Russell._ + +OSBORNE, _7th October 1848._ + +The Queen sends Lord Palmerston's answer to her last letter, of which +the Queen has sent a copy to Lord John Russell, and encloses likewise +a copy of her present answer. The partiality of Lord Palmerston in +this Italian question really _surpasses all conception_, and makes the +Queen _very uneasy_ on account of the character and honour of England, +and on account of the danger to which the peace of Europe will be +exposed. It is now clearly proved by Baron Wessenberg that upon the +conclusion of the Armistice with Sardinia, negotiations for peace +would have speedily been entered into, had our _mediation_ not been +offered to the King, to whom the offer of Lombardy was too tempting +not to accept, and now that promise is by fair or unfair means to +be made good. The Queen cannot see any principle in this, as the +principle upon which Lord Palmerston goes is _Italian Nationality and +Independence from a foreign Yoke and Tyranny_. How can the Venetian +territory then be secured to Austria? and if this is done, on what +ground can Lombardy be wrung from her? It is really not safe to settle +such important matters without principle and by personal _passion_ +alone. When the _French_ Government say they cannot control public +feeling, Lord Palmerston takes this as an unalterable fact, and as +a sufficient reason to make the Austrians give up Lombardy; when, +however, the _Austrian_ Government say they cannot give up Lombardy on +account of the feeling of the Army which had just reconquered it +with their blood and under severe privations and sufferings, Lord +Palmerston flippantly tells the Austrian Government, "if that were so, +the Emperor had better abdicate and make General Radetzky Emperor." +When Charles Albert burned the whole of the suburbs of Milan to keep +up the delusion that he meant to defend the town, Lord Palmerston +said nothing; and now that the Austrian Governor has prohibited +revolutionary placards on the walls, and prolonged the period at which +arms are to be surrendered, at the end of which persons concealing +arms are to be tried by court-martial, he writes to Vienna: "that this +savage proclamation, which savours more of the barbarous usages of +centuries long gone by than of the spirit of the present times, +must strike everybody as a proof of the fear by which the Austrian +Commander is inspired," etc., etc., etc. + +Venice was to have been made over to Austria by the Armistice, and +now that this has not been done, Austria is not even to retake it, in +order (as Lord Normanby says) to keep something in hand against which +Austria is to make further concessions. Is all this fair? In the +meantime, from the account of our Consul at Venice, the French agents +are actively employed in intrigues against Austria in that town, and +have asked him to assist, which he refused. Lord Palmerston merely +approved his conduct, and did not write a line to Paris about it. Now +the question at issue is not even to be submitted to a Conference of +European powers, but to be settled by the French Republic and Lord +Palmerston alone, Lord Normanby being the instrument who has pledged +himself over and over again for Italian _independence_ (so called). +If Austria makes peace with Sardinia, and gives her Italian provinces +separate National Institutions with a liberal constitutional +Government, _who can force_ upon her another arrangement? + + + + +[Pageheading: GREECE] + + +_Queen Victoria to Viscount Palmerston._ + +OSBORNE, _8th October 1848._ + +The Queen cannot refrain from telling Lord Palmerston what a painful +impression the perusal of a draft of his to Lord Normanby referring to +the affairs of Greece has made upon her, being so little in accordance +with the calm dignity which she likes to see in all the proceedings of +the British Government; she was particularly struck by the language in +which Lord Palmerston speaks of King Otho, a Sovereign with whom she +stands in friendly relations, and the asperity against the Government +of the King of the French, who is really sufficiently lowered and +suffering for the mistakes he may have committed, and that of all this +a copy is to be placed in the hands of the Foreign Minister of the +French _Republic_, the Queen can only see with much regret.[44] + + [Footnote 44: Lord Palmerston replied that his observations on + the two Kings lay at the very root of his argument, and were + necessary to conciliate the present Government of France.] + + + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _10th October 1848._ + +MY DEAREST UNCLE,--Our voyage yesterday was much saddened by a +terrible accident at Spithead, which delayed us half an hour, and +which still fills us with horror. The sea was running very high, and +we were just outside what is called The Spit, when we saw a man in +the water, sitting on the keel of a boat, and we stopped, and at that +moment Albert discerned _many heads_ above the sea, including a poor +woman. The tide was running so strong that we could only stop an +instant and let a boat down, but you may imagine our horror. We waited +at Gosport to hear if the people had been saved, and we learnt that +three had, two of whom by our _Fairy's_ boat, and that four were +drowned. Very horrid indeed. + +The state of Germany is dreadful, and one does feel quite ashamed +about that once really so peaceful and happy people. That there are +still good people there I am sure, but they allow themselves to be +worked upon in a frightful and shameful way.... In France a crisis +seems at hand. _What_ a very bad figure we cut in this mediation! +Really it is quite immoral, with Ireland quivering in our grasp, +and ready to throw off her allegiance at any moment, for us to force +Austria to give up her lawful possessions. What shall we say if +Canada, Malta, etc., begin to trouble us? It hurts me terribly. This +ought to be the principle in _all actions_, private as well as public: +"Was du nicht willst, dass dir geschieht, das thu' auch einem andern +nicht." ... + +I must now conclude. With every good wish, ever your devoted Niece, + +VICTORIA R. + + + +[Pageheading: THE BOERS] + + +_Earl Grey to Queen Victoria._ + +COLONIAL OFFICE, _25th October 1848._ + +Earl Grey presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and begs to inform +your Majesty that no official accounts have been received of the +engagement on the Cape Frontier between your Majesty's forces under +Sir H. Smith and the insurgent Dutch farmers, of which an account +is published in the newspapers.[45] Lord Grey has, however, seen a +private letter, which mentions, in addition to what is stated in the +Government notice in the Cape newspapers, that Sir Harry Smith exposed +himself very much, and was slightly wounded; most fortunately, he was +merely grazed in the leg; his horse was also struck by a bullet in the +nose. A very large proportion of those who were hit by the fire of the +rebels were officers, who appear to have been particularly aimed at. + + [Footnote 45: In July, Pretorius, the Boer leader, had in + consequence of the British annexation of territory, expelled + the British Resident from Bloemfontein. _See_ Introductory + Note, _ante_, p. 142. Sir Harry Smith decisively defeated the + Boers on the 29th of August.] + + + + +_Queen Victoria to Earl Grey._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _26th October 1848._ + +The Queen has received Lord Grey's letter, and is glad to hear that +Sir H. Smith's wound was not of a serious nature. The loss of so many +officers, the Queen is certain, proceeds from their wearing a blue +coat whilst the men are in scarlet; the Austrians lost a great +proportion of officers in Italy from a similar difference of dress. + +As to the Medal for Major Edwardes, the Queen did not approve but +disapprove the step, and wished the Bath to be given instead, which +has been done. The medals for troops in general (given by the East +India Company) are a new and doubtful thing, and now it is proposed to +reward even a special case of personal distinction by the _Company's_ +conferring a mark of honour. Lord Grey will agree with the Queen that +it will be better not to establish two fountains of honour in the +Realm. If the East India Company wish to mark their approbation, +perhaps they might send Major Edwardes a fine sword or something of +that kind. + + + + +[Pageheading: GOVERNORSHIP OF GIBRALTAR] + + +_Earl Grey to Queen Victoria._ + +COLONIAL OFFICE, _26th October 1848._ + +Earl Grey presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and has just had +the honour of receiving your Majesty's letter. Lord Fitzroy Somerset +happened to be here when it arrived, and Lord Grey read to him that +part of it which relates to the danger occasioned to officers in +action from wearing a dress of a different colour from that of the +men. Lord Fitzroy observed that although there can be no doubt of the +objection to the blue coats worn by officers, in this instance their +having suffered so much cannot be attributed to that cause, as it +appears that all the officers who were wounded but one, belonged to +regiments (the Rifle Battalion or the Cape Mounted Rifles) in which +the officers are dressed in the same colour as the men.... + +Lord Grey begs to submit to your Majesty that the usual time for +relieving the present Governor of Gibraltar is now come, and that he +thinks it very desirable to appoint a successor to Sir Robert +Wilson, who now fills that situation. It appears to Lord Grey that, +considering the nature of the appointment and also the great advantage +which would result from affording greater encouragement to the +officers serving under the Ordnance, it would be very proper to +confer this government upon a General Officer belonging to the Royal +Artillery or Engineers. There is some difficulty in making a selection +from the officers of these Corps, because, from their retiring only by +seniority, they seldom attain the rank of General Officer while +they are still in possession of sufficient strength and activity for +employment. Lord Grey, however, believes from the information he has +been able to obtain, that Sir Robert Gardiner might, with advantage, +be appointed to this command, which he therefore begs leave to +recommend to your Majesty to confer upon him. Lord Grey has had no +communication with Sir R. Gardiner, and is entirely ignorant whether +he would accept this employment.[46] + + [Footnote 46: Sir Robert Gardiner, K.C.B.. was appointed + Governor and Commander-in-Chief of Gibraltar on the 21st of + November, and held that post till 1855.] + + + + +[Pageheading: ITALY AND AUSTRIA] + + +_Queen Victoria to Lord John Russell._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _27th October 1848._ + +The Queen has not yet acknowledged the receipt of Lord John Russell's +communication of the views of the Cabinet on the Italian affairs.[47] +She is very glad that the Cabinet should have considered this +important question, and that she should have received an assurance +"that she will not be advised to have recourse to forcible +intervention." The Queen understands this principle to apply to +Lombardy as well as to Sicily, and that, of course, "forcible +intervention" will not only be avoided as to British means, but +likewise as to French means, with British consent and concurrence. +Though Lord John Russell does not enter so much into particulars with +regard to the opinions of the Members of the Cabinet as the Queen +might have wished, she infers from the proposition that Lombardy +should be constituted separately under an Archduke, that the idea of +making it over to the King of Sardinia is finally abandoned. + + [Footnote 47: Lord John had written to the effect that, while + no definite decision had been arrived at with regard to Italy, + it was thought by the Cabinet that every means should be used + to induce Austria to give up Lombardy to an Austrian Prince, + as most conformable to the interests of Austria herself. The + question of Sicily (he added) was more difficult, but if no + agreement could be arrived at by amicable negotiation, the + Cabinet would not be disposed to advise the Queen to have + recourse to forcible intervention.] + + + + +_Lord John Russell to Queen Victoria._ + +PEMBROKE LODGE, _19th November 1848._ + +Lord John Russell presents his humble duty to your Majesty. + +It will probably be necessary to send troops to India, who will then +be no longer chargeable to this country. But Lord John Russell thinks +it his duty to state that however unwilling he may be to diminish +the Military and Naval force, it is still more essential to keep our +income within our expenditure. + +The whole matter will be under the consideration of the Cabinet next +week. + +The approaching election of a President in France must decide the +question of the future Government of France. Louis Bonaparte may +probably play the part of Richard Cromwell. + + + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _21st November 1848._ + +MY DEAREST UNCLE,--I write to thank you for your kind letter of the +18th on your god-daughter's _eighth_ birthday! It does seem like an +incredible dream that Vicky should already be so old! She is very +happy with all her gifts. + +In Vienna things are much better. Louis Napoleon's election seems +certain, and I own I wish for it as I think it will lead to something +else. + +You will grieve to hear that our good, dear, old friend Melbourne +is dying; there is _no_ hope, and I enclose a pretty letter of Lady +Beauvale's,[48] which I think will interest you, and which I beg you +to return. One cannot forget how good and kind and amiable he was, and +it brings back so many recollections to my mind, though, God knows! I +never wish that time back again. + +We go to-morrow for four weeks to our dear, peaceful Osborne. + +I will now take my leave. Begging you to believe me ever your devoted +Niece, + +VICTORIA R. + + [Footnote 48: See Greville's appreciative description of Lady + Beauvale in his Journal for the 30th of January 1853.] + + + + +_Viscount Palmerston to Queen Victoria._ + +BROCKET HALL, _23rd November 1848._ + +Viscount Palmerston is here engaged in the melancholy occupation of +watching the gradual extinction of the lamp of life of one who was not +more distinguished by his brilliant talents, his warm affections, and +his first-rate understanding, than by those sentiments of attachment +to your Majesty which rendered him the most devoted subject who ever +had the honour to serve a Sovereign. + + + + +[Pageheading: DEATH OF LORD MELBOURNE] + + +_Viscount Palmerston to Queen Victoria._ + +BROCKET HALL, _25th November 1848._ + +Viscount Palmerston presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and has +to state that Viscount Melbourne was released from further suffering +at about six o'clock yesterday afternoon. His bodily strength had +been rapidly declining during the last few days, and it was only at +intervals that he retained any degree of apparent consciousness. +The last transition took place quietly and with almost imperceptible +gradation. + + + + +_Lord John Russell to Queen Victoria._ + +PEMBROKE LODGE, _26th November 1848._ + +Lord John Russell presents his humble duty to your Majesty: he sees no +political objection to a visit to Osborne on the part of the Duke +and Duchess of Nemours. The election of a President in France is so +completely absorbing attention that any mark of regard to the Duke of +Nemours may well pass unnoticed. + +Lord John Russell had the honour of seeing Louis Philippe in +this house on Friday. He was in much better spirits, owing to the +convalescence of the Queen; but the illness has been a very serious +one. + +Lord John Russell had understood that the affairs of property +belonging to the Orleans family were arranged, and that Louis Philippe +would ultimately be possessed of more than a million sterling. + +Louis Philippe expressed his opinion in favour of Louis Bonaparte as a +candidate for the Presidency. He feels confident that France cannot go +to war on account of the state of her finances. + + + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +OSBORNE, _21th November 1848._ + +MY DEAREST UNCLE,--Thank God! that the news from Berlin are better. It +is to be hoped that this may have a good effect elsewhere. + +In France there ought really to be a Monarchy before long, _qui que ce +soit_. + +Our poor old friend Melbourne died on the 24th. I sincerely regret +him, for he was truly attached to me, and though not a firm Minister +he was a noble, kind-hearted, generous being. Poor Lord Beauvale and +Lady Palmerston feel it very much. I wish it might soften the _caro +sposo_ of the latter-named person. + +VICTORIA R. + + + + +[Pageheading: LETTER FROM THE POPE] + + +_Pope Pius IX. to Queen Victoria._[49] + +To the Most Serene and Potent Sovereign Victoria, the Illustrious +Queen of England, Pius Papa Nonus. + +Most Serene and Most Potent Queen, Greeting! Your Royal Majesty has +already learned what a subversion of public affairs has taken place +at Rome, and what utterly unheard-of violence was, on the 16th of +the late month of November, offered to us in our very Palace of the +Quirinal, in consequence of a nefarious conspiracy of abandoned and +most turbulent men. Hence, in order to avoid more violent commotions +and more serious dangers, as likewise for the purpose of freely +performing the functions of our apostolic Ministry, we, not without +the deepest and most heartfelt sorrow, have been constrained to +depart for a time from our Holy City, and from the whole state of our +pontifical dominions; and in the meanwhile we come as far as Gaeta, +where, as soon as we had arrived, our first care was to declare to +our subjects the sentiments of our mind and will, by a public edict, +a copy of which we transmit to your Royal Majesty, together with +these our letters. Without doubt, through your own wisdom, you will +perfectly understand, Most Serene and Potent Sovereign, that amongst +the other most cruel difficulties by which we are pressed, we must be +chiefly solicitous concerning those subject to our temporal rule and +the rights and possessions of the Roman Church, which, moreover, your +august Uncle and the other Princes of Europe protected with so much +zeal. But we do not in the least doubt that, in conformity with your +exalted magnanimity, your justice, and your known desire to maintain +order in public affairs, you will by no means suffer this same to be +wanting to us at this most lamentable time. Trusting indeed in this +hope, we do not cease, in the humility and affliction of our heart, +from earnestly beseeching God, the All Good and All Great, that He may +heap upon your Royal Majesty and your whole House all true and solid +prosperity, and that He may unite you with us in perfect charity. + +Given at Gaeta, the 4th day of December 1848, in the third year of our +Pontificate. + +PIUS PP. IX.[50] + + [Footnote 49: Official translation.] + + [Footnote 50: This letter was suitably acknowledged in general + terms. _See_ p. 210.] + + + + +[Pageheading: LOUIS NAPOLEON] + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +OSBORNE, _13th December 1848._ + +MY BELOVED UNCLE,--Pray accept my warmest and _best_ wishes for _many, +many happy_ returns of your birthday--a day so _dear_ to so many, and +which will be hailed with such joy in Belgium. You have indeed reason +to look with satisfaction on all around you, though it is a painful +thing to think how many have been ruined and made miserable since this +day twelvemonths. Let us hope that another year may bring many things +round again. + +The weather is beautiful, and I wish much we could fly over to pay our +respects to you on your dear birthday. + +The papers are just come, and I see there is no doubt of Louis +Napoleon's election, which I am very glad of, as it is a sign of +better times. But that one _should have to wish for him_ is really +wonderful. + +Now good-bye, dearest Uncle. Ever your devoted Niece, + +VICTORIA R. + + + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +OSBORNE, _19th December 1848._ + +MY DEAREST, KINDEST UNCLE,--Your dear letter, full of interesting +topics, which I received yesterday, gave me great pleasure, and +I thank you much for it. The success of Louis Napoleon[51] is an +extraordinary event, but valuable as a universal condemnation of the +Republic since February. + +It will, however, perhaps be more difficult to get rid of him again +than one at _first_ may imagine. Nemours thinks it better that none +of themselves should be _called_ into action for some time to come. +I fear that _he feels_ now that they _ought_ to have _foreseen_ the +dangers in February, and _ought not_ to have yielded; when I said to +him that the Pope had declared that he would _never_ quit Rome, and +_did so do_ the _very next day_, he said: "Ah! mon Dieu, on se laisse +entrainer dans ces moments." Louise said to me that _her Father_ had +so _often declared he would never quit Paris alive_, so that when she +heard of his flight she always believed it was untrue and he must be +dead.... + + [Footnote 51: He was elected President on the 10th of + December, by an immense majority.] + + + + +[Pageheading: THE QUEEN AND PALMERSTON] + + +_Queen Victoria to Lord John Russell._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _22nd December 1848._ + +The Queen has been waiting to receive an answer from Lord John Russell +upon her last letter, and has therefore delayed sending the enclosed +letter from Lord Palmerston.[52] But lest any further delay might +cause future inconvenience, she sends it now without having received +Lord John's answer. The Queen is sure Lord John will feel that neither +Lord Palmerston nor Lord Normanby have shown a proper regard for the +Queen's wishes and opinion in this matter. Lord Normanby's Despatch +shows that the step to be taken with reference to an Ambassador to be +sent here is avowedly for the purpose of controlling the future action +of the Queen's Government, and to _oblige her_ to keep a _permanent_ +Ambassador at Paris in the person of Lord Normanby. It is not very +delicate in Lord Normanby to convey such a message, nor in Lord +Palmerston to urge it so eagerly. M. de Beaumont's departure from this +country without taking leave of the Queen was neither very becoming. + +The Queen has already, on Lord Palmerston's account, received two +public affronts: the one by her Minister in Spain having been sent out +of that country,[53] the other now, by the new Emperor of Austria +not announcing to her by special mission his accession to the Throne, +which he did to all other Sovereigns, avowedly, as it appears, to mark +the indignation of Austria at the inimical proceedings of the British +Foreign Secretary. The Queen does not think that, in the face of such +slurs, the dignity of England will be vindicated by a race between her +representative and that of Spain, who is to present his credentials +first to the new President of the French Republic, which Lord +Palmerston considers of such importance as to render an _immediate_ +decision indispensable. + +Should Lord John think that we cannot do less now for Louis Napoleon +than has been done in the case of General Cavaignac, the Queen +will not object to renewing Lord Normanby's credentials as +Ambassador-Extraordinary on a special mission. + + [Footnote 52: Lord Palmerston had written to say that + Lord Normanby's credentials were provisional, and regular + credentials would become necessary. The new French Government + were sending Ambassadors to Vienna, Rome, and other capitals, + which in return would send Ambassadors to Paris, so that it + would be injurious for this country's representative to be of + inferior diplomatic rank. "It would," he wrote subsequently, + "be derogatory to the dignity of your Majesty, and to the + character of your Majesty's Government if, in the present + state of things between the British and Spanish Governments + the Spanish Ambassador should, by a dilatoriness on the part + of your Majesty's Government, be allowed to raise a question + about precedence with your Majesty's representative at Paris; + it would be very inconvenient if that question were decided + unfavourably to your Majesty's representative, and very + undesirable that he should appear to be under obligation to + the French Government for a decision in his favour."] + + [Footnote 53: See _ante_, p. 175.] + + + + +INTRODUCTORY NOTE + +TO CHAPTER XVIII + + +The opening of Parliament (1849) was noteworthy for the appearance of +Mr Disraeli as leader of the Opposition in the House of Commons, in +place of Lord George Bentinck, who had died suddenly in the recess; +the Peelites, though influential, were numerically few, and they +continued by their support to maintain the Whigs in office, the +principal measure of the session being the Act for the repeal of the +Navigation Laws, a natural corollary to Peel's free trade policy. A +Royal visit was paid to Ireland in August, and at Cork, Waterford, +Dublin, and Belfast, the Queen and Prince were received with great +enthusiasm. + +Abroad, the cause of United Italy suffered a severe check. The +Sicilian revolt came to an end, and Austrian ascendency was +re-established in Northern Italy. King Charles Albert was defeated at +Novara, and abdicated in favour of his son, Victor Emmanuel. The Pope, +who had fled from Rome in disguise, in November 1848, and was living +at Gaeta, was now under the protection of Austria and France, and +General Oudinot occupied the Papal city on his behalf in June. +Austrian influence restored Tuscany, Parma, and Modena to their +rulers, and in Central Europe operated to prevent the acceptance by +the King of Prussia of the Imperial Crown of Germany. Hungary, in +consequence of the help rendered to the Viennese insurrectionists in +1848, was reduced to submission, but only with Russian co-operation. +Heavy retribution was inflicted on the Hungarians; Kossuth and other +revolutionaries fled to Turkey, the Russian and Austrian Governments +unsuccessfully demanding their extradition. + +The British operations against the Sikhs were brought to a successful +termination; the Commander-in-Chief, Lord Gough, with inferior +numbers, had engaged the enemy at Chillianwalla, with indecisive and +virtually unfavourable results, and Sir Charles Napier was sent out +to supersede him. Mooltan, where the outrage of the previous year +had taken place, had been besieged, and fell on the 22nd of January. +Dalhousie had established himself at Ferozepore. A week or two later +the Sikhs and Afghans were overwhelmingly defeated at Gujerat, and on +the 29th of March the Punjab was incorporated in the British Empire; +the "Koh-i-noor" was, in token of submission, presented by the +Maharajah to the Queen. Lord Dalhousie received a Marquisate, and the +thanks of both Houses of Parliament were voted to all concerned. + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII + +1849 + + +_Memorandum on Matters connected with the Form of addressing the Pope +in Answer to his Letter to Her Majesty of 4th December 1848._ + +FOREIGN OFFICE, _5th January 1849._ + +The accompanying draft of answer to the letter which the Pope +addressed to Her Majesty from Gaeta on the 4th of December is in the +same form as letters which were written to Pope Pius VII. by George +the Fourth while Prince Regent, and after he came to the Throne. They +address the Pope as "Most Eminent Sir," style him "Your Holiness," and +finish with the mere signature after the date of the conclusion of the +letter. Copies of those letters are annexed. + +Other forms of writing Royal letters are:-- + +1st. Commencing "Sir my Brother" (or "Sir my Cousin," etc., as the +case may be), and ending thus: + + "Sir my _Brother_, + Your _Majesty's_ + Good _Sister_." + +This is the form used between Sovereign and Sovereign. + +2nd. Commencing with the Queen's titles. In these letters the plural +"we" and "our" are employed instead of "I" and "my," and the letters +terminate thus:-- + + "Your Good Friend, + ...." + +This form is now used almost exclusively for Royal letters to +Republics. + +In the State Paper Office there is, with only one exception, no record +of any letter from a Sovereign of England to the Pope from the time of +Henry VIII., when the State Paper Office records commence. The single +exception is an original letter from Queen Mary in 1555 to Pope Paul +IV. It seems that when the time of her expected confinement drew nigh, +she caused letters to be prepared announcing the birth of a son, and +signed them in anticipation of the event. When no birth took place, +the letters were of course not sent off; but they have been preserved +to the present day, and among them is the letter to the Pope. The +accompanying paper contains a copy of the beginning and conclusion of +it. + +There is no trace in the State Paper Office of any letter of credence +having been given by James II. to Lord Castlemaine in 1685. The +correspondence of the reign of James II. is, however, very defective, +and much of it must either have been suppressed or have got into +private hands. + + + + +[Pageheading: REPLY TO THE POPE] + + +_Draft_] _Queen Victoria to Pope Pius IX._[1] + +MOST EMINENT SIR,--I have received the letter which your Holiness +addressed to me from Gaeta on the 4th of December last, and in which +you acquaint me that in consequence of the violent proceedings of +certain of your subjects, you had felt yourself obliged to depart from +Rome, and for a time to quit your dominions. I assure your Holiness +that I have been deeply pained at the intelligence of the events to +which your letter refers, and that I do the fullest justice to the +motives which induced your Holiness to withdraw for a time from your +capital. Your Holiness has given so many proofs of being animated by +a sincere desire to improve the condition of the people whom, under +Divine Providence, you have been chosen to govern, and the clemency of +your heart and the rectitude of your intentions are so well known and +so truly appreciated, that I cannot but hope that the trials which +you have experienced in consequence of popular commotion will speedily +come to an end, and will be succeeded by a cordial, good understanding +between your Holiness and the Roman people. I request your Holiness to +believe that it would afford me real pleasure to be able in any degree +to contribute to a result so much to be desired; and I am happy in +having this opportunity of assuring you of my sincere friendship, and +of the unfeigned respect and esteem which I entertain for your person +and character. + +Given at Windsor Castle the [ ] day of January 1849. + + [Footnote 1: _See_ p. 204.] + + + + +[Pageheading: LETTER FROM PRINCE LOUIS NAPOLEON] + + +_The President of the French Republic to Queen Victoria._ + +ELYSEE NATIONAL, _le 22 Janvier 1849._ + +TRES CHERE ET GRANDE AMIE,--Une de mes premieres pensees lorsque le +v[oe]u de la nation Francaise m'appela au pouvoir fut de faire part a +votre Majeste de mon avenement et des sentiments que j'apportais dans +ma nouvelle position. + +Des circonstances particulieres ont retarde le depart de l'ambassadeur +qui devait porter ma lettre; mais aujourd'hui que l'Amiral Cecile +se rend a Londres je desire exprimer a votre Majeste la respectueuse +sympathie que j'ai toujours eprouvee pour sa personne; je desire +surtout lui dire combien je suis reconnaissant de la genereuse +hospitalite qu'elle m'a donnee dans ses etats lorsque j'etais fugitif +ou proscrit et combien je serais heureux si ce souvenir pouvait servir +a resserrer les liens qui unissent les gouvernements et les peuples de +nos deux pays. + +Je prie votre Majeste de croire a mes sentiments. Votre ami, + +LOUIS NAPOLEON BONAPARTE. + + + + +[Pageheading: THE QUEEN AND PALMERSTON] + + +_Lord John Russell to Queen Victoria._ + +CHESHAM PLACE, _22nd January 1849._ + +Lord John Russell presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and would +now wish to consult Lord Lansdowne on the propriety of offering +to Lord Palmerston to exchange the Foreign Office for the +Lord-Lieutenancy of Ireland.[2] + +As Lord John Russell has always approved in the main of the foreign +policy of Lord Palmerston, he could only make this offering in a +mode honourable to Lord Palmerston--that is to say, for instance, by +offering him at the same time an English Earldom, or an English Barony +with the Garter. Nor could he proceed in the matter without Lord +Lansdowne's concurrence. + + [Footnote 2: Hostilities were in progress between the Sicilian + insurgents and their Sovereign. An agent for the former + came to England to purchase arms, but was informed by the + contractor to whom he applied that the whole of his stock had + been pledged to the Ordnance Office. Lord Palmerston, without + consulting the Cabinet, allowed this stock to be transferred + to the insurgents. The matter became public property, and the + Premier brought it before the Cabinet on the 23rd of January, + when, somewhat unexpectedly, the Foreign Secretary consented + to make an apology to the Neapolitan Government; so that the + crisis terminated for the time.] + + + + +_Queen Victoria to Lord John Russell._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _22nd January 1849._ + +The Queen has just received Lord John Russell's letter and enclosures, +the contents of which have deeply grieved her, as the honour of her +Government has always been nearest to her heart. She feels deeply the +humiliation to have to make an apology to the Government of Naples, +which stands so very low in public estimation, and she naturally +dreads the effect this disclosure about the guns will have in the +world, when she considers how many accusations have been brought +against the good faith of this country latterly by many different +Governments. Of course they will all consider their suspicions and +accusations, however absurd they may have been, as justified and +proved. + +The Queen supposes that the proposition Lord John makes to her about +moving Lord Palmerston to Ireland is the result of his conviction that +after this disclosure it will be no longer to the advantage of the +public service to leave the direction of the Foreign Affairs in these +critical times in Lord Palmerston's hands. The Queen will be anxious +to see Lord John upon this subject. All she wishes for is, that +matters may be so managed as to reflect the least possible discredit +upon the Government and Lord Palmerston himself. + + + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _6th February 1849._ + +MY DEAREST UNCLE,--We are well. All went off extremely well on +Thursday, but the Government must expect difficulties upon their (very +doubtful) Foreign Policy. I own I do _not_ feel reassured about peace. +_Italy_ and the Pope, etc., are very ticklish subjects. + +Everybody says Louis Napoleon has behaved extremely well in the last +crisis--full of courage and energy, and they say that he is decidedly +straightforward, which is not to be despised. I will not admit that +the _Gemuethlichkeit ist fuer immer begraben_ in Germany; it will surely +return when this madness is over, but how soon no one can tell. Ever +your devoted Niece, + +VICTORIA R. + + + + +_Queen Victoria to the Earl of Dalhousie._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _6th February 1849._ + +The Queen has not yet thanked Lord Dalhousie for his long and +interesting letter which she received in the summer. Since that period +many important events have taken place in India, and the last news +have naturally made the Queen feel very anxious. She deeply laments +the loss of General Cureton and Colonel Havelock, officers who will +not be easily replaced. The Queen thinks that Lord Dalhousie has +throughout acted most judiciously and has thwarted more mischief +being done. She will abstain from remarking upon the conduct of the +Commander-in-Chief, as she knows that the Duke of Wellington has +written fully to Lord Dalhousie on this painful subject.[3] The Queen +concludes with expressing her hopes that Lord and Lady Dalhousie are +in good health, and with the Prince's kindest remembrances to Lord +Dalhousie. + + [Footnote 3: _See_ Introductory Note for the year, _ante_, p. + 208.] + + + + +[Pageheading: STATE OF EUROPE] + + +_The King of the Belgians to Queen Victoria._ + +LAEKEN, _10th February 1849._ + +MY DEAREST VICTORIA,--I have to offer my most affectionate thanks +for your dear letter of the 6th. The state of the Queen seems better, +though I fear not so solidly as to be beyond mischief; but the +improvement is real, and will act as a moral support. They have been +severely tried, those poor exiles, and Heaven knows what is still in +store for them. I don't think that in Italy there will be war. The +French cannot think of it for some months, probably not before June or +July, and the Italians cannot make it alone without being licked; the +better informed know that. The Pope ought to be replaced on his seat +for the sake of every one; and his ultra-Liberal policy entitles him +to be supported by all Governments and by all right-minded people. + +Louis Bonaparte has not ill-behaved, it seems; negatively he might +have done much harm. The position continues to be abominable. There +is for every one an _absence d'avenir_ which ruins everything and +everybody--that is the real difficulty. + +_Die Gemuethlichkeit_ in Germany was the consequence of its political +existence these last thousand years; that is now all going to ruin, +and the _Gemuethlichkeit_ will be as little found again _que l'urbanite +Francaise_ so much talked of formerly and now unknown. + +This part of February puts me always in mind of my dear little +_sejour_ with you in 1841. How far that period is now, though but +eight years from us; the very features of everything changed, I fear +for ever, and _not_ for the better.... Now I must conclude, and remain +ever, my dearest Victoria, your truly devoted Uncle, + +LEOPOLD R. + + + + +[Pageheading: LOUIS NAPOLEON.] + + +_Memorandum by Queen Victoria._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _19th February 1849._ + +Admiral Cecile, who dined here for the first time after the +presentation of his credentials as Ambassador from the French +Republic, with whom I spoke for some time after dinner, said: "Nous en +avons fait de tristes experiences en France," but that he hoped "que +les choses s'amelioraient"; that the Government was very firm and +decided, and determined not to allow order to be disturbed; "Paris +a maintenant fait quatre Revolutions que la France a subies; votre +Majeste sait qui a proclame la Republique au mois de Fevrier? Une +centaine de coquins! Personne s'en doutait, et cependant la France s'y +est soumise!" That the Government was however determined, and so were +all the Departments, that this should never happen again; no doubt the +danger from the Socialists was great, all over the world; that _that_ +was the _real danger_, and that they would readily make another +attempt like the fearful one in June (the result of which for three +days was uncertain), but that they had not the power; that he was +continually impressing upon all his friends in France the necessity of +supporting _whatever_ form of Government there was _whose object_ was +the _maintenance of order_, and to unite "contre cet ennemi commun." +The President, he continued, had risen amazingly in the opinion of +every one by his firmness, courage, and determination--which he had +shown in those critical days a fortnight or three weeks ago--and that +in these two months he had acquired "une grande aptitude pour +les affaires; tout le monde est etonne, parce que personne ne s'y +attendait." He spoke with great delight of Belgium--and how it had +stood the shock of the events in France--and also of England. Italy, +he considered, was by far the greatest object of danger. + +VICTORIA R. + + + + +[Pageheading: GAELIC AND WELSH] + + +_Queen Victoria to the Marquis of Lansdowne._ + +OSBORNE, _3rd March 1849._ + +The Queen sends Lord Lansdowne the book[4] she mentioned to him. It +is an extraordinary production for people of the working classes, and +there are a great many sound and good observations in it on education; +the observations on the deficiency in the religious instruction and +in the _preaching_ the Queen thinks are particularly true. It +likewise shows a lofty and enlarged _view_ of education which is often +overlooked. + +The Queen takes this occasion of repeating her hope that _Gaelic_ will +be taught in future in the Highland schools, as well as English, as +it is really a great mistake that the people should be constantly +_talking_ a language which they often cannot read and generally not +write. Being very partial to her loyal and good Highlanders, the Queen +takes much interest in what she thinks will tend more than anything +to keep up their simplicity of character, which she considers a great +merit in these days. + +The Queen thinks equally that Welsh should be taught in Wales as well +as English.[5] + + [Footnote 4: This book was probably _Popular Education, as + regards Juvenile Delinquency_, by Thos. Bullock, 1849.] + + [Footnote 5: Lord Lansdowne, in his reply, undertook "to + combine instruction in the Gaelic with the English language in + the Highland as well as the Welsh schools, and to have a view + to it in the choice of Inspectors."] + + + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +OSBORNE, _6th March 1849._ + +MY DEAREST UNCLE,--Your dear letter reached me yesterday, and I thank +you warmly for it. I wish you could be here, for I never remember +finer weather than we have had since we came here; perfect summer, and +so sweet, so enjoyable, and then with all the pleasures and beauties +of Spring you have that beautiful sea--so blue and smooth as it has +been these three days. If we have no mountains to boast of, we have +the _sea_, which is ever enjoyable. We have camelias which have stood +out two winters covered with _red_ flowers, and scarlet rhododendrons +in brilliant bloom. Does this not sound tempting? It seems almost +wrong to be at home, and Albert really hardly is. + +I wish you joy of your _twenty-four_ foxes. If there was a black one +amongst them I should beg for one, as the skin you sent me last year +was _not_ a black one. + +The news from India are very distressing, and make one very anxious, +but Sir Charles Napier is instantly to be sent out to supersede Lord +Gough, and he is so well versed in Indian tactics that we may look +with safety to the future _after_ his arrival. + +The Italian Question remains very complicated, and the German one a +very perplexing, sad one. Prussia must protect the poor Princes and +put herself at the head, else there is no hope. Austria should behave +better, and not oppose the consolidation of a central Power, else I +know not what is to become of poor Germany. + +Pray use your influence to prevent more fatal mischief. + +Now adieu, dearest Uncle. Ever your devoted Niece, + +VICTORIA R. + + + + +_Lord John Russell to Queen Victoria._ + +CHESHAM PLACE, _16th March 1849._ + +Lord John Russell presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and +has the honour to state that the debate last night was brought to a +close.[6] + +Mr Cobden and Mr Disraeli made very able speeches at the end of the +debate. + +The debate has been a remarkable one, and the division shows tolerably +well the strength of parties. The Protectionists, animated by the +cry of agricultural distress, are disposed to use their power to the +utmost. Mr Disraeli shows himself a much abler and less passionate +leader than Lord George Bentinck. + +On the other hand, the friends of Sir Robert Peel and the party of Mr +Cobden unite with the Government in resisting the Protectionist party. +The House of Commons thus gives a majority, which, though not compact, +is decided at once against the extreme Tory and the extreme Radical +party. With such a House of Commons the great interests of the +Throne and the Constitution are safe. An abrupt dissolution would put +everything to hazard. + + [Footnote 6: On Mr Disraeli's motion for payment of the half + of local rates by the Treasury, which was defeated by 280 to + 189.] + + + + +[Pageheading: END OF THE SIKH WAR] + +[Pageheading: MRS GEORGE LAWRENCE] + + +_The Earl of Dalhousie to Queen Victoria._ + +CAMP, FEROZEPORE, _24th March 1849._ + +The Governor-General presents his most humble duty to your Majesty, +and has the honour of acknowledging the receipt of the letter which +your Majesty most graciously addressed to him on the 5th of February. + +He is deeply sensible of your Majesty's goodness, and most grateful +for the expression of approbation which it has conveyed. + +The Governor-General is not without fear that he may have intruded too +often of late upon your Majesty's time. But he is so satisfied of the +extreme pleasure which your Majesty would experience on learning that +the prisoners who were in the hands of the Sikhs, and especially the +ladies and children, were once again safe in the British camp, that he +would have ventured to convey to your Majesty that intelligence, +even though he had not been able to add to it--as happily he can--the +announcement of the surrender of the whole Khalsa army, and the end of +the war with the Sikhs. + +Major-General Gilbert pushed on rapidly in pursuit of the Sikhs, who +were a few marches in front of him, carrying off our prisoners with +them. + +At Rawul Pindee, half-way between the Jhelum and Attock, the Sikh +troops, as we have since heard, would go no further. They received no +pay, they were starving, they had been beaten and were disheartened; +and so they surrendered. + +All the prisoners were brought safe into our camp. Forty-one pieces of +artillery were given up. Chuttur Singh and Shere Singh, with all the +Sirdars, delivered their swords to General Gilbert in the presence of +his officers; and the remains of the Sikh army, 16,000 strong, were +marched into camp, by 1000 at a time, and laid down their arms as they +passed between the lines of the British troops. + +Your Majesty may well imagine the pride with which British Officers +looked on such a scene, and witnessed this absolute subjection and +humiliation of so powerful an enemy. + +How deeply the humiliation was felt by the Sikhs themselves may be +judged by the report which the officers who were present have made, +that many of them, and especially the grim old Khalsas of Runjeet's +time, exclaimed as they threw their arms down upon the heap: "This day +Runjeet Singh has died!" + +Upwards of 20,000 stands of arms were taken in the hills. Vast +quantities were gathered after the flight of the Sikhs from Gujerat. +As a further precaution, the Governor-General has ordered a disarming +of the Sikhs throughout the Eastern Doabs, while they are yet cast +down and afraid of punishment. He trusts that these measures may all +tend to ensure the continuance of peace. + +The Sirdars will arrive at Lahore to-day, where they will await the +determination of their future places of residence. The officers who +were prisoners have also reached Lahore, together with Mrs George +Lawrence and her children. + +It is impossible to speak too highly of the admirable spirit which +this lady has displayed during many months of very arduous trial. + +By the kindness of others, the Governor-General has had the +opportunity of seeing constantly the little notes which were secretly +despatched by her from her prison. The gallant heart she kept up under +it all, the cheerful face she put upon it, and the unrepining patience +with which she bore the privations of captivity and the dangers which +it threatened to her children, her husband, and herself, must command +the highest respect and make one proud of one's countrywomen. + +General Gilbert, by the latest intelligence, had seized the fort of +Attock, had crossed the Indus, and was advancing on Peshawur, whither +the Afghans had retired. + +By next mail the Governor-General trusts that he will be able to +announce that every enemy has been swept away by your Majesty's +Armies, and that the Afghans have either been crushed like the Sikhs +or have fled to Cabul again. + +He has the honour to subscribe himself, your Majesty's most obedient, +most humble and very faithful Subject and Servant, + +DALHOUSIE. + + + + +[Pageheading: THE KING OF SARDINIA] + + +_The King of Sardinia_ (_Victor Emanuel_) _to Queen Victoria._ + +TURIN, _le 30 Mars 1849._ + +MA TRES CHERE S[OE]UR,--La participation officielle que je m'empresse +de vous donner de mon avenement au trone m'offre une occasion que je +suis heureux de saisir pour vous exprimer dans une lettre de ma main +les sentiments de ma vive gratitude pour l'affection dont ma maison a +recu des preuves marquantes et reiterees de votre part, comme pour +le bienveillant interet que votre Gouvernement a temoigne a ce pays +particulierement dans les graves evenements qui ont eu lieu pendant +cette derniere annee. + +Je vous prie d'etre persuadee que rien n'est plus sincere que +la reconnaissance que j'en conserve, et de me laisser nourrir la +confiance que je puis compter sur la continuation de ces dispositions +si aimables. + +En vous renouvelant les sentiments d'amitie la plus parfaite, je suis, +votre tres cher Frere, + +VICTOR EMANUEL. + + + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _10th April 1849._ + +MY DEAREST UNCLE,--You will, I am sure, share our joy at Ernest's +_wonderful_ success at Eckerforde.[7] It is a marvellous piece of good +fortune _pour son bapteme de feu_, but it alarmed and agitated us all +to think that he might have been wounded, _to say the least_, for he +had his horse killed under him. At all events, he has done honour to +the poor race to which he belongs, and it makes us both very happy. +I think it will tend decidedly to shorten the war. Poor dear +Alexandrine! in what anxiety she will have been. + +The victory of Novara[8] seems to have been one of the hardest fought +and most brilliant battles known for years and years, and old Radetzky +says that he must name every individual if he was to do justice to +officers and men. But the loss was very severe. The regiment of Kinsky +lost _twenty-four_ officers! The Archduke Albert distinguished himself +exceedingly, which is worthy of his noble father. I could work myself +up to a great excitement about these exploits, for there is nothing I +admire more than great military exploits and daring. + + [Footnote 7: In this engagement with the Danes, arising out + of the Schleswig-Holstein dispute, Prince Ernest greatly + distinguished himself.] + + [Footnote 8: In which Marshal Radetzky defeated the + Piedmontese.] + + + + +[Pageheading: THE DUKE OF WELLINGTON] + + +_Queen Victoria to the Duke of Wellington._ + +_1st May 1849._ + +The Queen cannot let this day pass without offering to the Duke of +Wellington her warmest and sincerest wishes for many happy returns of +this day. She hopes the Duke will place the accompanying trifle on +his table, and that it will recall to his mind _one_ who ever reflects +with gratitude on the services he has rendered and always does render +to his Sovereign and his country. + + + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _8th May 1849._ + +MY DEAREST UNCLE,--Alas! poor Germany, I am wretched about her; +those news from Dresden are very distressing.[9] Really with such an +excellent man as the poor King, it is too wicked to do what they +have done. If only _some sort_ of arrangement could be made; then +afterwards there might be modifications, both in the Constitution, +etc., for that Constitution never will work well. + +Our Navigation Laws debate in the House of Lords began last night, and +is to be concluded to-night. There seems to be almost a certainty that +there will be a majority, though a very small one, and the danger of +course exists that any accident may turn it the other way. + +Knowing your esteem for our worthy friend, Sir Robert Peel, you will, +I am sure, be glad to hear that his second son, Frederick,[10] made +such a beautiful speech--his maiden speech--in the House of Commons +last night; he was complimented by every one, and Sir Robert was +delighted. I am so glad for him, and also rejoice to see that there is +a young man who promises to be of use hereafter to his country. + +Albert is again gone to lay a first stone. It is a delight to hear +people speak of the good he does by always saying and doing the right +thing.... + + [Footnote 9: The King of Prussia, finding Saxony, Bavaria, + Wuertemberg, and Hanover opposed to the ascendency of Prussia + in the Confederation, declined the Imperial Crown of Germany; + fresh disturbances thereupon ensued, and at Dresden, the King + of Saxony had to take refuge in a fortress.] + + [Footnote 10: Afterwards the Right Hon. Sir Frederick Peel, + who died in 1906.] + + + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _22nd May 1849._ + +MY DEAREST UNCLE,--I could not write to you yesterday, my time having +been so entirely taken up by kind visitors, etc., and I trust you +will forgive these hurried lines written just before our departure for +Osborne.[11] I hope that you will not have been alarmed by the account +of the occurrence which took place on Saturday, and which I can assure +you did _not_ alarm _me_ at all. _This_ time it is quite clear that +it was a wanton and wicked wish merely to _frighten_, which is very +wrong, and will be tried and punished as a _misdemeanour_. The +account in the _Times_ is quite correct. The indignation, loyalty, and +affection this act has called forth is very gratifying and touching. + +Alice gives a very good account of it, and Lenchen[12] even says, "Man +shot, tried to shoot dear Mamma, must be punished." They, Affie, and +Miss Macdonald were with me. Albert was riding, and had just returned +before me. Augustus and Clem had left us just two hours before.... + +Many thanks for your kind letter of the 19th. _What_ a state Germany +is in!--I mean _Baden_, but I hope that this violent crisis may lead +to good. + +I must conclude. Ever your truly devoted Niece, + +VICTORIA R. + + [Footnote 11: The Queen, while driving down Constitution Hill, + was fired at by one William Hamilton, the pistol being charged + only with powder. He was tried under the Act of 1842, and + sentenced to seven years' transportation.] + + [Footnote 12: Princess Helena (now Princess Christian), born + 25th May 1846.] + + + + +[Pageheading: ANNEXATION OF THE PUNJAB] + + +_Queen Victoria to Lord John Russell._ + +OSBORNE, _26th May 1849._ + +The Queen has to say, in answer to Lord John Russell's communication +respecting India, that she quite approves the annexation of the +Punjab, and is pleased to find that the Government concur in this +view. The elevation of Lord Dalhousie to a Marquisate is well +deserved, and almost the only thing that can be offered him as a +reward for his services; but considering his want of fortune, the +Queen thinks that it should be ascertained in the first instance +whether the increase of rank will be convenient to him. Lord Gough's +elevation to the dignity of Viscount has the Queen's sanction. + + + + +[Pageheading: FOREIGN OFFICE BUSINESS] + + +_Lord John Russell to the Prince Albert._ + +CHESHAM PLACE, _19th June 1849._ + +SIR,--I have spoken to Lord Palmerston respecting the draft to Mr +Buchanan.[13] + +It appears that he converted it into a private letter, as I suggested, +but he thought fit to place it on record, as it contained information +derived from authentic sources, and of importance. + +It appears the drafts are still sent to the Queen at the same time as +to me, so that my remarks or corrections, or even the cancelling of +a despatch, as not infrequently happens, may take effect after the +Queen's pleasure has been taken. + +This appears to me an inconvenient course. + +Lord Palmerston alleges that as 28,000 despatches were received and +sent last year, much expedition is required; but he professes himself +ready to send the despatches to me in the first instance, if the Queen +should desire it. + +It appears to me that all our despatches ought to be thoroughly +considered, but that Her Majesty should give every facility to the +transaction of business by attending to the drafts as soon as possible +after their arrival. + +I would suggest therefore that the drafts should have my concurrence +before they are submitted to the Queen, and in case of any material +change, that I should write to apprise Her Majesty of my views, and, +if necessary, submit my reasons, I have the honour to be, your Royal +Highness's most obedient Servant, + +J. RUSSELL. + + [Footnote 13: Mr (afterwards Sir) Andrew Buchanan (1807-1882), + Secretary of Legation at St. Petersburg.] + + + + +[Pageheading: THE QUEEN AND PALMERSTON] + + +_The Prince Albert to Lord John Russell._ + +_20th June 1849._ + +MY DEAR LORD JOHN,--Your proposal with respect to the mode of taking +the Queen's pleasure about the drafts is perfectly agreeable to the +Queen. She would only require that she would not be pressed for an +answer within a few minutes, as is now done sometimes. + +Lord Palmerston could always manage so that there are twelve or +twenty-four hours left for reference to you, and consideration, and +there are few instances in which business would suffer from so short +a delay. As Lord Palmerston knows when the Mails go, he has only +to write in time for them, and he must recollect that the 28,000 +despatches in the year come to you and to the Queen as well as to +himself. + +Should the Queen in future have to make any remark, she will make it +to you, if that will suit you. Ever yours truly, + +ALBERT. + + + + +_Lord John Russell to Viscount Palmerston._ + +_21st June 1849._ + +MY DEAR PALMERSTON,--I wrote the substance of what you wrote to me +to the Prince, and proposed that the drafts should, in the first +instance, be sent to me. You will see by the enclosed letter from the +Prince that the Queen approves of this proposal. + +It may somewhat abridge the circuit if, when I have no remark to make, +I forward the drafts with the Foreign Office direction to the Queen at +once. + +I cannot pretend to say that I paid the same attention to the 28,000 +despatches of 1848 that you are obliged to do. Still I agree in the +Prince's remark that directions to Foreign Ministers ought to be very +maturely weighed, for the Queen and the Government speak to foreign +nations in this and no other manner. Yours truly, + +J. RUSSELL. + + + + +[Pageheading: SCHLESWIG-HOLSTEIN] + + +_Queen Victoria to Viscount Palmerston._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _21st June 1849._ + +The Queen returns the enclosed drafts, which she will not further +object to, but she feels it necessary to say a few words in answer to +Lord Palmerston's letter. The union of Schleswig and Holstein[14] is +not an ideal one, but _complete_ as to Constitution, Finance, Customs, +Jurisdiction, Church, Universities, Poor Law, Settlement, Debts, etc., +etc., etc. It is _not established_ by the Kings-Dukes, but has existed +for centuries. To defend Holstein against the attack made by Denmark +upon this union, Germany joined the war. It is true that it is +now proposed in the new Constitution for Germany to consent to the +separation of Schleswig and Holstein, although last year the Frankfort +Parliament had desired the incorporation of Schleswig into Germany +with Holstein; but the question for Germany is now not to begin a war, +but to close one by a lasting peace. In this she has, in the Queen's +opinion, a right and a duty to see that the independence of Schleswig +is secured before she abandons that country. The comparison with +Saxony does not hold good for a moment, for the Schleswig Revolution +was not directed against the Duke, but against the King of Denmark, +who invaded the rights of the Duke of Schleswig-Holstein; the +assistance of Prussia could therefore not be given to Denmark, but to +Schleswig-Holstein. The case of Hungary has neither any similitude. +Hungary is not to be torn from its connection with the German States +by the Austrian Government, but just the reverse. + +Lord Palmerston cannot be more anxious for a speedy termination of the +Danish war than the Queen is, but she thinks that the mediation will +not effect this as long as the mediating power merely watches which +of the two parties is in the greatest difficulties for the moment, and +urges it to give way; but by a careful and anxious discovery of the +rights of the question and a steady adherence to the recommendation +that what is right and fair ought to be done. The cause of the +war having been the unlawful attempt to incorporate Schleswig into +Denmark, the peace cannot be lasting unless it contains sufficient +guarantees against the resumption of that scheme.[15] + + [Footnote 14: Schleswig had been claimed by Germany as an + integral part of her territory, and a war between Germany and + Denmark was in progress.] + + [Footnote 15: In reply, Lord Palmerston expressed entire + concurrence in the justice of the principles which the Queen + indicated as being those which ought to guide a mediating + Power.] + + + + +[Pageheading: PROPOSED VISIT TO IRELAND] + + +_Lord John Russell to the Earl of Clarendon._ + +_23rd June 1849._ + +I have the satisfaction to inform your Excellency that I have received +the Queen's commands to acquaint you that Her Majesty hopes to be able +in the course of the present summer to fulfil the intention, which you +are aware she has long entertained, of a visit to Ireland. The general +distress unfortunately still prevalent in Ireland precludes the +Queen from visiting Dublin in state, and thereby causing ill-timed +expenditure and inconvenience to her subjects; yet Her Majesty does +not wish to let another year pass without visiting a part of her +dominions which she has for so long a time been anxious personally +to become acquainted with. She accordingly will, at some sacrifice +of personal convenience, take a longer sea voyage, for the purpose +of visiting in the first instance the Cove of Cork, and from thence +proceed along the Irish coast to Dublin. After remaining there a +few days, during which time Her Majesty will be the guest of your +Excellency, she would continue her cruise along the Irish coast +northward and visit Belfast, and from thence cross to Scotland. +Although the precise time of Her Majesty's visit cannot yet be fixed, +it will probably take place as early in August as the termination of +the session of Parliament will permit, and I feel assured that this +early announcement of her intentions will be received with great +satisfaction by Her Majesty's loyal and faithful subjects in Ireland. + + + + +_Queen Victoria to Lord John Russell._ + +OSBORNE, _19th July 1849._ + +The Queen has received Lord John Russell's letters. She returns Lord +Clarendon's, and the very kind one of the Primate.[16] + +With respect to Lord Clarendon's suggestion that the Prince of Wales +should be created Duke, or rather, as Lord John _says_, _Earl_ of +Dublin--the Queen thinks it is a matter for consideration whether such +an act should _follow_ the Queen's visit as a compliment to Ireland, +but she is decidedly of opinion that it should _not precede_ it. + +We are sorry that Lord John does not intend going to Ireland, but +fully comprehend his wishes to remain quiet for three weeks. We shall +be very glad to see him at Balmoral on the 20th or 22nd of August. + +We hope Lady John and the baby continue to go on well. + + [Footnote 16: Lord John George de la Poer Beresford + (1773-1862) was Archbishop of Armagh from 1822 until his + death.] + + + + +[Pageheading: ARRIVAL IN DUBLIN] + +[Pageheading: THE IRISH VISIT] + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +LODGE, PH[OE]NIX PARK, _6th August 1849._ + +MY DEAREST UNCLE,--Though this letter will only go to-morrow, I will +begin it to-day and tell you that everything has gone off beautifully +since we arrived in Ireland, and that our entrance into Dublin was +really a magnificent thing. By my letter to Louise you will have +heard of our arrival in the Cove of Cork. Our visit to Cork was very +successful; the Mayor was knighted _on deck_ (on board the _Fairy_), +like in times of old. Cork is about seventeen miles up the River Lee, +which is beautifully wooded and reminds us of Devonshire scenery. We +had previously stepped on shore at _Cove_, a small place, to enable +them to call it _Queen's Town_; the enthusiasm is immense, and at Cork +there was more firing than I remember since the Rhine. + +We left Cork with fair weather, but a head sea and contrary wind which +made it rough and me very sick. + +_7th._--I was unable to continue till now, and have since received +your kind letter, for which I return my warmest thanks. We went into +Waterford Harbour on Saturday afternoon, which is likewise a fine, +large, safe harbour. Albert went up to Waterford in the _Fairy_, but +I did not. The next morning we received much the same report of the +weather which we had done at Cork, viz. that the weather was fair but +the wind contrary. However we went out, as it could not be helped, +and we might have remained there some days for no use. The first three +hours were very nasty, but afterwards it cleared and the evening was +beautiful. The entrance at seven o'clock into Kingston Harbour was +splendid; we came in with ten steamers, and the whole harbour, +wharf, and every surrounding place was _covered_ with _thousands_ and +thousands of people, who received us with the greatest enthusiasm. We +disembarked yesterday morning at ten o'clock, and took two hours +to come here. The most perfect order was maintained in spite of the +immense mass of people assembled, and a more good-humoured crowd I +never saw, but noisy and excitable beyond belief, talking, jumping, +and shrieking instead of cheering. There were numbers of troops out, +and it really was a wonderful scene. This is a very pretty place, +and the house reminds me of dear Claremont. The view of the Wicklow +Mountains from the windows is very beautiful, and the whole park is +very extensive and full of very fine trees. + +We drove out yesterday afternoon and were followed by jaunting-cars +and riders and people running and screaming, which would have amused +you. In the evening we had a dinner party, and so we have to-night. +This morning we visited the Bank, the Model School (where the +Protestant and Catholic Archbishops received us), and the College, and +this afternoon we went to the Military Hospital. To-morrow we have a +Levee, where 1,700 are to be presented, and the next day a Review, and +in the evening the Drawing-Room, when 900 ladies are to be presented. + +George[17] is here, and has a command here. He rode on one side of our +carriage yesterday. You see more ragged and wretched people here than +I ever saw anywhere else. _En revanche_, the women are really very +handsome--quite in the lowest class--as well at Cork as here; such +beautiful black eyes and hair and such fine colours and teeth. + +I must now take my leave. Ever your most affectionate Niece, + +VICTORIA R. + + [Footnote 17: The late Duke of Cambridge.] + + + + +_The Earl of Clarendon to Sir George Grey._ + +VICE-REGAL LODGE, _14th August 1849._ + +MY DEAR GREY,--If I had known where to direct I should have thanked +you sooner for your two welcome letters from Belfast, where everything +seems to have gone off to our hearts' desire, and the Queen's +presence, as the Stipendiary Magistrate writes word, has united all +classes and parties in a manner incredible to those who know the +distance at which they have hitherto been kept asunder. + +The enthusiasm here has not abated, and there is not an individual +in Dublin that does not take as a personal compliment to himself the +Queen's having gone upon the paddle-box and having ordered the Royal +Standard to be lowered three times. + +Even the ex-Clubbists,[18] who threatened broken heads and windows +before the Queen came, are now among the most loyal of her subjects, +and are ready, according to the police reports, to fight any one who +dare say a disrespectful word of Her Majesty. + +In short, the people are not only enchanted with the Queen and the +gracious kindness of her manner and the confidence she has shown in +them, but they are pleased with themselves for their own good feelings +and behaviour, which they consider have removed the barrier that +hitherto existed between the Sovereign and themselves, and that they +now occupy a higher position in the eyes of the world. Friend Bright +was with me to-day, and said he would not for the world have missed +seeing the embarkation at Kingston, for he had felt just the same +enthusiasm as the rest of the crowd. "Indeed," he added, "I'll defy +any man to have felt otherwise when he saw the Queen come upon the +platform and bow to the people in a manner that showed her heart was +with them." He didn't disguise either that the Monarchical principle +had made great way with him since Friday. Ever yours truly, + +CLARENDON. + + [Footnote 18: Seditious clubs had been an important factor in + the Irish disturbances of 1848.] + + + + +[Pageheading: BREVET PROMOTIONS] + + +_Queen Victoria to Lord John Russell._ + +OSBORNE, _3rd October 1849._ + +The Queen has received Lord John Russell's explanation respecting the +brevet promotions on the occasion of her visit to Ireland, but cannot +say that his objections have convinced her of the impropriety of +such a promotion (to a limited extent). To Lord John's fears of the +dangerous consequences of the precedent, the Queen has only to answer, +that there can be only _one first visit_ to Ireland, and that the +_first_ visit to Scotland in 1842 was followed by a few promotions, +without this entailing promotions on her subsequent visits to that +part of the country; that even the first visit to the Channel +Islands was followed by a few promotions, and this under Lord +John's Government. All the precedents being in accordance with +the proposition made by the Duke, an opposition on the part of the +Government would imply a declaration against all brevets except in the +field, which would deprive the Crown of a most valuable prerogative. +If such a brevet as the one proposed were to lead to great additional +expense, the Queen could understand the objection on the ground of +economy; but the giving brevet rank to a few subaltern officers is too +trifling a matter to alarm the Government. Perhaps the number might be +reduced even, but to deviate from the established precedents for +the first time altogether in this case, and that after the excellent +behaviour of the Army in Ireland under very trying circumstances, +would be felt as a great injustice. + +The Queen therefore wishes Lord John to ask the Duke to send him +the former precedents and to consider with his colleagues whether a +modified recommendation cannot be laid before her.[19] + + [Footnote 19: The Duke of Wellington had submitted a list + of Officers for brevet promotion, which received the Queen's + sanction; but the list was afterwards reduced.] + + + + +_Lord John Russell to Queen Victoria._ + +WOBURN ABBEY, _4th October 1849._ + +Lord John Russell presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and will +consider, in communication with the Duke of Wellington, whether any +modified list can be proposed by him to your Majesty. + +The economy, as your Majesty truly observes, is not a matter of much +consideration. But to reward Officers on the Staff, who are already +favoured by being placed on the Staff in Ireland, is a practice which +tends but too much to encourage the opinion that promotions in the +Army and Navy are given not to merit, but to aristocratical connection +and official favour. + +In the midst of the degradation of Thrones which the last two years +have seen in Europe, it will be well if the English Crown preserves +all its just prerogatives, and has only to relinquish some customary +abuses, which are not useful to the Sovereign, and are only an +equivocal advantage to the Ministers of the day. + + + + +[Pageheading: A PUBLIC THANKSGIVING] + + +_Queen Victoria to Lord John Russell._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _31st October 1849._ + +The Queen has just received Lord John Russell's letter, and was much +rejoiced at everything having gone off so well yesterday;[20] she was +very much annoyed at being unable to go herself, and that the untoward +chicken-pox should have come at this moment; she is, however, quite +recovered, though still much marked. + +With respect to the proposition about the Thanksgiving, the Queen +quite approves of it, and (_if it is generally preferred_) that it +should be on a week-day. As to the Bishop of London's proposal,[21] +the Queen thinks that Lord John may have misunderstood him; she +supposes that he meant that she should attend _some_ place of _public +worship_, and not in her domestic chapel, in order to join in the +public demonstration. The Queen is quite ready to go with her Court +to St George's Chapel here; but she would like it to take place on +an earlier day than the 27th of November, when she would probably be +already in the Isle of Wight, where we think of going as usual on the +22nd or 23rd. + + [Footnote 20: The ceremony of opening the new Coal Exchange, + at which, besides Prince Albert, the Prince of Wales and + Princess Royal were present.] + + [Footnote 21: There had been a severe epidemic of cholera in + the country. In twelve months 14,000 deaths, in London alone, + were due to this malady. The 15th of November was appointed + for a general Day of Thanksgiving for its cessation, and the + Bishop of London had suggested that the Queen should attend a + public service at St Paul's. Lord John Russell was in favour + of Westminster Abbey.] + + + + +[Pageheading: POSITION OF GERMANY] + + +_Lord John Russell to Queen Victoria._ + +EATON SQUARE, _29th November 1849._ + +Lord John Russell presents his humble duty to your Majesty. In +answer to your Majesty's enquiry, he has to state that a very short +conversation took place in the Cabinet on the affairs of Germany upon +an enquiry of Lord John Russell whether the Diet of Erfurt[22] might +not be considered a violation of the Treaties of 1815. Lord Palmerston +thought not, but had not examined the question. + +The affairs of Germany are in a critical position; Austria will +oppose anything which tends to aggrandise Prussia; Prussia will +oppose anything which tends to free Government; and France will oppose +anything which tends to strengthen Germany. Still, all these powers +might be disregarded were Germany united, but it is obvious that +Bavaria and Wuertemberg look to Austria and France for support, while +Hanover and Saxony will give a very faint assistance to a Prussian +League. + +The matter is very critical, but probably will not lead to war. + + [Footnote 22: In order to effect the consolidation of Germany, + the King of Prussia had summoned a Federal Parliament to meet + at Erfurt.] + + + + +_Viscount Palmerston to Queen Victoria._ + +FOREIGN OFFICE, _30th November 1849._ + +Viscount Palmerston presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and in +reply to your Majesty's enquiry as to what the measures would be +which Sir William Parker[23] would have to take in order to support Mr +Wyse's[24] demands for redress for certain wrongs sustained by British +and Ionian subjects, begs to say that the ordinary and accustomed +method of enforcing such demands is by reprisals--that is to say, +by seizing some vessels and property of the party which refuses +redress,[25] and retaining possession thereof until redress is +granted. + +Another method is the blockading of the ports of the party by whom +redress is refused, and by interrupting commercial intercourse to +cause inconvenience and loss. Viscount Palmerston, however, does not +apprehend that any active measures of this kind will be required, but +rather expects that when the Greek Government finds that the demand +is made in earnest, and that means are at hand to enforce it, +satisfaction will at last be given. The refusal of the Greek +Government to satisfy these claims, and the offensive neglect +with which they have treated the applications of your Majesty's +representative at Athens have, as Viscount Palmerston is convinced, +been the result of a belief that the British Government never would +take any real steps in order to press these matters to a settlement. + + [Footnote 23: Commanding the Mediterranean Fleet.] + + [Footnote 24: British Envoy at Athens.] + + [Footnote 25: _See_ Introductory Note for 1850, _post_, p. + 231.] + + + + +[Pageheading: DEATH OF QUEEN ADELAIDE] + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +OSBORNE, _11th December 1849._ + +MY DEAREST UNCLE,--Thank you much for your kind letter of the 6th; +you will have received mine of the 4th shortly after you wrote. I +know _how_ you would mourn with us over the death of our beloved Queen +Adelaide. _We_ have lost the kindest and dearest of friends, and the +_universal_ feeling of sorrow, of regret, and of _real_ appreciation +of her character is very touching and gratifying. _All_ parties, _all_ +classes, join in doing her justice. Much was done to set Mamma against +her, but the dear Queen ever forgave this, ever showed love and +affection, and for the last eight years their friendship was as great +as ever. Ever yours affectionately, + +VICTORIA R. + + + + +INTRODUCTORY NOTE + +TO CHAPTER XIX + + +The Ministry were still (1850) able, relying on the support of Sir +Robert Peel, to resist the attacks of the Protectionists in the House +of Commons, though their majority on a critical occasion fell to +twenty-one; but they were rehabilitated by the discussions on foreign +policy. One Don Pacifico, a Portuguese Jew, a native of Gibraltar and +a British subject, had had his house in Athens pillaged by a mob; he, +with Mr Finlay, the historian, who had a money claim against the Greek +Government, instead of establishing their claims in the local courts, +sought the intervention of the home Government; Lord Palmerston, whose +relations with the Court were even more strained than usual, resolved +to make a hostile demonstration against Greece, and a fleet was sent +to the Piraeus with a peremptory demand for settlement. The House of +Lords condemned this high-handed action, but a friendly motion +of confidence was made in the Commons, and Lord Palmerston had an +extraordinary triumph, by a majority of forty-six, notwithstanding +that the ablest men outside the Ministry spoke against him, and that +his unsatisfactory relations with the Queen were about to culminate in +a severe reprimand. + +Sir Robert Peel's speech in this debate proved to be his last public +utterance, his premature death, resulting from a fall from his horse, +taking place a few days later; Louis Philippe, who had been living +in retirement at Claremont, passed away about the same time. Another +attack on the Queen, this time a blow with a cane, was made by one +Robert Pate, an ex-officer and well-connected; the plea of insanity +was not established, and Pate was transported. + +Public attention was being drawn to the projected Exhibition in Hyde +Park, Prince Albert making a memorable speech at the Mansion House +in support of the scheme; the popular voice had not been unanimous in +approval, and subscriptions had hung fire, but henceforward matters +improved, and Mr Paxton's design for a glass and iron structure was +accepted and proceeded with. + +The friction with Lord Palmerston was again increased by his action +in respect to General Haynau, an Austrian whose cruelty had been +notorious, and who was assaulted by some of the _employes_ at a London +brewery. The Foreign Office note to the Austrian Government nearly +brought about Palmerston's resignation, which was much desired by the +Queen. + +At the close of the year the whole country was in a ferment at the +issue of a Papal Brief, re-establishing the hierarchy of Bishops +in England with local titles derived from their sees; and Cardinal +Wiseman, thenceforward Archbishop of Westminster, by issuing a +pastoral letter on the subject, made matters worse. The Protestant +spirit was aroused, the two Universities presented petitions, and the +Prime Minister, in a letter to the Bishop of Durham, helped to fan +the "No Popery" flame. Just at a time when a coalition of Whigs and +Peelites was beginning to be possible, an Ecclesiastical Titles Bill, +almost fatal to mutual confidence, became necessary. + + + + +CHAPTER XIX + +1850 + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _5th February 1850._ + +MY DEAR UNCLE,--We had the house full for three days last week on +account of our theatrical performances on Friday, which went off +extremely well. The Grand Duchess Stephanie was here, _tres aimable_, +and not altered. She spoke much of Germany and of politics, and +of _you_ in the highest terms--"Comme le Roi Leopold s'est bien +tenu"--and that she had mentioned this at Claremont, and then felt +shocked at it, but that the poor King had answered: "Il avait mon +exemple devant lui, et il en a profite!" She thought the whole family +_tres digne_ in their _malheur_, but was struck with the melancholy +effect of the whole thing. + +Our affairs have gone off extremely well in Parliament, and the +Protectionists have received an effective check; the question of the +Corn Laws seems _indeed settled_. This is of great importance, as it +puts a stop to the excitement and expectations of the farmers, which +have been falsely kept up by the aristocracy.... + +I must now conclude. Ever your devoted Niece, + +VICTORIA R. + + + + +_Viscount Palmerston to Lord John Russell._ + +CARLTON GARDENS, _15th February 1850._ + +MY DEAR JOHN RUSSELL,--I have altered this draft so as I think to meet +the views of the Queen and of yourself in regard to the continuance +of the suspension.[1] I should not like to put into a despatch an +instruction to accept less than we have demanded, because that would +imply what I don't think to be the fact, viz. that we have demanded +more than is due. If the demands were for the British Government, we +might forego what portions we might like to give up, but we have no +right to be easy and generous with the rights and claims of other +people. Besides, if we get anything, we shall get all. The whole +amount is quite within the power of the Greek Government to pay. Yours +sincerely, + +PALMERSTON. + + [Footnote 1: _I.e._ of hostilities against the Greek + Government, designed to extract compensation for the injuries + inflicted on British subjects. See _ante_, p. 231.] + + + + +[Pageheading: THE DRAFT TO GREECE] + + +_Queen Victoria to Viscount Palmerston._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _17th February 1850._ + +The Queen sent the day before yesterday the proposed draft to Mr +Wyse back to Lord Palmerston, enclosing a Memorandum from Lord John +Russell, and telling Lord Palmerston "that she entirely concurred with +Lord John, and wished the draft to be altered accordingly." She has +not yet received an answer from Lord Palmerston, but just hears from +Lord John, in answer to her enquiry about it, that Lord Palmerston has +_sent_ the draft off _unaltered_.[2] The Queen must remark upon this +sort of proceeding, of which this is not the first instance, and +plainly tell Lord Palmerston that this must not happen again. Lord +Palmerston has a perfect right to state to the Queen his reasons for +disagreeing with her views, and will always have found her ready to +listen to his reasons; but she cannot allow a servant of the Crown +and her Minister to act contrary to her orders, and this without her +knowledge. + + [Footnote 2: _See_ Ashley's _Palmerston_, vol. i. chap. v.] + + + + +[Pageheading: PALMERSTON'S EXPLANATION] + + +_Viscount Palmerston to Queen Victoria._ + +CARLTON GARDENS. _17th February 1850._ + +Viscount Palmerston presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and in +reply to your Majesty's communication of this day, he begs to +state that upon receiving, the day before yesterday, your Majesty's +Memorandum on the proposed draft to Mr Wyse, together with the +accompanying Memorandum[3] from Lord John Russell, he altered the +draft, and sent it to Lord John Russell, and received it back from +Lord John Russell with the accompanying note in answer to that which +he wrote to Lord John Russell. It was important that the messenger +should go off that evening, and the time occupied in these +communications rendered it just, but barely, possible to despatch the +messenger by the mail train of that evening. The despatch thus altered +coincided with the views of your Majesty and Lord John Russell as to +the question in regard to the length of time during which reprisals +should be suspended to give scope for the French negotiation. The +other question as to giving Mr Wyse a latitude of discretion to +entertain any proposition which might be made to him by the Greek +Government was considered by the Cabinet at its meeting yesterday +afternoon, and Viscount Palmerston gave Mr Wyse a latitude of that +kind in regard to the claim of Mr Pacifico, the only one to which +that question could apply, in a despatch which he sent by the overland +Mediterranean mail which went off yesterday afternoon. That despatch +also contained some instructions as to the manner in which Mr Wyse +is to communicate with Baron Gros,[4] and those instructions were the +result of a conversation which Viscount Palmerston had with the French +Ambassador after the meeting of the Cabinet. Viscount Palmerston was +only waiting for a copy of the despatch of yesterday evening, which, +owing to this day being Sunday, he has not yet received, in order to +send to your Majesty the altered draft of yesterday evening, with +an explanation of the circumstances which rendered it impossible to +submit them to your Majesty before they were sent off.[5] + + [Footnote 3: Lord John Russell's opinion was that three weeks + should be allowed to Mr Wyse and Sir W. Parker to accept terms + as satisfactory as they could obtain, and that Sir W. Parker + should not be obliged to resume coercive measures, if the + concessions of the Greek Government should appear to afford a + prospect of a speedy settlement of the affair.] + + [Footnote 4: Baron Gros was the Commissioner despatched by + the French Government to Athens to assist in arranging the + dispute.] + + [Footnote 5: See subsequent correspondence between Lord John + and Lord Palmerston, Walpole's _Russell_, vol. ii. chap. xix.] + + + + +[Pageheading: RE-ARRANGEMENT SUGGESTED] + +[Pageheading: LORD JOHN RUSSELL'S PLAN] + + +_Memorandum by the Prince Albert._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _3rd March 1850._ + +Before leaving Town yesterday we saw Lord John Russell, who came to +state what had passed with reference to Lord Palmerston. He premised +that Lord Palmerston had at all times been a most agreeable and +accommodating colleague; that he had acted with Lord John ever since +1831, and had not only never made any difficulty, but acted most +boldly and in the most spirited manner on all political questions; +besides, he was very popular with the Radical part of the House of +Commons as well as with the Protectionist, so that both would be ready +to receive him as their Leader; he (Lord John) was therefore most +anxious to do nothing which could hurt Lord Palmerston's feelings, nor +to bring about a disruption of the Whig Party, which at this moment +of Party confusion was the only one which still held together. On the +other hand, the fact that the Queen distrusted Lord Palmerston was a +serious impediment to the carrying on of the Government. Lord John was +therefore anxious to adopt a plan by which Lord Palmerston's services +could be retained with his own goodwill, and the Foreign Affairs +entrusted to other hands. The only plan he could think of was to give +Lord Palmerston the lead in the House of Commons--the highest position +a statesman could aspire to--and to go himself to the House of Lords. +He had communicated his views to Lord Lansdowne, who agreed in them, +and thought he could do nothing better than speak to Lord Palmerston +at once. Lord Palmerston said that he could not have helped to have +become aware that he had forfeited the Queen's confidence, but he +thought this had not been on _personal_ grounds, but merely on account +of his line of policy, with which the Queen disagreed. (The Queen +interrupted Lord John by remarking that she distrusted him on +_personal_ grounds also, but I remarked that Lord Palmerston had so +far at least seen rightly; that he had become disagreeable to the +Queen, not on account of his person, but of his political doings, +to which the Queen assented.) Lord Palmerston appeared to Lord John +willing to enter into this agreement. + +On the question how the Foreign Office should be filled, Lord John +said that he thought his father-in-law, Lord Minto, ought to take +the Foreign Office.... As the Queen was somewhat startled by this +announcement, I said I thought that would not go down with the public. +After Lord Palmerston's removal (who was considered one of the ablest +men in the country) he ought not to be replaced but by an equally able +statesman; the Office was of _enormous_ importance, and ought not to +be entrusted to any one but Lord John himself or Lord Clarendon. On +the Queen's enquiry why Lord Clarendon had not been proposed for it, +Lord John said he was most anxious that the change of the Minister +should not produce a change in the general line of policy which he +considered to have been quite right, and that Lord Clarendon did +not approve of it; somehow or other he never could agree with +Lord Clarendon on Foreign Affairs; he thought Lord Clarendon very +anti-French and for an alliance with Austria and Russia. The Queen +replied she knew Lord Clarendon's bad opinion of the mode in which the +Foreign Affairs had been conducted, and thought that a merit in him, +but did not think him Austrian or Russian, but merely disapproving +of Lord Palmerston's behaviour. I urged Lord John to take the Foreign +Affairs himself, which he said would have to be done if the Queen did +not wish Lord Minto to take them; he himself would be able to do the +business when in the House of Lords, although he would undertake it +unwillingly; with the business in the House of Commons it would have +been impossible for him. + +The Queen insisted on his trying it with a seat in the House of Lords, +adding that, if he found it too much for him, he could at a later +period perhaps make the Department over to Lord Clarendon. + +I could not help remarking that it was a serious risk to entrust Lord +Palmerston with the lead in the House of Commons, that it might be +that the Government were defeated and, if once in opposition, Lord +Palmerston might take a different line as leader of the Opposition +from that which Lord John would like, and might so easily force +himself back into office as Prime Minister. Lord John, however, +although admitting that danger, thought Lord Palmerston too old to do +much in the future (having passed his sixty-fifth year); he admitted +that Sir George Grey was the natural leader of the Commons, but +expected that a little later the lead would still fall into his hands. + +The arrangements of the Offices as proposed would be that Lord +Palmerston would take the Home Office, and Sir George Grey the +Colonial Office, and Lord Grey vacate this office for the Privy +Seal. If Lord Minto, however, was not to have the Foreign Office, the +arrangement must be recast. Lord Clarendon would become Secretary +of State for Ireland, after the abolition of the Lord-Lieutenancy. +Possibly also Sir George Grey might take the office, and Lord +Clarendon take the Colonies, which Lord Grey would be glad to be rid +of. On my observing that I had thought the Colonies would have done +best for Lord Palmerston, leaving Sir George Grey at the Home Office, +Lord John acknowledged that he would likewise prefer this arrangement, +but considered it rendered impossible from its having been the very +thing Lord Grey had proposed in 1845, and upon which the attempt to +form a Whig Government at that time had broken down, Lord Palmerston +having refused to enter the Cabinet on those terms. Lord John ended +by saying that Lord Palmerston having agreed to the change, it was +intended that nothing should be done about it till after the close of +the Session, in order to avoid debates and questions on the subject; +moreover, Lord Lansdowne had agreed to continue still this Session his +labours as Leader in the House of Lords, and begged for the _utmost +secrecy_ at present. + +ALBERT. + +Lord John Russell already last year had spoken to me of his wish to +go to the House of Lords, finding the work in the House of Commons, +together with his other business, too much for him, and Lord Lansdowne +being desirous to be relieved from the lead in the Upper House. + +ALBERT. + + + + +[Pageheading: THE QUEEN'S ULTIMATUM] + + +_Memorandum by Baron Stockmar._[6] + +_12th March 1850._ + +The least the Queen has a right to require of her Minister is:-- + +1. That he will distinctly state what he proposes in a given case, in +order that the Queen may know as distinctly to what she has to give +her royal sanction. + +2. Having given once her sanction to a measure, the Minister who, +in the execution of such measure alters or modifies it arbitrarily, +commits an act of dishonesty towards the Crown, which the Queen has +an undoubted constitutional right to visit with the dismissal of that +Minister. + +STOCKMAR. + + [Footnote 6: Compare this with the Memorandum ultimately drawn + up on the 12th of August.] + + + + +_Queen Victoria to the Marquis of Lansdowne._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _16th March 1850._ + +The Queen wishes to remark to Lord Lansdowne, that his answer to Lord +Stanley in the House of Lords last night might possibly lead to the +misapprehension that Lord Palmerston's delay in sending the despatch +to Mr Wyse had been caused by the time it took to get the Queen's +approval of it. She must protest against such an inference being +drawn, as being contrary to the fact, Lord Palmerston indeed having +sent out in the first instance a different despatch from that which +she had approved. + + + + +[Pageheading: AFFAIRS IN FRANCE] + + +_The King of the Belgians to Queen Victoria._ + +LAEKEN, _25th March 1850._ + +MY DEAREST VICTORIA,-- ... King Louis Philippe seems better, but still +he is evidently breaking; there is no wonder when one considers all +he has gone through, and is still to suffer! No one can tell a day +[ahead] what may happen in France, and if all the family have, which +is but[7] in France, may not be confiscated. The thirst for spoliation +is great; the people who lead have no other view, they are not +fanatics, their aim is to rise and to enrich themselves; the remainder +is mere humbug, exactly as you have it very near home. Never was +there a nation in a worse and a more helpless state, and the numerous +parties who will _not_ unite render all solutions impossible, and the +republic will be maintained for that very reason. It is but a name +and no substance, but that _name of_ _republic_ encourages every +extravagant or desperate proceeding, and turns people's heads in the +old monarchies; every doctor or magistrate sees himself president of +some republic, and the ambitions of so many people who see all the +impediments which existed formerly removed, and who, according to +their _own opinion_, are wonderful people, will be insatiable and much +more dangerous than you imagine in England. On the Continent every man +thinks himself fit to be at the head of the Government; there is no +political measure or scale, and the success of some bookseller or +doctor or advocate, etc., turns the heads of all those in similar +positions--_on ne doute de rien_. When you consider that a +_banqueroutier_ like Ledru Rollin[8] ruled over France _for six +months_ almost with _absolute power,_ merely because he took it, you +may imagine how many thousands, even of workmen, cooks, stage people, +etc., look to be taken to rule over their fellow-citizens; _toujours +convaincu de leur propre merite_. I am happy to see that you escaped +a ministerial crisis; the peril was great, and it would have been +dreadful for you at such a moment. + +Albert made a fine long speech, I see.[9] Did he read it? _ex +tempore_, it would have been very trying. I trust we may come to that +unity of mankind of which he speaks, and of universal peace which our +friend Richard Cobden considers as very near at hand; if, however, +the red benefactors of mankind at Paris get the upper hand, _universal +war_ will be the order of the day. We are so strongly convinced of +this that we are very seriously occupied with the means of defence +which this country can afford, and we imagine that if we are not +abandoned by our friends, it will be impossible to force our positions +on the Schelde. + +I must now quickly conclude. Remaining ever, my beloved Victoria, your +devoted Uncle, + +LEOPOLD R. + + [Footnote 7: _I.e._ "only."] + + [Footnote 8: He was President in 1848.] + + [Footnote 9: At the Mansion House banquet to the Commissioners + for the Exhibition of 1851. See quotation from it in Sir T. + Martin's _Life_, vol. ii, p. 247.] + + + + +_Queen Victoria to Viscount Palmerston._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _25th March 1850._ + +The Queen approves these drafts, but thinks that in the part alluding +to M. Pacifico, should be added a direction to Mr Wyse to satisfy +himself of the _truth_ of M. Pacifico's statements of losses before +he grounds his demands upon them.[10] The draft merely allows a +sub-division of the claims, but takes their validity for granted. + + [Footnote 10: Don Pacifico claimed L31,500--L4,900 being for + effects destroyed, and L26,600 in respect of certain claims + against the Portuguese Government, the vouchers for which he + stated had been destroyed by the mob which pillaged his house. + His valuation of the various items was of the most extravagant + description.] + + + + +[Pageheading: SPEECH BY PRINCE ALBERT] + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _26th March 1850._ + +MY DEAREST UNCLE,--Albert made a really beautiful speech the other +day, and it has given the greatest satisfaction and done great good. +He is indeed _looked up to and beloved_, as _I_ could _wish_ he should +be; and the _more_ his _rare qualities_ of mind and heart are _known_, +the _more_ he will be understood and appreciated. People are much +struck at his great powers and energy; his great self-denial, and +constant wish to work for others, is so striking in his character; but +it is the _happiest_ life; pining for what one cannot have, and trying +to run after what is pleasantest, _invariably_ ends in disappointment. + +I must now conclude. Ever your devoted Niece, + +VICTORIA R. + + + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _29th March 1850._ + +MY DEAREST UNCLE,--I write only a few lines to-day, begging you to +give the accompanying drawing of her little _namesake_ to dearest +Louise _on_ her birthday. + +I shall duly answer your dear letter of the 25th on Tuesday, but am +anxious to correct the impression that Albert read his fine speech. +He _never_ has done so with any of his fine speeches, but speaks them, +having first prepared them and written them down,--and does so _so +well_, that no one believes that he is ever nervous, which _he is_. +This last he is said to have spoken in so particularly English a way. + +We have still sadly cold winds. Ever your devoted Niece, + +VICTORIA R. + + + + +_Queen Victoria to Lord John Russell._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _14th April 1850._ + +The Queen has received Lord John Russell's letter with the drafts, +which he mentioned last night to her, and she has sent his letter with +them to Lord Palmerston. + +Lord Palmerston's conduct in this Spanish question[11] in not +communicating her letter to Lord John, as she had directed, is really +too bad, and most disrespectful to the Queen; she can really hardly +communicate with him any more; indeed it would be better she should +not. + + [Footnote 11: The question was the selection of a Minister for + Madrid.] + + + + +[Pageheading: LORD HOWDEN] + + +_Queen Victoria to Lord John Russell._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _27th April 1850._ + +In order to save the Government embarrassments, the Queen has +sanctioned the appointment of Lord Howden[12] to Madrid, although +she does not consider him to be quite the stamp of person in whom she +could feel entire confidence that he will be proof against all spirit +of intrigue, which at all times and now particularly is so much +required in Spain. But she must once more ask Lord John to watch that +the Queen may be quite openly and considerately dealt by. She knows +that Lord Howden has long been made acquainted with his appointment, +and has been corresponding upon it with General Narvaez; the +correspondent of the _Times_ has announced his appointment from Madrid +already three weeks ago, and all that time Lord Palmerston remained +silent upon the matter to the Queen, not even answering her upon her +letter expressing her wish to see Lord Westmorland[13] appointed. Lord +John must see the impropriety of this course, and if it were not for +the Queen's anxiety to smooth all difficulties, the Government might +be exposed to most awkward embarrassments. She expects, however, +and has the right to claim, equal consideration on the part of her +Ministers. She addresses herself in this matter to Lord John as the +head of the Government. + + [Footnote 12: Lord Howden had been recently Minister at Rio + Janeiro.] + + [Footnote 13: Minister at Berlin, 1841-51.] + + + + +_Lord John Russell to Queen Victoria._ + +PEMBROKE LODGE, _28th April 1850._ + +... Lord John Russell cannot but assent to your Majesty's right to +claim every consideration on the part of your Majesty's Ministers. +He will take care to attend to this subject, and is much concerned to +find that your Majesty has so frequently occasion to complain of Lord +Palmerston's want of attention. + + + + +[Pageheading: THE KOH-I-NOOR] + + +_The Marquis of Dalhousie to Queen Victoria._ + +SIMLA, _15th May 1850._ + +... When the Governor-General had the honour of addressing your +Majesty from Bombay, the arrangements for the transmission of the +Koh-i-noor were incomplete. He therefore did not then report to your +Majesty, as he now humbly begs leave to do, that he conveyed the +jewel himself from Lahore in his own charge, and deposited it in the +Treasury at Bombay. One of your Majesty's ships had been ordered to +Bombay to receive it, but had not then arrived, and did not arrive +till two months afterwards, thus causing delay. The _Medea_, however, +sailed on 6th April, and will, it is hoped, have a safe and speedy +passage to England. + +By this mail the Governor-General transmits officially a record of all +that he has been able to trace of the vicissitudes through which the +Koh-i-noor has passed. The papers are accurate and curious. + +In one of them it is narrated, on the authority of Fugueer-ood-deen, +who is now at Lahore, and who was himself the messenger, that Runjeet +Singh sent a message to Wufa Begum, the wife of Shah Sooja, from whom +he had taken the gem, to ask her its value. She replied, "If a strong +man were to throw four stones, one north, one south, one east, one +west, and a fifth stone up into the air, and if the space between +them were to be filled with gold, all would not equal the value of the +Koh-i-noor." The Fugueer, thinking probably that this appraisement was +somewhat imaginative, subsequently asked Shah Sooja the same question. +The Shah replied that its value was "good fortune; for whoever +possessed it had conquered their enemies." + +The Governor-General very respectfully and earnestly trusts that your +Majesty, in your possession of the Koh-i-noor, may ever continue to +realise its value as estimated by Shah Sooja. + +He has the honour to subscribe himself, with deep respect, your +Majesty's most obedient, most humble, and most faithful Subject and +Servant, + +DALHOUSIE. + + + + +[Pageheading: PALMERSTON'S FOREIGN POLICY] + + +_The Prince Albert to Lord John Russell._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _18th May 1850._ + +MY DEAR LORD JOHN,--I return you the enclosed letters which forbode +a new storm, this time coming from Russia.[14] I confess I do not +understand that part of the quarrel, but one conviction grows stronger +and stronger with the Queen and myself (if it is possible), viz. that +Lord Palmerston is bringing the whole of the hatred which is borne to +him--I don't mean here to investigate whether justly or unjustly--by +all the Governments of Europe upon England, and that the country +runs serious danger of having to pay for the consequences. We cannot +reproach ourselves with having neglected warning and entreaties, but +the Queen may feel that her duty demands her not to be content with +mere warning without any effect, and that for the sake of one man the +welfare of the country must not be exposed.... + +ALBERT. + + [Footnote 14: Russia as well as France had been appealed to by + Greece against the pressure brought to bear upon her. On the + 18th of April a Convention was signed in London disposing of + the whole dispute, and referring Don Pacifico's claims + against Portugal to arbitration. Lord Palmerston was remiss in + communicating the progress of those negotiations to Mr Wyse, + who persisted in his coercive measures, disregarding the + intelligence on the subject he received from Baron Gros, and + Greece accordingly submitted to his terms. France and Russia + were incensed, the French Ambassador was recalled, and on the + 18th of May Baron Brunnow intimated the imminence of similar + action by the Czar.] + + + + +_Lord John Russell to the Prince Albert._ + +PEMBROKE LODGE, _18th May 1850._ + +SIR,--I feel very strongly that the Queen ought not to be exposed to +the enmity of Austria, France, and Russia on account of her Minister. +I was therefore prepared to state on Monday that it is for Her Majesty +to consider what course it will be best for her and for the country to +pursue. + +1. I am quite ready to resign my office, but I could not make Lord +Palmerston the scapegoat for the sins which will be imputed to the +Government in the late negotiations. + +2. I am ready, if it is thought best, to remain in office till +questions pending in the two Houses are decided. If unfavourably, a +solution is obtained; if favourably, Lord John Russell will no longer +remain in office with Lord Palmerston as Foreign Secretary. + +These are hasty and crude thoughts, but may be matured by Monday. + + + + +[Pageheading: LORD JOHN RUSSELL'S REPORT] + + +_Memorandum by the Prince Albert._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _20th May 1850._ + +Lord John Russell came to-day to make his report to the Queen on +his final determination with respect to the Greek question and Lord +Palmerston. He said it was quite impossible to abandon Lord Palmerston +upon this question, that the Cabinet was as much to blame (if there +were cause for it) as Lord Palmerston, and particularly he himself, +who had given his consent to the measures taken, and was justly held +responsible by the country for the Foreign Policy of the Government. +Admitting, however, that Lord Palmerston's personal quarrels with all +Governments of foreign countries and the hostility with which they +were looking upon him was doing serious injury to the country, and +exposing the Crown to blows aimed at the Minister, he had consulted +Lord Lansdowne.... Lord Lansdowne fully felt the strength of what I +said respecting the power of the Leader of the House of Commons, and +the right on the part of the Queen to object to its being conferred +upon a person who had not her entire confidence. I said I hoped Lord +Lansdowne would consider the communication of the letter as quite +confidential, as, although I had no objection to telling Lord +Palmerston anything that was said in it myself, I should not like that +it should come to his ears by third persons or be otherwise talked +of. Lord John assured me that Lord Lansdowne could be entirely relied +upon, and that he himself had locked up the letter under key the +moment he had received it, and would carefully guard it. + +The result of our conference was, that we agreed that Lord Clarendon +was the only member of the Government to whom the Foreign Affairs +could be entrusted unless Lord John were to take them himself, which +was much the best. Lord John objected to Lord Clarendon's intimate +connection with the _Times_, and the violent Austrian line of that +paper; moreover, Lord Clarendon would be wanted to organise the new +department of Secretary of State for Ireland. The Colonial Office +was much the best for Lord Palmerston, and should Lord John go to the +House of Lords, Sir George Grey was to lead in the Commons. Lord John +would take an opportunity of communicating with Lord Palmerston, but +wished nothing should be said or done about the changes till after the +close of the Session.[15] + +ALBERT. + + [Footnote 15: The question of the relations of Lord Palmerston + with the Crown had to be postponed owing to the debates in + both Houses on Foreign Policy. In the Lords, Lord Stanley + moved a vote of censure on the Government for enforcing by + coercive measures various doubtful or exaggerated claims + against the Greek Government.] + + + + +[Pageheading: SUNDAY POSTS] + + +_Queen Victoria to Lord John Russell._ + +OSBORNE, _9th June 1850._ + +The Queen has received Lord John Russell's two letters. If the +Cabinet _think_ it impossible to do otherwise, of course the Queen +consents--though _most reluctantly_--to a compliance with the vote +respecting the Post Office.[16] The Queen thinks it a very _false_ +notion of obeying God's will, to do what will be the cause of much +annoyance and possibly of great distress to private families. At any +rate, she thinks decidedly that great caution should be used with +respect to any alteration in the transmission of the mails, so that at +least _some means_ of communication may still be possible. + + [Footnote 16: Lord Ashley carried a resolution forbidding + the Sunday delivery of letters; a Committee of Inquiry was + appointed, and reported against the proposed change, which was + abandoned.] + + + + +_Queen Victoria to the Duke of Cambridge._ + +OSBORNE, _10th June 1850._ + +MY DEAR UNCLE,--I have enquired into the precedents, and find that +though there are none exactly similar to the case of George, there +will be no difficulty to call him up to the House of Lords; and I +should propose that he should be called up by the name of Earl of +Tipperary, which is one of your titles. Culloden, which is your +other title, would be from recollections of former times obviously +objectionable. There are several precedents of Princes being made +Peers without having an establishment, consequently there can be no +difficulty on this point. + +I feel confident that George will be very moderate in his politics, +and support the Government whenever he can. Princes of the Royal +Family should keep as much as possible aloof from _Party Politics_, as +I think they else invariably become mixed up with Party violence, and +frequently are made the tools of people who are utterly regardless of +the mischief they cause to the Throne and Royal Family. Believe me, +always, your affectionate Niece, + +VICTORIA R. + + + + +[Pageheading: PRINCE GEORGE OF CAMBRIDGE] + + +_The Duke of Cambridge to Queen Victoria._ + +CAMBRIDGE HOUSE, _10th June 1850._ + +MY DEAREST VICTORIA,--I seize the earliest opportunity of thanking you +for your very kind letter, which I have this moment received, and to +assure you at the same time that I do most fully agree with you in +your observations concerning the line in politics which the members +of the Royal Family ought to take. This has always been my principle +since I entered the House of Lords, and I am fully convinced that +George will follow my example. + +I must also add that I have felt the great advantage of supporting the +Government, and I have by that always been well with all Parties, and +have avoided many difficulties which other members of my family have +had to encounter. + +I shall not fail to communicate your letter to George, who will, I +trust, never prove himself unworthy of the kindness you have shown +him. + +With the request that you will remember me most kindly to Albert, I +remain, my dearest Victoria, your most affectionate Uncle, + +ADOLPHUS. + + + + +_Prince George of Cambridge to Queen Victoria._ + +ST JAMES'S PALACE, _15th June 1850._ + +MY DEAR COUSIN,--I have not as yet ventured to address you on a +subject of much interest personally to myself, and upon which I am +aware that you have been in correspondence with my father; but as I +believe that the question which was brought to your notice has +been settled, I cannot any longer deprive myself of the pleasure of +expressing to you my most sincere and grateful thanks for the kind +manner in which you have at once acceded to the anxious request of my +father and myself, by arranging with the Government that I should be +called up to the House of Lords. This has been a point upon which I +have long been most anxious, and I am truly and sincerely grateful +that you have so considerately entered into my feelings and wishes. I +understand that it is your intention that I should be called up by my +father's second title as Earl of Tipperary; at the same time I hope +that though I take a seat in the House as Earl of Tipperary, I may be +permitted to retain and be called by my present name on all occasions +not connected with the House of Lords. As regards the wish expressed +by yourself, that I should not allow myself to be made a political +partisan, I need not, I trust, assure you that it will be ever my +endeavour to obey your desires upon this as on all other occasions; +but I trust I may be permitted to add, that even before this desire +expressed by you, it had been my intention to follow this line of +conduct. I conceive that whenever they conscientiously can do so, the +members of the Royal Family should support the Queen's Government; and +if at times it should happen that they have a difficulty in so doing, +it is at all events not desirable that they should place themselves +prominently in opposition to it. This I believe to be your feelings +on the subject, and if you will permit me to say so, they are also my +own. + +Hoping to have the pleasure soon of expressing to you my gratitude in +person, I remain, my dear Cousin, your most dutiful Cousin, + +GEORGE. + + + + +_Queen Victoria to Prince George of Cambridge._ + +OSBORNE, _17th June 1850._ + +MY DEAR GEORGE,--Many thanks for your kind letter received yesterday. +I am glad to hear that you are so entirely of my opinion with respect +to the political conduct of the Princes of the Royal Family who are +peers, and I feel sure that your conduct will be quite in accordance +with this view. With respect to your wish to be called as you have +hitherto been, I do not think that this will be possible. It has never +been done, besides which I think the Irish (who will be much flattered +at your being called up by the title of Tipperary) would feel it as a +slight if you did not wish to be called by the title you bear. All +the Royal Peers have always been called by their titles in this and in +other countries, and I do not think it would be possible to avoid it. +Ever, etc., + +VICTORIA R.[17] + + [Footnote 17: The patent was made out, but not signed, a + memorandum of Prince Albert recording:-- + + BUCKINGHAM PALACE. _8th July 1850._ + + I kept this warrant back from the Queen's signature on account + of the Duke of Cambridge's illness. The Duke died yesterday + evening, without a struggle, after an attack of fever which + had lasted four weeks. So the summons of Prince George has + never been carried out. + + ALBERT.] + + + + +[Pageheading: MR ROEBUCK'S MOTION] + + +_Lord John Russell to Queen Victoria._ + +CHESHAM PLACE, _21st June 1850._ + +Lord John Russell presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and has +the honour to report that Mr Roebuck asked him yesterday what course +the Government intends to pursue after the late vote of the House of +Lords.[18] + +The newspapers contain the report of Lord John Russell's answer. + +Mr Roebuck has proposed to move on Monday a general approbation of the +Foreign Policy of the Government. + +What may be the result of such a Motion it is not easy to say, but +as Lord Stanley has prevailed on a majority in the House of Lords +to censure the Foreign Policy of the Government, it is impossible to +avoid a decision by the House of Commons on this subject. + +The misfortune is that on the one side every detail of negotiation is +confounded with the general principles of our Foreign Policy, and on +the other a censure upon a Foreign Policy, the tendency of which has +been to leave despotism and democracy to fight out their own battles, +will imply in the eyes of Europe a preference for the cause of +despotism, and a willingness to interfere with Russia and Austria on +behalf of absolute government. The jealousy of the House of Commons +would not long bear such a policy. + +Be that as it may, Lord Stanley has opened a beginning of strife, +which may last for many years to come. + + [Footnote 18: Lord Stanley's Motion of Censure was carried by + a majority of 37 in a House of 301.] + + + + +[Pageheading: LORD STANLEY'S MOTION] + + +_Queen Victoria to Lord John Russell._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _21st June 1850._ + +The Queen has received Lord John Russell's letter and read his speech +in the House of Commons. She regrets exceedingly the position in which +the Government has been placed by the Motion of Lord Stanley in the +House of Lords. Whichever way the Debate in the House of Commons +may terminate, the Queen foresees great troubles. A defeat of the +Government would be _most inconvenient_. The Queen has always +approved the _general_ tendency of the policy of the Government to +let despotism and democracy fight out their battles abroad, but must +remind Lord John that in the execution of this policy Lord Palmerston +has _gone a long way_ in taking up the side of democracy in the fight, +and this is the "detail of negotiations" which Lord John is afraid may +be confounded with the general principle of our Foreign Policy. Indeed +it is already confounded by the whole of the foreign and the great +majority of the British public, and it is to be feared that the +discussion will place despotic and democratic principles in array +against each other in this country, whilst the original question turns +only upon the justice of Don Pacifico's claims. + + + + +_Lord John Russell to Queen Victoria._ + +CHESHAM PLACE, _22nd June 1850._ + +Lord John Russell deeply regrets that your Majesty should be exposed +to inconvenience in consequence of Lord Stanley's Motion. He has +copied Mr Roebuck's Motion as it now stands on the votes. The word +"principles" includes the general policy, and excludes the particular +measures which from time to time have been adopted as the objects of +approbation. + +It is impossible to say at this moment what will be the result. Lord +Stanley, Lord Aberdeen, Mr Gladstone, and Mr Disraeli appear to be in +close concert. + +Lord Stanley can hardly now abandon Protection. Mr Gladstone, one +should imagine, can hardly abandon Free Trade. The anger of the honest +Protectionists and the honest Free-Traders will be very great at so +unprincipled a coalition. + +Mr Roebuck's Motion: That the principles on which the Foreign Policy +of Her Majesty's Government has been regulated have been such as were +calculated to maintain the honour and dignity of this country, and in +times of unexampled difficulty to preserve peace between England and +the various nations of the world. + + + + +[Pageheading: HOLSTEIN AND GERMANY] + + +_Queen Victoria to Viscount Palmerston._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _22nd June 1850._ + +The Queen has received Lord Palmerston's letter of yesterday, but +cannot say that his arguments in support of his former opinion, that +the Germanic Confederation should be omitted from amongst the Powers +who are to be invited to sign a protocol, the object of which is to +decide upon the fate of Holstein, have proved successful in convincing +her of the propriety of this course. As Holstein belongs to the +Germanic Confederation and is only accidentally connected with Denmark +through its Sovereign, a Protocol to ensure the integrity of the +Danish Monarchy is a direct attack upon Germany, if carried out +without her knowledge and consent; and it is an act repugnant to all +feelings of justice and morality for third parties to dispose of other +people's property, which no diplomatic etiquette about the difficulty +of finding a proper representative for Germany could justify. The mode +of representation might safely be left to the Confederation itself. +It is not surprising to the Queen that Austria and Prussia should +complain of Lord Palmerston's agreeing with Sweden, Russia, Denmark, +and France upon the Protocol before giving Prussia and Austria any +notice of it. + + + + +[Pageheading: THE PROTOCOL] + + +_Viscount Palmerston to Lord John Russell._ + +CARLTON GARDENS, _23rd June 1850._ + +MY DEAR JOHN RUSSELL,--The Queen has entirely misconceived the object +and effect of the proposed Protocol. It does not "decide upon the +fate of Holstein," nor is it "an attack upon Germany." In fact, the +Protocol is to _decide_ nothing; it is to be merely a record of the +wishes and opinions of the Power whose representatives are to sign +it....[19] + +How does any part of this decide the fate of Holstein or attack +Germany? + +Is not the Queen requiring that I should be Minister, not indeed for +Austria, Russia, or France, but for the Germanic Confederation? +Why should we take up the cudgels for Germany, when we are inviting +Austria and Prussia, the two leading powers of Germany, and who would +of course put in a claim for the Confederation if they thought it +necessary, which, however, for the reasons above stated, they surely +would not?... + +As to my having _agreed_ with Sweden, Russia, Denmark, and France +before communicating with Prussia and Austria, that is not the course +which things have taken. Brunnow proposed the Protocol to me, and +I have been in discussion with him about it. It is _he_ who has +communicated it to the French Ambassador, to Reventlow, and to +Rehausen; I sent it privately several weeks ago to Westmorland, that +he might show it confidentially to Schleinitz, but telling Westmorland +that it was not a thing settled, but only a proposal by Russia, and +that, at all events, some part of the wording would be altered. I have +no doubt that Brunnow has also shown it to Koller; but I could not +send it officially to Berlin or Vienna till Brunnow had agreed to such +a wording as I could recommend the Government to adopt, nor until I +received the Queen's sanction to do so. + +The only thing that occurs to me as practicable would be to say to +Austria and Prussia that if, in signing the Protocol, they could add +that they signed also in the name of the Confederation, we should be +glad to have the additional weight of that authority, but that could +not be made a _sine qua non_, any more than the signature of Austria +and Prussia themselves, for I think that the Protocol ought to be +signed by as many of the proposed Powers as may choose to agree to +it, bearing always in mind that it is only a record of opinions and +wishes, and does not decide or pretend to decide anything practically. +Yours sincerely, + +PALMERSTON. + + [Footnote 19: The Protocol was to record the desirability + of the following points:--(1) that the several states which + constituted the Danish Monarchy should remain united, and + that the Danish Crown should be settled in such manner that it + should go with the Duchy of Holstein; (2) that the signatory + Powers, when the peace should have been concluded, should + concert measures for the purpose of giving to the results + an additional pledge of stability, by a general European + acknowledgment.] + + + + +[Pageheading: THE QUEEN'S OPINION] + + +_Queen Victoria to Lord John Russell._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _25th June 1850._ + +The Queen has received Lord John Russell's letter enclosing those of +Lord Palmerston and Lord Lansdowne. The _misconception_ on the Queen's +part, which Lord Palmerston alleges to exist, consists in her taking +the essence of the arrangement for the mere words. Lord Palmerston +pretends that the Protocol "does not decide upon the fate of Holstein +nor attack Germany." However, the only object of the Protocol is the +fate of Holstein, which is decided upon-- + +(1.) By a declaration of the importance to the interests of Europe to +uphold the integrity of the Danish Monarchy (which has no meaning, if +it does not mean that Holstein is to remain with it). + +(2.) By an approval of the efforts of the King of Denmark to keep it +with Denmark, by adapting the law of succession to that of Holstein. + +(3.) By an engagement on the part of the Powers to use their "_soins_" +to get the constitutional position of Holstein settled in a peace +according to the Malmoe preliminaries, of which it was one of +the conditions that the question of the succession was to be left +untouched. + +(4.) To seal the whole arrangement by an act of European +acknowledgment. + +If the declarations of importance, the approval, the "_soins_" and +the acknowledgments of _all_ the great Powers of Europe are to decide +nothing, then Lord Palmerston is quite right; if they decide anything, +it is the fate of Holstein. + +Whether this will be an attack upon Germany or not will be easily +deduced from the fact that the attempt on the part of Denmark to +incorporate into her polity the Duchy of Schleswig was declared by +the Diet in 1846 to be a declaration of war against Germany merely on +account of its intimate connection with the Duchy of Holstein. + +The Queen does not wish her Minister to be Minister for Germany, but +merely to treat that country with the same consideration which is due +to every country on whose interests we mean to decide. + +The Queen would wish her correspondence upon this subject to be +brought before the Cabinet, and will abide by their deliberate +opinion. + + + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _25th June 1850._ + +MY DEAREST UNCLE,--Charles will have told you how kindly and amiably +the Prince of Prussia has come here, travelling night and day from +St Petersburg, in order to be in time for the christening of our +little _Arthur_.[20] I wish you could (and you will, for he intends +stopping at Brussels) hear him speak, for he is so straightforward, +conciliatory, and yet firm of purpose; I have a great esteem and +respect for him. The poor King of Prussia is recovered,[21] and has +been received with great enthusiasm on the first occasion of his first +reappearance in public. + +We are in a _crisis_, no one knowing how this debate upon this most +unfortunate Greek business will end. It is most unfortunate, for +whatever way it ends, it must do great harm. + +I must now conclude, for I am quite overpowered by the heat. Ever your +truly devoted Niece, + +VICTORIA R. + + [Footnote 20: The present Duke of Connaught, born on the 1st + of May, the birthday of the Duke of Wellington, who was one of + the sponsors, and after whom he was named.] + + [Footnote 21: From an attempt to assassinate him.] + + + + +[Pageheading: THE DON PACIFICO DEBATE] + + +_Lord John Russell to Queen Victoria._ + +CHESHAM PLACE, _26th June 1850._ + +Lord John Russell presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and +has the honour to report that in the debate of last night Viscount +Palmerston defended the whole Foreign Policy of the Government in a +speech of four hours and three quarters.[22] This speech was one +of the most masterly ever delivered, going through the details of +transactions in the various parts of the world, and appealing from +time to time to great principles of justice and of freedom. + +The cheering was frequent and enthusiastic. The debate was adjourned +till Thursday, when it will probably close. + +The expectation is that Ministers will have a majority, but on the +amount of that majority must depend their future course. + + [Footnote 22: It lasted from dusk till dawn, and the Minister + asked for a verdict on the question whether, "as the Roman in + days of old held himself free from indignity when he could + say, _Civis Romanus sum_, so also a British subject, in + whatever land he may be, shall feel confident that the + watchful eye and the strong arm of England will protect + him against injustice and wrong." Peel, who made his last + appearance in the House, voted against Palmerston.] + + + + +_Lord John Russell to Queen Victoria._ + +_Chesham Place_, _27th June 1850._ + +Lord John Russell presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and has +the honour to state that the prospects of the division are rather more +favourable for Ministers than they were. + +Ministers ought to have a majority of forty to justify their remaining +in office.[23] + +Mr Gladstone makes no secret of his wish to join Lord Stanley in +forming an Administration. + +Lord John Russell would desire to have the honour of an audience of +your Majesty on Saturday at twelve or one o'clock. + +The division will not take place till to-morrow night. + + [Footnote 23: In the result, Ministers succeeded by 310 to + 264, although opposed to them in the debate were Mr Gladstone, + Mr Cobden, Sir Robert Peel, Mr Disraeli, Sir James Graham, + and Sir William Molesworth. Next to the speeches of Lord + Palmerston and Lord John Russell, the most effective speech + on the Government side was that of Mr Alexander Cockburn, + afterwards Lord Chief Justice of England.] + + + + +[Pageheading: PEEL'S ACCIDENT] + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _2nd July 1850._ + +MY DEAREST UNCLE,--For two most kind and affectionate letters I offer +my warmest and best thanks. The good report of my beloved Louise's +improvement is a great happiness. By my letter to Louise you will have +learnt all the details of this certainly very disgraceful and very +inconceivable attack.[24] I have not suffered except from my head, +which is still very tender, the blow having been extremely violent, +and the brass _end_ of the stick fell on my head so as to make a +considerable noise. I own it makes me nervous out driving, and I start +at any person coming near the carriage, which I am afraid is natural. +We have, alas! now another cause of much greater anxiety in the person +of our excellent Sir Robert Peel,[25] who, as you will see, has had +a most serious fall, and though going on well at first, was very ill +last night; thank God! he is better again this morning, but I fear +still in great danger. I cannot bear even to think of losing him; it +would be the greatest loss for the whole country, and irreparable for +us, for he is so trustworthy, and so entirely to be depended on. _All_ +parties are in great anxiety about him. I will leave my letter open to +give you the latest news. + +Our good and amiable guest[26] likes being with us, and will remain +with us till Saturday. We had a concert last night, and go to the +opera very regularly. The _Prophete_ is quite beautiful, and I am +sure would delight you. The music in the _Scene du Couronnement_ is, +I think, finer than anything in either _Robert_ or the _Huguenots_; it +is highly dramatic, and really very touching. Mario sings and acts +in it quite in perfection. His _Raoul_ in the Huguenots is also most +beautiful. He improves every year, and I really think his voice is the +finest tenor I ever heard, and he sings and acts with such _intense_ +feeling. + +What do you say to the conclusion of our debate? It leaves things just +as they were. The House of Commons is becoming very unmanageable and +troublesome.... + +I must now conclude. With Albert's love, ever your most affectionate +Niece, + +VICTORIA R. + +I am happy to say that Sir Robert, though still very ill, is freer +from pain, his pulse is less high, and he feels himself better; the +Doctors think there is _no_ vital injury, and nothing from which he +cannot recover, but that he must be for some days in a precarious +state. + + [Footnote 24: The Queen, as she was leaving Cambridge House, + where she had called to inquire after the Duke of Cambridge's + health, was struck with a cane by one Robert Pate, an + ex-officer, and a severe bruise was inflicted on her forehead. + The outrage was apparently committed without motive, but an + attempt to prove Pate insane failed, and he was sentenced to + seven years' transportation.] + + [Footnote 25: On the day following the Don Pacifico debate, + Sir Robert Peel, after attending a meeting of the Exhibition + Commissioners, had gone out riding. On his return, while + passing up Constitution Hill, he was thrown from his horse, + and, after lingering three days in intense pain, died on the + 5th of July.] + + [Footnote 26: The Prince of Prussia.] + + + + +[Pageheading: THE KING OF DENMARK] + + +_The King of Denmark to Queen Victoria._ + +COPENHAGUE, _4 Juillet 1850._ + +MADAME MA S[OE]UR,--Je remplis un devoir des plus agreables, en +m'empressant d'annoncer a votre Majeste que la paix vient d'etre +signee le 2 de ce mois a Berlin entre moi et Sa Majeste le Roi de +Prusse, en Son nom et en celui de la Confederation Germanique.[27] + +Je sais et je reconnais de grand c[oe]ur combien je suis redevable +a votre Majeste et a Son Gouvernement de ce resultat important, qui +justifie mon esperance de pouvoir bientot rendre a tous mes sujets les +bienfaits d'une sincere reconciliation et d'une veritable concorde. + +Votre Majeste a par la sollicitude avec laquelle Elle a constamment +accompli le mandat de la mediation dans l'interet du Danemark et de +l'Europe, ajoute aux temoignages inappreciables de sincere amitie +qu'elle n'a cesse de m'accorder durant la longue et penible epreuve +que le Danemark vient de nouveau de traverser, mais qui parait, a +l'aide du Tout-Puissant, devoir maintenant faire place a un meilleur +avenir, offrant, sous les auspices de votre Majeste, de nouvelles +garanties pour l'independance de mon antique Couronne et pour le +maintien de l'integrite de ma Monarchie, a la defense desquelles je me +suis voue entierement. + +Je suis persuade que votre Majeste me fera la justice de croire que je +suis on ne peut plus reconnaissant, et que mon peuple fidele et loyal +s'associe a moi et aux miens, penetre de ces memes sentiments de +gratitude envers votre Majeste. + +Je m'estimerais infiniment heureux si Elle daignait ajouter a toutes +Ses bontes, celle que de me fournir l'occasion de Lui donner des +preuves de mon devouement inalterable et de la haute consideration +avec lesquels je prie Dieu qu'il vous ait, Madame ma S[oe]ur, vous, +votre auguste Epoux et tous les votres, dans sa sainte et digne garde, +et avec lesquels je suis, Madame ma S[oe]ur, de votre Majeste, le bon +Frere, + +FREDERICK. + + [Footnote 27: Denmark and the Schleswig-Holstein Duchies were + still at war. Germany was bent on absorbing the Duchies, but + Prussia now concluded a peace with Denmark: the enlistment of + individual Germans in the insurgent army continued.] + + + + +[Pageheading: DEATH OF PEEL] + + +_The King of the Belgians to Queen Victoria._ + +LAEKEN, _5th July 1850._ + +MY DEAREST VICTORIA,--It gave me the greatest pain to learn of the +death of our true and kind friend, Sir Robert Peel. That he should +have met with his end--he so valuable to the whole earth--from an +accident so easily to be avoided with some care, is the more to +be lamented. You and Albert lose in him a friend whose moderation, +correct judgment, great knowledge of everything connected with the +country, can never be found again. Europe had in him a benevolent and +a truly wise statesman.... + +Give my best thanks to Albert for his kind letter. I mean to send a +messenger probably on Sunday or Monday to write to him. I pity him +about the great Exhibition. I fear he will be much plagued, and I was +glad to see that the matter is to be treated in Parliament. Alas! in +all human affairs one is sure to meet with violent passions, and Peel +knew that so well; great care even for the most useful objects is +necessary. + +I will write to you a word to-morrow. God grant that it may be +satisfactory.[28] Ever, my beloved, dear Victoria, your devoted Uncle, + +LEOPOLD R. + + [Footnote 28: The Princess Charlotte of Belgium was seriously + ill.] + + + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of Prussia._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _6th July 1850._ + +SIRE, MY MOST HONOURED BROTHER,--I have to express to you my thanks +for the pleasure which the visit of your dear brother has given us, +who, as I hope, will remit these lines to you in perfect health. That +things go so well with you, and that the healing of your wound has +made undisturbed progress, has been to us a true removal of anxiety. +You will no doubt have learnt that I too have been again the object +of an attempt, if possible still more cowardly. The criminal is, _as +usual_, this time too, insane, or will pretend to be so; still the +deed remains. + +All our feelings are, in the meanwhile, preoccupied by the sorrow, +in which your Majesty and all Europe will share, at the death of Sir +Robert Peel. That is one of the hardest blows of Fate which could +have fallen on us and on the country. You knew the great man, and +understood how to appreciate his merit. His value is now becoming +clear even to his opponents; all Parties are united in mourning. + +The only satisfactory event of recent times is the news of +your conclusion of peace with Denmark. Accept my most cordial +congratulations on that account. + +Requesting you to remember me cordially to the dear Queen, and +referring you for detailed news to the dear Prince, also recommending +to your gracious remembrance Albert, who does not wish to trouble you, +on his part, with a letter, I remain, in unchangeable friendship, dear +Brother, your Majesty's faithful Sister, + +VICTORIA R. + + + + +[Pageheading: DEATH OF THE DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE] + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _9th July 1850._ + +MY DEAREST UNCLE,--We live in the midst of sorrow and death! My poor +good Uncle Cambridge breathed his last, without a struggle, at a few +minutes before ten last night. I still saw him yesterday morning at +one, but he _did not see me_, and to-day I saw him lifeless and cold. +The poor Duchess and the poor children are very touching in their +grief, and poor Augusta,[29] who arrived just _five hours too late_, +is quite heartbroken. The end was most peaceful; there was no +disease; only a gastric fever, which came on four weeks ago, from +over-exertion, and cold, and which he neglected for the first week, +carried him off. + +The good Prince of Prussia you will have been pleased to talk to and +see. Having lived with him for a fortnight on a very intimate footing, +we have been able to appreciate his _real_ worth fully; he is so +honest and frank, and so steady of purpose and courageous. + +Poor dear Peel is to be buried to-day. The sorrow and grief at his +death are most touching, and the country mourns over him as over a +father. Every one seems to have lost a personal friend. + +As I have much to write, you will forgive me ending here. You will +be glad to hear that poor Aunt Gloucester is wonderfully calm and +resigned. My poor dear Albert, who had been so fresh and well when we +came back, looks so pale and fagged again. He has felt, and feels, Sir +Robert's loss _dreadfully_. He feels he has lost a second father. + +May God bless and protect you all, you dear ones! Ever your devoted +Niece, + +VICTORIA R. + + [Footnote 29: See _ante_, vol. i. p. 437.] + + + + +_Queen Victoria to Viscount Palmerston._ + +OSBORNE, _19th July 1850._ + +Before this draft to Lord Bloomfield about Greece is sent, it would be +well to consider whether Lord Palmerston is justified in calling +the Minister of the Interior of Greece "a notorious defaulter to the +amount of 200,000 drachms,"[30] and should he be so, whether it is +a proper thing for the Queen's Foreign Secretary to say in a public +despatch! + + [Footnote 30: The Convention of the 18th of April (see _ante_, + p. 242, note 1) had decided that L8500 should be distributed + among the claimants, and that Don Pacifico's special claim + against Portugal should be referred to arbitration. Ultimately + he was awarded only an insignificant sum.] + + + + +[Pageheading: THE FOREIGN OFFICE] + + +_Queen Victoria to Lord John Russell._ + +OSBORNE, _28th July 1850._ + +The Queen will have much pleasure in seeing the Duke and Duchess of +Bedford here next Saturday, and we have invited them. She will be +quite ready to hear the Duke's opinions on the Foreign Office. Lord +John may be sure that she fully admits the great difficulties in the +way of the projected alteration, but she, on the other hand, feels +the duty she owes to the country and to herself, not to allow a man +in whom she can have no confidence, who has conducted himself in +_anything but_ a straightforward and proper manner to herself, to +remain in the Foreign Office, and thereby to expose herself to insults +from other nations, and the country to the constant risk of serious +and alarming complications. The Queen considers these reasons as +much graver than the other difficulties. Each time that we were in +a difficulty, the Government seemed to be determined to move Lord +Palmerston, and as soon as these difficulties were got over, those +which present themselves in the carrying out of this removal appeared +of so great a magnitude as to cause its relinquishment. There is no +chance of Lord Palmerston reforming himself in his sixty-seventh year, +and after having considered his last escape as a triumph.... The +Queen is personally convinced that Lord Palmerston at this moment is +secretly planning an armed Russian intervention in Schleswig, which +may produce a renewal of revolutions in Germany, and possibly a +general war. + +The Queen only adduces this as an instance that there is no question +of delicacy and danger in which Lord Palmerston will not arbitrarily +and without reference to his colleagues or Sovereign engage this +country. + + + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of Denmark._ + +OSBORNE, _29 Juillet 1850._ + +SIRE ET MON BON FRERE,--La lettre dont votre Majeste a bien voulu +m'honorer m'a cause un bien vif plaisir comme temoignage que votre +Majeste a su apprecier les sentiments d'amitie pour vous et le desir +d'agir avec impartialite qui m'ont animee ainsi que mon Gouvernement +pendant tout le cours des longues negociations qui out precede la +signature de la Paix avec l'Allemagne. Votre Majeste peut aisement +comprendre aussi combien je dois regretter le renouvellement de la +guerre avec le Schleswig qui ne pourra avoir d'autre resultat que +l'accroissement de l'animosite et l'affaiblissement des deux nobles +peuples sur lesquels vous regnez. Dieu veuille que cette derniere +lutte se termine pourtant dans une reconciliation solide, basee sur +la reconnaissance des droits et des obligations des deux cotes. Je me +trouve poussee a vous soumettre ici, Sire, une priere pour un Prince +qui s'est malheureusement trouve en conflit avec votre Majeste, mais +pour lequel les liens de parente me portent a plaider, le Duc de +Holstein-Augustenburg. Je suis persuadee que la magnanimite de votre +Majeste lui rendra ses biens particuliers, qu'elle a juge necessaire +de lui oter pendant la guerre de 1848, ce que je reconnaitrais bien +comme une preuve d'amitie de la part de votre Majeste envers moi. + +En faisant des v[oe]ux, pour son bonbeur et en exprimant le desir du +Prince, mon Epoux, d'etre mis aux pieds de votre Majeste, je suis, +Sire et mon bon Frere, de votre Majeste la bonne S[oe]ur, + +VICTORIA R. + + + + +[Pageheading: DENMARK AND SCHLESWIG] + + +_Queen Victoria to Lord John Russell._ + +OSBORNE, _31st July 1850._ + +The Queen must draw Lord John Russell's attention to the accompanying +draft[31] with regard to Schleswig, which is evidently intended to +lay the ground for future foreign armed intervention. This is to be +justified by considering the assistance which the Stadthalterschaft +of Holstein may be tempted to give to their Schleswig brethren "as an +invasion of Schleswig by a German force." + +Lord John seems himself to have placed a "?" against that passage. +This is, after two years' negotiation and mediation, _begging the +question_ at issue. The whole war--Revolution, mediation, etc., +etc.--rested upon the question whether Schleswig was part of Holstein +(though not of the German Confederation), or part of Denmark and not +of Holstein. + + [Footnote 31: In this draft, Lord Palmerston was remonstrating + with the Prussian Government against the orders given by the + Holstein Statthalters to their army to invade Schleswig, after + the signature of the peace between Prussia and Denmark.] + + + + +_Queen Victoria to Lord John Russell._ + +OSBORNE, _31st July 1850._ + +The Queen has considered Lord Seymour's memorandum upon the Rangership +of the Parks in London, but cannot say that it has convinced her of +the expediency of its abolition. There is nothing in the management of +these parks by the Woods and Forests which does not equally apply to +all the others, as Greenwich, Hampton Court, Richmond, etc. There is +certainly a degree of inconvenience in the divided authority, but this +is amply compensated by the advantage to the Crown, in appearance +at least, to keep up an authority emanating personally from the +Sovereign, and unconnected with a Government Department which is +directly answerable to the House of Commons. The last debate upon Hyde +Park has, moreover, shown that it will not be safe not to remind the +public of the fact that the parks are Royal property. As the Ranger +has no power over money, the management will always remain with the +Office of Woods. + + + + +[Pageheading: SIR CHARLES NAPIER RESIGNS] + + +_The Duke of Wellington to Queen Victoria._ + +LONDON, _3rd August 1850._ + +Field-Marshal the Duke of Wellington presents his humble duty to your +Majesty. He regrets to be under the necessity of submitting to your +Majesty the enclosed letter from General Sir Charles Napier, +G.C.B., in which he tenders his resignation of the office of +Commander-in-Chief of your Majesty's Forces in the East Indies.[32] + +Upon the receipt of this paper Field-Marshal the Duke of Wellington +considered it to be his duty to peruse all the papers submitted by +Sir Charles Napier; to survey the transaction which had occasioned +the censure of the Governor-General in Council complained of by Sir +Charles Napier; to require from the India House all the information +which could throw light upon the conduct complained of, as well as +upon the motives alleged for it; the reasons given on account of which +it was stated to be necessary. + +He has stated in a minute, a memorandum of which he submits the copy +to your Majesty, his views and opinions upon the whole subject, and +the result which he submits to your Majesty is that he considers it +his duty humbly to submit to your Majesty that your Majesty should be +graciously pleased to accept the resignation of General Sir Charles +Napier thus tendered. + +Before he should submit this recommendation to your Majesty in +relation to an office of such high reputation in so high and important +a station, Field-Marshal the Duke of Wellington considered it his duty +to submit his views to your Majesty's servants, who have expressed +their concurrence in his opinion. + +It is probable that the President of the Board of Control will lay +before your Majesty the papers transmitted to the Secret Committee of +the Court of Directors, by the Governor-General in Council, which +are adverted to in the paper drawn up by the Duke, and of which the +substance alone is stated. + +All of which is humbly submitted to your Majesty by your Majesty's +most dutiful Subject and most devoted Servant, + +WELLINGTON. + + + [Footnote 32: This was in consequence of Sir Charles Napier's + action in exercising powers belonging to the Supreme Council, + on the occasion of a mutiny of a regiment of the Native Army.] + + + + +[Pageheading: PALMERSTON'S CONDUCT OF AFFAIRS] + +[Pageheading: A POSSIBLE RE-ARRANGEMENT] + + +_Memorandum by the Prince Albert._ + +OSBORNE, _5th August 1850._ + +Lord John Russell having lately stated that Lord Clarendon, who +had always been most eager to see Lord Palmerston moved, had lately +expressed to him his opinion that it would be most dangerous and +impolitic to do so under present circumstances, we thought it right +to see Lord Clarendon here.... In conversation with me, Lord Clarendon +spoke in his old strain of Lord Palmerston, but very strongly also +of the danger of turning him out and making him the leader of the +Radicals, who were anxiously waiting for that, were much dissatisfied +with Lord John Russell, and free from control by the death of Sir +Robert Peel. I said that if everything was done with Lord Palmerston's +consent there would be no danger, to which Lord Clarendon assented, +but doubted that he would consent to giving up what was his hobby. He +added, nobody but Lord John could carry on the Foreign Affairs, but he +ought not to leave the House of Commons under present circumstances, +where he was now the only authority left. + +We saw the Duke of Bedford yesterday, whom Lord John had wished us +to invite. He is very unhappy about the present state of affairs, +frightened about things going on as at present, when Lord John can +exercise no control over Lord Palmerston, and the Queen is exposed +year after year to the same annoyances and dangers arising from Lord +Palmerston's mode of conducting the affairs; but on the other hand, +equally frightened at turning him loose. The Duke was aware of all +that had passed between us and Lord John, and ready to do anything +_he_ could to bring matters to a satisfactory solution, but thought +his brother would not like to leave the House of Commons now. He had +very much changed his opinion on that head latterly, and the more so +as he thought something ought to be done next year with the franchise, +which he alone could carry through. On my questioning whether it was +impossible to persuade him to take the Foreign Office and stay in the +Lower House, with a first-rate under-secretary, at least for a time, +the Duke thought he might perhaps temporarily, as he felt he owed +to the Queen the solution of the difficulty, but expressed again his +fears of Lord Palmerston's opposition. I replied that if Lord John +would make up his mind to take the Foreign Office, and to stay in +the House of Commons, I saw no danger, as Lord John would be able to +maintain himself successfully, and Lord Palmerston would not like to +be in opposition to him, whilst he would become most formidable to +anybody who was to _gain_ only the leadership in the House; moreover, +Lord John, having done so much for Lord Palmerston, could expect and +demand a return of sacrifice, and a variety of posts might be offered +to him--the Presidency of the Council, the office of Home Secretary, +or Secretary for the Colonies, Chancellor of the Exchequer, etc., +etc., which places I was sure any member of the Cabinet would vacate +for him. The Duke of Bedford added the Lieutenancy of Ireland, as Lord +Clarendon had told him he was ready to give it up for the purpose, but +only under _one_ condition, viz. that of not having to succeed to +Lord Palmerston at the Foreign Office. Observing our surprise at +this declaration, the Duke added that Lord Clarendon acted most +considerately, that he was ready to have no office at all, and would +support the Government independently in the House of Lords if this +were to facilitate arrangements. The Queen rejoined that a peerage was +of course also at Lord John's disposal for Lord Palmerston. We then +agreed that Lord Granville would be the best person to become Lord +John's Under-Secretary of State, a man highly popular, pleasing, +conciliatory, well versed in Foreign Affairs, and most industrious; +trained under Lord John, he could at any time leave him the office +altogether, if Lord John should find it too much for himself. Lord +Granville had a higher office now, that of Vice-President of the +Board of Trade and Paymaster-General, but would be sure to feel the +importance of taking a lower office under such circumstances and with +such contingencies likely to depend upon it. I have seen a great deal +of him latterly, as he is the only working man on the Commission for +the Exhibition of 1851, and have found him most able, good-natured, +and laborious. The Duke liked the proposal very much, and is going to +communicate all that passed between us to Lord John on Tuesday. + +ALBERT. + + + + +[Pageheading: PALMERSTON'S POSITION] + +[Pageheading: PALMERSTON'S JUSTIFICATION] + + +_Memorandum by the Prince Albert._ + +OSBORNE, _8th August 1850._ + +Lord John Russell came down here yesterday in order to report to the +Queen what had passed between him and Lord Palmerston the day before, +on whom he had called in order to have an explanation on the Foreign +Affairs. + +Lord John reminded him of former communications, but admitted that +circumstances were much changed by the recent debates in both Houses +of Parliament; still, it was necessary to come to an understanding of +the position. The _policy_ pursued with regard to the Foreign Affairs +had been right and such as had the approval of Lord John himself, the +Cabinet generally, and he believed the greater part of the country. +But the manner in which it had been executed had been unfortunate, +led to irritation and hostility; although peace had actually been +preserved, and England stood in a position requiring no territorial +aggrandisement or advantage of any kind, yet all Governments and +Powers, not only Russia and Austria, but also France and the liberal +states, had become decidedly hostile to us, and our intercourse was +not such as was desirable. Lord John could instance many cases in +which they had been unnecessarily slighted and provoked by Lord +Palmerston, like M. Drouyn de Lhuys in the Greek affair. Lord +Palmerston's conduct towards the Queen had been disrespectful and +wanting in due attention and deference to her, and had been much +complained of. + +In consequence of all this Lord John had before proposed to Her +Majesty that the Foreign Affairs should be entrusted to Lord Minto, +he himself should go to the House of Lords, and Lord Palmerston +should have the lead in the House of Commons. The Queen had, however, +objected to this arrangement, [thinking] the lead in the Lower +House to be more properly given to Sir George Grey, who had as Home +Secretary conducted all internal business in the House. Now had come +Sir R. Peel's death, which made it impossible for Lord John to leave +the House of Commons without endangering the position of Government +and of the parties in the House. + +Lord Palmerston was much pleased to hear of Lord John's intention to +stay in the House of Commons, said all was changed now; there had been +a great conspiracy against him, he had been accused in Parliament, put +on his trial and acquitted. The acquittal had produced the greatest +enthusiasm for him in the country, and he was now supported by a +strong party; he owned, however, that his success had been chiefly +owing to the handsome manner in which Lord John and his colleagues had +supported him in the debate. That he should incur the momentary enmity +of those states whose interests and plans he might have to cross was +quite natural; he had never intended any disrespect to the Queen, and +if he had been guilty of any he was quite unconscious of it and sorry +for it. + +Lord John reminded him that although the Government had got a majority +in the House of Commons in the Foreign debate, it was not to be +forgotten that the fate of the Government had been staked upon it, and +that many people voted on that account who would not have supported +the Foreign policy; that it was remarkable that all those who had the +strongest reason to be anxious for the continuance of the Government, +but who could not avoid _speaking_, were obliged to speak and vote +against the Government. Sir R. Peel's speech was a most remarkable +instance of this. + +Lord Palmerston saw in Sir Robert's speech nothing but a reluctant +effort to defend Lord Aberdeen, whom he was bound to defend. If he +(Lord Palmerston) were to leave the Foreign Office, there must be a +ground for it, such as his having to take the lead in the House of +Commons, which was evidently impossible with the conduct of Foreign +Department at the same time. (It had killed Mr Canning, and after +that failure nobody ought to attempt it.) But without such a ground it +would be loss of character to him, which he could not be expected +to submit to. There was not even the excuse of wishing to avoid a +difficulty with a foreign country, as all was smooth now. Those who +had wished to injure him had been beat, and now it would be +giving them a triumph after all. If the Queen or the Cabinet were +dissatisfied with his management of the Foreign Affairs, they had a +right to demand his resignation, and he would give it, but they could +not ask him to lower himself in public estimation. Lord John answered +that his resignation would lead to a further split of parties: there +were parties already enough in the House, and it was essential that at +least the Whig party should be kept together, to which Lord Palmerston +assented. He (Lord Palmerston) then repeated his complaints against +that plot which had been got up in this country against him, and +urged on by foreigners, complained particularly of Lord Clarendon, Mr +Greville of the Privy Council, Mr Reeve, ditto, and their attacks upon +him in the _Times_, and of Mr Delane, the Editor of the _Times_, +of Guizot, Princess Lieven, etc., etc., etc. However, they had been +convinced that they could not upset him, and Mr Reeve had declared to +him that he had been making open and honourable (?!!) war upon him; +now he would make a lasting peace. With Russia and France he (Lord +Palmerston) had just been signing the Danish Protocol, showing that +they were on the best terms together. + +Lord John felt he could not press the matter further under these +circumstances, but he seemed much provoked at the result of his +conversation. We expressed our surprise that he had not made Lord +Palmerston any offer of any kind. Lord John replied he had not been +sure what he could have offered him.... + +ALBERT. + + + + +[Pageheading: DUTIES OF THE FOREIGN SECRETARY] + + +_Queen Victoria to Lord John Russell._[33] + +OSBORNE, _12th August 1850._ + +With reference to the conversation about Lord Palmerston which the +Queen had with Lord John Russell the other day, and Lord Palmerston's +disavowal that he ever intended any disrespect to her by the various +neglects of which she has had so long and so often to complain, she +thinks it right, in order _to prevent any mistake_ for the _future_, +shortly to explain _what it is she expects from her Foreign +Secretary_. She requires: (1) That he will distinctly state what +he proposes in a given case, in order that the Queen may know as +distinctly to _what_ she has given her Royal sanction; (2) Having +_once given_ her sanction to a measure, that it be not arbitrarily +altered or modified by the Minister; such an act she must consider as +failing in sincerity towards the Crown, and justly to be visited by +the exercise of her Constitutional right of dismissing that Minister. +She expects to be kept informed of what passes between him and the +Foreign Ministers before important decisions are taken, based upon +that intercourse; to receive the Foreign Despatches in good time, and +to have the drafts for her approval sent to her in sufficient time to +make herself acquainted with their contents before they must be sent +off. The Queen thinks it best that Lord John Russell should show this +letter to Lord Palmerston. + + [Footnote 33: Compare the memorandum suggested by Baron + Stockmar, _ante_, p. 238. This letter was, after much + forbearance, written in the hope of bringing Lord Palmerston + to a proper understanding of his relation to the Sovereign. + Even when the catastrophe came, and its tenor had to be + communicated by the Premier to Parliament, the Preamble was + generously omitted; but in consequence of its description by + Lord Palmerston, in a letter published by Mr Ashley, as an + _angry_ memorandum, it was printed in full in _The Life of the + Prince Consort_.] + + + + +_Viscount Palmerston to Lord John Russell._ + +FOREIGN OFFICE, _13th August 1850._ + +MY DEAR JOHN RUSSELL,--I have taken a copy of this memorandum of the +Queen and will not fail to attend to the directions which it contains. +With regard to the sending of despatches to the Queen, they have +sometimes been delayed longer than should have been the case, in +consequence of my having been prevented by great pressure of business, +and by the many interruptions of interviews, etc., to which I am +liable, from reading and sending them back into the Office so soon +as I could have wished. But I will give orders that the old practice +shall be reverted to, of making copies of all important despatches +as soon as they reach the Office, so that there may be no delay in +sending the despatches to the Queen; this practice was gradually left +off as the business of the Office increased, and if it shall require +an additional clerk or two you must be liberal and allow me that +assistance.--Yours sincerely, + +PALMERSTON. + + + + +[Pageheading: DEATH OF LOUIS PHILIPPE] + + +_The Duc de Nemours to Queen Victoria._ + +CLAREMONT, _26 Aout 1850._ + +MADAME MA CHERE COUSINE,--La main de Dieu vient de s'appesantir sur +nous. Le Roi notre Pere n'est plus.[34] Apres avoir recu hier avec +calme et resignation les secours de la religion, il s'est eteint ce +matin a huit heures au milieu de nous tous. Vous le connaissiez ma +chere Cousine, vous savez tout ce que nous perdons, vous comprendrez +donc l'inexprimable douleur dans laquelle nous sommes plonges; vous la +partagerez meme je le sais! + +La Reine brisee, malgre son courage, ne trouve de soulagement que dans +une retraite absolue ou ne voyant personne elle puisse laisser cours a +sa douleur. + +Veuillez faire part a Albert de notre malheur et recevoir ici, ma +chere Cousine, l'hommage des sentiments de respect et d'attachement, +de votre bien affectionne Cousin, + +LOUIS D'ORLEANS. + + [Footnote 34: King Louis Philippe was in his seventy-seventh + year when he died: his widow, Queen Marie Amelie, lived till + 1866, when she died at the age of eighty-four.] + + + + +_Queen Victoria to Viscount Palmerston._ + +OSBORNE, _26th August 1850._ + +The Queen wishes Lord Palmerston to give directions for a Court +mourning according to those which are usual for an abdicated King. +She likewise wishes that every assistance should be given, and every +attention shown to the afflicted Royal Family, who have been so +severely tried during the last two years, on the melancholy occasion +of the poor King of the French's death. + +The Queen starts for Scotland to-morrow. + + + + + + +_The King of the Belgians to Queen Victoria._ + +LAEKEN, _30 August 1850._ + +... I have offered to the poor Queen of the French to remain at +Claremont and _d'en disposer_ as long as Heaven does not dispose of +myself. She, of course, dislikes the place, but will keep the family +with her at least for some time. + + + + +_Lord John Russell to Queen Victoria._ + +TAYMOUTH CASTLE, _5th September 1850._ + +Lord John Russell presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and was +happy to receive your Majesty's gracious letter, which reached him the +night before last. + +The proofs of attachment to your Majesty, which are everywhere +exhibited, are the more gratifying as they are entirely spontaneous. + +It is fit and becoming that your Majesty should inhabit the royal +Palace of Holyrood, and this circumstance gives great satisfaction +throughout Scotland. + +Lord John Russell is glad to learn that the family of the late King of +the French will continue to reside in England. + +The reflection naturally occurs, if Napoleon and Louis Philippe were +unable to consolidate a dynasty in France, who will ever be able to +do it? The prospect is a succession of fruitless attempts at civil +Government till a General assumes the command, and governs by military +force. + + + + +[Pageheading: THE POET LAUREATE] + + +_Lord John Russell to Queen Victoria._ + +DUNKELD, _7th September 1850._ + +... Lord John Russell has had the honour of receiving at Taymouth a +letter from the Prince. He agrees that the office of Poet Laureate +ought to be filled up. There are three or four authors of nearly equal +merit, such as Henry Taylor, Sheridan Knowles, Professor Wilson, and +Mr Tennyson, who are qualified for the office. + + + + +_The King of the Belgians to Queen Victoria._ + +OSTEND, _7th October 1850._ + +MY DEAREST VICTORIA,--I write a few words only to tell you how our +dear patient is.[35] Yesterday was a most perilous, truly dreadful +day; our dear angelic Louise was so fainting that Madame d'Hulst, who +was with her, felt the greatest alarm. She afterwards was better, and +her mother, Clem, Joinville, and Aumale having arrived, she saw them +with more composure than could have been expected. Still, she would +in fact wish to be left quiet and alone with me, and we try to manage +things as much as possible so that their visit does not tire her too +much. + +Her courage and strength of mind are most heart-breaking when one +thinks of the danger in which she is, and her dear and angelic soul +seems even to shine more brightly at this moment of such great and +imminent danger. I am in a dreadful state when I am with her. She is +so contented, so cheerful, that the possibilities of danger appear +to me impossible; but the physicians are very much alarmed, without +thinking the state absolutely hopeless. That one should write such +things about a life so precious, and one in fact still so young, and +whose angelic soul is so strong! You will feel with me as you love +her so dearly. God bless you and preserve you from heart-breaking +sufferings like mine. Ever, my dearest Victoria, your devoted Uncle, + +LEOPOLD R. + + [Footnote 35: The Queen of the Belgians died on the 11th of + October, at the age of thirty-eight.] + + + + +[Pageheading: GENERAL HAYNAU] + + +_Viscount Palmerston to Queen Victoria._ + +BROADLANDS, _8th October 1850._ + +Viscount Palmerston presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and +has had the honour to receive your Majesty's communication of the 4th +instant, expressing your Majesty's wish that an alteration should be +made in his answer to Baron Koller's[36] note of the 5th of September, +on the subject of the attack made upon General Haynau;[37] but +Viscount Palmerston begs to state that when Baron Koller was at this +place about ten days ago, he expressed so much annoyance at the delay +which had already taken place in regard to the answer to his note +of the 5th September, and he requested so earnestly that he might +immediately have the reply, that Viscount Palmerston could do +no otherwise than send him the answer at once, and Baron Koller +despatched it the next day to Vienna. + +Viscount Palmerston had put the last paragraph into the answer, +because he could scarcely have reconciled it to his own feelings and +to his sense of public responsibility to have put his name to a +note which might be liable to be called for by Parliament, without +expressing in it, at least as his own personal opinion, a sense of the +want of propriety evinced by General Haynau in coming to England at +the present moment.[38] + +The state of public feeling in this country about General Haynau and +his proceedings in Italy and Hungary was perfectly well known; and +his coming here so soon after those events, without necessity or +obligation to do so, was liable to be looked upon as a bravado, and as +a challenge to an expression of public opinion. + +Baron Koller indeed told Viscount Palmerston that Prince Metternich +and Baron Neumann had at Brussels strongly dissuaded General Haynau +from coming on to England; and that he (Baron Koller) had after his +arrival earnestly entreated him to cut off those long moustachios +which rendered him so liable to be identified. + +With regard to the transaction itself, there is no justifying a breach +of the law, nor an attack by a large number of people upon one or two +individuals who cannot resist such superior force; and though in the +present case, according to Baron Koller's account, the chief injury +sustained by General Haynau consisted in the tearing of his coat, the +loss of a cane, and some severe bruises on his left arm, and though +four or five policemen proved to be sufficient protection, yet a mob +who begin by insult lead each other on to outrage; and there is no +saying to what extremes they might have proceeded if they had not been +checked. + +Such occurrences, however, have taken place before; and to go no +further back than the last summer, the attacks on Lord Talbot at +the Stafford meeting, and on Mr Bankes, Mr Sturt, and others at the +Dorchester meeting, when a man was killed, were still more violent +outrages, and originated simply in differences of political opinion; +whereas in this case the brewers' men were expressing their feeling at +what they considered inhuman conduct on the part of General Haynau. + +The people of this country are remarkable for their hospitable +reception of foreigners, and for their forgetfulness of past +animosities. Napoleon Bonaparte, the greatest enemy that England +ever had, was treated while at Plymouth with respect, and with +commiseration while at St Helena. Marshal Soult, who had fought +in many battles against the English, was received with generous +acclamation when he came here as Special Ambassador. The King of the +French, Mons. Guizot, and Prince Metternich, though all of them great +antagonists of English policy and English interests, were treated in +this country with courtesy and kindness. But General Haynau was looked +upon as a great moral criminal; and the feeling in regard to him was +of the same nature as that which was manifested towards Tawell[39] and +the Mannings,[40] with this only difference, that General Haynau's bad +deeds were committed upon a far larger scale, and upon a far larger +number of victims. But Viscount Palmerston can assure your Majesty +that those feelings of just and honourable indignation have not been +confined to England, for he had good reason to know that General +Haynau's ferocious and unmanly treatment of the unfortunate +inhabitants of Brescia and of other towns and places in Italy, his +savage proclamations to the people of Pesth, and his barbarous acts in +Hungary excited almost as much disgust in Austria as in England, and +that the nickname of "General Hyaena" was given to him at Vienna long +before it was applied to him in London. + + [Footnote 36: The Austrian Ambassador.] + + [Footnote 37: General Haynau had earned in the Hungarian War + an odious reputation as a flogger of women. When visiting the + brewery of Barclay & Perkins, the draymen mobbed and + assaulted him; he had to fly from them, and take refuge in a + neighbouring house. Lord Palmerston had to send an official + letter of apology to the Austrian Government, which, as + originally despatched, without waiting for the Queen's + approval, contained a paragraph offensive to Austria.] + + [Footnote 38: See Lord Palmerston's letter to Sir G. Grey, + Ashley's _Life of Lord Palmerston_, vol. i. chap. vi.] + + [Footnote 39: Executed for the Salt Hill murder.] + + [Footnote 40: Marie Manning (an ex-lady's maid, whose career + is said to have suggested Hortense in _Bleak House_ to + Dickens) was executed with her husband, in 1849, for the + murder of a guest. She wore black satin on the scaffold, a + material which consequently became unpopular for some time.] + + + + +[Pageheading: THE DRAFT DESPATCHED] + + +_Queen Victoria to Lord John Russell._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _11th October 1850._ + +The Queen having written to Lord Palmerston in conformity with Lord +John Russell's suggestion respecting the draft to Baron Koller, now +encloses Lord Palmerston's answer, which she received at Edinburgh +yesterday evening. Lord John will see that Lord Palmerston has not +only _sent_ the draft, but passes over in silence her injunction to +have a corrected copy given to Baron Koller, and adds a vituperation +against General Haynau, which clearly shows that he is not sorry for +what has happened, and makes a merit of sympathising with the draymen +at the brewery and the Chartist Demonstrations.... + +The Queen encloses likewise a copy of her letter to Lord Palmerston, +and hopes Lord John will write to him.[41] + + [Footnote 41: Lord John insisted on the note being withdrawn, + and another substituted with the offensive passage omitted. + After threatening resignation, Lord Palmerston somewhat tamely + consented. + + Lord John Russell wrote to the Prince Albert that he would be + "somewhat amused, if not surprised, at the sudden and amicable + termination of the dispute regarding the letter to Baron + Koller. The same course may be adopted with advantage if a + despatch is ever again sent which has been objected to, and + to which the Queen's sanction has not been given." See the + Queen's letter of the 19th of October.] + + + + +[Pageheading: LORD PALMERSTON CENSURED] + + +_Queen Victoria to Viscount Palmerston._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _12th October 1850._ + +The Queen has received Lord Palmerston's letter respecting the draft +to Baron Koller. She cannot suppose that Baron Koller addressed his +note to Lord Palmerston in order to receive in answer an expression of +his _own personal opinion_; and if Lord Palmerston could not reconcile +it to his own feelings to express the regret of the Queen's Government +at the brutal attack and wanton outrage committed by a ferocious mob +on a distinguished foreigner of past seventy years of age, who was +quietly visiting a private establishment in this metropolis, without +adding _his censure of the want of propriety_ evinced by General +Haynau in coming to England--he might have done so in a private +letter, where his personal feelings could not be mistaken for the +opinion of the Queen and her Government. She must repeat her request +that Lord Palmerston will rectify this. + +The Queen can as little approve of the introduction of Lynch Law +in this country as of the _violent_ vituperations with which Lord +Palmerston accuses and condemns public men in other countries, acting +in most difficult circumstances and under heavy responsibility, +without having the means of obtaining correct information or of +sifting evidence. + + + + +_Queen Victoria to Viscount Palmerston._ + +OSBORNE, _16th October 1850._ + +The Queen is glad to hear from Lord Palmerston that he has given no +countenance to the French and Russian proposal at the suggestion of +Denmark, that England, France, and Russia should, after having signed +the Protocol in favour of Denmark, now go further and send their +armies to aid her in her contest with Holstein.[42] The Queen does not +expect any good result from Lord Palmerston's counter proposal to urge +Prussia and Austria to compel the Holsteiners to lay down their arms. +The mediating power ought rather to make Denmark feel that it requires +more than a cessation of hostilities, a plan of reconciliation, and a +solution of the questions in dispute, before she can hope permanently +to establish peace. The mediating power itself, however, should strive +to arrive at some opinion on the matter in dispute, based, not on +_its own_ supposed interests, as the Protocol is, but on an anxious, +careful, and impartial investigation of the rights and pretensions of +the disputing parties; and if it finds it impossible to arrive at such +an opinion, to fix upon some impartial tribunal capable of doing +so, to which the dispute could be submitted for decision. Common +principles of morality would point out such a course, and what is +morally right only can be politically wise. + + [Footnote 42: A strenuous attempt was being made by the Danish + Government to bring pressure to bear on Austria and Prussia, + to put down the nationalist movement in the Duchies, either by + active intervention, or by reassembling the Conference + which had negotiated the Treaty of Berlin. Lord Palmerston + discountenanced both alternatives, but wrote to the Queen + that he and the representatives of France, Russia, and Denmark + thought that Austria and Prussia should be urged to take all + feasible steps to put an end to the hostilities.] + + + + +[Pageheading: DEATH OF QUEEN LOUISE] + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +OSBORNE, _18th October 1850._ + +MY DEAREST UNCLE,--_This_ was the day I _always_ and for so _many +years_ wrote to _her_, to _our adored Louise_, and I _now_ write to +_you_, to thank you for that _heart-breaking_, touching letter of the +16th, which you so _very kindly_ wrote to me. It is _so_ kind of you +to write to us. _What_ a day Tuesday must have been! _Welch einen +Gang!_ and _yesterday!_ My _grief_ was _so great_ again yesterday. +To _talk_ of her is my _greatest consolation!_Let us _all try_ to +imitate _her!_My poor dear Uncle, we wish so to be with you, to be of +_any use_ to you. You will allow us, in three or four weeks, to go +to you for two or three days, _quite quietly_ and alone, to Laeken +without _any_ one, without _any_ reception anywhere, to cry with you +and to talk with you of _Her_. It will be a great comfort to us--a +_silent tribute_ of _respect and love to her_--to be able to mingle +our tears with yours over _her_ tomb! And the affection of your +two devoted children will perhaps be _some slight balm_. My _first_ +impulse was to _fly at once_ to you, but perhaps a few weeks' delay +will be better. It will be a _great_ and melancholy satisfaction to +us. _Daily_ will you feel more, my poor dear Uncle, the _poignancy_ of +_your dreadful_ loss; my _heart breaks_ in thinking of _you_ and the +poor dear children. _How_ beautiful it must be to see that _your whole +country_ weeps and mourns _with_ you! For this country and for your +children you must _try_ to bear up, and feel that in _so doing_ you +are doing _all_ SHE wished. If only _we_ could be of use to you! if +_I_ could do _anything_ for dear little Charlotte, whom our blessed +Louise talked of _so_ often to me. + +May I _write_ to _you_ on _Fridays_ when I used to write to her, as +well as on Tuesdays? You need _not_ answer me, and whenever it bores +you to write to me, or you have no time, let one of the dear children +write to me. + +May God bless and protect you ever, my beloved Uncle, is our anxious +prayer. Embrace the dear children in the name of one who has almost +the feelings of a mother for them. Ever your devoted Niece and loving +Child, + +VICTORIA R. + + + + +[Pageheading: THE QUEEN AND PALMERSTON] + + +_Queen Victoria to Lord John Russell._ + +OSBORNE, _19th October 1850._ + +The Queen is very glad of the result of the conflict with Lord +Palmerston, of which Lord John Russell apprised her by his letter of +yesterday's date. The correspondence, which the Queen now returns, +shows clearly that Lord Palmerston in this transaction, as in every +other, remained true to his principles of action.... But it shows +also that Lord John has the power of exercising that control over Lord +Palmerston, the careful exercise of which he owes to the Queen, his +colleagues, and the country, if he will take the necessary pains to +remain firm. The Queen does not believe in _resignation_ under almost +any circumstances. + +The Queen is very anxious about the Holstein question, and sends a +copy of her last letter to Lord Palmerston on the subject. + + + + +_Lord John Russell to the Prince Albert._ + +PEMBROKE LODGE, _21st October 1850._ + +SIR,--I have just received this note from Lord Palmerston.[43] + +The French Ambassador, who has been here, confirms the news. We must +consider the whole affair on Wednesday, and I shall be glad to learn +what the Queen thinks can be done. + +Mr Tennyson is a fit person to be Poet Laureate. + +I have the honour to be, your Royal Highness's most obedient Servant, + +J. RUSSELL. + + [Footnote 43: The note was in reference to the affairs of + Hesse-Cassel, and to the rumours of a Conference to be held in + Austria for the settlement of German affairs.] + + + + +[Pageheading: THE TRACTARIAN MOVEMENT] + + +_Lord John Russell to Queen Victoria._ + +BISHOPTHORPE, _25th October 1850._ + +Lord John Russell presents his humble duty to your Majesty; he has +read with attention the letter of the Duchess of Norfolk.[44] He +has also read the Pope's Bull. It strikes him that the division into +twelve territorial dioceses of eight ecclesiastical vicariats is not +a matter to be alarmed at. The persons to be affected by this change +must be already Roman Catholics before it can touch them. + +The matter to create rational alarm is, as your Majesty says, the +growth of Roman Catholic doctrines and practices within the bosom of +the Church. Dr Arnold said very truly, "I look upon a Roman Catholic +as an enemy in his uniform; I look upon a Tractarian as an enemy +disguised as a spy." + +It would be very wrong to do as the Bishop of Oxford proposed, and +confer the patronage of the Crown on any of these Tractarians. But, on +the other hand, to treat them with severity would give the whole party +vigour and union. + +The Dean of Bristol is of opinion that the Tractarians are falling to +pieces by dissension. It appears clear that Mr Denison and Mr Palmer +have broken off from Dr Pusey. + +Sir George Grey will ask the Law Officers whether there is anything +illegal in Dr Wiseman's assuming the title of Archbishop of +Westminster. An English Cardinal is not a novelty.[45] + + [Footnote 44: Two important events in the history of the + English Church had just occurred. The Bishop of Exeter had + refused to institute Mr Gorham to a Crown living in his + diocese, on the ground that his teaching on baptism was at + variance with the formularies of the Church. This decision, + though upheld in the Court of Arches, was reversed (though + not unanimously) by the Privy Council. High Church feeling was + much aroused by the judgment. + + In September, Pius IX. (now re-established in the Vatican) + promulgated a papal brief, restoring the Roman Catholic + hierarchy in England, and dividing it territorially into + twelve sees, and in October Cardinal Wiseman, as Archbishop + of Westminster, issued his Pastoral, claiming that Catholic + England had been restored to its orbit in the ecclesiastical + firmament. The Duchess of Norfolk, writing from Arundel, had + criticised the proselytising action of certain Roman Catholic + clergy. _See_ the Queen's reply, _post_, p. 277.] + + [Footnote 45: Lord John wrote on the 4th of November to + Dr Maltby, Bishop of Durham, denouncing the assumption of + spiritual superiority over England, in the documents issued + from Rome. But what alarmed him more (he said) was the + action of clergymen within the Church leading their flocks + dangerously near the brink, and recommending for adoption + the honour paid to saints, the claim of infallibility for the + Church, the superstitious use of the sign of the cross, the + muttering of the liturgy so as to disguise the language + in which it was said, with the recommendation of auricular + confession and the administration of Penance and absolution. + + Lord John was pictorially satirised in _Punch_ as the boy who + chalked up "No popery" on the door and ran away.] + + + + +[Pageheading: UNREST IN EUROPE] + + +_The King of the Belgians to Queen Victoria._ + +ARDENNE, _10th November 1850._ + +MY DEAREST VICTORIA,--I write already to-day that it may not miss +to-morrow's messenger. I came here yesterday by a mild sunshine, and +the valley of the Meuse was very pretty. I love my solitude here, and +though the house is small and not what it ought to have been, still I +always liked it. There seems in most countries danger of agitation +and convulsions arising. I don't know how it will end in Germany. In +France it is difficult that things should not break up some way or +other. I trust you may be spared religious agitation. These sorts of +things begin with one pretext, and sometimes continue with others. I +don't think Europe was ever in more danger, _il y a tant d'anarchie +dans les esprits_. I don't think that can be cured _a l'eau de rose_; +the human race is not naturally good, very much the contrary; it +requires a strong hand, and is, in fact, even pleased to be led in +that way; the memory of all the sort of Cesars and Napoleons, +from whom they chiefly got blows, is much dearer to them than the +benefactors of mankind, whom they crucify when they can have their +own way. Give my best love to Albert; and I also am very anxious to +be recalled to the recollection of the children, who were so very +friendly at Ostende. How far we were then to guess what has since +happened.... My dearest Victoria, your devoted Uncle, + +LEOPOLD R. + + + + +_Queen Victoria to the Countess of Gainsborough._[46] + +_Thursday morning_ [_November ..._] _1850._ + +DEAREST FANNY,--This is a case of positive necessity, and as _none_ +of the ladies are forthcoming I fear I must call upon you to attend +me _to-night_. You did so once _in state_ before, and as it is not +a _matter of pleasure_, but of duty, I am sure you will at once feel +that you can have no scruple. + +Whenever the Mistress of the Robes does not attend, I _always_ have +three ladies, as they must take turns in standing behind me. Ever +yours affectionately, + +VICTORIA R. + + [Footnote 46: Frances, Countess of Gainsborough, daughter of + the third Earl of Roden, a Lady of the Bedchamber, and known + till 1841 as Lady Barham.] + + + + +[Pageheading: ENGLAND AND GERMANY] + + +_Queen Victoria to Viscount Palmerston._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _18th November 1850._ + +The Queen is exceedingly sorry to hear that Lord Westmorland[47] is +gone, as she was particularly anxious to have seen him before his +return to Berlin, and to have talked to him on the present critical +events in Germany; but she quite forgot the day of his departure. What +is the object of his seeing the President at Paris? and what are his +instructions with regard to Germany?[48] + +Having _invariably encouraged Constitutional_ development in other +countries,... and having at the beginning of the great movement in +1847, which led to all the catastrophes of the following years, _sent_ +a Cabinet Minister to Italy to _declare_ to all Italian states that +_England_ would _protect_ them from Austria if she should attempt +by threats and violence to debar them from the _attainment_ of their +_Constitutional_ development, _consistency_ would require that we +should _now_, when that great struggle is at its end and _despotism_ +is to be _re-imposed_ by Austrian arms upon Germany, throw _our +weight_ into the scale of _Constitutional_ Prussia and Germany.... The +Queen is afraid, however, that all our Ministers abroad,--at Berlin, +Dresden, Munich, Stuttgart, Hanover, etc. (with the exception of Lord +Cowley at Frankfort)--are warm partisans of the _despotic_ league +against Prussia and a German Constitution and _for_ the maintenance +of the old Diet under Austrian and Russian influence. Ought not Lord +Palmerston to make his agents understand that their sentiments are at +variance with those of the English Government? and that they are doing +_serious mischief_ if they express them at Courts which have _already_ +every inclination to follow their desperate course? + +Lord Palmerston is of course aware that the old Diet once +reconstituted and recognised, one of the main laws of it is that "_no +organic change can be made_ without _unanimity_ of voices," which was +the cause of the nullity of that body from 1820 to 1848, and will +now enable Austria, should Prussia and her confederates recognise +the Diet, to condemn Germany to a further life of stagnation or new +revolution. + + [Footnote 47: Minister at Berlin.] + + [Footnote 48: Lord Palmerston may have had this letter of the + Queen's in mind when he wrote on the 22nd of November to Lord + Cowley: "Her (_i.e._ Prussia's) partisans try to make out + that the contest between her and Austria is a struggle between + constitutional and arbitrary Government, but it is no such + thing." Ashley's _Life of Lord Palmerston_, vol. 1. chap. vi.] + + + + +[Pageheading: CONSTITUTIONALISM IN GERMANY] + + +_Viscount Palmerston to Queen Victoria._ + +FOREIGN OFFICE, _18th November 1850._ + +Viscount Palmerston presents his humble duty to your Majesty. With +respect to the maintenance of Constitutional Government in Germany, +Viscount Palmerston entirely subscribes to your Majesty's opinion, +that a regard for consistency, as well as a sense of right and +justice, ought to lead your Majesty's Government to give to the +Constitutional principle in Germany the same moral support which they +endeavoured to afford it in Italy, Spain, Portugal, and elsewhere; but +though he is conscious that he may be deceived and may think better +of the Austrian Government in this respect than it deserves, yet +he cannot persuade himself that rational and sound Constitutional +Government is at present in danger in Germany, or that the Austrian +Government, whatever may be their inclination and wishes, can think it +possible in the present day to re-establish despotic government in +a nation so enlightened, and so attached to free institutions as the +German people now is. The danger for Germany seems to lie rather in +the opposite direction, arising from the rash and weak precipitation +with which in 1848 and 1849 those Governments which before had refused +everything resolved in a moment of alarm to grant everything, and, +passing from one extreme to the other, threw universal suffrage among +people who had been, some wholly and others very much, unaccustomed +to the working of representative Government. The French have found +universal suffrage incompatible with good order even in a Republic; +what must it be for a Monarchy? + +Viscount Palmerston would, moreover, beg to submit that the conflict +between Austria and Prussia can scarcely be said to have turned upon +principles of Government so much as upon a struggle for political +ascendency in Germany. At Berlin, at Dresden, and in Baden the +Prussian Government has very properly no doubt employed military +force to reestablish order; and in regard to the affairs of Hesse, the +ground taken by Prussia was not so much a constitutional as a military +one, and the objection which she made to the entrance of the troops +of the Diet was that those troops might become hostile, and that they +ought not, therefore, to occupy a central position in the line of +military defence of Prussia. + +The remark which your Majesty makes as to unanimity being required for +certain purposes by the Diet regulations is no doubt very just, and +that circumstance certainly shows that the free Conference which +is about to be held is a better constructed body for planning a new +arrangement of a central organ.[49] + + [Footnote 49: War was staved off by the Conference; but the + relative predominance of Prussia and Austria in Germany was + left undecided for some years to come.] + + + + +[Pageheading: STATE OF THE CONTINENT] + + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _22nd November 1850._ + +MY DEAREST UNCLE,--Accept my best thanks for your kind letter of the +17th, and the dear little English one from dear little Charlotte, +which is so nicely written, and shows such an amiable disposition. +I send her to-day a little heart for the hair of our blessed Angel, +which I hope she will often wear. Our girls have all got one. I have +written to the dear child. You should have the dear children as much +with you as possible; I am _sure_ it would be so _good and useful_ +for _you_ and _them_. Children ought to have great confidence in their +parents, in order for them to have any influence over them. + +Yesterday Vicky was ten years old. It seems a dream. If she lives, in +eight years more she may be married! She is a very clever child, and I +must say very much improved. + +The state of the Continent is deplorable; the folly of Austria and the +giving way of Prussia are lamentable. _Our_ influence on the Continent +is _null_.... Add to this, we are between two fires in _this_ country: +a furious Protestant feeling and an enraged Catholic feeling in +Ireland. I believe that Austria fans the flame at Rome, and that +the _whole movement_ on the Continent is _anti-Constitutional_, +_anti-Protestant_, _and anti-English_; and this is so complicated, and +we have (thanks to Lord Palmerston) contrived to quarrel _so happily_, +separately with each, that I do not know _how_ we are to stand against +it all! + +I must now conclude. Trusting soon to hear from you again. Ever your +devoted Niece, + +VICTORIA R. + +My longing for dearest Louise seems only to increase as time goes on. + + + + +_Queen Victoria to the Duchess of Norfolk._ + +Windsor Castle, _22nd November 1850._ + +MY DEAR DUCHESS,--It is very remiss in me not to have sooner answered +your letter with the enclosure, but I received it at a moment of great +grief, and since then I have been much occupied. + +I fully understand your anxiety relative to the proceedings of the +Roman Catholic Clergy, but I trust that there is no _real_ danger to +be apprehended from that quarter, the more so as I believe they see +that they have been misled and misinformed as to the feeling of this +country by some of the new converts to their religion. The real danger +to be apprehended, and what I am certain has led to these proceedings +on the part of the Pope, lies in _our own_ divisions, and in the +extraordinary conduct of the Puseyites. I trust that the eyes of many +may now be opened. One would, however, much regret to see any acts of +intolerance towards the many innocent people who I believe entirely +disapprove the injudicious conduct of their Clergy. + +Hoping that you are all well, believe me, always, yours, +affectionately, + +VICTORIA R. + + + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _29th November 1850._ + +MY DEAREST UNCLE,--I have no dear letter to answer, but write to keep +to the dear day, rendered so peculiarly dear to me by the recollection +of our dearly beloved Louise. + +We are well, but much troubled with numberless things. Our religious +troubles are great, and I must just say that Cardinal Wiseman +_himself_ admits that Austria not only approves the conduct of the +Pope but is urging _on_ the _Propaganda_. I _know this_ to be so. +Our great difficulty must be, and will be, to steer clear of both +parties--the violent Protestants and the Roman Catholics. We wish in +no way to infringe the rights of the Roman Catholics, while we must +protect and uphold our own religion. + +We have seen General Radowitz,[50] with whom we have been much +interested; his accounts are very clear and very able, and I must say, +very fair and strictly constitutional. You know him, I suppose? Might +I again ask, dearest Uncle, if you would like to have a copy of Ross's +picture of our angel Louise or of Winterhalter's? + +Lady Lyttelton, who is returned, is very anxious in her enquiries +after you. + +I must now conclude, my dearest Uncle. Ever your devoted Niece, + +VICTORIA R. + + [Footnote 50: General Radowitz, who had been Minister for + Foreign Affairs in Prussia, had just arrived in England on a + special mission from the King of Prussia.] + + + + +[Pageheading: STATE OF GERMANY] + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _3rd December 1850._ + +MY BELOVED UNCLE,--Two of your dear letters are before me, of the +29th November and of yesterday. In the former you _give me a promise_, +which I consider _most_ valuable, and which I shall _remind_ you of if +you get desponding, viz. "I will to please you _labour on, and do all +the good I can_." It is so pleasing to feel that one _does_ good and +does one's duty. It sweetens so many bitter trials. + +The state of Germany is indeed a very anxious one. It is a mistake +to think the _supremacy of Prussia_ is _what is wished for_. General +Radowitz himself says that what is necessary for Germany [is] that +she should take the lead, and should redeem the pledges given in '48. +Unless this be _done_ in a moderate and determined way, a _fearful +reaction_ will take place, which will _overturn Thrones_; to use +Radowitz's own words: "_und nicht vor dem Thron stehen bleiben_." +Prussia is the _only large_ and powerful _really German_ Power +there is, and therefore she must take the lead; but her constant +vacillation--one day doing one thing and another day another--has +caused her to be entirely distrusted. You are quite right in saying +things should be done _d'un commun accord_, and I think that the other +great Powers ought to be consulted. Unfortunately, _Lord Palmerston_ +has contrived to make us _so hated_ by all parties abroad, that we +have lost our position and our influence, which, considering the +flourishing and satisfactory state of this country during all the +European convulsions, _ought_ to have been _immense_. This it is +which pains and grieves me so deeply, and which I have so plainly been +speaking to Lord John Russell about. What a noble position we _might_ +have had, and how wantonly has it been thrown away! + +Good Stockmar is well, and always of the _greatest_ comfort and use to +us. His judgment is so sound, so unbiassed, and so dispassionate. Ever +your devoted Niece, + +VICTORIA R. + + + + +[Pageheading: ENGLAND AND ROME] + + +_Queen Victoria to Lord John Russell._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _8th December 1850._ + +The Queen received Lord John Russell's letter and the draft yesterday. +He must be a better judge of what the effect of Mr Sheil's[51] +presence in Rome may be than she can; but for her own part, she thinks +it entirely against her notions of what is _becoming_ to _ask_ the +_Pope_ for a _favour_ (for it is tantamount to that) at a moment when +his name is being vilified and abused in every possible manner in +this country. It strikes the Queen as an _undignified_ course for this +Government to pursue. + +The Queen is glad to hear of what passed between the Archbishop and +Lord John.[52] She trusts that something may be done, as the desire +for it seems to be so great. On the other hand, the Queen deeply +regrets the great abuse of the Roman Catholic religion which takes +place at all these meetings, etc. She thinks it unchristian and +unwise, and trusts that it will soon cease.... + + [Footnote 51: Minister at the Court of Tuscany.] + + [Footnote 52: The Government were preparing for the + introduction of their Ecclesiastical Titles Bill.] + + + + +[Pageheading: LADY PEEL] + + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _10th December 1850._ + +MY BELOVED UNCLE,--My letter must, I fear, be a somewhat hurried and +short one, for my morning has been taken up in receiving in state +Addresses from the City and Universities about this _unfortunate_ +"Papal Aggression" business, which is still keeping people in a +feverish state of wild excitement.[53] _One_ good effect it has had, +viz. that of directing people's serious attention to the very alarming +tendency of the _Tractarians_, which was doing _immense_ harm.... + +_Many, many thanks_ for your two dear and kind letters of the 6th +and of yesterday. All you _say_ about _Louise_, and about the +disappearance _for ever_ of _all_ that _she loved_ and was _proud of_, +is so true, so _dreadful_. One fancies (foolishly and wrongly, but +still one _does_) that the lost one has been hardly used in no longer +enjoying these earthly blessings, and one's grief seems to break +out afresh in bitter agony upon _small and comparatively trifling_ +occasions. Poor Lady Peel (whom I saw for the first time yesterday at +Buckingham Palace, whither I had gone for an hour) expressed _this_ +strongly. _Hers_ is indeed a _broken heart_; she is so _truly_ crushed +by the _agony_ of _her_ grief; it was _very_ touching to see and to +hear her. Poor thing! she _never_ can be happy again! + +What you say about _me_ is far too kind. I am very _often_ sadly +dissatisfied with myself and with the little self-control I have. + +Your long letter interested us much. I fear the German affairs are +very bad.... That everlasting "backwards and forwards," as you say, +of my poor friend the King of Prussia is _calamitous_; it causes +_all_ parties to distrust him, and gives _real_ strength only to the +Republicans. Since '48 that has been his conduct, and the _misfortune_ +for Germany. A _steady_ course, _whatever_ it may be, is _always_ the +best. + +What you say about poor Helene[54] and France is true and sad. I +really wish you would caution Helene as to her language; she is much +attached to you. I _pity_ her very much; her position is very trying, +and her religion renders it more difficult even. + +I must now end my letter. I grieve to hear of your going _alone_ to +Ardenne; it is BAD for you to be alone, and your poor children also +ought not to be alone. Ever your devoted Niece, + +VICTORIA R. + + [Footnote 53: These Addresses were presented at Windsor, + Prince Albert and the Duke of Wellington representing the + Universities of Cambridge and Oxford.] + + [Footnote 54: The Duchess of Orleans.] + + + + +[Pageheading: THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH] + + +_Lord John Russell to Queen Victoria._ + +DOWNING STREET, _11th December 1850._ + +Lord John Russell presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and has +the honour to state that the Cabinet to-day considered at great +length the question of the steps to be taken in respect to the Papal +Aggression. + +The inclination of the majority was not to prosecute, but to bring +a Bill into Parliament to make the assumption of any titles of +archbishop, etc., of any place in the United Kingdom illegal, and to +make any gift of property conveyed under such title null and void. + + + + + +[Pageheading: RITUALISM] + + +_Queen Victoria to the Duchess of Gloucester._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _12th December 1850._ + +MY DEAR AUNT,--Many thanks for your kind letter; you are quite right +not to distress the Duchess of Cambridge by mentioning to her what I +wrote to you about the Bishop of London.[55] I am glad that you +are pleased with my answers to the Addresses; I thought them very +proper.[56] + +I would never have consented to say anything which breathed a spirit +of intolerance. Sincerely Protestant as I always have been and +always shall be, and indignant as I am at those who _call themselves +Protestants_, while they in fact _are_ quite the _contrary_, I much +regret the unchristian and intolerant spirit exhibited by many people +at the public meetings. I cannot bear to hear the violent abuse of the +Catholic religion, which is so painful and cruel towards the many good +and innocent Roman Catholics. However, we must hope and trust this +excitement will soon cease, and that the wholesome effect of it on our +own _Church_ will be the lasting result of it. Ever yours ... + +VICTORIA R. + + [Footnote 55: The Bishop of London had taken the same view + as Lord John Russell of the Papal action, though they had + disagreed over the Gorham controversy.] + + [Footnote 56: See _ante_, p. 279.] + + + + +_Queen Victoria to Lord John Russell._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _14th December 1850._ + +The Queen has received Lord John Russell's letter of yesterday. She +sanctions the introduction into Parliament of a Bill framed on the +principles agreed upon at yesterday's Cabinet, presuming that it will +extend to the whole United Kingdom. What is to be done, however, +with respect to the Colonies where the Roman Catholic bishoprics are +recognised by the Government under territorial titles? and what is +to be done with Dr Cullen, who has assumed the title of Archbishop +of Armagh, Primate of all Ireland, which is punishable under the +Emancipation Act? If this is left unnoticed, the Government will be +left with the "_lame_" argument in Parliament of which we conversed +here. Could the Government not be helped out of this difficulty by +the Primate himself prosecuting the obtruder? The Queen hopes that the +meeting of the archdeacons with Dr Lushington may do some good; she +cannot say that she is pleased with the Archbishop's answer to the +laity published in to-day's _Times_, which leaves them without a +remedy if the clergymen persist in Puseyite Rituals! The Queen will +return Lord Minto's letter with the next messenger. + + + + +_Queen Victoria to Lord John Russell._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _22nd December 1850._ + +The Queen now returns Lord Seymour's letter respecting the New Forest, +and sanctions the proposed arrangement. Considering, however, that she +gives up the deer, and all patronage and authority over the Forest, +she wishes the shooting, as the only remaining Royalty, not to be +withdrawn from her authority also. It will be quite right to give +Deputations[57] to shoot over the various divisions and walks of the +Forest to gentlemen of the neighbourhood or others; but in order that +this may establish no right on their part, and may leave the Sovereign +a voice in the matter, she wishes that a list be prepared every +year of the persons recommended by the Office of Woods to receive +Deputations and submitted for her approval. + + [Footnote 57: A deputation, _i.e._, a deputed right to take + game.] + + + + +INTRODUCTORY NOTE + +TO CHAPTER XX + + +The Ministry were in difficulties at the very beginning of the session +(1851), being nearly defeated on a motion made in the interest of +the agricultural party; and though the Ecclesiastical Titles Bill was +allowed to be brought in, they were beaten in a thin House chiefly by +their own friends, on the question of the County Franchise. A crisis +ensued, and a coalition of Whigs and Peelites was attempted, but +proved impracticable. Lord Stanley having then failed to form a +Protectionist Ministry, the Whigs, much weakened, had to resume +office. + +The Exhibition, which was opened in Hyde Park on the 1st of May, was a +complete success, a brilliant triumph indeed, for the Prince, over six +million people visiting it; it remained open till the Autumn, and the +building, some time after its removal, was re-erected at Sydenham, at +the Crystal Palace. + +The Ecclesiastical Titles Bill, much modified, was proceeded with, +and, though opposed by the ablest Peelites and Radicals, became law, +though its effect, while in operation, was virtually _nil_. It was in +after-years repealed. + +Kossuth, the champion of Hungarian independence, visited England in +October, and Lord Palmerston had to be peremptorily restrained +from receiving him publicly at the Foreign Office. A little later, +Kossuth's ultra-liberal sympathisers in London addressed the Foreign +Secretary in language violently denunciatory of the Emperors of +Austria and Russia, for which Lord Palmerston failed to rebuke them. +The cup was filled to the brim by his recognition of the President's +_coup d'etat_ in France. Louis Napoleon, after arresting M. Thiers and +many others, proclaimed the dissolution of the Council of State and +the National Assembly, decreed a state of siege, and re-established +universal suffrage, with a Chief Magistrate elected for ten years, +and a Ministry depending on the executive alone. Palmerston thereupon, +though professing an intention of non-interference, conveyed to the +French Ambassador in London his full approbation of the proceeding, +and his conviction that the President could not have acted otherwise. +Even after this indiscreet action, the Premier found some difficulty +in bringing him to book; but before the end of the year he was +dismissed from office, with the offer, which he declined, of the +Irish Lord-Lieutenancy and a British Peerage. Greatly to the Queen's +satisfaction, Lord Granville became Foreign Secretary. + +At the Cape, Sir Harry Smith was engaged in operations against the +Kaffirs, which were not brought to a successful termination till the +following year, when General Cathcart had superseded him. + + + + +CHAPTER XX + +1851 + + +_Queen Victoria to Lord John Russell._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _25th January 1851._ + +The Queen approves of the elevation of Mr. Pemberton Leigh[1] to the +Peerage, which she considers a very useful measure, and not likely to +lead to any permanent increase of the Peerage, as he is not likely +to marry at his present age, and considering that he has only a life +interest in his large property. + +With regard to the creation of Dr Lushington[2] as a Peer, without +remainder, the Queen has again thoroughly considered the question, and +is of opinion that the establishment of the principle of creation for +life--in cases where public advantage may be derived from the grant of +a Peerage, but where there may be no fortune to support the dignity in +the family--is most desirable. The mode in which the public will take +the introduction of it will however chiefly depend upon the merits of +the first case brought forward. Dr Lushington appears to the Queen +so unobjectionable in this respect that she cannot but approve of the +experiment being tried with him. + +It would be well, however, that it should be done quietly; that it +should not be talked about beforehand or get into the papers, which so +frequently happens on occasions of this kind, and generally does harm. + + [Footnote 1: Member of Parliament for Rye 1881-1832, and Ripon + 1835-1843, afterwards a member of the Judicial Committee of + the Privy Council: he became a Peer (Lord Kingsdown) in 1858, + having declined a peerage on the present and other occasions.] + + [Footnote 2: Dr Lushington was judge of the Admiralty Court: + he had been counsel for, and an executor of, Queen Caroline. + He declined the offer now suggested, and the subsequent + debates on the Wensleydale Peerage show that the proposed + grant would have been ineffectual for its purpose.] + + + + +[Pageheading: DIPLOMATIC ARRANGEMENTS] + + +_Queen Victoria to Viscount Palmerston._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _31st January 1851._ + +The Queen has received Lord Palmerston's letter of the 29th, in which +he proposes a change in those diplomatic arrangements which she had +already sanctioned on his recommendation, and must remark that the +reasons which Lord Palmerston adduces in support of his present +proposition are in direct contradiction to those by which he supported +his former recommendation.[3] + +The principle which the Queen would wish to see acted upon in her +diplomatic appointments in general, is, that the _good of the service_ +should precede every other consideration, and that the selection of +an agent should depend more on his personal qualifications for the +particular post for which he is to be selected than on the mere +pleasure and convenience of the person to be employed, or of the +Minister recommending him. + +According to Lord Palmerston's first proposal, Sir H. Seymour was to +have gone to St Petersburg, Lord Bloomfield to Berlin, and Sir Richard +Pakenham to Lisbon; now Lord Palmerston wishes to send Lord Cowley to +St Petersburg. + +The Queen has the highest opinion of Lord Cowley's abilities, and +agrees with Lord Palmerston in thinking that Russia will, for some +time at least, exercise a predominating influence over all European +affairs. She would accordingly not object to see that Agent accredited +there in whom she herself places the greatest confidence. But +according to the same principle, she must insist that the posts +of Berlin and Frankfort, which in her opinion are of nearly equal +importance, should be filled by men capable of dealing with the +complicated and dangerous political questions now in agitation there, +and the just appreciation and judicious treatment of which are of +the highest importance to the peace of Europe, and therefore to the +welfare of England. + +Before the Queen therefore decides upon Lord Palmerston's new +proposals, she wishes to know _whom_ he could recommend for the post +of Frankfort in the event of Lord Cowley leaving it, and thinks it +but right to premise that in giving her sanction to the proposals +Lord Palmerston may have to submit, she will be guided entirely by the +principle set forth above. + + [Footnote 3: Lord Palmerston had altered his mind as to + certain proposed diplomatic changes, and suggested the + appointment of Sir Hamilton Seymour to Berlin, Lord Bloomfield + to Lisbon, Lord Cowley to Petersburg, Mr Jerningham, Sir Henry + Ellis, or Sir Richard Pakenham to Frankfort.] + + + + +[Pageheading: DIPLOMATIC ARRANGEMENTS] + + +_Lord John Russell to Queen Victoria._ + +CHESHAM PLACE, _12th January 1851._ + +Lord John Russell presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and +has the honour to state that Mr Disraeli brought forward his Motion +yesterday.[4] His speech was long and elaborate, but not that of a man +who was persuaded he was undertaking a good cause. + +He proposed nothing specific, but said nothing offensive. + +The doubts about the division increase. Mr Hayter reckoned yesterday +on a majority of three! Sir James Graham is of opinion Lord Stanley +will not undertake anything desperate. He will speak in favour of +Government to-morrow, when the division will probably take place. + + [Footnote 4: On agricultural distress; the Motion was lost by + fourteen only in a large House.] + + + + +_Queen Victoria to Viscount Palmerston._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _15th February 1851._ + +The Queen has received Lord Palmerston's letter of yesterday, and +has to state in answer her decision in favour of the original plan of +appointments, viz. of Sir H. Seymour to Petersburg, Lord Bloomfield +to Berlin, and Sir R. Pakenham to Lisbon. The Queen quite agrees with +Lord Palmerston in the opinion that the post at Petersburg is more +important than that of Frankfort, and had Lord Palmerston been able +to propose a good successor to Lord Cowley she would have approved +his going to Petersburg; Sir R. Pakenham, however, would not take +Frankfort if offered to him, as it appears, and the two other persons +proposed would not do for it, in the Queen's opinion. It must not be +forgotten that at a place for action like Petersburg, the Minister +will chiefly have to look to his instructions from home, while at +a place of observation, as Lord Palmerston justly calls Frankfort, +everything depends upon the acuteness and impartiality of the +observer, and upon the confidence with which he may be able to inspire +those from whom alone accurate information can be obtained. Lord +Cowley possesses eminently these qualities, and Sir H. Seymour has +at all times shown himself equal to acting under most difficult +circumstances. The desire of the Emperor to see Lord Cowley at +Petersburg may possibly resolve itself in the desire of Baron Brunnow +to see him removed from Germany.... The Queen had always understood +that Sir H. Seymour would be very acceptable to the Emperor, and that +Count Nesselrode called him a diplomatist "de la bonne vieille roche." + + + + +[Pageheading: SIR JAMES GRAHAM] + + +_Memorandum by Queen Victoria._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE. _17th February 1851._ + +Lord John Russell came at half-past three. He had had a long +conversation with Sir James Graham, had stated to him that from the +tone of his speech (which Lord John explained to us yesterday was of +so very friendly a character and pointed directly to supporting the +Government)--its friendliness, and the manner in which he advocated +the union of those who opposed a return to Protection, that he +proposed to him to join the Government; that Sir G. Grey had offered +to resign his office in order that Sir J. Graham might have it. Before +I go farther I ought to say that Lord John yesterday explained the +importance of obtaining support like Sir J. Graham's in the Cabinet, +and that he thought of proposing the Board of Control to him, which +Sir J. Hobhouse was ready to give up--receiving a Peerage, and +retaining a seat in the Cabinet or the Admiralty, which Sir F. Baring +was equally ready to give up. + +Well, Sir J. Graham said that before he answered he wished to show +Lord John a correspondence which had passed between him and Lord +Londonderry. In the course of conversation in the country, Sir James +had said to Lord Londonderry that parties never could go on as they +were, and that they must ultimately lapse into _two_; this, Lord +Londonderry reported to Mr Disraeli, who told it to Lord Stanley; +and Mr Disraeli wrote to Lord Londonderry, stating that if certain +advantages and reliefs were given to the landed interests, he +should not cling to Protection; in short, much what he said in his +speech--and that he was quite prepared to give up the lead in the +House of Commons to Sir J. Graham. Sir James answered that he never +meant anything by what he had said, and that he had no wish whatever +to join Lord Stanley; that if he had, he was so intimate with Lord +Stanley that he would have communicated direct with him. + +Sir James said that as soon as he heard from Lord John, he thought +_what_ he wished to see him for, and that he had been thinking over +it, and had been talking to Lord Hardinge and Mr Cardwell. That he +did wish to support the Government, but that he thought he could be of +more use if he did not join the Government, and was able to give them +an independent support; that he had not attempted to lead Sir Robert +Peel's followers; that many who had followed Sir Robert would _not_ +follow _him_; that he thought the Government in great danger; that +the Protectionists, Radicals, and Irish Members would try to take +an opportunity to overset them (the Government); that should the +Government be turned out, he would find no difficulty in joining them; +or should they go on, that by-and-by it might be easier to do so; but +that at this moment he should be injuring himself without doing +the Government any real service; besides which, there were so many +measures decided on which he was ignorant of, and should have to +support. Lord John told him that were he in the Cabinet, he would have +the means of stating and enforcing his opinions, and that at whatever +time he joined them, there would always be the same difficulty about +measures which had already been decided on. He (Sir James) is not +quite satisfied with the Papal Aggression Bill, which he thinks will +exasperate the Irish; he also adverted to the report of our having +protested against Austria bringing her Italian Provinces, etc., into +the German Confederation. Lord John told him that this had not been +done, but that we meant to ask for explanations. + +In short, Lord John said it was evident that Sir James thought the +Government in great danger, and "did not wish to embark in a boat +which was going to sink." Still, he was friendly, and repeated that +it would be very easy when in opposition to unite, and then to come in +together. + +VICTORIA R. + + + + +[Pageheading: DEFEAT OF THE GOVERNMENT] + + +_Lord John Russell to Queen Victoria._ + +CHESHAM PLACE, _21st February 1851._ + +Lord John Russell presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and has +the honour to report that on a motion of Mr Locke King's[5] yesterday +the Government was defeated by a hundred to fifty-two. + +This is another circumstance which makes it probable the Ministry +cannot endure long. The Tories purposely stayed away. + + [Footnote 5: For equalising the County and the Borough + franchise.] + + + + +[Pageheading: MINISTERIAL CRISIS] + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _21st February 1851._ + +MY DEAREST UNCLE,--I have only time just to write a few hasty lines to +you from Stockmar's room, where I came up to speak to Albert and him, +to tell you that we have got a Ministerial crisis; the Ministers +were in a great minority last night, and though it was not a question +_vital_ to the Government, Lord John feels the support he has received +so meagre, and the opposition of so many parties so great, that he +must _resign!_ This is very bad, because there is no chance of any +other good Government, poor Peel being no longer alive, and not one +man of talent except Lord Stanley in the Party;... but Lord John is +_right_ not to go on when he is so ill supported, and it will raise +him as a political man, and will strengthen his position for the +future. + +Whether Lord Stanley (to whom I must send to-morrow _after_ the +Government have resigned) will be able to form a Government or not, +I cannot tell. Altogether, it is very vexatious, and will give +us trouble. It is the more provoking, as this country is so very +prosperous. + +On Tuesday I hope to be able to say more.... + +With Albert's love, ever your truly devoted Niece, + +VICTORIA R. + + + + +[Pageheading: LORD LANSDOWNE CONSULTED] + +[Pageheading: LORD STANLEY SUMMONED] + +[Pageheading: FISCAL POLICY OUTLINED] + +[Pageheading: PROTECTION] + + + +_Memorandum by the Prince Albert._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _22nd February 1851._ + +Lord John Russell having been for a few minutes with the Queen, +in order to prepare her for the possibility of the Government's +resignation (yesterday, at two o'clock), went to Downing Street +to meet the Cabinet, and promised to return at four in order to +communicate the decision the Cabinet might have arrived at. On his +return he explained that after the vote at the beginning of the +Session on the Orders of the Day, which went directly against the +Government, after the small majority (only fourteen) which they had on +the motion of Mr Disraeli on the landed interest, and now the defeat +on the Franchise, it was clear that the Government did not possess +the confidence of the House of Commons. He complained of the +Protectionists staying away in a body on Mr King's motion, and he +(Lord John) himself being left without a supporter even amongst +his colleagues in the debate, but most of all of the conduct of the +Radicals; for when Mr King, hearing Lord John's promise to bring in +a measure next Session, wanted to withdraw his Motion, as he ought to +have done on such a declaration by the head of the Government, Mr Hume +insisted upon his going on, "else Lord John would withdraw his promise +again in a fortnight"; and when the result of the vote was made known +the shouting and triumph of the hundred was immense. + +Lord John had declared to the Cabinet that he could not go on, that +the Income Tax would have to be voted the next day, and a defeat was +probable; it were much better therefore not to hesitate, and to resign +at once. The Cabinet agreed, although some Members thought with Lord +Palmerston that the occasion was hardly sufficient. Lord John begged +to be allowed till to-day, in order to see Lord Lansdowne, whom he +had sent for from the country, and to be able to tender then his +resignation; he would go down to the House to adjourn it, promising +explanations on Monday. + +We agreed with Lord John that he owed to his station personally, and +as the Queen's Minister, not to put up with ignominious treatment, +praised his speech on the Suffrage, which is admirable, and regretted +that his colleagues had prevented him from bringing in a measure +this year. We talked of the difficulty of forming any Government, but +agreed that Lord Stanley and the Protection Party ought to be appealed +to; they longed for office, and would not rest quiet till they had had +it if for ever so short a time only. + +We further went over the ground of a possible demand for a +Dissolution, which might bring on a general commotion in the country. +Lord John agreed in this, but thought the responsibility to be very +great for the Crown to refuse an appeal to the country to the new +Government; he thought a decision on that point ought to depend on the +peculiar circumstances of the case. + +Lord Lansdowne, who had come from Bowood by the express train, arrived +at twelve o'clock, and came at once to meet Lord John Russell here at +the Palace. + +In the audience which the Queen gave him he expressed his entire +concurrence with the decision the Cabinet had come to, as the +resignation could at any rate only have been delayed. It was clear +that the Cabinet had lost the confidence of the House of Commons; what +had happened the other night was only the last drop which made the +cup flow over, and that it was much more dignified not to let the +Government die a lingering and ignominious death; he [thought] that +Lord Stanley would have great difficulties, but would be able to form +a Government; at least the Protectionist Party gave out that they had +a Cabinet prepared. + +We then saw Lord John Russell, who formally tendered his resignation, +and was very much moved on taking leave; he said that, considering +Lord Stanley's principles, it would not be possible for him to hold +out any hope of support to that Government, except on the estimates +for which he felt responsible, but he would at all times be ready +vigorously to defend the Crown, which was in need of every support in +these days. + +At three o'clock came Lord Stanley, whom the Queen had summoned. + +The Queen informed him of the resignation of the Government, in +consequence of the late vote, which had been the result of the +Protectionists staying away, of the small majority which the +Government had had upon Mr Disraeli's Motion, and of the many symptoms +of want of confidence exhibited towards the Government in the House +of Commons. The Queen had accepted their resignation, and had sent +for him as the head of that Party, which was now the most numerous in +Opposition, in order to ask him whether he could undertake to form a +Government. + +Lord Stanley expressed great surprise. The impression had been that +the Government had not been in earnest in their opposition to Mr L. +King's Motion; in the minority had voted only twenty-seven members of +the Government side, the rest had been of his Party. He asked if the +whole Cabinet had resigned, or whether there had been dissension in +the Cabinet upon it? The Queen replied that the resignation had been +unanimously agreed upon in the Cabinet, and that Lord Lansdowne, +who had only come up from Bowood this morning, had given his entire +approval to it. Lord Stanley then asked whether anybody else had +been consulted or applied to, to which the Queen replied that she had +written to him a few minutes after Lord John's resignation, and had +communicated with no one else. Lord Stanley then said that he hoped +the Queen's acceptance had only been a conditional one; that he felt +very much honoured by the Queen's confidence; that he hoped he +might be able to tender advice which might contribute to the Queen's +comfort, and might relieve the present embarrassment. + +In order to be able to do so he must enter most freely and openly into +his own position and that of his Party. It was quite true that they +formed the most numerous in Parliament after the supporters of what +he hoped he might still call the _present_ Government, but that there +were no men contained in it who combined great ability with experience +in public business. There was one certainly of great ability and +talent--Mr Disraeli--but who had never held office before, and perhaps +Mr Herries, who possessed great experience, but who did not command +great authority in the House of Commons; that he should have great +difficulties in presenting to the Queen a Government fit to be +accepted, unless he could join with some of the late Sir R. Peel's +followers; that he considered, for instance, the appointment of a good +person for Foreign Affairs indispensable, and there was scarcely any +one fit for it except Lord Palmerston and Lord Aberdeen. Lord Aberdeen +had told him that he had no peculiar views upon Free Trade, and that +he did not pretend to understand the question, but that he had felt it +his duty to stand by Sir R. Peel; this might now be different, but +it ought first to be ascertained whether a combination of those +who agreed in principle, and had only been kept asunder hitherto by +_personal_ considerations, could not be formed; that Sir James Graham +had in his last speech declared it as his opinion that the ranks of +those who agreed ought to be closed; when such a combination had taken +place, those of Sir R. Peel's followers who could not agree to +it might not be unwilling to join him (Lord Stanley). As to his +principles, he would frankly state that he thought that the landed +interest was much depressed by the low state of prices; that an import +duty on corn would be absolutely necessary, which, however, would be +low, and only a revenue duty; such a duty, he thought, the country +would be prepared for; and if they were allowed to state their honest +opinion, he felt sure the greatest part of the present Government +would be heartily glad of. He would require Duties upon sugar +for revenue, but he could not conceal that if the revenue after a +diminution in the direct taxation, which he would propose, should +considerably fall off, he might be driven to raise the Import duties +on other articles. He thought the present House of Commons could +hardly be expected to reverse its decision upon the financial and +commercial policy of the country, and that accordingly a Dissolution +of Parliament would become necessary. Such a Dissolution, however, +could not be undertaken at this moment for the sake of public +business. The Mutiny Bill had not been voted nor the Supplies, and it +would require more than eight weeks before the new Parliament could +be assembled, and consequently the Crown would be left without Army or +money. A Dissolution could accordingly not take place before Easter. +He felt, however, that if he were to take office now, he would between +this and Easter be exposed to such harassing attacks that he should +not be able to withstand them; moreover, it would subject the members +of his Government to two elections in two months. He hoped therefore +that the Queen would try to obtain a Government by a coalition of the +Whigs and Peelites, but that this failing, if the Queen should send +again for him, and it was clear no other Government could be formed, +he would feel it his duty as a loyal subject to risk everything, +except his principles and his honour, to carry on the Government; and +he hoped that in such a case the Queen would look leniently on the +composition of the Cabinet which he could offer, and that the country +would, from the consideration of the circumstances, give it a fair +trial. He begged, however, that he might not be called upon to take +office except as a _dernier ressort_, a _necessity_. + +I interrupted him when he spoke of his financial measures, and begged +him further to explain, when it appeared that a duty of about six +shillings on corn was the least he could impose to bring up the price +to forty-five shillings, which Sir R. Peel had stated to the House of +Commons was in his opinion the lowest price wheat would fall to after +the abolition of the Corn Laws. + +We expressed our doubts as to the country agreeing to such a measure, +and our apprehension of the violent spirit which would be roused in +the working classes by a Dissolution for that purpose, which Lord +Stanley, however, did not seem to apprehend; on the contrary, he +thought the distress of the farmers would lead to the destruction of +the landed interest, which was the only support to the Throne. + +I told him that the Queen and certainly myself had been under a +delusion, and that I was sure the country was equally so, as to +his intention to return to Protection. Sometimes it was stated that +Protection would be adhered to, sometimes that it was given up, +and that it was _compensation_ to the landed interest which the +Protectionists looked to. His last speeches and the Motion of Mr +Disraeli led to that belief, but that it was of the highest importance +that the country should know exactly what was intended; the Queen +would then have an opportunity of judging how the nation looked upon +the proposal. I hoped therefore that the declaration of his opinions +which Lord Stanley had now laid before the Queen would be clearly +enunciated by him in Parliament when the Ministerial explanations +should take place, which would naturally follow this crisis. + +Lord Stanley merely answered that he hoped that no explanations would +take place before a Government was formed. He said he should wish the +word "Protection" to be merged, to which I rejoined that though he +might wish this, I doubted whether the country would let him. + +Before taking leave, he repeated over and over again his advice that +the Coalition Ministry should be tried. + +ALBERT. + + + + +_Queen Victoria to Lord Stanley._ + +_22nd February 1851._ + +In order to be able to be perfectly accurate in stating Lord Stanley's +opinions, which the Queen feels some delicacy in doing, she would be +very thankful if he would write down for her what he just stated to +her--as his advice in the present difficulty. Of course she would not +let such a paper go out of her hands. + + + + +[Pageheading: SIR JAMES GRAHAM] + +[Pageheading: FOREIGN POLICY] + +[Pageheading: THE DUKE OF WELLINGTON] + + +_Memorandum by the Prince Albert._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _23rd February 1851._ + +Sir James Graham, who had been out of Town, came at six o'clock, +having received my letter on his return. Lord John Russell had been +here before that time. + +After having stated to him (Lord John) what had passed with Lord +Stanley, we told him that Sir James Graham was here; Lord John seemed +much surprised at Lord Stanley's refusal to form an Administration, +declared himself ready to do what he could towards the formation of a +new Government on an extended basis, but thought that Sir James Graham +and Lord Aberdeen should have the first offer. + +I went accordingly over to my room, where Sir James was waiting. He +was entirely taken by surprise by the announcement of the resignation +of the Government, and begged to be able to state to me how he was +situated before he saw the Queen and Lord John. + +I then communicated to him what had passed with Lord Stanley, upon +which we had a conversation of more than an hour, of which the chief +features were: + +1. Apprehension on the part of Sir James Graham lest the attempt on +the part of Lord Stanley to re-impose Protective duties should produce +universal commotion in the country, which would be increased by the +Dissolution, without which Lord Stanley would not be able to proceed. + +2. His disbelief that Lord Aberdeen would be able to join in any +Government abandoning Sir R. Peel's principles, as he had been +consulted before and after Sir James's late speech in which he +expressed his entire concurrence. + +3. His own utter weakness, calling himself the weakest man in England, +who had lost his only friend in Sir R. Peel, and had for the last +fifteen years not exercised an independent judgment, but rested +entirely on his friend. + +4. His disagreement with some of his late colleagues--the Duke of +Newcastle, Mr Gladstone, and Mr Sidney Herbert--in religious opinions. + +5. His disagreement with Lord John's Government upon some most +important points. + +He could not take office with Lord Palmerston as Foreign Secretary, +whose policy and mode of conducting business he disapproved, who +was now protesting against the admission of Austria into the German +Confederation; he disapproved the Papal Aggression Bill, finding it +militating against the line which he had taken as Secretary of State +with regard to the Roman Catholic Bishops in Ireland, and particularly +the Bequest Act, and considering that after Lord John's letter the +Bill would fall short of the high expectations formed in the minds of +the English public. + +He disapproved of the abolition of the Irish Lord-Lieutenancy, and the +making a fourth Secretary of State had been considered by Sir +Robert Peel and himself as introducing into England all the Irish +malpractices, while Ireland was still kept wholly separate from +England. + +Lord John had raised a new difficulty by his declaration upon Reform. +He had been thunderstruck when he read the announcement on the part +of the chief author of the Reform Bill, who had stood with him (Sir +J. Graham) hitherto upon _finality_, condemning his own work, and +promising at a year's distance important alterations, in which +interval great agitation would be got up, great expectations raised, +and the measure when brought forward would cause disappointment. Sir +Robert Peel had always been of opinion that it was most dangerous to +touch these questions, but if opened with the consent of the Crown, a +measure should at once be brought forward and passed. + +After my having replied to these different objections, that the Queen +felt herself the importance of Lord Palmerston's removal, and would +make it herself a condition with Lord John that he should not be again +Foreign Secretary; that the protest to Austria had not gone, and that +upon studying the question Sir James would find that the entrance of +the whole Austrian Monarchy, while giving France a pretext for war and +infringing the Treaties of 1815, would not tend to the strength and +unity of Germany, which held to be the true English interest, but +quite the reverse; that I did not think the Papal Aggression Bill +touched the Bequest Act or militated against toleration; that the +Lieutenancy would perhaps be given up, and a measure on the Franchise +be considered by the _new_ Government and brought forward at once. +I thought it would be better to discuss the matters with Lord John +Russell in the Queen's presence, who accordingly joined us. + +The discussion which now arose went pretty much over the same ground, +Lord John agreeing that Lord Palmerston ought to form no difficulty, +that the Papal Aggression Bill would be further modified, that the +Lieutenancy Bill might be given up, that he agreed to Sir James's +objection to the declaration about reform, but that he had intended to +bring forward a measure, if he had been able to get his colleagues to +agree to it, that he would be ready to propose a measure at once. This +Sir J. Graham thought important as a means of gaining at a General +Election, which he foresaw could not be long delayed, whoever formed a +Government. + +In order to obtain some result from this long debate I summed up what +might be considered as agreed upon, viz. That there was _tabula rasa_, +and for the new Coalition a free choice of men and measures, to which +they assented, Lord John merely stating that he could not take office +without part of his friends, and could not sacrifice his _personal_ +declarations. Dinnertime having approached, and Lord Aberdeen having +written that he would be with us after nine o'clock, we adjourned the +further discussion till then, when they would return. + + +Whilst the Queen dressed I had an interview with the Duke of +Wellington, who had come to dine here, in which I informed him of +the nature of our crisis. He expressed his regret and his dread of a +Protectionist Government with a Dissolution, which might lead to civil +commotion. He could not forgive, he said, the high Tory Party for +their having stayed away the other night on Mr Locke King's Motion, +and thus abandoned their own principles; he had no feeling for Lord +John Russell's Cabinet, measures, or principles, but he felt that +the Crown and the country were only safe in these days by having the +Liberals in office, else they would be driven to join the Radical +agitation against the institutions of the country. + +After dinner we resumed our adjourned debate in my room, at a quarter +to ten, with Lord Aberdeen, and were soon joined by Lord John and Sir +James Graham. We went over the same ground with him. Lord Stanley's +letter was read and discussed. Lord Aberdeen declared his inability to +join in a Protectionist Ministry; he did not pretend to understand the +question of Free Trade, but it was a point of honour with him not to +abandon it, and now, since Sir R. Peel's death, a matter of piety. +He thought the danger of a Dissolution on a question of food by the +Crown, for the purpose of imposing a tax upon bread, of the utmost +danger for the safety of the country. He disapproved the Papal Bill, +the abolition of the Lieutenancy, he had no difficulty upon the +Franchise, for though he was called a _despot_, he felt a good deal of +the Radical in him sometimes. + +Lord John put it to Lord Aberdeen, whether _he_ would not undertake to +form a Government, to which Lord Aberdeen gave no distinct reply. + +As Sir James Graham raised nothing but difficulties, though professing +the greatest readiness to be of use, and as it was getting on towards +midnight, we broke up, with the Queen's injunction that _one_ of +the three gentlemen _must_ form a Government, to which Lord Aberdeen +laughingly replied: "I see your Majesty has come into[6] the President +de la Republique." Lord John was to see Lord Lansdowne _to-day_ at +three o'clock, and would report progress to the Queen at five o'clock. +On one point we were agreed, viz. that the Government to be formed +must not be for the moment, but with a view to strength and stability. + +ALBERT. + + [Footnote 6: _Sic._] + + + + +[Pageheading: COMPLICATIONS] + + +_Queen Victoria to Lord John Russell._ + +_23d February 1851._ + +The Queen has seen Lord Aberdeen and Sir J. Graham, but is sorry to +say that her doing so was premature, as they had no opportunity of +seeing each other after they left Lord John Russell, and therefore had +not considered the Memorandum[7] which Lord John had handed to them. +Lord Aberdeen has in the interval seen Lord Stanley, and declared +to him that he must undeceive him as to the possibility of his ever +joining a Protection Government. What further resulted from the +conversation the Queen would prefer to state to Lord John verbally +to-morrow. Perhaps Lord John would come in the forenoon to-morrow, or +before he goes to the House; he will be so good as to let her know. + + [Footnote 7: With a view of uniting with the Peelites, Lord + John drew up a Memorandum, printed in Walpole's _Lord John + Russell_, vol. ii. chap, xxii., with the following points: + + A Cabinet of not more than eleven Members. + + The present commercial policy to be maintained. + + The financial measures of the year to be open to revision. + + The Ecclesiastical Titles Bill to be persevered in so far as + the Preamble and the first clause, but the remaining clauses + to be abandoned. + + A Reform Bill for the extension of the Franchise. + + A Commission of Enquiry into corrupt practices at elections in + cities and boroughs.] + + + + +_Memorandum by the Prince Albert._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _23rd February 1851._ +(_Sunday._) + +Lord John Russell came at half-past five, much fatigued and depressed. +On the Queen's asking whether he could report any progress, he said +he thought he could; he had met Lord Aberdeen and Sir James Graham, +together with Sir George Grey (Lord Lansdowne being ill). That he +had informed them that he had received the Queen's commands to form a +Government (?) and handed to them a Memorandum which follows here and +which they had promised to take into consideration. + +We asked him whether he had chalked out a Government. He said he +had not thought of it yet; he added, however, that _he_ could not +undertake the Foreign Affairs with the lead in the House of Commons +and Government (which the Queen had pressed upon him); Lord Palmerston +might be leader in the House of Lords; he would not like Lord Aberdeen +at the Foreign Office; Lord Clarendon and Lord Granville were equally +acceptable to him. + +I suggested that it might be well if the Queen were to see Sir James +and Lord Aberdeen again, which he approved, but thought it better he +should not be present himself, and that the Queen might tell Sir James +that he might have any Office he liked; perhaps _he_ would take the +Foreign Affairs. + +Lord John's relations and private friends evidently are distressed at +his resuming office; the Radicals were very much pleased with the idea +of Sir James Graham being in office. + +ALBERT. + + + + +[Pageheading: LORD ABERDEEN SUMMONED] + + +_Memorandum by the Prince Albert._ + +_24th February 1851._ +_(Monday evening._) + +Lord John came at three o'clock before making his statement to the +House of Commons. We communicated to him what had passed with Sir +James Graham and Lord Aberdeen yesterday evening. He thought his +Memorandum had been misunderstood: the nature of the Reform Bill +was left open to discussion, and what he had said about filling the +Offices only meant that the Offices should not be divided according to +number, and each party left to fill up its share, as had been done in +former Coalition Ministries. He had seen Lord Palmerston, who was not +willing to give up the Foreign Office--spoke of retiring from business +at his age, of his success in conducting Foreign Affairs, and of its +being a self-condemnation if he accepted another Office. Lord John +told him that he did not agree in this view, that the Lord-Lieutenancy +of Ireland was to be maintained, and thought it best to leave it +there. He thought Lord Palmerston had given up the idea of leading +the House of Commons. We ascertained from him in conversation that he +could not agree to Lord Aberdeen taking the Foreign Office nor that he +could serve under Lord Aberdeen or Sir James Graham in case any one of +these were to form a Government. + +At half-past six Lord John returned from the House of Commons, and +reported that two very important events had taken place: the one that +upon his making his statement to the House that the Government had +resigned, that Lord Stanley had been sent for, had declared _his +inability then to form a Government_ (words agreed upon between +Lord Lansdowne, Lord John, and Sir George Grey), and that he was now +charged with the formation of a Government, Mr. Disraeli got up, and +denied that Lord Stanley had declined forming a Government, which was +received with cheers from the Protectionists. Lord John had merely +answered that when Lord Stanley would make his explanations, what he +had stated would be found to be correct, relying entirely, not upon +what the Queen had communicated, but on Lord Stanley's own letter. The +second event was a letter from Lord Aberdeen and Sir James Graham,[8] +which put _an end_ to all _thoughts_ of a Coalition. It stated that +they could agree to no legislation whatever on the Papal Aggressions, +and ended with a hint that Sir James Graham was prepared to go farther +in reductions than Lord John was likely to consent to. + +Lord John had at once answered that although he did not understand the +latter objection, the difference on the Papal Bill must put an end +to their negotiation. We much lamented the result, and after some +discussion agreed that the only thing to be done now was to send for +Lord Aberdeen. Lord Stanley could not pretend to be consulted before +every other means of forming a Government had been exhausted. + + [Footnote 8: Published in Walpole's _Lord John Russell_, vol. + ii. chap. xxii.] + + + + +[Pageheading: LORD ABERDEEN DECLINES] + + +_Queen Victoria to Lord John Russell._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _24th February 1851._ +(_Half-past ten_ P.M.) + +The Queen returns these papers, as Lord John Russell wished. She has +just seen Lord Aberdeen and Sir James Graham, who, though ready to do +anything which could be of any use to the Queen and the country, have +stated it as their decided opinion that Lord Stanley should be asked +to form a Government. Under these circumstances the Queen intends to +send to Lord Stanley to-morrow. The Queen did ask Lord Aberdeen if he +could undertake to form a Government, but he said that he thought it +would not be successful, and that the Papal Aggression would be an +insurmountable difficulty for him and Sir James Graham. + +The Queen rejoices to hear from them, and from Lord John and Lord +Lansdowne, the expression of cordiality of feeling, which it is so +essential for the Crown and the country that there should be. + + + + +[Pageheading: ABERDEEN AND GRAHAM] + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _25 February 1851._ + +MY DEAREST UNCLE,--Through Van der Weyer, you will have heard what was +the state of the _long_ and anxious crisis yesterday evening. + +Alas! the hope of forming a strong Coalition Government has +failed--_for the present_. I say for the present, as they are all so +entirely agreed on the Commercial Policy that another time they hope +there will be no difficulty, when they have _fought together_. +The _Papal Aggression_ has in fact been the only insurmountable +difficulty. We sent to Lord Aberdeen last night (both he and Sir James +Graham have been most kind to us), and asked if _he_ could not try +to form a Government; but with the greatest readiness to serve me, he +said he could not, on account of this self-same Papal Aggression. He +equally declares that he cannot join Lord Stanley. Accordingly this +morning I have seen Lord Stanley, and he means to try if he can form +any fit sort of Government, but he has _no_ men of talent, and his +difficulties are gigantic. I shall only know to-morrow _definitely_ if +he _can_ form an Administration. I am calm and courageous, having such +support and advice as my dearest Albert's; but it is an anxious time, +and the uncertainty and suspense very trying. More details you will +have later on. Ever your devoted Niece, + +VICTORIA R. + + + + +[Pageheading: LORD STANLEY TO BE SUMMONED] + + +_Memorandum by the Prince Albert._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _26th February 1851._ + +Lord Aberdeen and Sir James Graham came yesterday evening at nine +o'clock; the Queen put it to them whether _they_ could form a +Government, to which they replied that they had turned it in their +heads a hundred times, that there was nothing they would not do to +show their readiness to serve the Queen, but that they did not see a +possibility of forming an Administration which could stand a day. They +were most likely at that moment the two most unpopular men in England, +having declared that nothing should be done in Parliament against the +Papal Aggression, which the whole country clamoured for; the Whigs +would be very angry with them for their having broken up the new +combination; they might find favour with the Radicals, but that was +a support upon which no reliance could be placed. There was a growing +opinion that Lord Stanley ought to have a chance of bringing forward +his measures; that it was perilous, but that it was an evil which must +be gone through; that this opinion had been strongly expressed by Lord +Lansdowne, whose moderation nobody could doubt; that it was shared by +the Duke of Newcastle, Mr Sidney Herbert, and others of Sir James's +friends whom he had had time to consult. + +Upon the Queen's expression of her great apprehension as to the +consequence of such a step on the country, they said there would +no doubt spring up a most violent opposition, that there would be +attempts to stop the supplies and dissolve the Army, but that Lord +John Russell and Sir James Graham together would do their utmost to +preach moderation, and would refer the House of Commons to the Queen's +example, who had taken strictly the Constitutional course throughout +the crisis, whose opinions on Free Trade were well known (as far as +subjects could allow themselves to pretend to know their Sovereign's +_private_ opinions) from the hearty support she had given to Sir +Robert Peel's and Lord John's Governments. That upon the first +proposition of a Stanley Government the junction of Parties would +be completed, and there would be only _one_ strong opposition. After +having fought together, there would be no longer any difficulty about +forming a strong Government out of their joint ranks, whilst now it +was impossible not to see that every Minister displaced would feel +personally aggrieved, that then they stood on a footing of perfect +equality. Sir James had seen Lord John since he had tendered his +second resignation, and found him quite altered; whilst he was +embarrassed and _boutonne_ before, he was open and unreserved now, and +they could speak on terms of private friendship. Lord Aberdeen would +save his influence in the House of Lords, which he would probably have +lost if he had joined the Whigs in office; in future all this would be +different. + +Lord John Russell's letter with the Memoranda came and interrupted us. +From these papers, and what Sir James and Lord Aberdeen said, it is +clear that all parties are relieved by the failure of their attempt +to form a Coalition Government, but determined to form a positive +junction, which will be most salutary to the country. The Queen will +therefore send for Lord Stanley. + +We discussed further the means Lord Stanley would have to form an +Administration, for which the material was certainly sad. Disraeli's +last scene in the House of Commons would render the publication of +Lord Stanley's letter necessary. Mr Gladstone might possibly join him; +at least no pains would be spared to bring him in. Lord Palmerston +had often so much secret understanding with Disraeli that he might be +tempted with the bait of keeping the Foreign Office, particularly if +personally offended. + +Whether the Queen should allow or refuse a Dissolution was debated; +the latter declared a most heavy responsibility for the Sovereign to +undertake, but a subject upon which the decision should only be taken +at the time, and on a due consideration of the circumstances. + +ALBERT. + + + + +_Lord John Russell to Queen Victoria._ + +CHESHAM PLACE, _25th February 1851._ + +Lord John Russell presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and has +the honour to state that having seen the letter which Lord Stanley +addressed to your Majesty, and feeling himself precluded from entering +into any details, he announced to the House of Commons that Lord +Stanley had in reply to your Majesty's offer declared "he was not +_then_ prepared to form a Government." + +Mr Disraeli disputed the accuracy of this statement. + +Your Majesty's word cannot be called in question, but Lord John +Russell now feels it due to his own honour humbly to ask your Majesty +for a copy of Lord Stanley's letter. He does not propose to read the +letter to the House of Commons, but to refer to it in the statement he +is compelled to make. + +Lord John Russell humbly requests that this representation may be +shown to Lord Stanley. He will feel what is due to the honour of a +public man. + + + + +[Pageheading: LORD STANLEY ARRIVES] + +[Pageheading: MR DISRAELI] + +[Pageheading: DISSOLUTION] + + +_Memorandum by the Prince Albert._ + +_25th February 1851._ +(_Tuesday._) + +Lord Stanley obeyed the Queen's summons at eleven o'clock, and seemed +very much concerned when she informed him that Lord John Russell had +given up his task, as differences of opinion, particularly on the +Papal Bill, had prevented a junction between him, Lord Aberdeen, and +Sir James Graham; that an appeal to Lord Aberdeen had been equally +unsuccessful from the same cause, viz. their difficulty in dealing +with the Papal Question; that consequently the contingency had arisen +under which Lord Stanley had promised to undertake the formation of a +Government. + +Lord Stanley said his difficulties were immense, and he could not +venture to approach them unless he was sure of every support on the +part of the Crown; that he would have arrayed against him a formidable +opposition of all the talent in the country. + +The Queen assured him that he should have every Constitutional support +on her part, of which Lord Stanley repeated he had felt sure, although +the total change must be very trying to the Queen. + +On his question, whether there was any hope of Lord Aberdeen joining +him and taking the Foreign Office, we had to tell him that he must +quite discard that idea. He replied, with a sigh, that he would still +try and see him; he had thought of the Duke of Wellington taking the +Foreign Office _ad interim_, but felt that he could hardly propose +that, considering the Duke's age and infirmity; he would make an +attempt to see Lord Canning with the Queen's permission, and +that failing, could only think of Sir Stratford Canning, now at +Constantinople, which the Queen approved. + +He still hoped he might get Mr Gladstone to take the lead in the House +of Commons, without which assistance he must not conceal that it was +almost impossible for him to go on. Mr Gladstone was on his way +home from Paris, and he had written to him to see him as soon as he +arrived; till then he could not promise that he would succeed to +form an Administration, and he only undertook it for the good of his +country, but was afraid of ruining his reputation. + +To this I rejoined that who tried to do the best by his country need +never be afraid for his reputation. + +The Queen showed Lord Stanley Lord John Russell's letter respecting Mr +Disraeli's denial of the truth of Lord John's statement in the House +of Commons yesterday. + +Lord Stanley said it had been a very unfortunate misunderstanding, +that he had been sorry Lord John and Lord Lansdowne should have felt +it necessary to say that "he had not _then_ been prepared to form a +Government," as the knowledge of this fact, as long as there was a +chance of his being called back, could not but act injuriously to him +and dispirit those with whom he acted. He would explain all this on +Friday in the House of Lords, and had no objection to sending Lord +John a copy of his letter. + +We now came to _Measures_. Lord Stanley hopes to obviate the Papal +Question by a Parliamentary declaration and the appointment in both +Houses of a Committee to enquire into the position of the Roman +Catholic Church in this country; he would diminish the Income Tax by a +million, and exempt temporary incomes; he would allow compounding for +the Window Tax and levy a moderate duty on corn, which he called a +Countervailing Duty, and tried to defend as good political economy, on +the authority of Mr M'Culloch's last edition of "Ricardo." (I had some +discussion with him, however, on that point.) + +Returning to the offices to be filled, Lord Stanley said he should +have to propose Mr Disraeli as one of the Secretaries of State. The +Queen interrupted him by saying that she had not a very good opinion +of Mr Disraeli on account of his conduct to poor Sir R. Peel, and what +had just happened did not tend to diminish that feeling; but that she +felt so much Lord Stanley's difficulties, that she would not aggravate +them by passing a sentence of exclusion on him. She must, however, +make Lord Stanley responsible for his conduct, and should she have +cause to be displeased with him when in office, she would remind Lord +Stanley of what now passed. Lord Stanley promised to be responsible, +and excused his friend for his former bitterness by his desire to +establish his reputation for cleverness and sharpness; nobody had +gained so much by Parliamentary schooling, and he had of late quite +changed his tone. + +Mr Herries would make a good Chancellor of the Exchequer. + +As to Ireland, he had thought of having a more ostensible +Lord-Lieutenant, whilst the business should be done by the Secretary +for Ireland. He asked the Queen whether the Duke of Cambridge might +be offered that post, which she took _ad referendum_. The Duke of +Northumberland, though not of his Party, he should like to offer the +Admiralty to. + +At the conclusion of the interview he broached the important question +of Dissolution, and said that a Dissolution would anyhow become +necessary; that, if it was thought that the Queen would withhold +from him the privilege of dissolving, he would not have the slightest +chance in the House of Commons; he would be opposed and beat, and then +his adversaries would come in and dissolve. He avowed that it could +not be said that the Queen had refused him the power of dissolving, +but he required some assurance. + +On the Queen's objecting to giving him a contingent positive promise, +but declaring her readiness fairly to discuss the question when the +emergency arose, he contented himself with the permission to deny, +if necessary, that she would _not_ consent to it, putting entire +confidence in the Queen's intention to deal fairly by him. + +I tried to convince Lord Stanley, and I hope not without effect, of +the advantage, both to the Queen and Lord Stanley himself, that they +should not be hampered by a positive engagement on that point, which +might become very inconvenient if circumstances arose which made a +Dissolution dangerous to the country. + +ALBERT. + + + + +_Queen Victoria to Lord John Russell._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _25th February 1851._ + +The Queen has seen Lord Stanley, who will let Lord John Russell have a +copy of the letter. He wishes it not to be known or considered that +he has formally undertaken to form a Government till to-morrow, on +account of the House of Lords meeting to-day. He feels the difficulty +of his position, and is not sure yet that he will be able to complete +a Ministry. To-morrow he will give the Queen a positive answer. + + + + +_Queen Victoria to Lord Stanley._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _25th February 1851._ + +The Queen has just received Lord Stanley's letter. She had forgotten +the Levee, and was just going to write to him to inform him that she +wished to see him at eleven o'clock to-morrow. + +The Queen cannot but regret that Lord Stanley should think Lord John +Russell's explanation led to a wrong inference; for Lord Stanley +will himself recollect that he stated his objections to her much more +strongly in his first interview than he did in writing, and as Lord +Stanley so strongly advised the Queen to try if no other arrangement +could first be come to, she hardly knows how this could otherwise have +been expressed than by the words used by Lord Lansdowne and Lord John +Russell. + + + + +_Memorandum by Queen Victoria._ + +_26th February 1851._ +(_Wednesday._) + +Lord Stanley came again at eleven. The first part of the audience, +which was not long, was occupied by Lord Stanley's trying to explain +away Mr Disraeli's contradiction of Lord John Russell, though he +termed it "very unfortunate," by saying that he wished Lord John had +_not mentioned_ that _he_ (Lord Stanley) "was not _then_ prepared" +to form a Government, for that, though true in fact, he had _not_ +absolutely _refused_, but had only advised me to _try_ and make other +arrangements first. I said I thought the distinction "a very nice +one," which he admitted. What passed between us on the subject the +correspondence between Albert and Lord John will best explain. + +Lord Stanley then told us that he had seen the Duke of Northumberland, +who wished for time to consider; that he was to see Lord Canning again +to-day, but had no hopes of his accepting; and that he found so many +people out of Town that he must ask for _forty-eight_ hours more +before he could give me a positive answer, viz. till Friday. He added +he "must not conceal" from me that he was "not very sanguine" of +success; almost all depended on Mr Gladstone, who was expected +to arrive to-day; but that it might _now_ be said (in answer to a +question of Albert's "whether in these days of nice distinctions one +_might_ say that he had _undertaken_ to form a Government"), that he +had _attempted_ to _undertake_ to _form a Government_. + +VICTORIA R. + + + + +[Pageheading: LORD STANLEY RESIGNS] + + +_Lord Stanley to Queen Victoria._ + +ST JAMES'S SQUARE, _27th February 1851._ +(_Four o'clock_ P.M.) + +Lord Stanley, with his humble duty, awaits your Majesty's commands at +what hour he may be honoured with an audience, to explain the +grounds on which, with the deepest regret, he feels himself under the +necessity of resigning the important trust with which your Majesty has +honoured him. + + + + +_Queen Victoria to Sir James Graham._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _27th February 1851._ + +The Queen sanctions Sir James Graham's making any statement to the +House of Commons which he thinks necessary, to explain the part which +he and Lord Aberdeen took in the late Ministerial negotiations, and +indeed hopes that these explanations will be as full as possible +on all parts, in order that the country may fully appreciate the +difficulties of the crisis. + + + + +[Pageheading: LORD STANLEY'S REASONS] + +[Pageheading: THE PAPAL BILL] + + +_Memorandum by the Prince Albert._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _27th February 1851._ + +Lord Stanley arrived at half-past five o'clock. We were struck by the +change of his countenance, which had lost all the expression of care +and anxiety which had marked it at the previous interviews. + +He assured the Queen that he had been labouring incessantly since he +had seen her last, but that he was sorry to say without any success. + +He had seen Mr Gladstone, who declined joining his Government +on account of his previous pledges in Parliament respecting the +Commercial Policy of Sir R. Peel, but evidently also on account of his +peculiar views with respect to the Papal Aggression, which he did not +seem disposed to look upon as in any way objectionable. + +Lord Canning had given him some hope at one time, but finally declined +in order not to risk his credit for political consistency. + +Mr H. Corry, whose opinions on Free Trade were by no means decided, +and who had only filled a very subordinate situation in Sir R. Peel's +Government, he had offered high office, but was refused, Mr Corry +expressing his fears that the Government had no chance of standing +against the opposition it would have to meet in the House of Commons. + +The Duke of Northumberland was the only person not properly belonging +to the Protection Party who had accepted office (First Lord of the +Admiralty). At one time Lord Ellenborough had accepted, but having +been sent on a mission to Mr Goulburn in order to see whether he +could convert him, he came home himself converted, and withdrew his +acceptance again. + +In this situation Lord Stanley called his friends together, and after +some discussion concurred in their opinion that it was not possible +for them to form such an Administration as ought to be offered to the +Queen. Lord Stanley then qualified this expression again, and said +that though he could have offered a very respectable Government if +he had had a majority in the House of Commons, or the means of +strengthening himself by an immediate Dissolution, he could not form +such a one which could have withstood an adverse majority and such a +formidable array of talent in the Opposition. He therefore returned +the trust which had been committed to him into the Queen's hands, +expressing at the same time his deep sense of gratitude for the +kindness with which she had treated him, the support and confidence +she had given him, sorry only that it should have led to no result. +He thought, however, that the prolongation of the crisis had not +inconvenienced the public service, as Her Majesty's _present_ +Government were constitutionally enabled to carry on all necessary +business. + +The Queen rejoined that she was very sorry that this attempt had also +failed, that she had tried every possible combination, and still was +without a Government. Lord Stanley answered as if he considered +it natural that Lord John Russell's Government should now quietly +proceed; but on the Queen's observation, that it was now necessary +that all Parties should join in the support of some measures at least, +and particularly the Papal Bill, he stated what he was prepared to +support, and would have been prepared to propose had he taken office, +viz. a fuller recital in the preamble of the Bill and no penal clause +in the body of it. (The present Bill looked pettish and undignified, +as if framed in anger as a return for the insult, and not a correction +of the state of the law.) He thought the Law very complex and obscure, +and never found it acted upon. He would have proposed therefore that +Committees of both Houses should enquire into the whole subject; the +state of the Convents; whether subjects were detained against their +will; whether people were forced to bequeath their property to the +Church on the deathbed, etc., etc.; he knew that the Roman Catholic +laity felt severely the oppression which the Priests exercised over +them, and would be willing to give evidence. + +Lord Stanley asked whether it could be of use if he were to state all +this in his explanation to-day, which the Queen strongly affirmed. I +added that I hoped he would explain what he was prepared to do on all +the subjects in dispute--the Commercial and Financial Policy as well. +He promised to do so, and entered into his views on the Income Tax, +which he called a War Tax, which had been imposed for temporary +purposes only in 1842, and ought to be taken off again when +practicable in order to keep faith with the public; but if, as often +as there was a surplus, this was immediately absorbed by remission of +other burdens, this object could never be fulfilled. He would +propose that by degrees, as surpluses arose, the Income Tax should be +decreased, and so on to its final repeal. + +I disputed with him for some time on the advantages of an Income Tax, +but without coming to any result. + +On his enquiry whether there was anything else the Queen might wish +him to state--perhaps the rumour that he had been refused the power of +dissolving--we agreed that he should say the question had never been +seriously entertained, but that the Queen had been ready to give him +the same support and advantages which any other Government might have +enjoyed.[9] + +ALBERT. + + [Footnote 9: The Prince thereupon, at the Queen's request, + communicated with Lord John Russell, and after recounting + to him the various successive failures to form a Government, + wrote that the Queen must "pause before she again entrusts the + commission of forming an Administration to anybody, till + she has been able to see the result of to-morrow evening's + Debate." He added, "Do you see any Constitutional objection to + this course?"] + + + + +[Pageheading: THE DUKE OF WELLINGTON] + + +_The Prince Albert to the Duke of Wellington._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _28th February 1851._ + +MY DEAR DUKE,--Lord Stanley has likewise resigned his task, not being +able to gain over any of Sir R. Peel's friends, and being incapable of +forming a Government out of his Party alone. + +So Lord John Russell has declared his inability to carry on the +Government. Lord Stanley has then declared his inability to form one +until every other combination should have failed. We have tried +all possible combinations between Whigs and Peelites, and have not +succeeded, and now Lord Stanley throws up the game a second time! +The Queen would be happy to consult you and hear your advice in this +dilemma. Possibly to-night's Debate may define the position of Parties +more clearly, and give a clue to what may be best to be done under the +circumstances. Ever yours, etc. + +ALBERT. + + + + +_Lord John Russell to the Prince Albert._ + +CHESHAM PLACE, _28th February 1851._ + +SIR,--The former Cabinet meet at eleven, at Lansdowne House. + +It appears to me that the Queen might with advantage see Lord +Lansdowne. He was in office with Mr Fox and Lord Grenville in 1806; he +has been distinguished and respected in political life ever since; he +is now desirous of retiring, and has therefore no personal object to +gain. If the Queen approves, Lord Lansdowne might wait on Her Majesty +soon after twelve o'clock. I have the honour to be, Sir, your Royal +Highness's very dutiful Servant, + +J. RUSSELL. + + + + +[Pageheading: LORD LANSDOWNE] + + +_Queen Victoria to Lord Lansdowne._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _28th February 1851._ + +It would be a great satisfaction to the Queen to hear Lord Lansdowne's +advice in the present critical state of affairs, and she would be glad +if he could come to her at twelve this morning. The Queen has sent +to the Duke of Wellington in order to hear his opinion also; but he +cannot be here before to-night, being at Strathfieldsaye. + + + + +_Memorandum by the Prince Albert._ + +FRIDAY, _28th February 1851._ + +Lord Lansdowne, who arrived at twelve o'clock, was asked by the Queen +what advice he could offer her in the present complication. His answer +was: "I wish indeed I had any good advice to offer to your Majesty." +He expressed his delight at the Queen having sent for the Duke of +Wellington. We talked generally of the state of affairs; he agreed in +a remark of mine, that I thought the Queen should be entirely +guided in her choice of the person to construct a Government, by the +consideration which Party would now appear to be the strongest in the +House of Commons. On my asking, however, whether he knew if, on the +failure of Lord Stanley to form a Government, part of his followers +would now give up Protection as past hope, and be prepared in future +to support the Peelite section of the Conservative Party, Lord +Lansdowne said he had heard nothing on the subject, nor could he give +us more information on the chance of the Radicals and Irish members +now being more willing to support Lord John Russell in future. He +liked Lord Stanley's plan of dealing with the Papal Question, of +which the Queen communicated to him the outlines, was afraid of Sir +J. Graham's excessive leaning towards economy, shook his head at +Lord John Russell's letter to the Bishop of Durham[10] which had been +instrumental in bringing on the present crisis, and confessed that he +had been amongst those in the Cabinet who had prevented the bringing +forward of a measure of reform in the present Session. He offered to +do whatever might be most conducive to the Queen's comfort--stay out +of office, or come into office--as might be thought the most useful. + +ALBERT. + + [Footnote 10: See _ante_, p. 273 note 1.] + + + + +[Pageheading: FURTHER DIFFICULTIES] + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _1st March 1851._ + +MY DEAREST UNCLE,--I did not write to you yesterday, thinking I could +perhaps give you some more positive news to-day, but I _cannot_. I am +still without a Government, and I am still trying to hear and pause +before I actually call to Lord John to undertake to form, or rather +more to continue, the Government. We have passed an anxious, exciting +week, and the difficulties are very peculiar; there are so many +conflicting circumstances which render coalition between those +who agree in almost everything, and in particular on _Free Trade_, +impossible, but the "Papal Question" is the real and almost +insuperable difficulty. + +Lord Lansdowne is waiting to see me, and I must go, and with many +thanks for your two kind letters, ever your devoted Niece, + +VICTORIA R. + + + + +[Pageheading: LORD JOHN RUSSELL] + + +_Memorandum by the Prince Albert._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _2nd March 1851._ +(_Sunday._) + +Lord Lansdowne, who arrived after church, had seen Lord John +Russell and discussed with him the Memorandum which we left with him +yesterday. He had since drawn up a Memorandum himself which embodied +his views, and which he had not yet communicated to any one. He was +very apprehensive lest to begin a new Government with an open question +would produce the greatest prejudice against it in the public; he was +still inclined therefore to recommend the continuance of the present +Government avowedly for the purpose of passing the Papal Bill, after +which the Coalition might take place, which, however, should be agreed +upon and settled at this time. As the Duke of Wellington has not yet +sent his promised Memorandum, and Lord Lansdowne was anxious to hear +his opinion, the Queen commissioned him to appoint Lord John Russell +to come at three o'clock, and to go himself to the Duke of Wellington. + +Lord John Russell, who arrived at the appointed time, and had not seen +Lord Lansdowne's Memorandum yet, read it over, and expressed great +misgivings about the execution of the proposal. He said he saw in +fact, like Sir J. Graham, nothing but difficulties. He had ascertained +that his Party by no means liked the idea of a fusion, and had been +much relieved when the attempt to form a Coalition Ministry had +failed. He was afraid that in the interval between their resuming +office and giving it up again every possible surmise would be current +who were the Ministers to be displaced, and every possible intrigue +would spring up for and against particular members of the Cabinet. He +would prefer not to make any arrangements for the Coalition now, but +merely to engage to resign again after having carried the Papal +Bill, when the Queen could try the Coalition, and that failing, could +entrust Lord Aberdeen and Sir J. Graham with the carrying on of the +Government, whose chief difficulty would then be removed. I objected +to this--that his Party might feel justly aggrieved if after their +having carried him through the difficulty of the Papal Measure, he +were to throw them over and resign, and asked him whether his Cabinet +would not repent in the meantime and wish to stay in. + +He answered that it would be entirely in his and Lord Lansdowne's +hands to carry out the proposed arrangements. + +We asked him whether it would strengthen his hands if, instead of his +only _accepting_ the task of continuing the Government till the Papal +Measure had been passed, the Queen were to make it a _condition_ +in _giving_ him the Commission, that it should terminate then. He +replied, "Certainly." He begged, however, to be understood not to have +given a decided opinion that the plan of "the open Question" proposed +in our Memorandum was not preferable, although he saw great objections +to that also, particularly as Sir J. Graham had reserved the statement +of his principal objections to the Papal Bill for the second reading. +He promised to draw up a Memorandum, which he would bring to-morrow +at twelve o'clock, after having consulted some of his colleagues, +and begged that it might not be considered that he had accepted the +Government till then. + +One of the difficulties which we likewise discussed was the position +of the financial measures which required almost immediate attention, +and still ought to be left open for the consideration of the future +Government. + +We agreed that the pressing on the Papal Measure was the chief point, +and that it ought to be altered to meet the objections (as far as they +are reasonable) of its opponents, strengthening the declaratory part, +however, to please Lord Stanley; and the Queen promised to call upon +Lord Stanley to give this so modified Bill the support of himself and +his Party, which we thought she could in fairness claim after all that +had happened. + +The Queen reiterated her objections to Lord Palmerston, and received +the renewed promise that her wishes should be attended to. + +ALBERT. + + + + +[Pageheading: A COALITION IMPOSSIBLE] + + +_Memorandum by the Prince Albert._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _3rd March 1851._ + +Lord John Russell arrived at the hour appointed (twelve o'clock), and +was sorry to inform the Queen that all hope of a Coalition must be +given up. He had found that his Party was very much averse to it. On +proposing to his former colleagues the plan of keeping Office now, +and vacating it after the Aggression Bill had passed, many of them, +amongst which were Lord Grey, Sir Charles Wood, Sir Francis Baring, +declared they would not be _warming-pans_ (an expression used at the +time of the Grey-Grenville Coalition), and would resign at once. The +Duke of Wellington, whose opinion the Queen had asked, had recommended +the return of the old Cabinet to power. He (Lord John) could therefore +only advise that course, although he was conscious that it would be a +very weak Government, and one not likely to last any length of time. + +He then read the Memorandum which he had drawn up and which follows +here.[11] + +The Queen now asked whether Lord John proposed a modification of +his own Cabinet, to which Lord John replied, None, except perhaps +an exchange of Office between Sir C. Wood and Sir F. Baring, if Sir +Charles were to refuse bringing in a different budget from the one he +had already propounded; he was for maintaining the Income Tax, whilst +Sir Francis was for repealing it by degrees. The Queen then reminded +Lord John of her objections to Lord Palmerston, and his promise +that Lord Palmerston should not again be thrust upon her as Foreign +Secretary. Lord John admitted to the promise, but said he could not +think for a moment of resuming office and either expel Lord Palmerston +or quarrel with him. He (Lord John) was in fact the weakness and Lord +Palmerston the strength of the Government from his popularity with the +Radicals.... He said he was very anxious that he and Lord Lansdowne +should bear the responsibility of removing Lord Palmerston from the +Foreign Office and not the Queen; her refusal now could only go to the +country as a personal objection on her part, and the country would be +left without a Government in consequence. On the Queen's reiterating +that she wanted to keep Lord John and get rid of Lord Palmerston, and +that it was too painful to her to be put into the situation of having +actually to _wish_ the fall of her own Government, Lord John promised +to move Lord Palmerston in the Easter recess, or to resign then +himself if he should meet with difficulties; in the meantime he must +apprise Lord Palmerston of this intention, which he could explain to +him as a wish to make a general modification of his Government. He +would offer him the Lieutenancy of Ireland or the Presidency or lead +in the House of Lords, which Lord Lansdowne would be ready to resign. +He might at that period perhaps get some of the Radicals into office +or some Peelites. The Queen finally entrusted Lord John with the +Government on these conditions. + +ALBERT. + + [Footnote 11: _See_ next page.] + + + + +[Pageheading: LORD JOHN RUSSELL'S ADVICE] + +[Pageheading: ECCLESIASTICAL TITLES BILL] + + +_Memorandum by Lord John Russell._ + +_3rd March 1851._ + +Her Majesty having tried in vain the formation of a Government--first, +by Lord Stanley; second, by Lord John Russell, Lord Aberdeen, and +Sir James Graham; third, by Lord Aberdeen; fourth, by Lord Stanley +a second time--had recourse to the advice and opinion of the Duke of +Wellington. The Duke, admitting the great qualifications for office +of the adherents of the late Sir Robert Peel, yet advises the Queen to +restore her former Ministers to office. + +But supposing Her Majesty to follow that advice, a further question +naturally arises: the late Government having fallen from want of +Parliamentary support, can they upon their return be in any way +strengthened, and be enabled to carry on the public business with more +power and efficiency? + +This might be done in three ways: first, by a Coalition sooner or +later with the Peel Party; secondly, by admitting to office some of +their own Radical supporters; thirdly, by seeking aid from the Party +which has followed Lord Stanley. + +The first of these courses appears the most natural. The present +Ministers are agreed with the adherents of Sir Robert Peel on Free +Trade, and on the policy which has regulated our finances of late +years. The difference between them is of a temporary nature. But it +may be doubted whether any strength would be gained by an immediate +junction with that Party. + +If such junction took place now, the Ministers coming in must oppose +their colleagues on the Ecclesiastical Titles Bill--an unseemly +spectacle, a source of weakness, and probably the beginning of strife, +which would not end with the Bill in question. + +If, on the other hand, the junction were delayed till the +Ecclesiastical Titles Bill is disposed of, the existing Ministry would +be divided into two portions, one of which would have only a temporary +tenure of office. Rumours, cabals, and intrigues would have ample room +to spread their mischief in such a state of things. + +But finally the Whig Party in the House of Commons would not be +cordial supporters of the junction; jealousy and discontent would soon +break up the Ministry. + +Secondly, by admitting to office some of their Radical supporters. +This course must lead to concessions on measures as well as men, and +those concessions would provoke hostility in other quarters. The great +question of the defence of the country is besides one of too great +importance to be made a matter of compromise. + +Third, by seeking aid from the Party which has followed Lord Stanley. +This cannot be done by means of official connection; but something +might be effected by adopting measures calculated to convince the +Landed Interest that their sufferings were not disregarded. + +Upon the whole, if the late Ministers are invited by your Majesty to +resume office, the easiest course would be to proceed at once with +the Ecclesiastical Titles Bill. That question disposed of, it would +be seen whether the Ministry had sufficient strength to go on; if +they had, they might, as occasion arose, seek assistance from other +quarters, looking to those with whom there is the greatest agreement +of opinion. + +Should the Ministry, on the other hand, not receive Parliamentary +support sufficient to enable them to carry on the Government, the +Queen would be in a position to form a new Government free from the +obstacles which have lately been fatal. + + + + +_Queen Victoria to Lord John Russell._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _4th March 1851._ + +... The Queen was in hopes to have heard from Lord John Russell this +morning relative to what passed in the House of Commons last night. +She wishes likewise to hear what takes place at the meeting of Lord +John's supporters to-day. The Queen must ask Lord John to keep her +constantly informed of what is going on, and of the temper of parties +in and out of Parliament; for no one _can_ deny that the present state +of affairs is most critical; and after all that has happened it +is absolutely necessary that the Queen should not be in a state of +uncertainty, not to say of ignorance, as to what is passing. She can +else not form a just opinion of the position of affairs. + + + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _4th March 1851._ + +MY DEAREST UNCLE,--Pray receive my warmest thanks for two kind letters +of the 28th, and my excuses for the terribly incoherent scrawl of last +Saturday. The _denouement_ of ten days of the greatest anxiety and +excitement I cannot call satisfactory, for it holds out only the +prospect of another crisis in a very short time, and the so much +wished-for union of Parties has been again frustrated. I have been +speaking _very strongly_ about Lord Palmerston to Lord John, and he +has _promised_ that if the Government should still be in at Easter, +then to make a change.... Lord Stanley can never succeed _until_ he +gives up Protection, which he would do, if the country decides against +him;[12] he has failed solely from the _impossibility_ of finding +_one_ single man capable to take the important Offices. He said last +night to Lord John Russell, "I am _l'homme impossible_; they cannot +come to me again." Still it would be very desirable that there +should be a strong Conservative Party; nothing but the abandonment of +Protection can bring this to pass, and Lord Stanley cannot abandon +it with honour till _after_ the _next Election_. This is the state +of Parties, which is greatly _erschwert_ by the Papal Question, which +divides the Liberals and Conservatives. In short, there _never_ was +_such_ a _complicated_ and difficult state of affairs. Ever your +devoted Niece, + +VICTORIA R. + +Stockmar has been an immense comfort to us in our trials, and I hope +you will tell him so. + + [Footnote 12: The Queen's judgment was amply confirmed by the + events of 1852. See _post_, p. 404. note 1.] + + + + +[Pageheading: THE NATIONAL GALLERY] + + +_Memorandum by the Queen._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _5th March 1851._ + +The Queen would give every facility to the selection of a good site +for a new National Gallery, and would therefore not object to its +being built on to Kensington Palace or anywhere in Kensington Gardens; +but does not see why it should exactly be placed upon the site of the +present Palace, if not for the purpose of taking from the Crown the +last available set of apartments. She is not disposed to trust in the +disposition of Parliament or the public to give her an equivalent +for these apartments from time to time when emergencies arise. The +surrender of Kensington Palace will most likely not be thanked for at +the moment, and any new demand in consequence of such surrender would +be met with lavish abuse. As to economy in the construction, it will +most likely be best consulted by building on a spot perfectly free and +unencumbered. + + + + +_Lord John Russell to the Prince Albert._ + +CHESHAM PLACE, _14th March 1851._ + +SIR,--I cannot undertake to make any change in the Foreign Office. Our +Party is hardly reunited, and any break into sections, following one +man or the other, would be fatal to us. I need not say that the Queen +would suffer if it were attributed to her desire, and that as I have +no difference of opinion on Foreign Policy, that could not fail to be +the case. + +Upon the whole, the situation of affairs is most perplexing. A +Dissolution I fear would not improve it. + +I can only say that my Office is at all times at the Queen's disposal. + +I have the honour to be, Sir, your Royal Highness's most dutiful +Servant, + +J. RUSSELL. + + + + +_Queen Victoria to Sir George Grey._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _30th March 1851._ + +The Queen approves of the draft of a letter to the Archbishop of +Canterbury. With respect to the Archbishop's letter and the address, +the Queen will receive it in the Closet. It seems strange to propose +as a remedy for the present evils in the Church, and for its evident +great disunion, _600_ more churches to be built! There ought clearly +to be some security given to those who are to encourage such a scheme +against the extension of those evils. + + + + +[Pageheading: THE GREAT EXHIBITION] + + +_Lord John Russell to the Prince Albert._ + +PEMBROKE LODGE, _19th April 1851._ + +SIR,--Lord Granville came here yesterday to speak to me upon the order +for opening the Exhibition at one o'clock on the 1st of May. He is +anxious to have the order changed, and the season-ticket bearers +admitted at eleven o'clock. + +I did not give him any positive opinion on the subject. But the +account he gave me of the route which the Queen will follow in going +to the Exhibition takes away the main objection which I felt to the +admission of visitors before one o'clock. It appears there cannot well +be any interruption to Her Majesty's progress to and from the Crystal +Palace on the 1st of May. + +I conclude that Her Majesty will not go in the State Coach, but in the +same manner that Her Majesty goes in state to the theatres.... + +I feel assured there will be no undue and inconvenient pressure of the +crowd in the part of the building in which Her Majesty may be. Colonel +Wemyss and Colonel Bouverie might easily be in attendance to request +the visitors not to crowd where the Queen is. At the same time, I am +ready to abide by the existing order, if Her Majesty wishes it to be +enforced. + +I have the honour to submit two private letters sent by Lord +Palmerston. I have the honour to be, Sir, your Royal Highness's most +dutiful Servant, + +J. RUSSELL. + + + + +[Pageheading: THE OPENING CEREMONY] + + +_The Duchess of Gloucester to Queen Victoria._ + +GLOUCESTER HOUSE, _2nd May 1851._ + +MY DEAREST VICTORIA,--It is impossible to tell you how warmly I do +participate in all you must have felt yesterday, as well as dear +Albert, at everything having gone off so beautifully. After so much +anxiety and the trouble he has had, the joy _must_ be the greater.[13] + +The sight from my window was the gayest and the most gratifying to +witness, and to me who loves you so dearly as _I do_, made it the more +delightful. The good humour of all around, the fineness of the +day, the manner you were received in both going and coming from the +Exhibition, was quite perfect. Therefore what must it have been in the +inside of the building! + +Mary and George came away in perfect _enchantment_, and every soul I +have seen describes it as the fairest sight that ever was seen and the +best-conducted _fete!_Why, G. Bathurst told me it far surpassed the +_Coronation_ as to magnificence, and we all agreed in rejoicing that +the _Foreigners should_ have witnessed the affection of the _People_ +to _you_ and _your Family_, and how the _English people_ do _love_ and +respect the _Crown_. As to Mary, she was in _perfect enchantment_, and +full of how pretty your dear little Victoria looked, and how nicely +she was dressed, and so grateful to your Mother for all her kindness +to her. I should have written to you last night, but I thought I would +not plague you with a letter until to-day, as I think you must have +been tired last night with the _excitement_ of the day. I shall ever +lament the having missed such a sight, but I comfort myself in feeling +sure I could not have followed you (as I ought) when you walked round. +Therefore I was _better_ out of the way. We drank your health at +dinner and _congratulation_ on the _complete success_ of _Albert's +plans_ and _arrangements_, and also dear little Arthur's health. Many +thanks for kind note received last night. Love to Albert. Yours, + +MARY. + + [Footnote 13: The Great Exhibition in Hyde Park was opened + with brilliant ceremony on the 1st of May.] + + + + +[Pageheading: THE GREAT EXHIBITION] + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _3rd May 1851._ + +MY DEAREST UNCLE,--... I wish you _could_ have witnessed the _1st May +1851_, the _greatest_ day in our history, the _most beautiful_ and +_imposing_ and _touching_ spectacle ever seen, and the triumph of my +beloved Albert. Truly it was astonishing, a fairy scene. Many cried, +and all felt touched and impressed with devotional feelings. It was +the _happiest_, _proudest_ day in my life, and I can think of +nothing else. Albert's dearest name is immortalised with this _great_ +conception, _his_ own, and my _own_ dear country _showed_ she was +_worthy_ of it. The triumph is _immense_, for up to the _last hour_ +the difficulties, the opposition, and the ill-natured attempts +to annoy and frighten, of a certain set of fashionables and +Protectionists, were immense; but Albert's temper, patience, firmness, +and energy surmounted all, and the feeling is universal. _You_ will +be astounded at this great work when you see it!--the beauty of the +building and the vastness of it all. I can never thank God enough. +I feel _so_ happy, so proud. Our dear guests were much pleased and +impressed. You are right to like the dear Princess, for she is a +noble-minded, warm-hearted, distinguished person, much attached to +you, and who revered dearest Louise. Oh! _how_ I thought of _her_ on +that great day, how kindly she would have rejoiced in our success! Now +good-bye, dearest Uncle. Ever your devoted Niece, + +VICTORIA R. + + + + +_Queen Victoria to the Emperor of Austria._[14] + +PALAIS DE BUCKINGHAM, _5 Mai 1851._ + +SIRE ET MON BON FRERE,--C'est avec un vif empressement que je viens +remercier votre Majeste Imperiale des superbes objets de l'industrie +et des arts de votre Empire, que vous avez eu l'extreme bonte de +m'envoyer et qui me seront bien precieux a plus d'un titre d'abord +comme venant de votre Majeste, et puis a cause de leur grande beaute +et comme un souvenir a une epoque ou il a plu au Tout-Puissant de +permettre une reunion pacifique de tous les peuples du monde et de +leurs produits. + +La ceremonie de l'inauguration de l'Exposition a fait une profonde +impression sur mon c[oe]ur et je regrette d'avoir ete le seul +Souverain qui ait pu jouir de cette scene a la fois imposante +et parlant au c[oe]ur. Nous avons deja fait plusieurs visites au +departement Autrichien et le Prince et moi avons eu occasion d'admirer +beaucoup les produits qui nous sont venus de vos Etats. Puisse +leur exposition contribuer a la prosperite du commerce de l'Empire +Autrichien. + +Agreez l'expression de ma sincere amitie, qui j'espere pourra un jour +etre cimentee par la connaissance personnelle de votre Majeste, +et croyez-moi toujours, Sire, de votre Majeste Imperiale, la bonne +S[oe]ur, + +VICTORIA R. + + [Footnote 14: Francis Joseph, who became Emperor in December + 1848.] + + + + +[Pageheading: DEATH OF MR SHEIL] + + +_Queen Victoria to Lord John Russell._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _2nd June 1851._ + +The Queen will see the Judge Advocate on Saturday at three. + +The place of the late Mr Mill is already filled up. + +Mr Sheil's death is very sudden, and must be a great shock to his +family.... + +We go to Windsor this afternoon to stay till Friday. We hope that Lord +John Russell's little girl is going on quite well. + +The Queen has had good accounts from the dear Princess of Prussia from +Coblentz. Her letter is full of England, her great happiness here, +and her great sorrow at having left it. The Princes have expressed +the same, so this dangerous journey has gone off without _one_ single +unpleasant circumstance, which is very gratifying. + +The Prince and Prince Frederic are gone to Berlin, where the statue of +Frederic the Great was to be inaugurated yesterday. + + + + +_Queen Victoria to Lord John Russell._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _18th June 1851._ + +The Queen returns the papers signed. We are both much pleased at what +Lord John Russell says about the Prince's speech yesterday.[15] It was +on so ticklish a subject that one could not feel sure beforehand +how it might be taken; at the same time the Queen felt sure that the +Prince would say the right thing, from her entire confidence in his +great tact and judgment. + +The Queen, at the risk of not appearing sufficiently modest (and yet, +why should a wife ever be modest about her husband's merits?), must +say that she thinks Lord John Russell will admit now that the Prince +is possessed of very extraordinary powers of mind and heart. She feels +so proud at being his wife that she cannot refrain from herself paying +a tribute to his noble character. + + [Footnote 15: The Prince presided at the meeting commemorative + of the one hundred and fifty years' existence of the Society + for the Propagation of the Gospel. His speech was warmly + praised by the Premier.] + + + + +_Queen Victoria to Lord John Russell._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _10th July 1851._ + +The Queen hastens to tell Lord John Russell how amiably everything +went off last [night], and how enthusiastically we were received by an +almost _fearful_ mass of people in the streets;[16] the greatest order +prevailed, and the greatest and most gratifying enthusiasm. + +Not being aware whether Sir George Grey is equal to any business, the +Queen writes to Lord John to direct that a proper letter be written +without delay to the Lord Mayor, expressing not only the Queen's and +Prince's thanks for the splendid entertainment at the Guildhall, but +also our high gratification at the hearty, kind, and enthusiastic +reception we met with during our progress through the City, both +going and returning. Our only anxiety is lest any accident should have +occurred from the great pressure of the dense crowds. + +The Queen would likewise wish to know what distinction should be +conferred in honour of the occasion on the Lord Mayor. + + [Footnote 16: A ball in commemoration of the Exhibition took + place at the Guildhall on the 9th of July.] + + + + +_Queen Victoria to Lord John Russell._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _15th July 1851._ + +The Queen has received Lord John Russell's letter. She has no +objection on this particular occasion to knight the two Sheriffs, this +year being so memorable a one. + +But the Queen would wish it clearly to be _understood_ that they have +no right or claim to be knighted whenever the Queen goes into the +City. + +On the occasion of the opening of the Royal Exchange the Sheriffs were +not knighted.... + +We regret to hear of Lord John's continued indisposition. + + + + +[Pageheading: THE DANISH SUCCESSION] + + +_Queen Victoria to Lord John Russell._ + +OSBORNE, _25th August 1851._ + +The Queen wishes to draw Lord John Russell's attention to the enclosed +draft, which she does not think can go in its present shape. We argued +in innumerable despatches that the _choice of the successor_ to the +Danish Crown was entirely an internal question for Denmark, in which +foreign Powers could not interfere. Here, however, it is laid down +that the German Diet has no right to treat the succession in Holstein +(a German State) as an _internal_ question, as it ought to be decided +on--not according to the _German law of succession_, but according to +the interests of Europe. Nor is it true, as stated in the despatch, +that the Duke of Augustenburg has _no_ claim to the Danish Crown. His +mother was the daughter of Christian VII. and of Queen Matilda. + + + + +[Pageheading: THE QUEEN IN SCOTLAND] + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +BALMORAL CASTLE, _16th September 1851._ + +MY DEAREST UNCLE,--Accept my best thanks for your kind and dear letter +of the 8th. It is a good thing for Leo to begin to follow in your +footsteps, but (if I may speak out plainly), I think that anything +like _fonctions_ and _representation_ is agreeable and _not_ difficult +to Leo. It is the common contact with his fellow-creatures, the being +put on a par with him, the being brought to feel that he is as much +_one_ of them as any other, in spite of his birth, which I think of +such great importance for him, and I therefore hope you will send him +to _Bonn_. + +My letter is terribly _decousu_, for it has been twice interrupted. +I was out the whole day with Albert, in the forest in a perfectly +tropical heat. Since we went to Allt-na-Giuthasach, our little bothy +near Loch Muich on the 12th, the heat of the sun has been daily +increasing, and has reached a pitch which makes it almost sickening to +be out in it, though it is beautiful to behold. The sky these last two +evenings has been like an Italian one, and for the last few days--at +least the last four--without the slightest particle of cloud, and the +sun blazing. With this, not a breath of air. The mountains look quite +crimson and lilac, and everything glows with the setting sun. +The evenings are quite a _relief_. Really one cannot undertake +expeditions, the heat is so great. We thought of you, and wished you +could be here; you would fancy yourself in Italy. + +Albert got a splendid stag to-day. I must hastily conclude, hoping +to hear from you that you _will come_. Our moonlights have been +magnificent also. Ever your devoted Niece, + +VICTORIA R. + + + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +BALMORAL CASTLE, _22nd September 1851._ + +MY DEAREST UNCLE,--I write to you on purpose on this large paper in +order that you may see and admire it. Landseer did it also on purpose, +and I think it is even finer than the other. It is so truly the +character of the noble animal. + +That abuse of the poor Orleans family in our papers is abominable, +and Lord John is equally shocked at it, but won't interfere. Don't you +think Joinville should not have left it open for him to accept it, for +it is _impossible_ for _him_ to be _President_ of the French Republic? +Still, I feel convinced that he and they _all_ do what they think best +for _France_. + +I must conclude. Ever your devoted Niece, + +VICTORIA R. + + + + +[Pageheading: CONSTITUTIONAL MONARCHS] + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +SHIEL OF ALLT-NA-GIUTHASACH, _30th September 1851._ + +MY DEAREST UNCLE,--I write to you from our little bothy in the hills, +which is quite a wilderness--where we arrived yesterday evening after +a long hill expedition to the Lake of Loch Nagar, which is one of the +wildest spots imaginable. It was very cold. To-day it pours so that I +hardly know if we shall be able to get out, or home even. We are +not _snowed_, but _rained up_. Our little Shiel is very snug and +comfortable, and we have got a little piano in it. Lady Douro is with +us. + +Many thanks for your kind letter of the 22nd. Our warm, fine weather +left us on the 25th, and we have had storm and snow in the mountains +ever since then. + +The position of Princes is no doubt difficult in these times, but +it would be much less so if they would behave honourably and +straightforwardly, giving the people gradually those privileges which +would satisfy all the reasonable and well-intentioned, and would +weaken the power of the Red Republicans; instead of that, _reaction_ +and a return to all the tyranny and oppression is the cry and the +principle--and all papers and books are being seized and prohibited, +as in the days of Metternich!... + +Vicky was kicked off her pony--a quiet beast--but not the least hurt; +this is more than three weeks ago. Alfred (whom you will recollect +I told you was so terribly heedless and entirely indifferent to all +punishment, etc.) tumbled downstairs last week. He was not seriously +hurt at all, and quite well the next morning, only with a terribly +black, green, and yellow face and very much swelled. He might have +been killed; he is always bent upon self-destruction, and one hardly +knows what to do, for he don't mind being hurt or scolded or punished; +and the very next morning he tried to go down the stairs leaning over +the banisters just as he had done when he fell. + +Alas! this will be my last letter but one from the dear Highlands. We +start on the 7th, visiting Liverpool and Manchester on our way back, +and expect to be at Windsor on the 11th. + +I must now conclude. Ever your devoted Niece, + +VICTORIA R. + + + + +[Pageheading: THE HIGHLANDS] + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +BALMORAL CASTLE, _6th October 1851._ + +MY DEAREST UNCLE,--Only two words can I write to you, as we are to +start to-morrow morning. My heart is _bien gros_ at going from here. + +I love my peaceful, wild Highlands, the glorious scenery, the +dear good people who are much attached to us, and who feel their +_Einsamkeit_ sadly, very much. One of our Gillies, a young Highlander +who generally went out with me, said, in answer to my observation that +they must be very dull here when we left: "It's just like death come +all at once." In addition to my sorrow at leaving this dear place, +I am in great sorrow at the loss of a dear and faithful, excellent +friend, whom you will sincerely lament--our good Lord Liverpool. He +was well and in the highest spirits with us only six weeks ago, and in +three days he was carried away. I cannot tell you _how_ it has upset +me; I have known him so long, and he was such an intimate friend of +ours. We received the news yesterday. + +Many thanks for your kind letter of the 29th. I am glad all went off +so well, but it must have been dreadful to miss dearest Louise. +This time reminds me so much of all our sorrow last year on her dear +account. + +VICTORIA R. + + + + +_Queen Victoria to Lord Palmerston._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _13th October 1851._ + +The Queen returns Lord Howden's letter, and thinks that the best +answer to the Queen of Spain's request will be that the Statutes +do not allow the Garter to be bestowed upon a lady; that the Queen +herself possesses no order of knighthood from any country.[17] + +With reference to the claim for the King arising out of the Prince +having received the Fleece, it may be well to say that the offer +of the Fleece had in the first instance been declined for fear of +establishing a ground for the necessity of giving the Garter in +return, and was at its second offer accepted by the Prince, together +with the first orders of almost every country, on the understanding +that no return would be expected. It would have been impossible to +give the Garter to every Sovereign, and very difficult to make a +selection. The Queen of Spain ought to be made aware of the fact that +among the reigning Sovereigns, the Emperors of Austria and Brazil, +and the Kings of Sweden, Denmark, Bavaria, Holland, Sardinia, Naples, +Greece, etc., etc., have not got the Garter, although many of them +have expressed a wish for it, and that amongst the Kings Consort, the +King of Portugal, the Queen's first cousin, has not received it yet, +although the Queen has long been anxious to give it to him. + +Anything short of these explanations might offend, or leave the claim +open to be repeated from time to time. + + [Footnote 17: The Queen of Spain had expressed a desire + through Lord Howden to receive the Order of the Garter.] + + + + +[Pageheading: EXTENSION OF THE FRANCHISE] + + +_Lord John Russell to Queen Victoria._ + +DOWNING STREET, _14th October 1851._ + +Lord Carlisle, Lord Minto, and Sir Charles Wood are appointed a +Committee to consider of the extension of the Suffrage. They meet +to-morrow. Lord John Russell expects to see Mr Peel to-morrow. It is +proposed that Parliament should meet on the 3rd or 5th of February.... + + + + +_Queen Victoria to Lord John Russell._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _14th October 1851._ + +The Queen does not consider the Committee appointed to consider the +extension of the Franchise a very strong one. Will Lord Carlisle be up +to the peculiar business? + + + + +[Pageheading: KOSSUTH IN ENGLAND] + + +_Queen Victoria to Lord John Russell._[18] + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _29th October 1851._ + +The Queen concludes Lord John Russell has read the accounts of +Kossuth's arrival in to-day's papers. + +She wishes Lord John could still try to prevent Lord Palmerston from +receiving him. The effect it will have abroad will do us immense harm. +At all events, Lord John should take care to have it understood that +the Government have not sanctioned it, and that it is a private act of +Lord Palmerston's. + +The Queen will else have again to submit to insults and affronts, +which are the result of Lord Palmerston's conduct. + + [Footnote 18: Substance of the note to Lord John Russell, + written down from recollection.] + + + + +_Lord John Russell to Queen Victoria._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _24th October 1851._ + +Lord John Russell presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and +is sorry to say he can interfere no further with respect to Lord +Palmerston's reception of Kossuth. + +With respect to the manner of the reception, however, he will write to +Lord Palmerston to desire him to take care that nothing is said which +goes beyond the strict expression of thanks for the efforts made +by the British Government to procure first the safety, and next the +liberty, of Kossuth. + +As for the reception, it is to be considered that Kossuth is +considered the representative of English institutions against +despotism. + +If this were so the public feeling would be laudable. + + + + +_Lord John Russell to Queen Victoria._ + +PEMBROKE LODGE, _31st October 1851._ + +Lord John Russell presents his humble duty to your Majesty; he has the +honour to submit to your Majesty a correspondence[19] which has taken +place between Lord Palmerston and himself. + +After Lord Palmerston's answer, Lord John Russell can have but little +hope that Lord Palmerston will not see M. Kossuth. Lord John Russell +cannot separate the private from the public man in this instance; the +reception of Kossuth, if it takes place, will be a reception by +your Majesty's Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs. Whether that +reception is to take place in Downing Street or Carlton Terrace does +not appear to him material. + +Lord John Russell would, as a last resource, humbly advise your +Majesty to command Lord Palmerston not to receive M. Kossuth. + +It appears to him that your Majesty owes this mark of respect to +your Majesty's ally, and generally to all States at peace with this +country. + +Lord John Russell has no other copy of this letter to Lord Palmerston. + + [Footnote 19: Lord Palmerston wished to receive Kossuth at the + Foreign Office. In the correspondence here referred to, which + will be found in Russell's _Life_, the Premier "positively + requested" Lord Palmerston to decline to receive Kossuth. The + rejoinder, written while the messenger waited, was: "There are + limits to all things. I do not choose to be dictated to as to + who I may or may not receive in my own house.... I shall use + my own discretion.... You will, of course, use yours as to the + composition of your Government."] + + + + +[Pageheading: KOSSUTH AND PALMERSTON] + + +_Queen Victoria to Lord John Russell._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _31st October 1851._ + +The Queen has received Lord John Russell's letter, and returns the +enclosures. She likewise sends him her letter to Lord Palmerston, +which she begs him to send on, merely changing the label. She +must tell Lord John, however, that although _he_ may go on with a +_colleague_, even after having received an answer like the one Lord +Palmerston has returned to the many entreaties not to compromise the +Government by his personal act, the Queen cannot expose herself to +having her positive commands disobeyed by one of her public servants, +and that should Lord Palmerston persist in his intention he cannot +continue as her Minister. She refrains from any expression upon Lord +Palmerston's conduct in this matter, as Lord John is well aware of her +feelings. + + + + +_Queen Victoria to Viscount Palmerston._[20] + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _31st October 1851._ + +The Queen mentioned to Lord Palmerston when he was last here at +Windsor Castle that she thought it would not be advisable that he +should receive M. Kossuth upon his arrival in England, as being wholly +unnecessary, and likely to be misconstrued abroad. Since M. Kossuth's +arrival in this country, and his violent denunciations of two +Sovereigns with whom we are at peace, the Queen thinks that she owes +it as a mark of respect to her Allies, and generally to all States at +peace with this country, not to allow that a person endeavouring to +excite a political agitation in this country against her Allies should +be received by her Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs. Whether +such a reception should take place at his official or private +residence can make no difference as to the public nature of the act. +The Queen must therefore demand that the reception of M. Kossuth by +Lord Palmerston should not take place. + + [Footnote 20: Draft sent to Lord John Russell.] + + + + +_Lord John Russell to Queen Victoria._ + +PEMBROKE LODGE, _31st October 1851._ + +Lord John Russell presents his humble duty to your Majesty. Since +writing to your Majesty this morning it has occurred to him that it +will be best that your Majesty should not give any commands to Lord +Palmerston on his sole advice. + +With this view he has summoned the Cabinet for Monday, and he humbly +proposes that your Majesty should await their advice. + + + + +[Pageheading: PALMERSTON AND THE QUEEN] + + +_Queen Victoria to Lord John Russell._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _31st October 1851._ + +The Queen has just received Lord John Russell's letter. She thinks it +natural that Lord John should wish to bring a matter which may cause +a rupture in the Government before the Cabinet, but thinks his having +summoned the Cabinet only for Monday will leave Lord Palmerston at +liberty in the intermediate time to have his reception of Kossuth, and +then rest on his _fait accompli_. Unless, therefore, Lord John +Russell can bind him over to good conduct, all the mischief which +is apprehended from this step of his will result; and he will have, +moreover, the triumph of having carried his point, and having set the +Prime Minister at defiance.... + + + + +_Lord John Russell to Queen Victoria._ + +PEMBROKE LODGE, _1st November 1851._ + +Lord John Russell presents his humble duty to your Majesty; he is +deeply sensible of your Majesty's kindness and indulgence. He feels +that he is at times overwhelmed by the importance and variety of the +questions of which the principal weight lies upon him. + +He now lays before your Majesty a copy of the letter he has written +to Lord Palmerston.[21] With a grateful sense of your Majesty's +confidence, he is now of opinion that the Cabinet should decide, and +that no part of the burden should be placed upon your Majesty. + +He therefore returns the letter to Lord Palmerston. + +He summoned the Cabinet for Monday, as so many members of it are at a +distance. He does not think Lord Palmerston will come to town before +Monday. + + [Footnote 21: The letter is printed in Lord Palmerston's + _Life_. The Premier stated that the question, being one of + grave public importance, must be decided by argument, not + passion, and would be considered by the Cabinet on the + following Monday. _See_ Walpole's _Russell_, chap. xxii.] + + + + +_Queen Victoria to Lord John Russell._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _1st November 1851._ + +The Queen has to acknowledge Lord John Russell's letter of this day, +and returns the copy of his to Lord Palmerston. She feels that she has +the right and the duty to demand that one of her Ministers should not +by his private acts, compromise her and the country, and therefore +omitted in her letter to Lord Palmerston all reference to Lord John +Russell's opinion; but she of course much prefers that she should +be protected from the wilful indiscretions of Lord Palmerston by the +attention of the Cabinet being drawn to his proceedings without her +personal intervention.[22] + + [Footnote 22: The Cabinet met, and having listened to the + statement of the Premier, which is printed in his _Life_, + unanimously supported him. Lord Palmerston accordingly gave + way for the time being. Lord John informed the Queen of the + result.] + + + + +[Pageheading: THE QUEEN AND PALMERSTON] + + +_Queen Victoria to Lord John Russell._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _3rd November 1851._ + +The Queen has just received Lord John Russell's letter. She is very +glad to hear that this matter has been amicably arranged, and she +trusts that Lord Palmerston will act according to his promises. + + + + +_Queen Victoria to Lord John Russell._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _11th November 1851._ + +The Queen sends this draft to Lord John Russell, as she thinks the +tone in which it is written so very ironical, and not altogether +becoming for a public despatch from the English Secretary for Foreign +Affairs, to be given to the Minister of another State. The substance +is quite right, and a dignified explanation of the absurdity of the +conduct of the Parma officials would very likely produce its effect, +but some expressions in this draft could only tend to irritate, and +therefore prevent that readiness to comply with our demand, which is +to be produced.[23] + + [Footnote 23: Before ten days had elapsed, Lord Palmerston had + resumed his high-handed methods.] + + + + +[Pageheading: THE QUEEN AND PALMERSTON] + + +_Queen Victoria to Lord John Russell._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _20th November 1851._ + +The Queen must write to-day to Lord John Russell on a subject which +causes her much anxiety. Her feelings have again been deeply wounded +by the official conduct of her Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs +since the arrival of M. Kossuth in this country. The Queen feels the +best interests of her people, the honour and dignity of her Crown, her +public and personal obligations towards those Sovereigns with whom +she _professes_ to be on terms of peace and amity, most unjustifiably +exposed. The Queen has unfortunately very often had to call upon Lord +John to check his colleague in the dangerous and unbecoming course +which at various times he has so wilfully persevered in pursuing. But +Lord John Russell, although agreeing on most of these occasions with +the view taken by the Queen, has invariably met her remonstrances with +the plea that to push his interference with Lord Palmerston +beyond what he had done would lead to a rupture with him, and thus +necessarily to a breaking up of the Cabinet. The Queen, considering +a change of her Government under present political circumstances +dangerous to the true interests of the nation, had only to choose +between two evils, without possessing sufficient confidence in her own +judgment to decide which in its political consequences would turn out +the least. But if in such a contingency the Queen chooses rather not +to insist upon what is due to her, she thinks it indispensable at the +same time to express to her Cabinet that she does so on their account, +leaving it to them to reconcile the injuries done to her with that +sound policy and conduct which the maintenance of peace and the +welfare of the country require. These remarks seem to be especially +called for after the report of the official interview between Lord +Palmerston and the deputation from Finsbury,[24] and the Queen +requests Lord John Russell to bring them under the notice of the +Cabinet. + + [Footnote 24: After Kossuth's departure, addresses of thanks + to Lord Palmerston, for his courteous attentions to Kossuth, + were voted by ultra-Radical meetings in Finsbury and + Islington, and he allowed a deputation to present the + addresses to him at the Foreign Office, the Emperors of + Austria and Russia being stigmatised therein as "odious and + detestable assassins" and "merciless tyrants and despots." + Palmerston, who expressed himself as "extremely flattered and + highly gratified" by the references to himself, did not in + terms reprehend the language used of the two Sovereigns, and + added, in a phrase immortalised by Leech's cartoon, that + "a good deal of judicious bottle-holding was obliged to be + brought into play."] + + + + +[Pageheading: PALMERSTON'S FOREIGN POLICY] + + +_Lord John Russell to Queen Victoria._ + +PEMBROKE LODGE, _21st November 1851._ + +Lord John Russell presents his humble duty to your Majesty. He had the +honour of receiving last night your Majesty's communication respecting +Lord Palmerston. + +Lord John Russell presumes that it is the substance of this +communication which your Majesty wishes to be laid before the Cabinet. + +But before doing so he cannot refrain from mentioning some +circumstances which appear to him to weigh materially in the +consideration of Lord Palmerston's conduct. + +In many instances Lord Palmerston has yielded to the remonstrances of +Lord John Russell, supported as they have been by your Majesty. + +He did so on the question of furnishing guns to the Sicilians. + +He did so in respect to the letter to Baron Koller on the affair of +Count Haynau. + +He gave way likewise in this last instance, when, after assuring Lord +Dudley Stuart that he would see Kossuth whenever he chose to call +upon him, he consented to intimate privately to Lord Dudley that he +requested him not to call. + +This last concession must have been mortifying to Lord Palmerston, +and he has consoled himself in a manner not very dignified by giving +importance to the inflated addresses from some meetings in the suburbs +of London. + +But it appears to Lord John Russell that every Minister must have +a certain latitude allowed him which he may use, perhaps with +indiscretion, perhaps with bad taste, but with no consequence of +sufficient importance to deserve notice. + +Lord John Russell must, however, call your Majesty's attention to an +article in the _Morning Post_, which denies the accuracy of the report +of Lord Palmerston's answer to what is there called "the froth and +folly of an address to Downing Street." + +Lord John Russell, in admitting that he has more than once represented +to your Majesty that the expulsion of Lord Palmerston would break up +the Government, begs to explain that he has always done so upon one of +two grounds: + +First, if Lord Palmerston should be called upon by your Majesty to +resign on account of a line of Foreign Policy of which his colleagues +had approved, and for which they were, with him, responsible. + +Second, in case no difference of opinion had arisen, and the +transaction should bear the character of an intrigue, to get rid of an +inconvenient colleague. + +It must be remembered that Lord Palmerston was recommended to the late +King by Lord Grey as Foreign Secretary, and remained in that Office +from 1830 to 1834; that he was afterwards replaced in the same Office +by Lord Melbourne, and remained from 1835 to 1841. + +He has thus represented the Foreign Policy of the Whig Party fifteen +years, and has been approved not only by them but by a large portion +of the country. In the advice which Lord John Russell has humbly +tendered to your Majesty, he has always had in view the importance +of maintaining the popular confidence which your Majesty's name +everywhere inspires. Somewhat of the good opinion of the Emperor of +Russia and other foreign Sovereigns may be lost, but the good will and +affection of the people of England are retained, a great security in +these times. + +Lord John Russell has made out a note of his address to the Cabinet +for your Majesty's information. He prays to have it returned. + + + + +_Queen Victoria to Lord John Russell._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _21st November 1851._ + +The Queen has received Lord John Russell's letter and returns the note +on his former communication to the Cabinet. If Lord John felt on the +3rd of November that "above all, it behoves us to be particularly +cautious and not to afford just ground of complaint to any Party, +and that we cannot be too vigilant or weigh our proceedings too +scrupulously"--the Queen cannot suppose that Lord John considers the +official reception by the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs +of addresses, in which allied Sovereigns are called Despots and +Assassins, as within that "latitude" which he claims for every +minister, "which he may use perhaps with indiscretion, perhaps with +bad taste, but with no consequence of sufficient importance to deserve +notice." + +The Queen leaves it to Lord John Russell whether he will lay her +letter, or only the substance of it, before the Cabinet;[25] but she +hopes that they will make that careful enquiry into the justice of +her complaint which she was sorry to miss altogether in Lord John +Russell's answer. It is no question with the Queen whether she pleases +the Emperor of Austria or not, but whether she gives him a just ground +of complaint or not. And if she does so, she can never believe that +this will add to her popularity with her own people. Lord John's +letter must accordingly have disappointed her as containing a mere +attempt at a defence of Lord Palmerston. Lord John sees one cause of +excuse in Lord Palmerston's natural desire to console himself for the +mortification of having had to decline seeing M. Kossuth; the Queen +has _every reason to believe_ that he has seen him after all. + + [Footnote 25: On the 4th of December the matter came before + the Cabinet. No formal resolution was adopted, but regret was + expressed at Palmerston's want of caution in not ascertaining + in advance the tenor of the addresses, and in admitting + unreliable reporters.] + + + + +[Pageheading: DEATH OF KING OF HANOVER] + + +_Queen Victoria to Viscount Palmerston._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _21st November 1851._ + +The Queen has just received Lord Palmerston's letter with the +Memorandum relative to the mourning of her Uncle, the late King of +Hanover,[26] and she has to say in reply that she thinks the mourning +ought not to be for a Foreign Sovereign but for a Prince of the Blood +Royal, which was the nearest relation in which he stood to the Throne. + + [Footnote 26: King Ernest died on the 18th of November, aged + eighty, and was succeeded by his son, King George V., who + reigned till 1866, and died in 1878.] + + + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of Hanover._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _21st November 1851._ + +MY DEAR GEORGE,--Your kind letter of the 18th, announcing to me the +melancholy news of the death of your Father, was given to me yesterday +by Mr Somerset, and I hasten to express to you in both our names our +sincere and heartfelt condolence, and beg you to do so in our names to +our dear Cousin Mary.[27] + +It must be a consolation to you that the end of the King was peaceful +and so free from pain and suffering. Most truly do I enter into your +feelings as to the responsible position into which you are now placed, +and my best wishes for your welfare and happiness as well as that of +Hanover will ever accompany you. I am happy to hear from Mr Somerset +that you were well, as well as your dear Mary and dear children. + +Albert desires me to say everything kind from him to you as well as +to our cousins, and with every possible good wish for your health and +prosperity, believe me always, my dear George, your very affectionate +Cousin, + +VICTORIA R. + + [Footnote 27: Princess Mary of Saxe-Altenburg (1818-1907), + wife of King George V. of Hanover.] + + + + +_Viscount Palmerston to Queen Victoria._ + +CARLTON GARDENS, _22nd November 1851._ + +Viscount Palmerston presents his humble duty to your Majesty and has +taken the proper steps according to your Majesty's commands, about +the mourning for the late King of Hanover; and he would wish to +know whether it is your Majesty's desire that he should have +letters prepared for your Majesty's signature, announcing to Foreign +Sovereigns the decease of the late King. + + + + +_Queen Victoria to Viscount Palmerston._ + +OSBORNE, _22nd November 1851._ + +The Queen has just received Lord Palmerston's letter. + +The Queen does not think it necessary for her to announce the King of +Hanover's death to other Sovereigns, as there is a head of that branch +of her Family who would have to do so. She declared the present King's +marriage in Council, but she does not think that she announced it. +This Lord Palmerston would perhaps be able to ascertain at the Office. + + + + +[Pageheading: THE REFORM QUESTION] + + +_Queen Victoria to Lord John Russell._ + +OSBORNE, _3rd December 1851._ + +The Queen has received Lord John Russell's letter of the 30th ult., +and has carefully considered his Memorandum on the report of +the Committee of the Cabinet; she now returns Sir Charles Wood's +Memorandum. + +Considering the question of Reform under its two bearings--on the +Franchise and on the Suffrage--the Queen thinks the proposal of merely +adding neighbouring towns to the small boroughs an improvement on the +original plan, which contemplated the taking away of members from some +boroughs, and giving them to others. Thus the animosity may be hoped +to be avoided which an attack upon vested interests could not +have failed to have produced. Much will depend, however, upon the +completeness, fairness, and impartiality with which the selection of +the towns will be made which are to be admitted into the electoral +district of others. Sir Charles Wood's Memorandum being only a sketch, +the Queen hopes to see a more complete list, stating the principle +also upon which the selection is made. + +With regard to the Suffrage, the proposals of the Committee appear +to the Queen to be framed with a due regard to the importance of not +giving an undue proportion of weight to the Democracy. In the +Queen's opinion, the chief question to consider will be whether the +strengthening of the Democratic principle will upset the balance of +Constitution, and further weaken the Executive, which is by no means +too strong at present. The Queen is well aware of the difficulty of +forming a correct estimate beforehand of the moral effect which such +extensive changes may produce, but thinks that they cannot even be +guessed at before the numerical results are accurately ascertained; +she hopes therefore that the statistics will be soon in a state to be +laid before her. + +The Queen regrets that the idea of reviving the Guilds had to be +abandoned, but can quite understand the difficulty which would have +been added to the measure by its being clogged with such an additional +innovation. + + + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +OSBORNE, _2nd December 1851._ + +MY DEAREST UNCLE,--Accept my best thanks for your kind letter of the +28th. I am truly grieved to hear that you have got so bad a cold; +nothing is more trying and annoying than those heavy colds, which +render _all_ occupation irksome and trying in the highest degree. I +hope that it will soon be past. + +It is a great pity that you do not venture to come to us, as I am sure +you might do it easily. I do not think that there will be any outburst +yet awhile in France.... + +I am rather unhappy about dear Uncle Mensdorff, who, I hear, has +arrived at Vienna with gout in his head. I hope, however, soon to hear +of his being much better.... + + + + +[Pageheading: THE COUP D'ETAT] + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +OSBORNE, _4th December 1851._ + +DEAREST UNCLE,--I must write a line to ask what you say to the +_wonderful_ proceedings at Paris, which really seem like a _story_ in +a book or a play! What is to be the result of it all?[28] + +I feel ashamed to have written _so positively_ a few hours before that +nothing would happen. + +We are anxiously waiting for to-day's news--though I should hope that +the Troops were to be depended upon, and _order_ for the present would +prevail. I hope that none of the Orleans Family will move a limb or +say a word, but remain perfectly passive. + +I must now conclude. Ever your devoted Niece, + +VICTORIA R. + + [Footnote 28: On the 2nd of December, Louis Napoleon seized + the Government of France, arrested his chief opponents, put + an end to the National Assembly and Council of State, and + declared Paris in a state of siege.] + + + + +_Queen Victoria to Lord John Russell._ + +OSBORNE, _4th December 1851._ + +The Queen has learnt with surprise and concern the events which have +taken place at Paris.[29] She thinks it is of great importance that +Lord Normanby should be instructed to remain entirely passive, and to +take no part whatever in what is passing. Any word from him might be +misconstrued at such a moment. + + [Footnote 29: On the 3rd the tidings of the _coup d'etat_ + reached London. Count Walewski announced it to Lord + Palmerston, who expressed his approval of it, and wrote to + Lord Normanby the letter printed in his _Life_, disavowing + surprise that the President had struck the blow when he did, + "for it is now well known here that the Duchess of Orleans was + preparing to be called to Paris this week with her younger son + to commence a new period of Orleans dynasty."] + + + + +_Lord John Russell to Queen Victoria._ + +DOWNING STREET, _4th December 1851._ +(6 P.M.) + +Lord John Russell presents his humble duty to your Majesty. Your +Majesty's directions respecting the state of affairs in Paris shall +be followed. Lord Normanby[30] has asked whether he should suspend his +diplomatic functions; but the Cabinet were unanimously of opinion that +he should not do so. + +The result is very uncertain; at present the power is likely to rest +in the Army, to whose memory of victories and defeats the President +has so strongly appealed. + + [Footnote 30: Lord Normanby, having applied for instructions + as to his future conduct, was desired to make no change in his + relations with the French Government, and to abstain from even + the appearance of interference in her internal affairs. Having + made a communication to this effect to M. Turgot, the latter + replied that M. Walewski had notified to him that Lord + Palmerston had already expressed to him his "entire + approbation of the act of the President," and his "conviction + that he could not have acted otherwise."] + + + + +[Pageheading: LOUIS NAPOLEON] + + +_The King of the Belgians to Queen Victoria._ + +LAEKEN, _5th December 1851._ + +MY DEAREST VICTORIA,--Receive my best thanks for your dear gracious +letter of the 2nd, the date of the battle of Austerlitz, and the _coup +d'etat_ at Paris. What do you say to it? + +As yet one cannot form an opinion, but I am inclined to think that +Louis Bonaparte will succeed. The country is tired and wish quiet, and +if they get it by this _coup d'etat_ they will have no objection, and +let _le Gouvernement Parlementaire et Constitutionnel_ go to sleep for +a while. + +I suspect that the great Continental powers will see a military +Government at Paris with pleasure; they go rather far in their hatred +of everything Parliamentary. The President takes a little of Napoleon +already. I understand that he expressed himself displeased, as if I +had too much supported the Orleans Family. I render perfect justice to +the President, that hitherto he has not plagued us; but we have +also abstained from all interference. I think that Helene has been +imprudent; besides, it is difficult for the poor Family to avoid to +speak on these subjects or to express themselves with mildness. + +If something like an Empire establishes itself, perhaps we shall for +a time have much to suffer, as the _gloire francaise_ invariably looks +to the old frontiers. My hope is that they will necessarily have much +to do at home, for a time, as parties will run high.... Your devoted +Uncle, + +LEOPOLD R. + + + + +_Queen Victoria to Lord John Russell._ + +OSBORNE, _6th December 1851._ + +The Queen has to acknowledge Lord John Russell's letter of yesterday. +She is glad to hear that the Cabinet occupy themselves assiduously +with the Reform Question, but hopes that they will not come to a final +decision without having first ascertained how the proposed plan will +operate when practically applied to the present state of the Franchise +and Suffrage. The Queen is very anxious to arrive at a definite +opinion on this subject herself. + +The Queen sees from the Manchester Speeches that the _Ballot_ is to be +made the stalking-horse of the Radicals. + + + + +[Pageheading: LORD PALMERSTON'S LETTERS] + + +_The Marchioness of Normanby to Colonel Phipps._ + +PARIS, _7th December 1851._ + +MY DEAR CHARLES,--I have an opportunity of writing to you _not_ +through the Foreign Office, which I shall take advantage of, as at +present the Post is not to be trusted, and I am afraid I do not think +the Office is either. + +Palmerston has taken lately to writing in the most extraordinary +manner to Normanby.[31] I think he wants to fix a quarrel with him, +which you may be sure Normanby will avoid at present, as it would have +the worst possible effect; but I do not understand it at all, and I +wish you could in any way explain what it means. Palmerston seems very +angry because Normanby does not unqualifyingly approve of this step +here, and the results; the whole thing is so completely a _coup +d'etat_, and all the proceedings are so contrary to and devoid of law +and justice and security, that even the most violent Tory would be +staggered by them. (For instance, to-day _all_ the English papers, +even Normanby's, are stopped and prohibited; they will of course +allow Normanby's to come, but it is to be under an envelope), and yet +Palmerston, who quarrels with all Europe about a political adventurer +like Kossuth, because he was defending the liberties and constitution +of his country, now tries to quarrel with Normanby, and really writes +in the most impertinent manner, because Normanby's despatches are not +sufficiently in praise of Louis Napoleon and his _coup d'etat_. There +must be some _dessous des cartes_ that we are not aware of. Normanby +has always said, having been undertaken, the only thing now is to hope +and pray it may be successful; but that is another thing to approving +the way it was begun, or the way it has been carried out. The +bloodshed has been dreadful and indiscriminate, no quarter was shown, +and when an insurgent took refuge in a house, the soldiers killed +every one in the house, whether engaged in the _emeute_ or not.... +It is very doubtful whether Normanby will be able to go on with +[Palmerston] if this sort of thing continues, for he talks of "I hear +this" and "I am told that," with reference to Normanby's conduct here, +which no man in his position can stand, as, if Palmerston takes the +_on-dits_ of others, and not Normanby's own accounts, there is an end +of confidence; but I must say his last letter appears to me a sort of +exuberance of anger, which spends itself on many subjects rather than +the one which first caused it, and therefore I suspect he has received +some rap on the knuckles at home, which he resents here, or on the +first person who is not of the same opinion as himself; but it is a +curious anomaly that he should quarrel with Normanby in support of +arbitrary and absolute Government. All is quiet here now, and will, I +hope, continue so till the Elections, when I suppose we may have some +more _emeutes_.... + +They have been told at the Clubs that they may meet, but they are +not to talk politics. In short, I do not suppose that despotism ever +reached such a pitch.... You may suppose what the French feel; it +serves them all quite right, but that does not prevent one's feeling +indignant at it. And this is what Palmerston is now supporting without +restriction. We are entirely without any other news from England +from any one. Would you not send me or Normanby a letter through +Rothschild? I am rather anxious to know whether this is a general +feeling in England; it could not be, if they know all that had +happened here. Mind, I can quite understand the policy of keeping well +with Louis Napoleon, and Normanby is so, and has never expressed to +any one a hostile opinion except in his despatches and private letters +to Palmerston.... I shall send this by a private hand, not to run the +risk of its being read. Ever yours affectionately, + +M. NORMANBY. + + [Footnote 31: On the 6th, Lord Palmerston wrote to Lord + Normanby the strange letter printed by Mr Evelyn Ashley in the + _Life_, censuring Lord Normanby's supposed hostility to + the French President; Lord Normanby in reply defended his + attitude, and asked for an explicit statement as to the + Foreign Secretary's approval or otherwise of the conduct and + policy of the President.] + + + + +[Pageheading: AFFAIRS IN FRANCE] + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +OSBORNE, _9th December 1851._ + +DEAREST UNCLE,--Your kind letter of the 5th reached me on Sunday +morning. Much blood has been shed since you wrote.... + +What you say about arbitrary and military Government in France is very +true, and I daresay will do for a time; but I do not know _how_ Louis +Napoleon is to proceed, or how he will get over the anger and enmity +of those he imprisoned. Still, I see that the Legitimists have all +given in their adhesion. Every one in France and elsewhere _must wish_ +order, and many therefore rally round the President. + +A most extraordinary report was mentioned to me yesterday, which, +however, I never could believe, and which is besides _physically +impossible_, from the illness of the one and the absence of the other, +viz. that Joinville and Aumale had gone or were going to Lille to put +themselves at the head of the troops,[32] which would be a terrible +and a very unwise thing. It would be very awkward for _you_ too. + +I must now conclude, hoping soon to hear from you. You should urge the +poor Orleans family to be very prudent in what they say about passing +events, as I believe Louis Napoleon is very _sore_ on the subject, and +matters might get still worse. Ever your devoted Niece, + +VICTORIA R. + + [Footnote 32: Mr Borthwick, of the _Morning Post_, had so + stated to Lord Palmerston on the authority of General de + Rumigny; seven years later Palmerston wrote the Memorandum on + the subject printed in his _Life_.] + + + + +[Pageheading: PALMERSTON AND NORMANBY] + +[Pageheading: LORD PALMERSTON'S INSTRUCTIONS] + +[Pageheading: LORD PALMERSTON'S APPROVAL] + + +_The Marchioness of Normanby to Colonel Phipps._[33] + +PARIS, _9th December 1851._ + +MY DEAREST CHARLES,--I had written a long letter to the Queen, and +upon second thoughts I have burnt it, because events have now become +so serious between Normanby and Palmerston that I do not think that I +should be the person to inform Her Majesty of it, in case anything was +to be said upon the subject in Parliament. And yet as the affront has +been given in Palmerston's private letters, I feel sure she does not +know it. You have all probably seen Normanby's public despatches, in +which, though as an Englishman he deprecates and deplores the means +employed and the pledges broken--in short, the unconstitutional +illegality of the whole _coup d'etat_--yet he always says, seeing now +no other refuge from Rouge ascendency, he hopes it may succeed. One +would have supposed, from the whole tenor of his policy, from his +Radical tendencies, and all that he has been doing lately, that +Palmerston would have been the last person to approve of this _coup +d'etat_. Not a bit! He turns upon Normanby in the most flippant +manner; almost accuses him of a concealed knowledge of an Orleanist +plot--never whispered here, nor I believe, even imagined by the +Government of Paris, who would have been too glad to seize upon it +as an excuse; says he compromises the relations of the country by his +evident disapproval of Louis Napoleon--in short, it is a letter that +Morny might have written, and that it is quite impossible for Normanby +to bear. The curious thing is that it is a letter or rather letters +that would completely ruin Palmerston with _his_ Party. He treats all +the acts of the wholesale cruelties of the troops as a joke--in short, +it is the letter of a man half mad, I think, for to quarrel with +Normanby on this subject is cutting his own throat.... He has written +also to Lord John. Louis Napoleon knows perfectly well that Normanby +cannot approve the means he has taken; he talks to him confidentially, +and treats him as an honest, upright man, and he never showed him +more attention, or friendship even than last night when we were at the +Elysee, though Normanby said not one word in approval.... + +There is another question upon which Normanby has a right to complain, +which is, that two days before Palmerston sent his instructions here, +he expressed to Walewski his complete approval of the step taken by +Louis Napoleon, which was transmitted by Walewski in a despatch to +Turgot, and read by him to many members of the Corps Diplomatique a +day before Normanby heard a word from Palmerston. You will perhaps +think that there is not enough in all this to authorise the grave step +Normanby has taken, but the whole tone of his letters shows such a +want of confidence, is so impertinent--talk of "we hear this," and "we +are told that,"--bringing a sort of anonymous gossip against a man of +Normanby's character and standing, that respect for himself obliges +Normanby to take it up seriously.... In the meantime our Press in +England is, as usual, _too_ violent against Louis Napoleon. _We_ +have no friends or true allies left, thanks to the policy of Lord +Palmerston; as soon as the peace of the country is restored the Army +_must_ be employed; it is the course of a Military Government; as +much as an absolute Government is destroyed by the people, and the +democracy again, when fallen into anarchy, is followed by Military +Government. Louis Napoleon must maintain his position by acts: they +will find out that Belgium should belong to France, or Alsace, or +Antwerp, or something or other that England will not be able to allow, +and then how are we prepared for the consequences?... + +The more I think of Palmerston's letters, the less I can understand +them; every sentence is in direct contradiction to his acts and words. +He ridicules the idea of the Constitution; turns to scorn the idea of +anything being due to the Members of the Assembly; laughs and jokes at +the Club being fired into, though the English people in it were +within an ace of being murdered by the soldiers; says that Normanby +is pathetic over a broken looking-glass,[34] forgetting that the same +bullet grazed the hand of an Englishman, "_a Roman citizen!_" who was +between the window and the glass--in short, as I said before, he is +quite incomprehensible, except, as I cannot help thinking, he read the +private letter Normanby wrote to the Duke of Bedford upon the Kossuth +business, wishing to take his advice a little upon a grave question, +but which did not actually interfere with his position here. This +would account for his extreme irritation.... + +All at present is quiet in Paris. There are Socialist risings in many +parts of the country, but all these will do the President good, and +strengthen his hands, for even the people who have been treated +with indignity will pardon him if their chateaux are saved from an +infuriated and brutal peasantry. The President told Normanby last +night that the accounts of the cruelties and attacks in parts of +the country were very serious, but he hoped they would soon be put +down.... + +M. NORMANBY.[35] + + [Footnote 33: Submitted to the Queen by Colonel Phipps.] + + [Footnote 34: The tone of Lord Palmerston's private letters + to Lord Normanby at this time is best illustrated by the + following extract:-- + + "Your despatches since the event of Tuesday have been all + hostile to Louis Napoleon, with very little information as to + events. One of them consisted of a dissertation about + Kossuth, which would have made a good article in the _Times_ + a fortnight ago: and another dwells chiefly on a looking-glass + broken in a Club-house; and you are pathetic about a piece + of broken plaster brought down from a ceiling by musket-shots + during the street fights. Now we know that the Diplomatic + Agents of Austria and Russia called on the President + immediately after his measure on Tuesday morning, and + have been profuse in their expressions of approval of his + conduct."] + + [Footnote 35: Lady Normanby wrote later:-- + + "I told you yesterday the President had no faith in him + (Palmerston). The Treaty signed with Buenos Ayres, the Greek + business, and the reception of Kossuth had long destroyed his + confidence in Palmerston, and I believe he hates him and sees + through his present adulations...."] + + + + +_Queen Victoria to Lord John Russell._ + +OSBORNE, _13th December 1851._ + +The Queen sends the enclosed despatch from Lord Normanby to Lord John +Russell, from which it appears that the French Government _pretend to +have received_ the entire approval of the late _coup d'etat_ by the +British Government, as conveyed by Lord Palmerston to Count Walewski. +The Queen cannot believe in the truth of the assertion, as such +an approval given by Lord Palmerston would have been in complete +_contradiction_ to the line of strict neutrality and passiveness which +the Queen had expressed her desire to see followed with regard to the +late convulsion at Paris, and which was approved by the Cabinet, as +stated in Lord John Russell's letter of the 6th inst. Does Lord +John know anything about the alleged approval, which, if true, would +_again_ expose the honesty and dignity of the Queen's Government in +the eyes of the world?[36] + + [Footnote 36: On the 15th, Lord Normanby wrote to Lord + Palmerston that he must now assume M. Walewski's report to be + correct, and observed that if the Foreign Secretary held one + language in Downing Street and prescribed another course + to the British Ambassador, the latter must be awkwardly + circumstanced. Lord Palmerston (in a letter not shown to + the Queen or the Cabinet) replied that he had said nothing + inconsistent with his instructions to Lord Normanby, that the + President's action was for the French nation to judge of, + but that in his view that action made for the maintenance of + social order in France.] + + + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +OSBORNE, _13th December 1851._ + +MY BELOVED UNCLE,--These lines are to express my _very warmest_ wishes +for _many, many happy_ returns of your dear birthday, and for _every_ +earthly blessing you _can_ desire. How I wish you could spend it +_here_, or we with you! I venture to send you some trifles which +will recall the Exhibition in which you took so much interest. The +continuation of the work I send you, I shall forward as it comes out. + +As I wrote so lately, and shall do so on Tuesday, I will not touch on +politics--with one exception--that I think it of high importance that +the Orleans should clear themselves of _all_ suspicion of a _plot_, +which _some people_, I am sure, wish to make it _appear_ they _are_ +involved in; and that public contradiction should be given to the +foolish report, _much_ credited _here_, that Joinville has gone +to Lille, or to some part of France, to head the Troops. Ever your +devoted Niece and Child, + +VICTORIA R. + +How you will _again_ miss your departed Angel! + + + + +[Pageheading: LORD PALMERSTON'S EXPLANATION] + + +_Lord John Russell to Queen Victoria._ + +WOBURN ABBEY, _18th December 1851._ + +Lord John Russell presents his humble duty to your Majesty. He +received from Lord Palmerston yesterday an explanation of his +declaration of opinion to Mr Walewski, which Lord John Russell regrets +to state was quite unsatisfactory. + +He thought himself compelled to write to Lord Palmerston in the most +decisive terms. + +Lord Palmerston requested that his letter might be returned to be +copied. + +The whole correspondence shall be submitted to your Majesty. + +Your Majesty will find in the box a despatch of Lord Normanby of the +15th, and an answer of Lord Palmerston of the 16th,[37] which has been +sent without your Majesty's sanction, or the knowledge of Lord John +Russell. + + [Footnote 37: The letters are given in full in Ashley's + _Life of Lord Palmerston_, vol. i. chap. vii., were Lord + Palmerston's explanation of the 16th, in answer to the + Premier's letter of the 14th, will also be found.] + + + + +_The King of the Belgians to Queen Victoria._ + +LAEKEN, _19th December 1851._ + +MY DEAREST VICTORIA,--Receive my warmest and best thanks for your +truly kind and gracious recollection of my old birthday, and your +amiable presents. + +Our angelic Louise had quite _un culte_ for that day, and two have +already passed since the best and noblest of hearts beats no longer +amongst us. When one sees the haste and ardour of earthly pursuits, +and how all this is often disposed of, and when one sees that even the +greatest success always ends with the grave, one is tempted to +wonder that the human race should follow so restlessly bubbles +often disappearing just when reached, and always being a source of +never-ending anxiety. France gives, these sixty years, the proof of +the truth of what I say, always believing itself at the highest point +of perfection and changing it a few weeks afterwards. + +A military Government in France, if it really gets established, must +become dangerous for Europe. I hope that at least at its beginning it +will have enough to do in France, and that we may get time to prepare. +England will do well not to fall asleep, but to keep up its old energy +and courage.... Your truly devoted Uncle, + +LEOPOLD R. + + + + +[Pageheading: DISMISSAL OF LORD PALMERSTON] + + +_Queen Victoria to Lord John Russell._ + +OSBORNE, _19th December 1851._ + +The Queen has received several communications from Lord John Russell, +but has not answered them, as she expected daily to hear of Lord +Palmerston's answer. As Lord John Russell in his letter of yesterday's +date promises to send her his correspondence with Lord Palmerston, +she refrains from expressing a decided opinion until she has had an +opportunity of perusing it; but Lord John will readily conceive what +must be her feelings in seeing matters go from bad to worse with +respect to Lord Palmerston's conduct! + + + + +[Pageheading: LORD GRANVILLE] + + +_Lord John Russell to Queen Victoria._ + +WOBURN ABBEY, _19th December 1851._ + +Lord John Russell presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and has +the honour to submit to your Majesty a correspondence with Viscount +Palmerston, which terminates with a letter of this day's date. + +Lord John Russell has now to advise your Majesty that Lord Palmerston +should be informed that your Majesty is ready to accept the Seals of +Office, and to place them in other hands. + +Lord John Russell has summoned a Cabinet for Monday. + +They may be of opinion that they cannot continue a Government. + +But that is not Lord John Russell's opinion; and should they agree +with him, he will proceed without delay to recommend a successor to +your Majesty. + +The Earl Granville appears to him the person best calculated for +that post, but the Cabinet may be of opinion that more experience is +required. + + + + +_Queen Victoria to Lord John Russell._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _20th December 1851._ + +The Queen found on her arrival here Lord John Russell's letter, +enclosing his correspondence with Lord Palmerston, which she has +perused with that care and attention which the importance and gravity +of the subject of it demanded. The Queen has now to express to Lord +John Russell her readiness to follow his advice, and her acceptance of +the resignation of Lord Palmerston. She will be prepared to see Lord +John after the Cabinet on Monday, as he proposes. + + + + +_Queen Victoria to Lord John Russell._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _20th December 1851._ + +With respect to a successor to Lord Palmerston, the Queen must +state, that after the sad experience which she has just had of the +difficulties, annoyances, and dangers to which the Sovereign may be +exposed by the personal character and qualities of the Secretary for +Foreign Affairs, she must reserve to herself the unfettered right to +approve or disapprove the choice of a Minister for this Office. + +Lord Granville, whom Lord John Russell designates as the person best +calculated for that post, would meet with her entire approval. The +possible opinion of the Cabinet that more experience was required does +not weigh much with the Queen. From her knowledge of Lord Granville's +character, she is inclined to see no such disadvantage in the +circumstance that he has not yet had practice in managing Foreign +Affairs, as he will be the more ready to lean upon the advice and +judgment of the Prime Minister where he may have diffidence in his +own, and thereby will add strength to the Cabinet by maintaining unity +in thought and action. The Queen hopes Lord John Russell will not omit +to let her have copies of his correspondence with Lord Palmerston, as +he has promised her.[38] + + [Footnote 38: On the same day the Prince wrote to the Premier + that the Queen was much relieved. She had contemplated + dismissing Lord Palmerston herself, but naturally shrank from + using the power of the Crown, as her action would have been + criticised without the possibility of making a public defence; + in his view the Cabinet was rather strengthened than otherwise + by Palmerston's departure, and public sympathy would not be + with him. The rest of the letter is published in _The Life of + the Prince Consort_.] + + + + + +_Queen Victoria to Lord John Russell._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _21st December 1851._ + +The Queen has received Lord John Russell's letter of to-day. She is +not the least afraid of Lord Granville's not possessing sufficient +public confidence for him to undertake the Foreign Affairs. He is very +popular with the House of Lords, with the Free Traders, and the Peace +party, and all that the Continent knows of him is in his favour; he +had great success at Paris last summer, and his never having had +an opportunity of damaging his character by having been mixed up in +diplomatic intrigues is an immense advantage to him in obtaining the +confidence of those with whom he is to negotiate. + + + + +[Pageheading: THE QUEEN AND PALMERSTON] + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _23rd December 1851._ + +MY DEAREST UNCLE,--I have the greatest pleasure in announcing to you +a piece of news which I know will give you as much satisfaction and +relief as it does to us, and will do to the _whole_ of the world. +_Lord Palmerston_ is _no longer Foreign Secretary_--and Lord Granville +is already named his successor!! He had become of late really quite +reckless, and in spite of the serious admonition and caution he +received only on the 29th of November, and again at the beginning +of December, he _tells_ Walewski that _he entirely_ approves Louis +Napoleon's _coup d'etat_, when he had written to Lord Normanby by my +and the Cabinet's desire that he (Lord Normanby) was to continue his +diplomatic intercourse with the French Government, but to _remain_ +perfectly passive and give _no_ opinion. Walewski wrote Palmerston's +opinion (entirely contrary to what the Government had ordered) to M. +Turgot, and when Normanby came with his instructions, Turgot told him +what Palmerston had said. Upon this Lord John asked Palmerston to give +an explanation--which, after the delay of a week, he answered in such +an unsatisfactory way that Lord John wrote to him that _he could no +longer remain Foreign Secretary_, for that perpetual misunderstanding +and breaches of decorum were taking place which endangered the +country. Lord Palmerston answered instantly that he would give up the +Seals the moment his successor was named! Certain as we all felt that +he could not have continued long in his place, we were quite taken by +surprise when we learnt of the _denouement_.... Lord Granville will, I +think, do extremely well, and his extreme honesty and trustworthiness +will make him _invaluable_ to us, and to the Government and to Europe. + +I send some prints, etc., for the children for Christmas. Ever your +devoted Niece, + +VICTORIA R. + + + + +[Pageheading: MEETING OF THE CABINET] + +[Pageheading: LORD CLARENDON] + + +_Memorandum by the Prince Albert._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _23rd December 1851._ + +Lord John Russell arrived here at six o'clock yesterday evening +immediately from the Cabinet, and reported that the Cabinet had, +without a dissenting voice, condemned Lord Palmerston's conduct, and +approved of the steps taken by Lord John Russell, which was a great +relief to him. Lord Lansdowne, to whom he had first written on the +subject, had frightened him by answering that it was not possible +to avoid the rupture with Lord Palmerston, but that he thought the +Government would after this not be able to go on. When, however, this +question was discussed in Cabinet, and Lord John had stated that +he thought the Office could be well filled, they all agreed in the +propriety of going on. The Members of the Cabinet were so unable to +understand Lord Palmerston's motives for his conduct during these last +months, that Mr. Fox Maule started an idea which once occurred to Lord +John himself (as he said), viz. that he must have had the design +to bring on a rupture! Lord Minto, who was absent from the Cabinet, +expressed himself in a letter to Lord John very strongly about Lord +Palmerston's _reckless conduct_, which would yet undo the country. + +Lord John, after having received the concurrence of the Cabinet on the +question of Lord Palmerston's dismissal, stated that Lord Granville +was the person whom he would like best to see fill his office, and +he knew this to be the feeling of the Queen also. The Cabinet quite +agreed in Lord Granville's fitness, but Sir George Grey stated it as +his opinion that it ought first to be offered to Lord Clarendon, who +has always been pointed out by the public as the proper person to +succeed Lord Palmerston, and that, if he were passed over, the whole +matter would have the appearance of a Cabinet intrigue in favour of +one colleague against another. The whole of the Cabinet sided with +this opinion, and Lord John Russell now proposed to the Queen that an +offer should in the first instance be made to Lord Clarendon. + +The Queen protested against the Cabinet's taking upon itself the +appointment of its own Members, which rested entirely with the +Prime Minister and the Sovereign, under whose approval the former +constructed his Government.... Lord John replied that he thought Lord +Clarendon would not accept the offer, and therefore there would be +little danger in satisfying the desires of the Cabinet. He had written +to Lord Clarendon a cautioning letter from Woburn, apprising him of +some serious crisis, of which he would soon hear, and speaking of his +former wish to exchange the Lord-Lieutenancy for some other Office. +Lord Clarendon at once perceived the drift of the hint, and wrote +to the Duke of Bedford what he said he did not wish to write to his +brother John, that, if it was that Palmerston was going, and _he_ were +thought of as a successor, nothing would be so disagreeable to him, +as the whole change would be put down as an intrigue of his, whom Lord +Palmerston had always accused of wishing to supplant him; that if, +however, the service of the country required it, he had the courage to +face all personal obloquy.... + +Lord John owned that Sir George Grey's chief desire was to see Lord +Clarendon removed from Ireland, having been there so long; the +Cabinet would wish to see the Duke of Newcastle join the Government +as Lord-Lieutenant, which he might be induced to do. The Queen having +mentioned Lord Clarendon as most fit to succeed Lord Lansdowne one +day as President of the Council and leader in the House of Lords, Lord +John said that Lord Clarendon had particularly begged not to have the +position offered him, for which he did not feel fit. Lord John would +like him as Ambassador at Paris, and thought Lord Clarendon would +like this himself; but it was difficult to know what to do with Lord +Normanby. + +In the course of the conversation, Lord John congratulated the +Queen upon the change having been accomplished without her personal +intervention, which might have exposed her to the animosity of Lord +Palmerston's admirers, whilst she would have been precluded from +making any public defence. I reminded Lord John that, as such was the +disadvantage of the regal position, it behoved the Queen doubly to +watch, lest she be put into the same dilemma with a new Minister, +whose conduct she could not approve of. Lord Clarendon's appointment +would be doubly galling to Lord Palmerston, whom Lord John might not +wish to irritate further, a consideration which Lord John said he had +also pressed upon the Cabinet. Upon a remark from Lord John as to Lord +Granville's youth, the Queen replied: "Lord Canning, whom Lord Stanley +had intended to make his Foreign Secretary, was not older...." + +The conference ended by Lord John's promise to write to Lord Clarendon +as the Queen had desired ... but that he did not wish to make the +offer to Lord Granville till he had Lord Clarendon's answer. +Lord Granville had been told not to attend the last Cabinet; Lord +Palmerston had naturally stayed away. + +I went up to Town at half-past seven to the Westminster Play, and took +Lord John in my train to Richmond. We had some further conversation in +the carriage, in which I asked Lord John whether it was true that +Lord Palmerston had got us likewise into a quarrel with America by our +ships firing at Panama upon an American merchantman; he said neither +he nor Sir Francis Baring had received any news, but Sir Francis had +been quite relieved by Lord Palmerston's quitting, as he could not be +sure a moment that his Fleets were not brought into some scrape! + +On my expressing my conviction that Lord Palmerston could not be very +formidable to the Government, Lord John said: "I hope it will not +come true what Lord Derby (then Lord Stanley) said after the last +Ministerial crisis, when Lord John quizzed him at not having been +able to get a Foreign Secretary--'Next time I shall have Lord +Palmerston.'!" + +ALBERT. + + + + +[Pageheading: COUNT WALEWSKI] + + +_Lord John Russell to Queen Victoria._ + +DOWNING STREET, _23rd December 1851._ + +Lord John Russell presents his humble duty to your Majesty. He has +just seen Count Walewski; he told him that he had an important piece +of intelligence to give him; that your Majesty had been pleased to +make a change in the Foreign Office, and to direct Lord Palmerston to +give up the Seals. + +He wished to give this intelligence that he might accompany it with an +intimation that the policy towards France would continue to be of the +most friendly character, and that there was nothing the Government +more desired than to see a stable and settled Government in France; +that they had every wish for the stability of the present French +Government. Count Walewski said he had received various assurances of +opinion from Lord Palmerston, which he supposed were adopted by Lord +John Russell, and subsisted in force. + +Lord John Russell said: "Not exactly; it is a principle of the English +Government not to interfere in any way with the internal affairs +of other countries; whether France chooses to be a Republic or a +Monarchy, provided it be not a Social Republic, we wish to express no +opinion; we are what we call in England a sheet of white paper in this +respect; all we desire is the happiness and welfare of France." Count +Walewski said it was of importance to the stability of the +President that he should have a large majority; he would then give a +Constitution. + +Lord John Russell said each nation must suit itself in this respect; +we have perhaps been in error in thinking our Constitution could +be generally adopted; some nations it may suit, others may find it +unfitted for them. + + + + +[Pageheading: LORD GRANVILLE APPOINTED] + + +_Queen Victoria to Lord John Russell._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _23rd December 1851._ + +The Queen has just received Lord John Russell's letters, and is much +rejoiced that this important affair has been finally so satisfactorily +settled. + +The Queen returns Lord Clarendon's letter, which she thinks a very +good one.[39] The Queen hopes Count Walewski will have been satisfied, +which she thinks he ought to be. The Queen will receive Lord +Palmerston to deliver up the Seals, and Lord Granville to receive +them, on Friday at half-past two. + + [Footnote 39: Lord Clarendon, in answer to Lord John Russell, + expressed great reluctance to undertake the charge of + the Foreign Office, on the ground that Palmerston, always + suspicions of him, would insist that he had deliberately + undermined his position: while Lord Granville would be popular + with the Court and country.] + + + + +_Lord John Russell to Queen Victoria._ + +DOWNING STREET, _24th December 1851._ + +Lord John Russell submits a private note of Lord Palmerston,[40] which +only shows how unconscious he was of all that the rest of the world +perceived. + + [Footnote 40: In this letter, Lord Palmerston denied the + "charge of violations of prudence and decorum," adding, "I + have to observe that that charge is refuted by the offer + which you made of the Lord-Lieutenancy of Ireland, because I + apprehend that to be an office for the due performance of the + duties of which prudence and decorum cannot well be dispensed + with."] + + + + +_Queen Victoria to Lord John Russell._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _25th December 1861._ + +The Queen has received Lord John Russell's letters, and she returns +the enclosures. + +The articles in the _Times_ are very good; the other papers seem quite +puzzled, and unable to comprehend what has caused Lord Palmerston's +removal from office. Lord Palmerston's letter is very characteristic; +he certainly has the best of the argument, and great care ought to be +taken in bestowing any praise on him, as he always takes advantage of +it to turn against those who meant it merely to soothe him. The Queen +thought that there must be a Council for the swearing in of the new +Secretary of State. + + + + +[Pageheading: LORD GRANVILLE] + + +_Memorandum by the Prince Albert._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _27th December 1851._ + +Yesterday the Council was held, at which the change of Seals was to +take place. We waited for one hour and a half, but Lord Palmerston did +not appear; his Seals had been sent from the Foreign Office to Lord +John Russell! + +Lord John told us he had written to Lord Palmerston, announcing +him the appointment of Lord Granville, and added that in his long +political life he had not passed a week which had been so painful to +him. Lord Palmerston's answer was couched in these terms: "Of course +you will believe that I feel that just indignation at the whole +proceeding which it must produce." + +Lord Lansdowne seemed anxious particularly on account of the +clear symptoms appearing from the papers that both Radicals and +Protectionists are bidding for Lord Palmerston. + +Lord Granville was very much overcome when he had his audience to +thank for his appointment, but seemed full of courage and good-will. +He said it would be as easy to him to avoid Lord Palmerston's faults +as difficult to imitate his good qualities, promised to endeavour to +establish a more decent usage between the Governments in their mutual +communications, by setting the good example himself, and insisting +upon the same on the part of the others; promised not to have anything +to do with the newspapers; to give evening parties, just as Lord +Palmerston had done, to which a good deal of his influence was to +be attributed. He said a Member of Parliament just returned from the +Continent had told him that an Englishman could hardly show himself +without becoming aware of the hatred they were held in; the only +chance one had to avoid being insulted was to say _Civis Romanus non +sum_. + +Lord Granville had been Under-Secretary for Foreign Affairs under Lord +Palmerston for three years from 1837-40, but, as he expressed himself, +rather the sandwich between his principal and the clerks. Lord +Palmerston had in these three years hardly once spoken to him upon any +of the subjects he had to treat. + +ALBERT. + + + + +[Pageheading: PALMERSTON'S ABSENCE EXPLAINED] + + +_Queen Victoria to Lord John Russell._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _27th December 1851._ + +The Queen forgot to remind Lord John Russell yesterday of his +correspondence with Lord Palmerston, which he promised to let her +have. + +The Queen concludes from what Lord John said yesterday that +he intended sounding the Duke of Newcastle relative to the +Lord-Lieutenancy of Ireland. + +Has Lord John ascertained the cause of Lord Palmerston's absence +yesterday? If it was not accidental, she must say she thinks it most +disrespectful conduct towards his Sovereign. + + + + +_Lord John Russell to Queen Victoria._ + +PEMBROKE LODGE, _27th December 1851._ + +Lord John Russell presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and +submits a letter of Lord Palmerston, which explains his not going to +Windsor. It appears to have arisen from a mistake in the message +sent through Lord Stanley, and not from any want of respect to your +Majesty. + + + + +_Viscount Palmerston to Lord John Russell._ + +CARLTON GARDENS, _27th December 1851._ + +MY DEAR JOHN RUSSELL,--I am distressed beyond measure by the note +from you which I have this moment received on my arrival here from +Hampshire. I understood from Stanley that you had desired him to tell +me that if it was inconvenient for me to come up yesterday, I might +send the Seals to you at Windsor, and that my presence would be +dispensed with.[41] Thereupon I sent the Seals up by an early train +yesterday morning to Stanley, that he might send them down to you +as suggested by you, and I desired that they might be taken by a +messenger by the special train. + +I shall be very much obliged to you if you will have the goodness to +explain this matter to the Queen, and I beg you to assure Her Majesty +how deeply grieved I am that what appears to have been a mistake on my +part should have led me to be apparently wanting in due respect to +Her Majesty, than which nothing could possibly be further from my +intention or thoughts. Yours sincerely, + +PALMERSTON. + + [Footnote 41: There is a fuller account given of Lord + Palmerston's version of the whole affair in a letter to his + brother, printed in Ashley's _Life of Lord Palmerston_, vol. + i. p. 315.] + + + + +[Pageheading: THE QUEEN ON FOREIGN POLICY] + + +_Queen Victoria to Lord John Russell._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _28th December 1851._ + +The Queen thinks the moment of the change in the person of Secretary +of State for Foreign Affairs to afford a fit opportunity to have the +principles upon which our Foreign Affairs have been conducted since +the beginning of 1848 reconsidered by Lord John Russell and his +Cabinet. + +The Queen was fully aware that the storm raging at the time on the +Continent rendered it impossible for any statesman to foresee with +clearness and precision what development and direction its elements +would take, and she consequently quite agreed that the line of policy +to be followed, as the most conducive to the interests of England, +could then only be generally conceived and vaguely expressed. + +But although the Queen is still convinced that the general principles +laid down by Lord John at that time for the conduct of our Foreign +Policy were in themselves right, she has in the progress of the last +three years become painfully convinced that the manner in which they +have been _practically applied_ has worked out very different results +from those which the correctness of the principles themselves had led +her to expect. For when the revolutionary movements on the Continent +had laid prostrate almost all its Governments, and England alone +displayed that order, vigour, and prosperity which it owes to a +stable, free, and good Government, the Queen, instead of earning the +natural good results of such a glorious position, viz. consideration, +goodwill, confidence, and influence abroad, obtained the very reverse, +and had the grief to see her Government and herself treated on many +occasions with neglect, aversion, distrust, and even contumely. + +Frequently, when our Foreign Policy was called in question, it has +been said by Lord John and his colleagues that the principles on which +it was conducted were the right ones, and having been approved of +by them, received their support, and that it was only the _personal +manner_ of Lord Palmerston in conducting the affairs which could be +blamed in tracing the causes which led to the disastrous results the +Queen complains of. + +The Queen is certainly not disposed to defend the personal manner in +which Lord Palmerston has conducted Foreign Affairs, but she cannot +admit that the errors he committed were merely _faults in form +and method_, that they were no more than acts of "inconsideration, +indiscretion, or bad taste." The Queen considers that she has also to +complain of what appeared to her deviations from the principles laid +down by the Cabinet for his conduct, nay, she sees distinctly in their +practical application a _personal and arbitrary perversion_ of the +very nature and essence of those principles. She has only to refer +here to Italy, Spain, Greece, Holstein, France, etc., etc., which +afford ample illustrations of this charge. + +It was one thing for Lord Palmerston to have attempted such +substantial deviations; it will be another for the Cabinet to consider +whether they had not the power to check him in these attempts. + +The Queen, however, considering times to have now changed, thinks that +there is no reason why we should any longer confine ourselves to the +mere assertion of abstract principles, such as "non-intervention in +the internal affairs of other countries," "moral support to liberal +institutions," "protection to British subjects," etc., etc. The moving +powers which were put in operation by the French Revolution of 1848, +and the events consequent on it, are no longer so obscure; they +have assumed distinct and tangible forms in almost all the countries +affected by them (in France, in Italy, Germany, etc.), and upon the +state of things now existing, and the experience gained, the Queen +would hope that our Foreign Policy may be _more specifically defined_, +and that it may be considered how the general principles are to be +practically adapted to our peculiar relations with each Continental +State. + +The Queen wishes therefore that a regular programme embracing these +different relations should be submitted to her, and would suggest +whether it would not be the best mode if Lord John were to ask Lord +Granville to prepare such a paper and to lay it before her after +having revised it. + +This would then serve as a safe guide for Lord Granville, and enable +the Queen as well as the Cabinet to see that the Policy, as in future +to be conducted, will be in conformity with the principles laid down +and approved. + + + + +_Lord John Russell to Queen Victoria._ + +PEMBROKE LODGE, _29th December 1851._ + +Lord John Russell presents his humble duty to your Majesty; he has +received your Majesty's communication of yesterday, and will transmit +it to Lord Granville. + +It is to be observed, however, that the traditionary policy of this +country is not to bind the Crown and country by engagements, unless +upon special cause shown, arising out of the circumstances of the day. + +For instance, the Treaty of Quadruple Alliance between England, +France, Spain, and Portugal was contrary to the general principle of +non-intervention; so was the interference in Portugal in 1847, but +were both justified by circumstances. + +Thus it is very difficult to lay down any principles from which +deviations may not frequently be made. + +The grand rule of doing to others as we wish that they should do unto +us is more applicable than any system of political science. The honour +of England does not consist in defending every English officer or +English subject, right or wrong, but in taking care that she does not +infringe the rules of justice, and that they are not infringed against +her.[42] + + [Footnote 42: A summary of Lord Granville's Memorandum in + reply (which was couched in very general terms) will be found + in Lord Fitzmaurice's _Life of Earl Granville_, vol. ii. p. + 49.] + + + + +[Pageheading: AFFAIRS IN FRANCE] + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _30th December 1851._ + +MY DEAREST UNCLE,--Most warmly do I thank you for your kind and +affectionate and interesting letter of the 26th, which I received on +Sunday. All that you say about Lord Palmerston is but too true.... He +_brouilled_ us and the country with every one; and his very first +act precipitated the unfortunate Spanish marriages which was _le +commencement de la fin_. It is too grievous to think how much misery +and mischief might have been avoided. However, now he has done with +the Foreign Office for ever, and "the veteran statesman," as the +newspapers, to our great amusement and I am sure to _his_ infinite +annoyance, call him, must rest upon his laurels.... I fear much lest +they should be imprudent at Claremont; the poor Queen hinted to Mamma +that she hoped you would not become a friend to the President; no +doubt you can have no sympathies for him, but _just because_ you +are related to the poor Orleanses, you feel that you must be doubly +cautious to do nothing which could provoke the enmity of Louis +Napoleon. I fear that poor Joinville _had_ some _mad_ idea of going to +France, which, fortunately, his illness prevented. It would have been +the height of folly. Their only safe policy is to remain entirely +passive _et de se faire oublier_, which was Nemours' expression to +me two years ago; nothing could be wiser or more prudent than he was +then--but I don't think they were wise since. _La Candidature_ of +Joinville was in every way unwise, and led Louis Napoleon to take so +desperate a course. Nemours told me also _last_ year that they were +not at all against a _fusion_, but that they could not _disposer de la +France_, unless called upon to do so by the nation. I wish you would +caution them to be very circumspect and silent--for all the mistakes +made by others is in _their_ favour; in fact, no good for them could +come till Paris is old enough to be his own master--unless indeed +they all returned under Henri V., but a Regency for Paris would be an +impossibility.... + +We spent a very happy Christmas, and now wish you a very happy New +Year--for many succeeding years. Also to the children, who I hope were +pleased with the prints, etc. + +We have got young Prince Nicholas of Nassau here, a pretty, clever boy +of nineteen, with a good deal of knowledge, and a great wish to learn +and hear, which is a rare thing for the young Princes, of our day in +particular. I must stop now, as I fear I have already let my pen +run on for too long, and must beg to be excused for this voluminous +letter. + +With Albert's love ever your devoted Niece, + +VICTORIA R. + + + + +[Pageheading: THE DUKE OF NEWCASTLE] + + +_Queen Victoria to Lord John Russell._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _30th December 1851._ + +The Queen has received Lord John Russell's letters of yesterday. She +quite agrees with him and his colleagues in thinking it of importance +to strengthen the Government, and she is pleased with his proposal to +communicate with the Duke of Newcastle as to what assistance he and +his friends can give to the Government. + +The Queen expects better results from such a negotiation, with an +ostensible head of a Party, than from attempts to detach single +individuals from it, which from a sense of honour they always felt +scruples in agreeing to. + + + + +[Pageheading: THE _TE DEUM_ IN PARIS] + + +_Queen Victoria to Lord John Russell._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _31st December 1851._ + +The Queen sees in the papers that there is to be a _Te Deum_ at Paris +on the 2nd for the success of the _coup d'etat_, and that the Corps +Diplomatique is to be present. She hopes that Lord Normanby will be +told not to attend. Besides the impropriety of his taking part in such +a ceremony, his doing so would entirely destroy the position of Lord +John Russell opposite Lord Palmerston, who might with justice say that +he merely expressed his personal approval of the _coup d'etat_ before, +but since, the Queen's Ambassador had been ordered publicly to thank +God for its success. + + + + +INTRODUCTORY NOTE + +TO CHAPTER XXI + + +Early in 1852, the Whig Government, impaired in public credit by the +removal of Lord Palmerston, attempted once more a coalition with the +Peelites, office being offered to Sir James Graham; the overtures +failed, and soon, after the meeting of Parliament, the ex-Foreign +Secretary, whose version of the cause of his dismissal failed to +satisfy the House of Commons, succeeded in defeating the Government on +their Militia Bill, affairs in France having caused anxiety as to the +national defences. The Government Bill was for the creation of a local +Militia, Lord Palmerston preferring the consolidation of the regular +Militia. A Ministry was formed by Lord Derby (formerly Lord Stanley) +from the Protectionist Party, but no definite statement could be +elicited as to their intention, or the reverse, to re-impose a duty on +foreign corn. Mr Disraeli, who became Chancellor of the Exchequer, and +was the mainspring of the Government policy, showed great dexterity in +his management of the House of Commons without a majority, and carried +a Militia Bill in the teeth of Lord John Russell; but a plan of +partial redistribution failed. The elections held in the summer did +not materially improve the Ministerial position, and, on the meeting +of Parliament in the autumn, the Fiscal Question had to be squarely +faced. After much wrangling, Protection was finally abandoned, and the +Government saved for the moment, but on their House-tax proposals they +were defeated, after an impassioned debate, by a coalition of Whigs, +Peelites, and Radicals, from whom Lord Lansdowne and Lord Aberdeen +(and finally the latter alone) were called upon to construct a +strong representative Government. The Duke of Wellington had died in +September, and his funeral was the signal for an outburst of national +feeling. During the year the Houses of Parliament designed by Sir +Charles Barry, though not absolutely completed, were formally opened +by the Queen; the new House of Lords had already been in use. + +In France, the first result of the _coup d'etat_ was Louis Bonaparte's +election as President for ten years by an immense majority; late +in the year he assumed the Imperial title as Napoleon III., and the +Empire was formally recognised by the majority of the Powers; the +Emperor designed to add to his prestige by contracting a matrimonial +alliance with Princess Adelaide of Hohenlohe. In the East of Europe a +dispute had commenced between France and Russia about the Holy Places +in Palestine. Simultaneously with the death of the Duke of Wellington, +the era of European peace was destined to come to an end, and +Nicholas, encouraged by the advent to power of Aberdeen (whom he +had met in 1844, and with whom he had frankly discussed European +politics), was hoping for the consummation of his scheme for the +partition of Turkey. + +To Great Britain the year was a memorable one, in consequence of the +granting of a Constitution to New Zealand. + + + + +CHAPTER XXI + +1852 + + +[Pageheading: ENGLAND AND DENMARK] + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of Denmark._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _4th January 1852._ + +SIR, MY BROTHER,--I received the letter which your Majesty addressed +to me on the 24th of August last, and in which, after referring to the +necessity for establishing some definite arrangement with regard +to the eventual succession to the Crown of Denmark, your Majesty is +pleased to acquaint me that, in your opinion, such an arrangement +might advantageously be made in favour of your Majesty's cousin, His +Highness the Prince Christian of Gluecksburg,[1] and the issue of his +marriage with the Princess Louisa of Hesse, in favour of whom the +nearer claimants have renounced their rights and titles. + +I trust I need not assure your Majesty of the sincere friendship which +I entertain for you, and of the deep interest which I feel in the +welfare of the Danish Monarchy. It was in accordance with those +sentiments that I accepted the office of mediator between your Majesty +and the States of the German Confederation, and it afforded me the +sincerest pleasure to have been thus instrumental in re-establishing +the relations of peace between your Majesty and those States. + +With regard to the question of the eventual succession to both the +Danish and Ducal Crowns, I have to state to your Majesty that although +I declined to take any part in the settlement of that combination, +it will be a source of great satisfaction to me to learn that an +arrangement has been definitely determined upon equally satisfactory +to your Majesty and to the Germanic Confederation; and whenever it +shall have been notified to me that such an arrangement has been +arrived at, I shall then be ready, in accordance with what was stated +in the Protocol of the 2nd of August 1850, to consider, in concert +with my Allies, the expediency of giving the sanction of an European +acknowledgment to the arrangement which may thus have been made. + +I avail myself with great pleasure of this opportunity to renew to +your Majesty the expression of the invariable attachment and high +esteem with which I am, Sir, my Brother, your Majesty's good Sister, + +VICTORIA R. + + [Footnote 1: Prince Christian of + Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Gluecksburg was named successor + to Frederick VII., King of Denmark by a Treaty signed in + London on the 8th of May 1852; and by the Danish law of + succession (of the 31st of July 1853), he ascended the throne + under the style of Christian IX., on the 15th of November, + 1863. He was the father of His Majesty Frederick VIII., the + present King of Denmark, and of Her Majesty Queen Alexandra + of England; King Christian died in 1906, Queen Louise having + predeceased him in 1898.] + + + + +_Queen Victoria to Lord John Russell._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _15th January 1852._ + +The Queen has received Lord John Russell's letter last night, and +wishes now shortly to repeat what she desired through the Prince, Sir +Charles Wood to explain to Lord John.[2] + +The Queen hopes that the Cabinet will fully consider what their object +is before the proposed negotiation with Sir James Graham be opened. + +Is it to strengthen their _case_ in Parliament by proving that no +means have been left untried to strengthen the Government? or really +to effect a junction with the Peelites? + +If the first is aimed at, the Cabinet will hardly reap any of the +desired advantages from the negotiation, for, shrewd as Sir James +Graham is, he will immediately see that the negotiation has been begun +without a desire that it should succeed, and this will soon become +generally known. + +If the latter, the Queen must observe that there are two kinds of +junctions--one, _a fusion_ of Parties; the other, _the absorption_ of +one Party by the other. For a _fusion_, the Queen thinks the Peelites +to be quite ready; then, however, they must be treated as a political +Party, and no _exclusion_ should be pronounced against particular +members of it, nor should it be insisted upon that the new Government +and Party is still emphatically the _Whig_ party. + +An _absorption_ of the most liberal talents amongst the Peelites into +the Whig Government, the Queen considers unlikely to succeed, and she +can fully understand that reasons of honour and public and private +engagement must make it difficult to members of a political Party to +go over to another in order to receive office. + +Having stated thus much, the Queen gives Lord John full permission to +negotiate with Sir James Graham. + + [Footnote 2: Lord John Russell having vainly attempted to + secure the co-operation of the Duke of Newcastle, announced + the wish of the Cabinet to make overtures to Sir J. Graham.] + + + + +[Pageheading: LOUIS NAPOLEON] + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _20th January 1852._ + +MY DEAREST UNCLE,--Your kind letter of the 16th I received on the +17th, with the newspaper, for which I return my best thanks. The +papers which Stockmar communicated to us are most interesting, and do +the writer the greatest credit. Watchful we certainly shall and must +be. We shall try and keep on the best of terms with the President, who +is extremely sensitive and susceptible, but for whom, I must say, I +have never had any _personal_ hostility; on the contrary, I thought +that during 1849 and 1850 we owed him all a good deal, as he certainly +raised the French Government _de la boue_. But I grieve over the +tyranny and oppression practised since the _coup d'etat_, and it makes +everything very uncertain, for though I believe it in every way +his wish and his policy not to go to war, still, _il peut y etre +entraine_. + +Your position is a peculiarly delicate one, but still, as I again +repeat, I think there is no reason to be alarmed; particularly, I +would _never_ show it. + +The poor Nemours were here from Saturday till yesterday evening with +their dear nice boys, and I think it always does them good. They feel +again as if they were in their own position, and they are diverted +from the melancholy reality and the great sameness of their existence +at Claremont. I found him very quiet and really _not_ bitter, and +disposed to be very prudent,--but seriously alarmed at the possibility +of losing their property, which would be _too_ dreadful and monstrous. +I fear that the candidature and poor Helene's imprudence in talking +are the cause of this cruel persecution. The poor Orleans have really +(and you should write them that) no _truer_ and more faithful friends +than we are--and it is for this reason that I urge and entreat them to +be entirely passive; for _their day_ will come, I feel convinced! + +Now good-bye, my dearest, kindest Uncle. Ever your truly devoted +Niece, + +VICTORIA R. + + + + +_Queen Victoria to Lord John Russell._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _27th January 1852._ + +The Queen has received Lord John Russell's letter of yesterday with +the draft of Bills, and likewise that of to-day enclosing a Memorandum +on the probable effects of the proposed Measure.[3] She has perused +these papers with great attention, but feels that any opinion upon +the future results of the Measure must rest on surmises; she has that +confidence, however, in Lord John's experience and judgment in these +matters, and so strong a conviction that he will have spared no pains +in forming as correct an opinion as may be formed on so problematical +a matter, that she is prepared to come to the decision of approving +the Measure on the strength of Lord John's opinion. She only hopes +that the future may bear it out, and that the character of the House +of Commons may not be impaired. Should this prove the case, the +extension of the privilege of voting for Members will strengthen +our Institutions. The Queen is glad that the clause abolishing the +necessity for every Member of the Government to vacate his seat upon +his appointment[4] should have been maintained. She hopes that the +schedules showing which towns are to be added to existing boroughs +will be drawn up with the greatest care and impartiality, and will +soon be submitted to her. The Queen would be glad if the plan once +proposed of giving to the Queen's University in Ireland the vacant +seat for Sudbury were still carried out, as she feels sure that not +only would it be a great thing for the University and the Colleges, +but a most useful and influential Irish Member would be gained for the +House. + +The Queen takes it for granted that the Bill as approved by her will +be stood by in Parliament, and that Lord John will not allow himself +to be drawn on to further concessions to Democracy in the course of +the debate, and that the introduction of the ballot will be vigorously +opposed by the Government. + + [Footnote 3: The Ministerial Reform Bill.] + + [Footnote 4: The Act of Settlement excluded (as from the + accession of the House of Hanover) the Ministers of State from + the House of Commons; but the 6 Anne, c. 7, modified this, and + made them re-eligible on appointment.] + + + +[Pageheading: DRAFT OF THE SPEECH] + + +_Queen Victoria to Lord John Russell._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _1st February 1852._ + +The Queen has received the draft of the Speech. The passage referring +to the proposed Reform Measure varies so materially from the one +which was first submitted to her that she feels that she ought not to +sanction it without having received some explanation of the grounds +which have led the Cabinet to recommend it in its altered shape. The +Queen will not object to the mode of filling the Offices still vacant +which Lord John Russell proposes. + + + + +[Pageheading: WOMEN AND POLITICS] + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _3rd February 1852._ + +MY DEAREST UNCLE,--My warmest thanks for your kind little letter of +the 30th. Matters are very critical and all Van de Weyer has told +us _n'est pas rassurant_. With such an extraordinary man as Louis +Napoleon, one can never be for one instant safe. It makes me very +melancholy; I love peace and quiet--in fact, I _hate_ politics and +turmoil, and I grieve to think that a spark may plunge us into the +midst of war. Still I think _that_ may be avoided. Any attempt on +Belgium would be _casus belli for us_; _that_ you may rely upon. +Invasion I am not afraid of, but the spirit of the people here is very +great--they are full of defending themselves--and the spirit of the +olden times is in no way quenched. + +In two hours' time Parliament will be opened, and to-night the +explanations between Lord John and Lord Palmerston will take place. I +am _very_ curious _how_ they will go off. The curiosity and anxiety to +hear it is very great. + +I never saw Stockmar better, or more active and more sagacious, or +more kind. To me he is really like a father--only too partial, I +always think. + +Albert grows daily fonder and fonder of politics and business, and +is so wonderfully _fit_ for both--such perspicacity and such +_courage_--and I grow daily to dislike them both more and more. We +women are not _made_ for governing--and if we are good women, we must +_dislike_ these masculine occupations; but there are times which +force one to take _interest_ in them _mal gre bon gre_, and _I_ do, of +course, _intensely_. + +I must now conclude, to dress for the opening of Parliament +... Ever your devoted Niece, + +VICTORIA R. + + + + +_Lord John Russell to Queen Victoria._ + +CHESHAM PLACE, _4th February 1852._ + +Lord John Russell presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and has +the honour to report that the Address was agreed to last night without +a division. + +The explanations between Lord Palmerston and himself were made. Lord +Palmerston made no case, and was not supported by any considerable +party in the House. His approbation of the President's conduct seemed +to confound the Liberal Party, and he did not attempt to excuse his +delay in answering Lord John Russell's letter of the 14th.[5] + +The rest of the debate was desultory and heavy. Mr Disraeli made a +long speech for the sake of making a speech. Mr Roebuck was bitter +without much effect. + +Generally speaking, the appearance of the House was favourable. Sir +James Graham says the next fortnight will clear up matters very much. + +The tone of the House was decidedly pacific. + + [Footnote 5: See _ante_, p. 341.] + + + + +[Pageheading: THE NEW HOUSES OF PARLIAMENT] + + +_Queen Victoria to Lord John Russell._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _4th February 1852._ + +We have learned with much satisfaction that everything went off so +well in the House of Commons last night. Lord John Russell's speech +is a most useful one, and he has given a most lucid definition of the +constitutional position of the Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary +opposite to the Crown. Lord Palmerston's speech is a very weak one, +and he in no way makes out a case for himself. This seems to [be] the +general impression. + +The Houses of Lords and Commons being now almost completed, and the +Queen having entered the House of Lords by the Grand Entrance (which +is magnificent), the Queen thinks this will be the right moment +for bestowing on Mr Barry the knighthood, as a mark of the Queen's +approbation of his great work. + + + + +[Pageheading: PALMERSTON'S DISCOMFITURE] + + +_The Marquis of Normanby to Colonel Phipps._[6] + +ST GEORGE'S HOTEL, _5th February 1852._ + +MY DEAR CHARLES,--Yesterday morning I got a note from John Russell, +saying that all had gone off so well the night before, and Palmerston +had been so flat that he thought it better I should not revive the +subject in the other House, as he had said nothing about me which in +the least required that I should do so. I yielded, of course, to such +an appeal, though there are several points in his speech on which I +could have exposed inaccuracies. The fact is, John has never shown any +consideration for me in the whole of these affairs; but I do not +mean in any way to complain, and am very grateful to him for the very +successful way in which he executed his task on Tuesday. Nothing +can be more universal than the feeling of the utter discomfiture of +Palmerston.[7] I am convinced that what floored him at starting was +that letter of the Queen's,[8] because every one felt that such a +letter would never have been written unless every point in it +could have been proved like a bill of indictment; and then came the +question, how could any man, even feeling he deserved it, go on under +such a marked want of confidence?...[9] + +Aberdeen, whom I saw at Granville's last night, told me that Cardwell +had said to him, that often as he had felt indignant at the arrogance +of "that man," he really pitied him, so complete was his overthrow. +Disraeli said that he had watched him during Johnny's speech, and +doubted whether the hanging of the head, etc., was merely acting; but +before he had spoken two sentences he saw he was a beaten fox. Many +said that the extreme flippancy and insolence of his manner was +more remarkable than ever, from their being evidently assumed with +difficulty. I have always thought Palmerston very much overrated as a +speaker; his great power arose from his not only knowing his subject +better than any one else, but being the only man who knew anything +about it, and using that exclusive knowledge unscrupulously for the +purposes of misrepresentation. + +Thiers was at Lady Granville's last night, and was enchanted with the +spectacle of the Opening. He said that he had been endeavouring for +thirty years to support the cause of Constitutional Monarchy, as the +best Government in the world, and there he saw it in perfection, not +only in its intrinsic attributes, but in the universal respect and +adhesion with which it was received. He said, though he did not +understand a word of English, he could have cried at the Queen's voice +in reading the Speech. He is very "impressionable," and I am convinced +at the time he was quite sincere in his appreciation. + +I am vexed at not having been able to say anything publicly about all +this, as I believe I could have dispelled many misrepresentations; but +it cannot be helped. I have endeavoured throughout not to be selfish, +and I may as well keep up that feeling to the last. Ever, etc. + +NORMANBY. + +I told John Russell last night I regretted that he had vouched for the +intentions of Louis Napoleon. He said he had not done that, but owned +that he had said more than he ought. "The fact is, I did not know what +to say next. I stopped as one sometimes does, so I said that; I had +better have said something else!" Candid and characteristic! + + [Footnote 6: Submitted to the Queen by Colonel Phipps.] + + [Footnote 7: It appears from a Memorandum made about this time + by Prince Albert that when Lord Palmerston's retirement + became known, the Radical constituency of Marylebone wished to + present him with an Address of sympathy, and to invite him to + stand at the next Election, promising him to bring him in. + Sir Benjamin Hall (one of the Members) told them that they + had better wait till the explanation in Parliament had taken + place, for at present they knew nothing about the merits + of the case. This the Committee which had been organised + consented to do. After the Debate on the 4th of February, Sir + Benjamin called upon the Chairman of the Committee to ask him + whether they would still carry out their intention. "No," said + the Chairman; "we have considered the matter: a man who does + not answer the Queen's letters can receive no Address from + us."] + + [Footnote 8: See _ante_, p. 264.] + + [Footnote 9: _Cf._ Greville's account in his Journal, 5th + February 1852. _See_ also p. 368.] + + + +_Queen Victoria to Earl Granville._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _10th February 1852._ + +The Queen returns the enclosed papers. She will not object to the +proposed step[10] should Lord Granville and Lord John Russell have +reason to expect that the Pope will receive Sir H. Bulwer; should he +refuse, it will be doubly awkward. The Queen finds it difficult to +give a decided opinion on the subject, as, first, she does not +know how far the reception of Sir Henry at Rome will overcome the +objections raised to his reception as Resident at Florence. Secondly, +as she has never been able to understand what is to be obtained by a +mission to Rome, a step liable to much misrepresentation here.... + + [Footnote 10: The Tuscan Government declined to receive Sir H. + Bulwer, and it was then proposed to send him to Rome instead.] + + + + +[Pageheading: THE PRINCE AND THE ARMY] + + +_Lord John Russell to the Prince Albert._ + +CHESHAM PLACE, _16th February 1852._ + +SIR,--I have seen the Duke of Wellington this morning, and have given +him the Depot plan. + +It may be useful if your Royal Highness will see him from time to +time in relation to the Army. On the one hand, your Royal Highness's +authority may overcome the indisposition to change which he naturally +entertains; and on the other, his vast experience may be of great use +to your Royal Highness in regard to the future. I have the honour to +be, Sir, your Royal Highness's most dutiful Servant, + +JOHN RUSSELL. + + + + +[Pageheading: THE SLAVE TRADE] + + +_Sir Francis Baring to Queen Victoria._ + +ADMIRALTY, _15th February 1852._ + +Sir Francis Baring presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and begs +to state to your Majesty that despatches have this evening arrived +from Commander Bruce in command of the African Squadron. Commander +Bruce gives an account of an attack on Lagos[11] which was completely +successful. The town of Lagos was captured and in great part burnt. +The resistance appears to have been obstinate and directed with much +skill. Your Majesty's naval Service behaved with their accustomed +gallantry and coolness, but the loss amounted to fourteen killed and +sixty-four wounded. Sir Francis Baring will forward to your Majesty +copies of the despatches to-morrow, with his humble duty. + +F. BARING. + + [Footnote 11: Notorious as a centre of the Slave Trade. The + native king was deposed.] + + + + +_Queen Victoria to Sir Francis Baring._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _16th February 1852._ + +The Queen has received both Sir Francis Baring's letters of the 15th. +The news of the capture and destruction of the town of Lagos has given +us the _greatest_ satisfaction, as it will give a most serious blow to +the iniquitous traffic in slaves. The Rev. Mr Crowther, whom the Queen +saw about two months ago (and whom she believes Sir Francis Baring has +also seen), told us that the slave trade on that part of the African +coast would be at an end if Lagos, the stronghold of its greatest +supporters, was destroyed. The Queen must express to Sir Francis +Baring her sense of the services rendered by Commodore Bruce and the +Officers under him. + + + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _17th February 1852._ + +MY DEAREST UNCLE,--Your dear letter of the 13th reached me on Saturday +here, where we are since Friday afternoon. I am glad that you are +satisfied with Lord Granville's answer. The question shall certainly +be borne in mind, and you may rely on our doing whatever can be +effected to bring about the desired end. I think Louis Napoleon will +find his decrees very difficult to carry out. I am very glad to hear +that you quietly are preparing to strengthen yourself against the +possibility of any attack from France. This will, I think, put Louis +Napoleon on his good behaviour.... + +The extension of the Suffrage[12] was almost unavoidable, and it was +better to do it quietly, and not to wait till there was a cry for +it--to which one would have to yield. The deal there is to do, and the +importance of everything going on at home and abroad, is unexampled +in _my_ recollection and _very_ trying; Albert becomes really a +_terrible_ man of business; I think it takes a little off from the +gentleness of his character, and makes him so preoccupied. I grieve +over all this, as I _cannot_ enjoy these things, _much_ as I interest +myself in _general_ European politics; but I am every day more +convinced that _we women_, _if_ we _are_ to be _good_ women, +_feminine_ and _amiable_ and _domestic_, are _not fitted to reign_; +at least it is _contre gre_ that they drive themselves to the _work_ +which it entails. + +However, this cannot now be helped, and it is the duty of every one to +fulfil all that they are called upon to do, in whatever situation they +may be! + +Mme. van de Weyer thinks your children so grown and improved, and +Charlotte as lovely as ever. With Albert's love, ever your devoted +Niece, + +VICTORIA R. + + [Footnote 12: See _ante_, pp. 294, 324.] + + + + +[Pageheading: THE MILITIA BILL] + + +_Lord John Russell to Queen Victoria._ + +CHESHAM PLACE, _20th February 1852._ +(9.15 P.M.) + +Lord John Russell presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and has +the honour to report that Lord Palmerston has just carried his Motion +for leaving out the word "Local" in the title of the Bill for the +Militia.[13] + +Lord John Russell then declared that he could no longer take charge of +the Bill. Lord Palmerston said he was astonished at the Government for +giving up the Bill for so slight a cause. + +Lord John Russell then said that he considered the vote as tantamount +to a resolution of want of confidence, which remark was loudly cheered +on the other side. + +Sir Benjamin Hall said he wondered the Government did not resign, on +which Lord John again explained that when confidence was withdrawn, +the consequence was obvious. + + [Footnote 13: Events in France had revived anxiety as to the + national defences, and the Government brought in a Bill for + raising a local Militia. To this scheme the Duke of Wellington + had been unfavourable, and Lord Palmerston, by a majority of + eleven, carried an Amendment in favour of re-organising the + "regular" instead of raising a "local" Militia.] + + + + +[Pageheading: THE MINISTRY DEFEATED] + +[Pageheading: RESIGNATION OF THE MINISTRY] + + +_Memorandum by the Prince Albert._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _21st February 1852._ + +Lord John Russell came this morning at twelve o'clock to explain that +after the vote of yesterday[14] it was impossible for him to go on any +longer with the Government. He considered it a vote of censure, and an +entirely unprecedented case not to allow a Minister of the Crown even +to lay his measure on the Table of the House; that he had expected to +the last that the respectable part of the House would see all this, +but there seemed to have been a pre-arranged determination between +Lord Palmerston and the Protectionists to defeat the Government; that +the Peelites also had agreed to vote against them. Sir James Graham +and Mr Cardwell had stayed away, but Mr Gladstone and Mr S. Herbert +had voted against them, the latter even misrepresenting what Lord +John had said. No Government could stand against incessant motions of +censure upon every imaginable department of the Executive Government. +The Prime Minister would either have to take the management of all +the departments into his own hands, and to be prepared to defend every +item, for which he (Lord John) did not feel the moral and physical +power, or he must succumb on those different points which the +Opposition with divided labour could single out. Lord Palmerston's +conduct was the more reprehensible as he had asked him the day before +about his objections to the Bill, and had (he thought) satisfied him +that the four points upon which he had insisted were provided for in +the Bill. + + [Footnote 14: On the Militia Bill.] + +He thought he could not (in answer to the Queen's enquiry) dissolve +Parliament, and that Lord Palmerston had no Party. But he supposed +Lord Derby was prepared to form a Protection Government. This +Government would pass the estimates and the Mutiny Bill, and would +then have to proceed to a Dissolution. Lord John had merely seen Lord +Lansdowne, who had approved of the course he meant to pursue, though +afraid of the imputation that the Government had run away from the +Caffre debate. He had summoned the Cabinet, and would report their +resolution. Speaking of Lord Palmerston, Lord John said he had heard +that Lord Palmerston had said that there was one thing between them +which he could not forgive, and that was his reading the Queen's +Minute to the House of Commons. + +At a quarter past four Lord John came back from the Cabinet, and +formally tendered the resignations of himself and colleagues. The +Cabinet had been unanimous that there was no other course to pursue, +and that it would not be advisable to make use of the Queen's +permission to advise a Dissolution. Lord Granville had ascertained +through Dr Quin from Lord Lyndhurst that Lord Derby was prepared with +an Administration, having obtained Mr Thomas Baring's consent to act +as Leader of the House of Commons. + +Sir Stratford Canning at Constantinople was supposed to be intended +for the Foreign Office. Lord Lyndhurst said, though the materials were +there, they were very bad ones, and it was a question whether they +would stand long. He himself would keep out of place. + +We advised Lord John to keep his Party well under discipline in +Opposition, so that whilst there it did not commit errors which +would become new difficulties for the future Government. He seemed +disinclined for great exertions after the fatigues he had undergone +these last years. He said he thought he would not go on with the +Reform Bill out of office, as that was a measure which ought to be +carried by a Government. If he had again to propose it, he would very +likely alter it a little, reverting to his original plan of taking +away one Member of the two returned by small boroughs, and giving +their seats to some large towns, counties, and corporations like the +Universities, etc. + +Lord John defers taking his formal leave till a new Administration is +formed. + +ALBERT. + + + + +[Pageheading: LORD DERBY SUMMONED] + + +_Queen Victoria to the Earl of Derby._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _21st February 1852._ + +The Queen would wish to see Lord Derby at half-past two to-morrow +should he be in Town; if not, on Monday at twelve o'clock. + + + + +_Memorandum by the Prince Albert._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _22nd February 1852._ + +... Lord Derby said that he could not command a majority in the House +of Lords, that he was in a decided minority in the House of Commons, +and thought that in the critical circumstances in which the country +was placed both at home and abroad, he ought not to ask for a +Dissolution. He must then try to strengthen himself particularly in +the House of Commons by any means he could. There was one person whom +he could not venture to propose for the Foreign Office on account +of what had lately passed, and what he might be allowed to call the +"well-known personal feelings of the Queen"; but Lord Palmerston was +one of the ablest debaters, and might well be offered the post of +Chancellor of the Exchequer. + +The Queen ... would not, by refusing her consent, throw additional +difficulties in Lord Derby's way; she warned him, however, of the +dangerous qualities of [Lord Palmerston]. + +Lord Derby rejoined that he knew them, and thought them pernicious for +the conduct of the Foreign Affairs, but at the Exchequer they would +have less play; he himself would undertake to control him. His +greatest indiscretion--that in the Kossuth affair--must have been with +a view to form a Party; that if left excluded from office, he would +become more dangerous, and might in fact force himself back at the +head of a Party with a claim to the Foreign Office, whilst if he had +ever accepted another Office, his pretensions might be considered +as waived; he (Lord Derby) did not know in the least whether Lord +Palmerston would accept, but in case he did not, the offer would +propitiate him, and render the Government in the House of Commons +more possible, as it would have anyhow all the talent of the late +Government, Peelites and Radicals, to withstand. + +To my question whether Lord Derby fancied he would remain Prime +Minister any length of time, when once Lord Palmerston had got the +lead of the House of Commons, he replied he was not afraid of him; he +felt sure he could control him, although he would not have been able +to admit him to the Foreign Office on account of the very strong +strictures he had passed upon his Foreign Policy at different +times--even if the Queen had allowed it. + + + + +_The Earl of Derby to Queen Victoria._ + +ST JAMES'S SQUARE, _22nd February 1852._ +(_Half-past eight._) + +Lord Derby, with his humble duty, deems it incumbent upon him to +submit to your Majesty without delay that having had an interview this +evening with Lord Palmerston, the latter has, although in the most +friendly terms, declined accepting the Office, upon the ground of +difference of opinion, not on the principle, but on the expediency +of the imposition of any duty, under any circumstances, upon foreign +corn. This was a point which Lord Derby was willing to have left +undecided until the result of a General Election should be known. + +Although this refusal may add materially to Lord Derby's difficulties, +he cannot regret that the offer has been made, as the proposal must +have tended to diminish any feelings of hostility which might have +been productive of future embarrassment to your Majesty's service, to +whatever hands it may be entrusted.... + +The above is humbly submitted by your Majesty's most dutiful Servant +and Subject, + +DERBY. + + + + +[Pageheading: LORD DERBY'S CABINET] + + +_Memorandum by the Prince Albert._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _23rd February 1852._ + +Lord Derby reported progress at half-past two, and submitted a list of +the principal Officers of the Government which follows, and which the +Queen approved. + +The Queen allowed Lord Lyndhurst (who has declined office--has been +Lord Chancellor three times, and now entered upon his eightieth year) +to be offered an Earldom--which he very much desired for the position +of his daughters, having no son. + +After he had kissed hands upon his entering upon his office, Lord +Derby had a further conversation with me on Household appointments. I +told him he must now, as Prime Minister, consider himself to a certain +degree in the position of the Confessor; that formerly the Lord +Chancellor was Keeper of the King's Conscience, the office might be +considered to have descended on the Prime Minister. The Queen must +then be able to confer with him on personal matters, or I, on her +behalf, with the most entire confidence, and that she must be sure +that nothing was divulged which passed between them on these matters, +and he might repose the same confidence in us. As to the formation of +the Household, the Queen made two conditions, viz. that the persons to +compose her Court should not be on the verge of bankruptcy, and +that their moral character should bear investigation. On the Queen's +accession Lord Melbourne had been very careless in his appointments, +and great harm had resulted to the Court therefrom. Since her marriage +I had insisted upon a closer line being drawn, and though Lord +Melbourne had declared "that that damned morality would undo us all," +we had found great advantage in it and were determined to adhere to +it.... + +ALBERT. + + + + +_Queen Victoria to the Duchess of Sutherland._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _23rd February 1852._ + +MY DEAREST DUCHESS,--I cannot say _how deeply_ grieved I am to +think that the event which has just occurred, and which Lord Derby's +acceptance of office has to-day confirmed, will entail your leaving, +for a time, my service. It has been _ever_ a real pleasure to me to +have you with me; my affection and esteem for you, my dearest Duchess, +are great, and we _both_ know what a kind and true friend we have in +you. + +I think that I may rely on your returning to me on a future occasion +whenever that may be, and that I shall frequently have the pleasure of +seeing you, even when you are no longer attached to my person. + +I shall hope to see you soon. The Levee remains fixed for Thursday, +and the transfer of the Officers of the new Government does not take +place till Friday. + +With the Prince's kindest remembrance, and ours to the Duke and +Constance. Believe me always, yours affectionately, + +VICTORIA R. + + + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _24th February 1852._ + +DEAREST UNCLE,--Great and not _very_ pleasant events have happened +since I wrote last to you. I know that Van de Weyer has informed you +of everything, of the really (till the last day) unexpected defeat, +and of Lord Derby's assumption of office, with a very sorry Cabinet. I +believe, however, that it is quite necessary they should have a trial, +and then have done with it. Provided the country remains quiet, and +they are prudent in their Foreign Policy, I shall take the trial as +patiently as I can.... + +Alas! your confidence in our excellent Lord Granville is no longer +of any avail, though I hope ere long he will be at the Foreign Office +again,[15] and I cannot say that his successor,[16] who has never been +in office (as indeed is the case with almost all the new Ministers), +inspires me with confidence. I see that Louis Napoleon has again +seized one of the adherents, or rathermore one of the men of business, +of the poor Orleans.... + +There are some terrible stories from Madrid of people having told the +poor Queen that the King had arranged this attack on her person, and +that she was anxious to abdicate.[17] If you should hear anything of +this kind, be kind enough to tell me of it. With Albert's love (he is +well fagged with business), ever your devoted Niece, + +VICTORIA R. + + [Footnote 15: Lord Granville held the Foreign Secretaryship in + 1870-1874, and again in 1880-1885.] + + [Footnote 16: Lord Malmesbury.] + + [Footnote 17: The Queen was stabbed by a priest when returning + from church.] + + + + +[Pageheading: LORD MALMESBURY] + + +_Queen Victoria to the Earl of Derby._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _24th February 1852._ + +The Queen thinks that it would be of the highest importance that not +only Lord Malmesbury (as is always usual) should receive the necessary +information from Lord Granville, but that Lord Derby should see him +and hear from him the state of all the critical questions now pending +on Foreign Affairs. Lord Granville has made himself master in a very +short time of all the very intricate subjects with which his +Office has to deal, and she must here bear testimony to the extreme +discretion, good sense, and calmness with which he has conducted the +very responsible and difficult post of Foreign Secretary. + + + + +[Pageheading: NEW APPOINTMENTS] + + +_The Earl of Derby to the Prince Albert._ + +ST JAMES'S SQUARE, _25th February 1852._ (_5_ P.M.) + +SIR,--I have delayed longer than I could have wished acknowledging the +letter which I had the honour to receive from your Royal Highness last +night, in hopes that by this time I should have been enabled to solve +the difficulties connected with the Household Appointments; but I +regret to say they are rather increased than otherwise. I will not +trouble your Royal Highness now with any details; but if I might be +honoured with an audience at any hour after the Levee to-morrow, I +shall perhaps be able to make a more satisfactory report, and at all +events to explain the state of affairs more fully. + +In the meantime, it may save Her Majesty some trouble if I request +that your Royal Highness will have the goodness to lay before Her +Majesty the enclosed list of Appointments which, subject to Her +Majesty's approval, I have arranged in the course of this day. The +Admiralty List found its way most improperly into some of the morning +papers before I was even aware that the Duke of Northumberland had +finally obtained the assent of the Officers whom he had selected. + +As it is possible that the Queen may not be acquainted with the name +of Colonel Dunne, I have the honour of enclosing a letter respecting +him which I have received from Lord Fitzroy Somerset, since I had +intimated to him my intention of submitting his name to Her Majesty, +and which is highly satisfactory. + +I must beg your Royal Highness to offer to the Queen my most humble +and grateful acknowledgment of the kindness which Her Majesty has +evinced in endeavouring to facilitate the progress of the Household +arrangements. + +I have the honour to be, Sir, Your Royal Highness's most obedient +Servant, + +DERBY. + + + + +[Pageheading: LOUIS NAPOLEON] + + +_Memorandum by Queen Victoria._[18] + +THURSDAY, _26th February 1852._ + +Lord Derby came to Albert at half-past three, and Albert called me in +at a little after four.... + +Lord Derby told us he meant to proceed as speedily as possible +with the defences of the country, and that his plan for the Militia +entirely coincided with Albert's plan (viz. he (Albert) wrote on the +subject to the Duke of Wellington, who _did not_ like it),[19] and +meant to try and avoid all the objections. On his observing that +no one had entirely understood the Government Bill, I said that the +Government had not even been allowed to bring it in, which was a most +unfair proceeding; upon which Lord Derby reiterated his professions +of this being no preconcerted plan of his Party's, but that it was +"symptomatic"; he, however, was obliged to own that it was rather hard +and not quite fair on the late Government. + +I then explained to him the arrangement respecting the drafts from the +Foreign Office going first to him before they came to me, and wished +this should be continued, which he promised should be done, as well as +that all important Colonial despatches should be sent to me. Touched +upon the various critical questions on the Continent.... Lord Derby +said that all Louis Napoleon's views were contained in his book _Idees +Napoleoniennes_ written in '39, for that he was more a man of "_Idees +fixes_" than any one; and in this book he spoke of gaining territory +by _diplomacy_ and not by war. Lord Derby gave us a note from Louis +Napoleon to Lord Malmesbury, congratulating him on his appointment, +professing the most friendly and pacific intentions, and hoping the +Cowleys would (as they do) remain at Paris. + +VICTORIA R. + + [Footnote 18: Extract from Her Majesty's _Journal_.] + + [Footnote 19: This Memorandum is given in chap. xlv. of the + _Life of the Prince Consort_.] + + + + +[Pageheading: FAREWELL AUDIENCES] + +[Pageheading: LORD DERBY'S PROGRAMME] + +[Pageheading: LORD DERBY AND THE CHURCH] + + +_Memorandum by the Prince Albert._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _27th February 1852._ + +To-day the formal change of Government took place. The old Ministers +who had Seals to give up assembled at half-past eleven, and had their +Audiences in the following order: + +_Sir George Grey_ was very much overcome; promised at our request to +do what he could to keep his friends moderate and united. Spoke well +of his successor, Mr Walpole, and assured the Queen that he left the +country in a most quiet and contented state. + +_Lord Grey_ was sorry that the resignation had taken place before the +Caffre Debate, in which he had hoped to make a triumphant defence; he +was sure it must have come to this from the way in which Lord John had +managed matters. He had never had his measures thoroughly considered +when he brought them forward. He (Lord Grey) had had to remonstrate +very strongly about this Militia Bill, which had not even been laid, +printed, before the Cabinet, and had not been discussed at all; +he himself had objected to the greater part of it, and had always +expected to have an opportunity of making his opinion heard; instead +of spending Christmas at Woburn he ought to have digested his +measures; this was not fair to his colleagues, and he could never have +the same confidence in Lord John as before. We urged him to forget +what had passed and to do the best for the future; that it was +important the Party should be kept together and should unite if +possible with the Peelites, so that the Queen might hope to get a +strong Government. Lord Grey thought there was little chance of this. +The next Government could never be as moderate again as this had been; +this he had always dreaded, and was the reason why he lamented that +Lord John had failed in his negotiation with the Peelites this winter, +upon Lord Palmerston's dismissal; but the fact was Lord John had never +wished it to succeed, and it had been unfair that he had not stated +to them (the Peelites) that all his colleagues were ready to give up +their places. + +_Lord Granville_ had seen Lord Malmesbury several times, who appeared +to him to take pains about informing himself on the state of Foreign +Affairs, but seemed inclined to be ambitious of acquiring the merit of +being exclusively _English_ in his policy; this was quite right, but +might be carried too far; however, Lord Malmesbury was cautious and +moderate. + +_The Chancellor of the Exchequer_ (_Sir Charles Wood_) was not +surprised at the fate of the Government, although they had not +expected to be defeated on the Militia Bill; in fact, a division had +hardly been looked for, as Lord John had talked the day before with +Lord Palmerston, and satisfied him that all his objections should be +provided against in the Bill. He thought it was better, however, that +the Caffre Debate had not been waited for, which must have been a +personal and very acrimonious one. He thought Lord Grey had not been +very discreet in his language to the Queen on Lord John. Sir J. Graham +had been in a difficulty with his own Party, and therefore had not +wished to encourage Lord John's negotiation with the Peelites. He +promised that, for his part, he would do all he could to keep his +Party from doing anything violent, but that he was afraid many others +would be so, and that he and Lord Grey had in vain tried to persuade +Mr Cobden to remain quiet. + +Lord Derby had then an Audience to explain what should be done at the +Council. He regretted the Duchess of Northumberland's declining to +be Mistress of the Robes, on account of ill-health, which had been +communicated to the Queen by her father, Lord Westminster. He proposed +the Duchess of Argyll, whom the Queen allowed to be sounded (though +feeling certain, that, considering the Liberal views of her husband, +she will not accept it), and sanctioned his sounding also the Duchess +of Athole, whom the Queen wished to make the offer to, in case the +Duchess of Argyll declined. Lord Derby stated the difficulty he was +in with Sir A. B., whose wife had never been received at Court or +in society, although she had run away with him when he was still at +school, and was nearly seventy years old. The Queen said it would +not do to receive her now at Court, although society might do in that +respect what it pleased; it was a principle at Court not to receive +ladies whose characters are under a stigma. + +We now proceeded to the Council, which was attended only by three +Councillors, the other seventeen having all had to be sworn in as +Privy Councillors first.[20] + + [Footnote 20: _See_ Disraeli's _Endymion_ (chap. c.) for a + graphic description of this remarkable scene.] + +After the Council Lord Hardinge was called to the Queen, and explained +that he accepted the Ordnance only on the condition that he was not +to be expected to give a vote which would reverse the policy of Sir +R. Peel, to which he had hitherto adhered. He had thought it his duty, +however, not to refuse his services to the Crown after the many marks +of favour he had received from the Queen. + +Lord Derby then had an Audience to explain what he intended to state +in Parliament this evening as the programme of his Ministerial Policy. +It was very fluent and very able, but so completely the same as the +Speech which he has since delivered, that I must refer to its account +in the reports. When he came to the passage regarding the Church, +the Queen expressed to him her sense of the importance not to have +_Puseyites_ or _Romanisers_ recommended for appointments in the Church +as bishops or clergymen. Lord Derby declared himself as decidedly +hostile to the Puseyite tendency, and ready to watch over the +Protestant character of the Church. He said he did not pretend to give +a decided opinion on so difficult and delicate a point, but it had +struck him that although nobody could think in earnest of reviving the +old Convocation, yet the disputes in the Church perhaps could be most +readily settled by some Assembly representing the laity as well as +the clergy. I expressed it as my opinion that some such plan would +succeed, provided the Church Constitution was built up from the +bottom, giving the Vestries a legislative character in the parishes +leading up to Diocesan Assemblies, and finally to a general one. + +On Education he spoke very liberally, but seemed inclined to support +the views of the bishops against the so-called "management clauses" +of the Privy Council, viz. not to allow grants to schools even if +the parish should prefer the bishops' inspection to the Privy Council +inspection. + +ALBERT. + + + + +_The Earl of Derby to Queen Victoria._ + +ST JAMES'S SQUARE, _27th February 1852._ +(_Half-past seven_ P.M.) + +Lord Derby, with his humble duty, hastens to acquaint your Majesty, +having just returned from the House of Lords, that his statement, +going over the topics the substance of which he had the honour of +submitting to your Majesty was, as far as he could judge, favourably +received. Earl Grey attempted to provoke a Corn Law discussion, but +the feeling of the House was against the premature introduction of so +complicated and exciting a topic. Lord Aberdeen, dissenting from any +alteration of commercial policy, entirely concurred in Lord Derby's +views of Foreign Affairs, and of the course to be adopted in dealing +with Foreign Nations. Lord Derby did not omit to lay stress upon +"the strict adherence, in letter and in spirit, to the obligations of +Treaties," which was well received. + + + + +_The King of the Belgians to Queen Victoria._ + +LAEKEN, _5th March 1852._ + +MY DEAREST VICTORIA,--I have to offer my affectionate thanks for a +most gracious and long letter of the 2nd. + +Within these days we have not had anything very important, but, +generally speaking, there has been, at least in appearance, a quieter +disposition in the ruling power at Paris. We are here in the awkward +position of persons in hot climates, who find themselves in company, +for instance in their beds, with a snake; they must _not move, because +that irritates_ the creature, but they can hardly remain as they are, +without a fair chance of being bitten.... Your devoted Uncle, + +LEOPOLD R. + + + + +[Pageheading: FOREIGN AFFAIRS] + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +OSBORNE, _9th March 1852._ + +MY DEAREST UNCLE,--Your dear letter of the 5th reached me just after +we arrived here, at our sweet, peaceful little abode. + +It seems that Louis Napoleon's mind is chiefly engrossed with +measures for the interior of France, and that the serious question +of Switzerland is becoming less menacing. On the other hand, Austria +behaves with a hostility, and I must say folly, which prevents all +attempts at reconciliation. All the admirers of Austria consider +Prince Schwartzenberg[21] a madman, and the Emperor Nicholas said that +he was "Lord Palmerston in a white uniform." What a calamity this is +at the present moment! + +We have a most talented, capable, and courageous Prime Minister, but +all his people have no experience--have never been in _any sort_ of +office before! + +On Friday the House of Commons meets again, and I doubt not great +violence will be displayed. + +With every kind love to my dear Cousins, ever your very devoted Niece, + +VICTORIA R. + + [Footnote 21: Prime Minister of Austria. He died in the April + following.] + + + + +_Colonel Phipps to Queen Victoria._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _10th March 1852._ + +Colonel Phipps' humble duty to your Majesty. + +He has this day visited the Marionette Theatre, and feels quite +certain not only that it would not be a suitable theatre for your +Majesty to visit, but that your Majesty would derive no amusement from +it. + +The mechanism of the puppets is only passable, and the matter of +the entertainment stupid and tiresome, consisting in a great part of +worn-out old English songs, such as "The death of Nelson"! Colonel +Phipps considers "Punch" a much more amusing performance. Lady Mount +Edgecumbe, who was in a box there, would probably give your Majesty an +account of it.... + +_The report in London is_, that Lord John Russell is to recommend +moderation at the meeting at his house to-morrow. He has, very +foolishly, subjected himself to another rebuff from Lord Palmerston +by inviting him to attend that meeting, which Lord Palmerston has +peremptorily refused. Since that, however, Lady Palmerston has +called upon Lady John with a view to a _personal_--not +political--reconciliation. Lady Palmerston, as Colonel Phipps hears, +still persists in the unfounded accusation against Lord John of having +quoted your Majesty's Minute in the House of Commons without giving +Lord Palmerston notice of his intention.[22] + + [Footnote 22: Palmerston, however, admitted the contrary + (_Life of the Prince Consort_, vol. ii. chap. xliv.).] + + + + +[Pageheading: DEMOCRACY] + + +_The King of the Belgians to Queen Victoria._ + +LAEKEN, _12th March 1852._ + +MY DEAREST VICTORIA,--I have to thank you for a most kind letter from +peaceful Osborne, which must doubly appear so to you now, after all +the troubles of the recent Ministerial arrangements. I am glad that +you are struck with the good qualities of your new Premier. I am +sure his great wish will be to make the best possible Minister of the +Crown. His task will be very difficult. "Bread, cheap bread," "the +poor oppressed by the _aristocratie_," etc.--a whole vocabulary of +exciting words of that kind will be put forward to inflame the popular +mind; and of all the Sovereigns, the Sovereign "People" is certainly +one of the most fanciful and fickle. Our neighbour in France shows +this more than any other on the whole globe; the Nation there is +_still_ the _Sovereign_, and this renders the President absolute, +because he is the representative of the supreme will of the _supreme +Nation_, sending us constantly some new exiles here, which is very +unpleasant. We are going on very gently, merely putting those means of +defence a little in order, which ought by rights always to be so, if +it was not for the ultra-unwise economy of Parliaments and Chambers. +Without, at least, comparative security by means of well-regulated +measures of defence, no country, be it great or small, can be +considered as possessing National Independence. I must say that in +Austria, at least Schwartzenberg, they are very much intoxicated. I +hope they will grow sober again soon. It was very kind of you to +have visited the poor Orleans Family. Rarely one has seen a family so +struck in their affections, fortunes, happiness; and it is a sad case. +Those unfortunate Spanish marriages have much contributed to it; +even angelic Louise had been caught by _l'honneur de la maison de +Bourbon_.... Your devoted Uncle, + +LEOPOLD R. + + + + +[Pageheading: THE NEW MILITIA BILL] + + +_Queen Victoria to the Earl of Derby._ + +OSBORNE, _12th March 1852._ + +The Queen must now answer Lord Derby on the questions which form the +subjects of his three last communications. + +With regard to the Militia Bill, she must admit that her suggestions +are liable to the objections pointed out by Lord Derby, although they +would offer advantages in other respects. The Queen will therefore +sanction the measure as proposed, and now further explained by Lord +Derby. + +The despatches transmitted from the Foreign Office referring to +the Swiss question[23] could not fail to give the Queen as much +satisfaction as they did to Lord Derby, as they show indications of +a more conciliatory intention, _for the present_ at least. As +Switzerland has yielded, France and Austria ought to be satisfied, and +the Queen only hopes we may not see them pushing their demands further +after a short interval! + +The probability of a war with the Burmese is a sad prospect. The +Queen thinks, however, that the view taken by Lord Dalhousie of the +proceedings at Rangoon, and of the steps now to be taken to preserve +peace, is very judicious, and fully concurs with the letter sent +out by the Secret Committee. She now returns it, together with the +despatch. + +The despatches from Prince Schwartzenberg to Count Buol are +satisfactory in one sense, as showing a readiness to return to the +English Alliance, but unfortunately only under the supposition that +we would make war upon liberty together; they exhibit a profound +ignorance of this country.[24] The Queen is quite sure that Lord +Derby will know how to accept all that is favourable in the Austrian +overtures without letting it be supposed that we could for a moment +think of joining in the policy pursued at this moment by the great +Continental Powers. As Lord Derby's speech has been referred to by +Prince Schwartzenberg, it would furnish the best text for the answer. +The President seems really to have been seriously ill. + + [Footnote 23: The French had been pressing the Swiss + Government to expel refugees, and Austria supported the French + President.] + + [Footnote 24: Lord Derby had urged that a more conciliatory + message should accompany Lord Granville's last despatch, + which, because of its unfriendly tone, Count Buol had delayed + sending on to Vienna. The precise language (he said) must + depend on what information Count Buol could supply.] + + + + +_Queen Victoria to the Earl of Derby._ + +OSBORNE, _14th March 1852._ + +The Queen has received this morning Lord Derby's letter respecting the +St Albans' Disfranchisement Bill, and is glad to hear that Lord Derby +means to take up this Bill as dropped by the late Government. Whether +the mode of transferring these seats proposed by Lord Derby will meet +with as little opposition in Parliament as he anticipates, the Queen +is not able to form a correct judgment of. It may be liable to +the imputation of being intended to add to the power of the landed +interest. This might not be at all objectionable in itself, but it may +be doubtful how far the House of Commons may be disposed to concur in +it at the present moment. This will be for Lord Derby to consider, but +the Queen will not withhold her sanction from the measure. + +She knows that Lord John Russell meant to give the vacant seats +to Birkenhead. Are not there two seats still vacant from the +Disfranchisement of Sudbury? and would it not be better (if so) to +dispose of all four at the same time? There is an impression also +gaining ground that, with a view to prevent the Franchise being given +exclusively to _Numbers_, to the detriment of _Interests_, it might be +desirable to give new seats to certain corporate bodies, such as the +Scotch Universities, the Temple and Lincoln's Inn, the East India +Company, etc., etc.[25] + + [Footnote 25: The Government eventually proposed that the four + seats taken from St Albans and Sudbury should be assigned to + South Lancashire and the West Riding; but, on the ground that + a Ministry on sufferance should confine itself to necessary + legislation, Mr Gladstone induced the House by a great + majority to shelve the proposal.] + + + + +[Pageheading: MR DISRAELI] + +[Pageheading: THE OPPOSITION] + + +_Mr Disraeli to Queen Victoria._ + +HOUSE OF COMMONS, _15th March 1852._ +(_Monday night._) + +The Chancellor of the Exchequer, with his humble duty to your Majesty, +informs your Majesty of what occurred in the House of Commons this +evening. + +Mr Villiers opened the proceedings, terse and elaborate, but not in +his happiest style. He called upon the House to contrast the state of +the country at the beginning of the year and at the present moment. +But he could not induce the House to believe that "all now was +distrust and alarm." + +The Chancellor of the Exchequer, in reply, declined to bring forward +in the present Parliament any proposition to change our commercial +system, and would not pledge himself to propose in a future Parliament +any duty on corn. He said a duty on corn was a measure, not a +principle, and that if preferable measures for the redress of +agricultural grievances than a five-shilling duty on corn (mentioned +by Mr Villiers) could be devised, he should adopt them--a declaration +received with universal favour on the Government side. + +Lord John Russell replied to the Chancellor of the Exchequer in +consequence of some notice by the former of the strange construction +of a new Opposition to force a Dissolution of Parliament by a Minister +who, three weeks ago, had declared such Dissolution inexpedient. It +was not a successful speech. + +The great speech on the Opposition side was that of Sir James Graham: +elaborate, malignant, mischievous. His position was this: that Lord +Derby, as a man of honour, was bound to propose taxes on food, and +that if he did so, revolution was inevitable. + +Mr Gladstone and Lord Palmerston both spoke in the same vein, +the necessity of immediate Dissolution after the passing of +the "necessary" measures; but the question soon arose, What is +"necessary"? + +Lord Palmerston thought the Militia Bill "necessary," upon which the +League[26] immediately rose and denied that conclusion. + +There seemed in the House a great reluctance to avoid a violent +course, but a very general wish, on the Opposition side, for as speedy +a Dissolution as public necessity would permit. + +The evening, however, was not disadvantageous to the Government. All +which is most humbly submitted to your Majesty, by your Majesty's most +dutiful Subject and Servant, + +B. DISRAELI. + + [Footnote 26: The members belonging to the Manchester School + of Politics.] + + + + +[Pageheading: THE QUESTION OF DISSOLUTION] + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +OSBORNE, _17th March 1852._ + +MY DEAREST UNCLE,--I delayed writing till to-day as I wished to see +the papers first, and be able to give you an account of the first +Debate in the two Houses. They are not satisfactory, because both Lord +Derby and Mr Disraeli refuse to give a straightforward answer as to +their policy, the uncertainty as to which will do serious harm.[27] +The Opposition are very determined, and _with_ right, to insist on +this being given, and on as early a Dissolution as possible. The +Government will be forced to do this, but it is very unwise, after all +_this_ agitation for the last five years and a half, _not_ [to] come +forward manfully and to state what they intend to do. We tried to +impress Lord Derby with the necessity of this course, and I hoped we +had succeeded, but his speech has not been what it ought to have been +in this respect. + +The President seems more occupied at home than abroad, which I trust +he may remain. + +Stockmar is well.... _One_ thing is pretty _certain_--that _out_ of +the _present state_ of confusion and discordance, a _sound state_ of +_Parties_ will be obtained, and _two Parties_, as of old, will again +exist, without which it is _impossible_ to have a _strong_ Government. +_How_ these Parties will be formed it is impossible to say at present. +Now, with Albert's love, ever your devoted Niece, + +VICTORIA R. + + [Footnote 27: This uncertainty led to the Anti-Corn-Law + League, which had been dissolved in 1846, being revived.] + + + + +_Mr Disraeli to Queen Victoria._ + +HOUSE OF COMMONS, _19th March 1852._ +(_Friday night, twelve o'clock._) + +The Chancellor of the Exchequer, with his humble duty to your Majesty, +lays before your Majesty what has taken place in the House of Commons +to-night. + +At the commencement of public business, Lord John Russell, in a very +full House, after some hostile comments, enquired of Her Majesty's +Ministers whether they were prepared to declare that Her Majesty will +be advised to dissolve the present Parliament, and call a new one, +with the least possible delay consistent with a due regard to the +public interest, in reference to measures of _urgent_ and _immediate_ +necessity. + +The question was recommended by Lord John Russell as one similar to +that put to him in 1841 by Sir Robert Peel. + +The Chancellor of the Exchequer in reply observed that there was a +distinction between the position of the present Ministry and that +of Lord John Russell in 1841, as in that and in the other precedents +quoted in 1841 by Sir Robert Peel, the Ministry had been condemned by +a vote of the House of Commons. + +He said it was not constitutional and most impolitic for any Ministers +to pledge themselves to recommend their Sovereign to dissolve +Parliament at any stated and specific time, as circumstances might +occur which would render the fulfilment of the pledge injurious or +impracticable; that it was the intention of the Ministers to recommend +your Majesty to dissolve the present Parliament the moment that such +measures were carried which were necessary for your Majesty's service, +and for the security _and good government_ of your Majesty's realm; +and that it was their wish and intention that the new Parliament +should meet to decide upon the question of confidence in the +Administration, and on the measures, which they could then bring +forward in the course of the present year. + +This announcement was very favourably received. + +The discomfiture of the Opposition is complete, and no further mention +of stopping or limiting supplies will be heard of. + +All which is most humbly submitted to your Majesty by your Majesty's +most dutiful Subject and Servant, + +B. DISRAELI. + + + + +[Pageheading: INTERVIEW WITH LORD DERBY] + +[Pageheading: PROTECTION] + + +_Memorandum by the Prince Albert._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _22nd March 1852._ + +We came to Town from Osborne the day before yesterday, and saw Lord +Derby yesterday afternoon, who is in very good spirits about the +prospect of affairs. He told the Queen that he thought he might state +that the Government had gained a good deal of ground during the +last week, and that there was now a general disposition to let the +necessary measures pass Parliament, and to have the dissolution the +end of June or beginning of July. He hoped the Queen did not think +he had gone too far in pledging the Crown to a Dissolution about that +time; but it was impossible to avoid saying as much as that a new +Parliament would meet in the autumn again, and have settled the +commercial policy before Christmas. + +To the Queen's questions, whether there would not be great excitement +in the country produced by the General Election, and whether +Parliament ought not to meet immediately after it, he replied that he +was not the least afraid of much excitement, and that there was +great advantage in not meeting Parliament immediately again, as the +Government would require a few months to prepare its measures, and to +take a sound view of the new position of affairs. He anticipated that +there would be returned a large proportion of Conservatives, some Free +Traders, some Protectionists; but not a majority for the re-imposition +of a duty on corn, _certainly_ not a majority large enough to justify +him in proposing such a Measure. Now he was sure he could not with +honour or credit abandon that Measure unless the country had given its +decision against it; but then he would have most carefully to consider +how to revise the general state of taxation, so as to give that relief +to the agricultural interest which it had a right to demand. + +He had received the most encouraging and flattering letters from the +agriculturists of different parts of the country, all reposing the +most explicit confidence in him, and asking him not to sacrifice the +Government for the sake of an immediate return to Protection. They +felt what Lord Derby must say he felt himself, that, after the fall of +this Government, there would necessarily come one of a more democratic +tendency than any the country had yet had to submit to. He thought +most politicians saw this, and would rally round a Conservative +standard; he knew that even many of the leading Whigs were very much +dissatisfied with the company they find themselves thrown into and +alarmed at the progress of Democracy. + +ALBERT. + + + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _23rd March 1852._ + +... Here matters have improved rather for the Government, and it seems +now that they will be able to get through the Session, to dissolve +Parliament at the end of June or beginning of July, and to meet again +in November. And then Protection will be done away with. If only they +had not done so much harm, and played with it for six long years! What +you say of the advantage of having had Governments from all parties +we have often felt and do feel; it renders changes much less +disagreeable. In the present case our acquaintance is confined almost +entirely to Lord Derby, but then _he is_ the Government. They do +_nothing_ without him. He has all the Departments to look after, and +on being asked by somebody if he was not much tired, he said: "I am +quite well with my babies!..." + +VICTORIA R. + + + + +_Mr Disraeli to Queen Victoria._ + +HOUSE OF COMMONS, _29th March 1852._ +(_Monday night._) + +The Chancellor of the Exchequer, with his humble duty to your Majesty, +informs your Majesty of what has occurred in the House of Commons +to-night. + +Mr Secretary Walpole introduced the Militia Bill in a statement +equally perspicuous and persuasive. + +Opposed by Mr Hume and Mr Gibson, the Government Measure was cordially +supported by Lord Palmerston. + +Lord John Russell, while he expressed an opinion favourable to +increased defence, intimated a preference for regular troops. + +Mr Cobden made one of his cleverest speeches, of the cosmopolitan +school, and was supported with vigour by Mr Bright. A division is +threatened by the ultra-Movement party, but the Chancellor of the +Exchequer hopes to ward it off, and is somewhat sanguine of ultimate +success in carrying the Measure. + + + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _30th March 1852._ + +MY DEAREST UNCLE,--Many thanks for your dear letter of the 26th, +which I received on Saturday. Here we shall have some trouble with +our Militia Bill, which all of a sudden seems to have caused +dissatisfaction and alarm. Lord Derby is quite prepared to drop +Protection, as he knows that the Elections will bring a Free Trade, +though a Conservative majority. Mr Disraeli (_alias_ Dizzy) writes +very curious reports to me of the House of Commons proceedings--much +in the style of his books.... + + + + +[Pageheading: ENGLAND AND ITALY] + + +_Queen Victoria to the Earl of Derby._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _10th April 1852._ + +The Queen hopes that both Lord Derby and Lord Malmesbury will give +their earnest attention to the change in the politics of Italy, which +is evidently on the point of taking place, according to the enclosed +despatch from Mr Hudson.[28] What Count Azeglio[29] says in his +Memorandum with respect to Austria is perfectly just. But France, as +the champion of Italian liberty and independence, would become most +formidable to the rest of Europe, and Louis Napoleon, in assuming for +her this position, would be only following the example of his uncle, +which we know to be his constant aim.[30] + + [Footnote 28: British Envoy at Turin.] + + [Footnote 29: Premier of Sardinia.] + + [Footnote 30: Lord Derby in reply, after reviewing the whole + matter, counselled non-interference, the keeping of a vigilant + watch on French and Austrian actions, encouragement of + Sardinia in her constitutional action, and the making use of + any opportunity to secure both the independence of Piedmont + and the reform of the Papal Administration.] + + + + +[FRANCE AND ITALY] + + +_Queen Victoria to the Earl of Derby._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _13th April 1852._ + +The Queen has received Lord Derby's letter of the 11th inst., in which +he states very clearly the difficulties which stand in the way of an +active interference of this country in the affairs of Italy. The Queen +did not mean to recommend in her letter of the 10th on this subject +any active interference, as she is of opinion that our present want +of due influence in Italy is chiefly owing to our former ill-judged +over-activity. The Queen agrees therefore entirely with Lord Derby +in thinking that "all that can be done now is carefully to watch the +proceedings of France and Austria in this matter, so as to profit by +every good opportunity to protect the independence of Piedmont, and, +if possible, produce some improvement in the internal Government of +Rome," and she would accordingly like to see her respective Foreign +Ministers instructed in this sense. + +The Queen continues, however, to look with apprehension to the +possible turn which the affairs of Italy may take, proceeding from the +political views of the President. It is not improbable that he may act +now that he is omnipotent upon the views contained in his celebrated +letter to Edgar Ney in 1849, which were at the time disapproved by +the Assembly.[31] He will feel the necessity of doing something to +compensate the French for what they have lost by him at home, to +turn their attention from home affairs to those abroad, and to the +acquisition of power and influence in Europe; and certainly, were he +to head Italian liberty and independence, his power of doing mischief +would be immense. After all, such an attempt would not be more +inconsistent for him than it was for General Cavaignac, as President +of the _Republique Democratique_, to get rid of the Roman Republic, +and to reinstate the Pope by force of arms. + +The Queen wishes Lord Derby to communicate this letter to Lord +Malmesbury, from whom she has also just heard upon this subject. + + [Footnote 31: In this letter the President of the Republic had + expressed his admiration at the conduct of the French troops + in the Roman expedition under General Oudinot, and his warm + approval of the policy that led to the campaign.] + + + + +_Mr Disraeli to Queen Victoria._ + +HOUSE OF COMMONS, _19th April 1852._ +(_Monday night, half-past twelve._) + +The Chancellor of the Exchequer, with his humble duty to your Majesty, +reports to your Majesty that, after a dull debate, significant only +by two of the subordinate Members of the late Administration declaring +their hostility to the Militia Bill, Lord John Russell rose at eleven +o'clock and announced his determination to oppose the second +reading of it.[32] His speech was one of his ablest--statesmanlike, +argumentative, terse, and playful; and the effect he produced was +considerable. + +Your Majesty's Government, about to attempt to reply to it, gave way +to Lord Palmerston, who changed the feeling of the House, and indeed +entirely carried it away in a speech of extraordinary vigour and +high-spirited tone. + +The Ministers were willing to have taken the division on his Lordship +sitting down, but as the late Government wished to reply, the +Chancellor of the Exchequer would not oppose the adjournment of the +debate. + +The elements of calculation as to the division are very complicated, +but the Chancellor of the Exchequer is still inclined to believe that +the second reading of the Bill will be carried. + + [Footnote 32: This tactical blunder, much condemned at the + time, estranged many of the Whigs from Lord John.] + + + + +[Pageheading: THE BUDGET] + + +_Queen Victoria to the Earl of Derby._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _25th April 1852._ + +The Queen wishes to remind Lord Derby that the time for the +presentation of the Budget to the House of Commons being very close +at hand, none of the Measures referring to the finances of the country +which the Government may have to propose have as yet been laid before +her. + + + + +_Queen Victoria to the Earl of Derby._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _26th April 1852._ + +The Queen has received Lord Derby's explanation of his views with +regard to the Budget,[33] and will be glad to see him on Wednesday at +three o'clock. She had been alarmed by vague rumours that it was the +intention of the Government to propose great changes in the present +financial system, which, with an adverse majority in the House +of Commons and at the eve of a Dissolution, must have led to much +confusion. She thinks the course suggested by Lord Derby to consider +the Budget merely as a provisional one for the current year, by far +the wisest, the more so as it will leave us a surplus of L2,000,000, +which is of the utmost importance in case of unforeseen difficulties +with Foreign Powers.[34] + + [Footnote 33: Its chief feature was a renewal of the expiring + Income Tax.] + + [Footnote 34: Accordingly, no financial changes were proposed + until after the General Election. See _post_, p. 406.] + + + + +_Mr Disraeli to Queen Victoria._ + +HOUSE OF COMMONS, _26th April._ +(_Monday night, twelve o'clock._) + +The Chancellor of the Exchequer, with his humble duty to your +Majesty, reports to your Majesty that the Militia Bill has been +carried (second reading) by an immense majority. + + For 315 + Against 165 + +The concluding portion of the debate was distinguished by the speeches +of Mr Sidney Herbert and Mr Walpole, who made their greatest efforts; +the first singularly happy in his treatment of a subject of which he +was master, and the last addressing the House with a spirit unusual +with him. + + + + +[Pageheading: FRANCE AND THE BOURBONS] + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _27th April 1852._ + +MY DEAREST UNCLE,--I thank you much for your kind and affectionate +letter of the 23rd. I have somehow or other contrived to lose my day, +for which reason I can only write a very short letter. It seems to be +generally believed that Louis Napoleon's assumption of the title of +Emperor is very near at hand, but they still think war is not likely, +as it would be such bad policy. + +What you say about the ill-fated Spanish marriages, and the result of +the poor King's wishing to have no one but a Bourbon as Queen Isabel's +husband being that the _French won't_ have _any_ Bourbon, is indeed +strange. It is a melancholy result. + +I shall certainly try and read Thiers' _Revolution, Consulat, et +Empire_, but I can hardly read _any_ books, my whole _lecture_ almost +being taken up by the immense quantity of despatches we have to read, +and then I have a good deal to write, and must then have a little +leisure time to rest, and _de me delasser_ and to get out. It is a +great deprivation, as I delight in reading. Still, I will not forget +your recommendation. + +I am sorry to say _nothing_ is definitely settled about our dear +Crystal Palace. With Albert's love, ever your truly devoted Niece, + +VICTORIA R. + + + + +_Queen Victoria to Mr Disraeli._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _1st May 1852._ + +The Queen has read with great interest the clear and able financial +statement which the Chancellor of the Exchequer made in the House of +Commons last night, and was glad to hear from him that it was well +received. + + + + +_Queen Victoria to the Earl of Malmesbury._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _13th May 1852._ + +With respect to this despatch from Lord Howden,[35] the Queen wishes +to observe that hitherto we have on all similar occasions declined +accepting any Foreign Order for the Prince of Wales, on account of his +being too young and not even having any of the English Orders. Might +this not therefore be communicated to Lord Howden? + + [Footnote 35: British Minister at Madrid.] + + + + +[Pageheading: AFFAIRS IN FRANCE] + + +_Queen Victoria to the Earl of Derby._ + +OSBORNE, _27th May 1852._ + +The Queen returns the enclosed most interesting letters. It is evident +that the President is meeting with the first symptoms of a reviving +public feeling in France; whether this will drive him to hurry on the +Empire remains to be seen. All the Foreign Powers have to be careful +about is to receive an assurance that the _Empire_ does _not_ mean a +_return to the policy of the Empire_, but that the existing Treaties +will be acknowledged and adhered to. + +The session seems to advance very rapidly. The Queen hails Lord +Derby's declaration of his conviction that a majority for a duty on +corn will not be returned to the new Parliament, as the first step +towards the abandonment of hostility to the Free Trade on which +our commercial policy is now established, and which has produced so +flourishing a condition of the finances of the country. + +Mr Disraeli's speech about Spain was very good, though he had +certainly better not have alluded to Portugal. + +We return to Town to-morrow. + + + + +_Mr Disraeli to Queen Victoria._ + +HOUSE OF COMMONS, _21st June 1852._ +(_Nine o'clock._) + +The Chancellor of the Exchequer, with his humble duty to your Majesty, +reports to your Majesty that Lord John Russell introduced to the +notice of the House of Commons to-night the recent Minute of the +Committee of Council on Education. + +Lord John Russell made a languid statement to a rather full House. His +speech was not very effective as it proceeded, and there was silence +when he sat down. + +Then Mr Walpole rose and vindicated the Minute. He spoke with +animation, and was cheered when he concluded. + +Sir Harry Verney followed, and the House very much dispersed; indeed +the discussion would probably have terminated when Sir Harry finished, +had not Mr Gladstone then risen. Mr Gladstone gave only a very guarded +approval to the Minute, which he treated as insignificant. + +It was not a happy effort, and the debate, for a while revived by his +interposition, continued to languish until this hour (nine o'clock), +with successive relays of mediocrity, until it yielded its last gasp +in the arms of Mr Slaney. + +The feeling of the House of Commons, probably in this representing +faithfully that of the country, is against both the violent parties in +the Church, and in favour of a firm, though temperate, course on the +part of the Crown, which may conciliate a vast majority, and tend to +terminate dissension. + + + + +[Pageheading: DISTURBANCES AT STOCKPORT] + + +_Queen Victoria to Mr Walpole._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _1st July 1852._ + +The Queen is much distressed at the account she has read in the papers +of the dreadful riot at Stockport,[36] alas! caused by that most +baneful of all Party feelings, _religious_ hatred,[37] and she is very +anxious to know what Mr Walpole has heard. + + [Footnote 36: The Church question was brought into the + political arena in the General Election, which was now in + progress; much violence was manifested during the contest.] + + [Footnote 37: "It is additional proof, if more were wanting," + wrote Mr Walpole in reply, "that all Parties should forbear as + much as possible from the ostentatious parade of anything that + can provoke either the one or the other."] + + + + +_The King of the Belgians to Queen Victoria._ + +LAEKEN, _23rd July 1852._ + +MY DEAREST VICTORIA,--... We are very much plagued by our Treaty with +France. Victor Hugo has written a book against Louis Napoleon, which +will exasperate him much, and which he publishes _here_; we can hardly +keep Victor Hugo here after that.[38] The great plague of all these +affairs is their constant return without the least advantage to any +one from the difficulties they created.... Your devoted Uncle, + +LEOPOLD R. + + [Footnote 38: Victor Hugo (1802-1885) had founded the journal, + _L'Evenement_, in 1848: he was exiled in 1851, and published + _Napoleon le Petit_ in Belgium. After the fall of the Empire + he returned to France, and in 1877 published his _Histoire + d'un Crime_.] + + + + +_Queen Victoria to the Earl of Derby._ + +OSBORNE, _26th August 1852._ + +The Queen has been considering the subject of the vacant Garter, and +the names which Lord Derby proposed to her. She is of opinion that +it would not be advisable on the whole to give the Garter to Lord +Londonderry; that the Duke of Northumberland has by far the strongest +claim to this distinction. At the same time, the Queen would have +no objection to bestow it on Lord Lonsdale, if this is desirable, in +order to facilitate any Ministerial arrangements which Lord Derby may +have in contemplation. + + + + +[Pageheading: THE QUEEN INHERITS A FORTUNE] + + +_The King of the Belgians to Queen Victoria._ + +LAEKEN, _10th September 1852._ + +MY DEAREST VICTORIA,--... That Mr Neild[39] should have left that +great fortune to you delighted me; it gives the possibility of forming +a private fortune for the Royal Family, the necessity of which nobody +can deny. Such things only still happen in England, where there exists +loyalty and strong affection for Royalty, a feeling unfortunately +much diminished on the Continent of Europe, though it did exist there +also.... + + [Footnote 39: John Camden Neild, an eccentric and miserly + bachelor, nominally a barrister, died on the 30th of August, + bequeathing substantially the whole of his fortune (amounting + to half a million) to the Queen. As there were no known + relatives, the Queen felt able to accept this legacy; but she + first increased the legacies to the executors from L100 to + L1000 each, made provision for Mr Neild's servants and others + who had claims on him, restored the chancel of North Marston + Church, Bucks, where he was buried, and inserted a window + there to his memory.] + + + + +[Pageheading: DEATH OF DUKE OF WELLINGTON] + + +_Memorandum by the Prince Albert._ + +BALMORAL, _17th September 1852._ + +The death of the Duke of Wellington[40] has deprived the Country of +her greatest man, the Crown of its most valuable servant and adviser, +the Army of its main strength and support. We received the sad news +on an expedition from Allt-na-Giuthasach to the Dhu Loch (one of +the wildest and loneliest spots of the Highlands) at four o'clock +yesterday afternoon. We hurried home to Allt-na-Giuthasach, and to-day +here, where it became important to settle with Lord Derby the mode of +providing for the command of the Army, and the filling up of the many +posts and places which the Duke had held. + + [Footnote 40: The Duke passed away at Walmer on the 14th of + September, in his eighty-fourth year.] + +I had privately prepared a list of the mode in which this should be +done, and discussed it with Victoria, and found, to both Lord Derby's +and our astonishment, that it tallied in _every_ point with the +recommendations which he had thought of making. + +I explained to Lord Derby the grounds upon which I thought it better +not to assume the Command myself, and told him of the old Duke's +proposal, two years ago, to prepare the way to my assuming the Command +by the appointment of a Chief of the Staff, on Sir Willoughby Gordon's +death, and the reasons on which I then declined the offer. Lord Derby +entirely concurred in my views, and seemed relieved by my explanation; +we then agreed that for the loss of _authority_ which we had lost with +the Duke, we could only make up by increase in _efficiency_ in the +appointments to the different offices. That Lord Hardinge was the only +man fit to command the Army. + +He should then receive the Command-in-Chief. The Ordnance which +he would vacate should be given to Lord Fitzroy Somerset, +hitherto Military Secretary (with the offer of a peerage).[41] The +Constableship of the Tower to Lord Combermere; the Garter to Lord +Londonderry; the Grenadier Guards and the Rifle Brigade to me; the +Fusiliers vacated by me to the Duke of Cambridge (or the Coldstream, +Lord Strafford exchanging to the Fusiliers); the 60th Rifles vacated +by me to Lord Beresford; the Rangership of the Parks in London to +George (Duke of Cambridge); the Wardenship of the Cinque Ports to Lord +Dalhousie; the Lieutenancy of Hampshire to Lord Winchester. I reserved +to me the right of considering whether I should not assume the command +of the Brigade of Guards which the Duke of York held in George IV.'s +time, to which William IV. appointed himself, and which has been +vacant ever since Victoria's accession, although inherent to the +Constitution of the Guards. + + [Footnote 41: He became Lord Raglan.] + +Lord Derby had thought of George for the Command-in-Chief, as an +alternative for Lord Hardinge, but perceived that his rank as +a Major-General and youth would hardly entitle him to such an +advancement. He would have carried no weight with the public, and we +must not conceal from ourselves that many attacks on the Army which +have been sleeping on account of the Duke will now be forthcoming. + +Victoria wishes the Army to mourn for the Duke as long as for a member +of the Royal Family. + +Lord Derby proposes a public funeral, which cannot take place, +however, before the meeting of Parliament in November. He is to find +out how this is to be accomplished on account of the long interval. + +The correspondence here following[42] shows what doubts exist as to +the person in whom the Command of the Army is vested in case of a +vacancy. I consider Lord Palmerston's letter as a mere attempt +to arrogate supreme power for his Office,[43] which rests on no +foundation. The Secretary at War has no authority whatever except over +money, whilst the Commander-in-Chief has no authority to spend a penny +without the Secretary at War. + +ALBERT. + + [Footnote 42: These letters, which are of no special + importance, contained a statement from Lord Palmerston to the + effect that the appointment to the Commandership-in-Chief was + vested in the Secretary at War.] + + [Footnote 43: Lord Palmerston had held the office of Secretary + at War from 1809 to 1828.] + + + + +[Pageheading: THE DUKE OF WELLINGTON] + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +BALMORAL, _17th September 1852._ + +MY DEAREST UNCLE,--I am sure you will mourn _with us_ over the loss we +and this whole nation have experienced in the death of the _dear_ and +great old Duke of Wellington. The sad news will have reached you, I +doubt not, on Wednesday or yesterday. We had gone on Wednesday, as I +had mentioned, to our little Shiel of Allt-na-Giuthasach to spend +two days there, and were enjoying ourselves very much on a beautiful +expedition yesterday, and were sitting by the side of the Dhu Loch, +one of the severest, wildest spots imaginable, when one of our +Highlanders arrived bringing a letter from Lord Derby (who is here), +confirming the report which we had already heard of--but entirely +disbelieved--and sending me a letter from Lord Charles Wellesley, +saying that his dear father had only been ill a few hours, and had +hardly suffered at all. It was a stroke, which was succeeded rapidly +by others, and carried him off without any return of consciousness. +For _him_ it is a blessing that he should have been taken away in +the possession of his great and powerful mind and without a lingering +illness. But for this country, and for us, his loss--though it could +not have been long delayed--is irreparable! He was the pride and the +_bon genie_, as it were, of this country! He was the GREATEST man this +country ever produced, and the most _devoted_ and _loyal_ subject, and +the staunchest supporter the Crown ever had. He was to us a true, kind +friend and most valuable adviser. To think that all this is gone; that +this great and immortal man belongs now to History and no longer to +the present, is a truth which we cannot realise. We shall soon stand +sadly alone; Aberdeen is almost the only personal friend of that kind +we have left. Melbourne, Peel, Liverpool--and now the Duke--_all_ +gone! + +You will kindly feel for and with us, dearest Uncle. + +Lord Hardinge is to be Commander-in-Chief, and he is quite the _only_ +man _fit_ for it. + +Albert is much grieved. The dear Duke showed him great confidence and +kindness. He was so fond of his little godson Arthur--who will now be +a remaining link of the dear old Duke's, and a pleasant recollection +of him. Ever your devoted Niece, + +VICTORIA R. + + + + +_The King of the Belgians to Queen Victoria._ + +LAEKEN, _17th September 1852._ + +MY DEAREST VICTORIA,--You will be much grieved at the loss of the +Duke. It must give you satisfaction to think that you were always kind +to him, and that he was very sincerely devoted to you and appreciated +Albert. Since 1814 I had known much of the Duke; his _kindness_ to +me had been very _marked_, and I early discovered that he was very +favourable to my marriage with Charlotte, then already in agitation. +Since, he was _always kind_ and _confidential_, even in those days of +persecution against me, the result of the jealousy of George IV.; he +never was influenced by it, or had the meanness of many who, in the +days of misfortune, quickly leave one. The only case in which we were +at variance was about the boundaries of Greece. He had some of the old +absolute notions, which in that case were not in conformity with the +real interests of England and of Europe. Even last year he spoke so +very kindly to me on the subject of our Continental affairs. Rarely +fickle Fortune permits a poor mortal to reach the conclusion of a long +career, however glorious, with such complete success, so undisturbed +by physical or moral causes. The Duke is the noblest example of what +an Englishman may be, and to what greatness he may rise in following +that honourable and straight line. + +When one looks at the Manchester school, compared to the greatness to +which men like the Duke raised their country, one cannot help to +be alarmed for the future. You are enjoying the Highlands, but the +weather seems also not very favourable; here it is uncertain, and at +times very cold.... Your truly devoted Uncle, + +LEOPOLD R. + + + + +[Pageheading: FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS] + + +_The Prince Albert to the Earl of Derby._ + +BALMORAL, _22nd September 1852._ + +MY DEAR LORD DERBY,--The Queen wishes me to answer your kind letter of +yesterday. + +Her letter to you and to Mr Walpole of this morning will have apprised +you that she sanctions the Guard of Honour having been placed at +Walmer, and the Duke's body having been taken possession of formally +on the part of the Crown. + +It would be a great pity if Lord Fitzroy were to be obliged to +decline the Peerage on account of poverty; at the same time it may be +difficult to relieve him from the payment of fees by a public grant. +Under these circumstances, rather than leave Lord Fitzroy unrewarded, +and a chance of his feeling mortified at a moment when his cheerful +co-operation with Lord Hardinge is so important to the public +service--the Queen would _herself_ bear the expense of the fees. If +this were to hurt Lord Fitzroy's feelings, you could easily manage it +so that he need never know from what source the L500 came. The Queen +leaves this matter in your hands. Ever yours truly, + +ALBERT. + + + + +_Queen Victoria to Mr Walpole._ + +BALMORAL CASTLE, _22nd September 1852._ + +The Queen has just received Mr Walpole's letter of the 20th, informing +her of the difficulty of having the Funeral Service, _according_ to +the _Liturgy_, performed _twice_; she trusts, however, that means +may be found to enable the Queen's intentions to be carried out, as +communicated to Mr Walpole in Lord Derby's official letter. Whether +this is to be done by leaving the body for two months without the +Funeral Service being read over it, or by reading the Funeral Service +now in the presence of the family, and treating the _Public Funeral_ +more as a translation of the remains to their final place of rest, +the Queen must leave to be decided by those who have the means of +personally sounding the feelings of the Duke's family, the dignitaries +of the Church, and the public generally. + +An impressive religious ceremony might certainly be made of it at St. +Paul's, even if the actual Funeral Service should not be read on the +occasion.... + + + + +_Queen Victoria to the Earl of Derby._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _23rd October 1852._ + +Shortly after the formation of Lord Derby's Government, the Queen +communicated to him a Memorandum respecting the necessity of attending +to our national defences on a systematic plan. The Queen would now +wish to hear how far we have advanced in this important object +since that time. Lord Derby would perhaps call on the General +Commanding-in-Chief, the Master-General of the Ordnance, and the First +Lord of the Admiralty, as well as the Home Secretary, to make a report +upon this. It will soon be necessary to consider what will have to +be done for the future to complete the various plans. The Queen is +no alarmist, but thinks that the necessity of our attending to our +defences once having been proved and admitted by Parliament and two +successive Governments, we should not relax in our efforts until the +plans then devised are thoroughly carried out. + + + + +[Pageheading: LOUIS NAPOLEON] + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _26th October 1852._ + +MY DEAREST UNCLE,--... I must tell you an anecdote relating to Louis +Napoleon's entry into Paris, which Lord Cowley wrote over, as going +the round of Paris. It is: that under one of the Triumphal Arches a +Crown was suspended to a string (which is very often the case) over +which was written, "_Il l'a bien merite_." Something damaged this +crown, and they removed it--_leaving_, however, the _rope_ and +_superscription_, the effect of which must have been somewhat +edifying! + +It is not at all true that foreign Officers are not to attend at the +funeral of the dear old Duke; on the contrary, we expect them from +Prussia, Austria, and Russia, and the Duke of Terceira (whom we shall +see to-night) is already come from Portugal to attend the ceremony. + +I must now conclude. With Albert's love, ever your devoted Niece, + +VICTORIA R. + + + + +_Queen Victoria to the Earl of Malmesbury._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _8th November 1852._ + +As we seem to be so near the declaration of the Empire in France, and +as so many opinions are expressed on the subject of the title to +be assumed by Louis Napoleon, the Queen is anxious to impress Lord +Malmesbury with the importance of our not committing ourselves on this +point, and not giving our allies to understand that we shall join +them in not acknowledging Napoleon III.[44] Objectionable as this +appellation no doubt is, it may hardly be worth offending France and +her Ruler by refusing to recognise it, when it is of _such_ importance +to prevent their considering themselves the aggrieved party; any +attempt to dictate to France the style of her Ruler would strengthen +Louis Napoleon's position; our object should be to leave France alone, +as long as she is not aggressive. + +All of this should be well weighed. + + [Footnote 44: Louis Napoleon himself claimed no hereditary + right to the Imperial dignity, but only that conferred by + election: he acknowledged as national all the acts which + had taken place since 1815, such as the reigns of the + later Bourbons and of Louis Philippe. (See _Memoirs of an + ex-Minister_.)] + + + + +[Pageheading: NATIONAL DEFENCES] + + +_The Prince Albert to Viscount Hardinge._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _8th November 1852._ + +MY DEAR LORD HARDINGE,--In reference to our conversation of yesterday, +and the Queen's request to Lord Derby that he should call upon the +different departments of the Admiralty, Army, Ordnance, and Home +Office to furnish a report as to how far the measures begun last +spring to put our defences in a state of efficiency have been carried +out, and what remains to be done in that direction--I beg now to +address you in writing. The object the Queen wishes to obtain is, to +receive an account which will show what means we have _really_ at our +disposal for purposes of defence, _ready for action_ at the shortest +possible notice, and what remains to be done to put us into a state of +security, what the supply of the wants may cost (approximately), and +what time it would require. + +As it will be not only convenient but necessary that the Horse Guards +and Ordnance should consult together and combine their deliberations, +I beg this letter to be understood to apply as well to Lord Raglan +as to yourself, and that you would meet and give the answer to the +Queen's questions conjointly. + +(_A detailed list follows._) + +These questions would all present themselves at the moment when we +received the intelligence of a threatened _coup de main_ on the part +of Louis Napoleon, when it would be too late to remedy any deficiency. +The public would be quite ready to give the necessary money for our +armament, but they feel with justice that it is unfair to ask them for +large sums and then always to hear, _We are quite unprepared_. They +don't understand and cannot understand details, but it is upon matters +of detail that our security will have to depend, and we cannot be sure +of efficiency unless a comprehensive statement be made showing the +whole. + +I beg this to be as short as possible, and if possible in a tabular +shape. Ever yours truly, + +ALBERT. + + + + +_Queen Victoria to the Earl of Derby._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _13th November 1852._ + +The Queen was very sorry to hear from Lord Derby and Mr Disraeli that +Mr Villiers' Motion[45] will create Parliamentary difficulties. + +With respect to the financial statement, she must most strongly +impress Lord Derby with the necessity of referring to our defenceless +state, and the necessity of a _large_ outlay, to protect us from +foreign attack, which would almost ensure us against war. The country +is fully alive to its danger, and Parliament has perhaps never been +in a more likely state to grant what is necessary, provided a +comprehensive and efficient plan is laid before it. Such a plan ought, +in the Queen's opinion, to be distinctly promised by the Government, +although it may be laid before Parliament at a later period. + + [Footnote 45: This Motion, intended to extort a declaration + from the House in favour of Free Trade, and describing the + Corn Law Repeal as "a just, wise, and beneficial measure," was + naturally distasteful to the Ministers. Their _amour-propre_ + was saved by Lord Palmerston's Amendment omitting the + "_odious_ epithets" and affirming the principle of + unrestricted competition.] + + + + +[Pageheading: FINANCIAL POLICY] + + +_Mr Disraeli to Queen Victoria._ + +LONDON, _14th November 1852._ + +The Chancellor of the Exchequer, with his humble duty to your Majesty, +begs permission to enclose an answer to the Address for your Majesty's +approbation, and which should be delivered, if your Majesty pleases, +to the House of Commons to-morrow. + +Referring to a letter from your Majesty, shown to him yesterday by +Lord Derby, the Chancellor of the Exchequer also begs permission to +state that, in making the financial arrangements, he has left a very +large margin for the impending year (April 1853-4), which will permit +the fulfilment of all your Majesty's wishes with respect to the +increased defence of the country, as he gathered them from your +Majesty's gracious expressions, and also from the suggestion which +afterwards, in greater detail, His Royal Highness the Prince deigned +to make to him. + +The Chancellor of the Exchequer will deeply consider the intimation +graciously made in your Majesty's letter to Lord Derby as to the tone +on this subject to be adopted in the House of Commons, and he will +endeavour in this, and in all respects, to fulfil your Majesty's +pleasure. + +The Chancellor of the Exchequer fears that he sent to your Majesty a +somewhat crude note from the House of Commons on Thursday night, +but he humbly begs your Majesty will deign to remember that these +bulletins are often written in tumult, and sometimes in perplexity; +and that he is under the impression that your Majesty would prefer a +genuine report of the feeling of the moment, however miniature, to a +more artificial and prepared statement. + + + + +_Queen Victoria to Mr Disraeli._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _14th November 1852._ + +The Queen has received with much satisfaction Mr Disraeli's letter of +this day's date, in which he informs her of his readiness to provide +efficiently for the defence of the country, the call for which is +_very_ urgent. Lord Malmesbury, with whom the Prince has talked very +fully over this subject, will communicate further with Mr Disraeli and +Lord Derby on his return to Town to-morrow. + + + + +[Pageheading: LORD DALHOUSIE] + +[Pageheading: INDIA AND THE DUKE] + + +_The Marquis of Dalhousie to Queen Victoria._ + +GOVERNMENT HOUSE, _23rd November 1852._ + +The Governor-General still retains some hope of seeing general peace +restored in India before he quits it finally, as your Majesty's +Ministers and the Court of Directors have some time since requested +him not to retire from its administration in January next, as he had +intended to do. + +Many private considerations combined to draw him homewards, even +though the honour and the advantages of retaining this Office were +willingly recognised. But the gracious approbation with which his +services here have been viewed was a sufficient motive for continuing +them for some time longer, if they were thought profitable to the +State. + +Your Majesty has very recently been pleased to bestow upon him a still +further distinction, which calls not merely for the expression of his +deep and humble gratitude to your Majesty, but for a further devotion +to your Majesty's service of whatever power he may possess for +promoting its interests. + +That your Majesty should prefer him at all to an Office of such +traditional distinction as the Wardenship was an honour to which the +Governor-General would never at any time have dreamt of aspiring. But +by conferring it upon him thus--during his absence--and above all, by +conferring it upon him in immediate succession to one whom he must all +his life regard with reverence, affection, and gratitude--your Majesty +has surrounded this honour with so much of honourable circumstance +that the Governor-General is wholly unable to give full expression to +the feelings with which he has received your Majesty's goodness. + +The Governor-General is very sensible that in him, as Lord Warden, +your Majesty will have but a sorry successor to the Duke of Wellington +in every respect, save one. But in that one respect--namely in deep +devotion to your Majesty's Crown, and to the true interests of your +Empire--the Governor-General does not yield even to the Master he was +long so proud to follow. + +In every part of India the highest honours have been paid to the +memory of the Duke of Wellington, which your Majesty's Empire in the +East and its armies could bestow. + +Even the Native Powers have joined in the homage to his fame. In the +mountains of Nepaul the same sad tribute was rendered by the Maharajah +as by ourselves, while in Mysore the Rajah not only fired minute +guns in his honour, but even caused the Dusserah, the great Hindoo +festival, to be stopped throughout the city, in token of his grief. + +Excepting the usual disturbance from time to time among the still +untamed mountain tribes upon our north-western border, there is entire +tranquillity in India. The season has been good, and the revenue is +improving. + +Respectfully acknowledging the letter which he had lately the honour +of receiving from your Majesty, and the gracious message it contained +to Lady Dalhousie, who, though much improved in health, will be +compelled to return to England in January, the Governor-General has +the honour to subscribe himself with the utmost respect and gratitude, +your Majesty's most obedient, most humble, and devoted Subject and +Servant, + +DALHOUSIE. + + + + +[Pageheading: THE FUNERAL] + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _23rd November 1852._ + +MY DEAREST UNCLE,--What you say about Joinville has interested us very +much, and we have confidentially communicated it to Lord Derby, who +is never alarmed enough. There is, however, a belief that the Orleans +family have been very imprudent, and that Louis Napoleon has heard +things and expressions used which did a great deal of harm, and Lord +Derby begged me to warn them very strongly and earnestly on this +point; _I_ cannot do much, but I think _you_ might, for in fact they +might _unintentionally compromise us seriously_. The Government are +rather shaky; Disraeli has been imprudent and blundering, and has done +himself harm by a Speech he made about the Duke of Wellington, which +was borrowed from an _eloge_ by Thiers on a French Marshal!!![46] + +You will have heard from your children and from Charles how very +touching the ceremony both in and out of doors was on the 18th. The +behaviour of the millions assembled has been the topic of general +admiration, and the foreigners have all assured me that they never +could have believed _such_ a number of people could have shown such +feeling, such respect, for _not_ a sound was heard! I cannot say +_what_ a deep and _wehmtuehige_ impression it made on me! It was a +beautiful sight. In the Cathedral it was much more touching still! The +dear old Duke! he is an irreparable loss! + +We had a great dinner yesterday to all the Officers. There is but one +feeling of indignation and surprise at the conduct of Austria [47] +in taking _this_ opportunity to slight England in return for what +happened to _Haynau_[48] for _his own_ character. Ernest Hohenlohe +was extremely anxious you should know the reason why he may _possibly_ +appear one evening at the Elysee (they are gone for three or four days +to Paris). + +Louis Napoleon being excessively susceptible, and believing us to be +inimical towards him, we and the Government thought it would not be +wise or prudent for _my_ brother-in-law, just coming _from here_, +purposely to avoid him and go out of his way, which Louis Napoleon +would immediately say was _my doing_; and unnecessary offence we do +not wish to give; the more so as Stockmar was presented to him at +Strasburg, and received the _Legion d'honneur_. I promised to explain +this to you, as Ernest was distressed lest he should appear to be +_timeserving_, and I said I was sure you would understand it. + +I must end in a hurry, hoping to write again on Thursday or Friday. +Dear Stockmar is very well and most kind. He is much pleased at your +children spending some time with him every day. Ever your devoted +Niece, + +VICTORIA R. + + [Footnote 46: Marshal Gouvion de St Cyr.] + + [Footnote 47: In sending no representative to the funeral of + the Duke of Wellington.] + + [Footnote 48: See _ante_, p. 267.] + + + + +[Pageheading: CONFUSION OF PARTIES] + + +_The Earl of Derby to Queen Victoria._ + +DOWNING STREET, _25th November 1852._ +(_Thursday, four_ P.M.) + +Lord Derby, with his humble duty, in obedience to your Majesty's +gracious commands of this morning, proceeds to report to your Majesty +what he finds to have taken place and to be in contemplation; but the +accounts of the latter are so conflicting and contradictory, that his +report must be as unsatisfactory to your Majesty as the state of the +case is unintelligible to himself. + +On arriving in London, Lord Derby called on Mr Disraeli, and found +that late last night he had had, by his own desire, a private +interview with Lord Palmerston, who had come to his house with that +object; that Lord Palmerston's language was perfectly friendly towards +the Government; that he assured Mr Disraeli that his only object in +offering his Amendment was to defeat Mr Villiers; that if that could +be done, it was a matter of indifference to him which Amendment was +adopted; and he concluded by declaring that though he sat by Mr Sidney +Herbert in the House of Commons, and was an old personal friend, he +did not act in concert with him or with Mr Gladstone; and that he did +not see, on their part, any disposition to approach the Government! +After this declaration Mr Disraeli felt that it would be useless and +unwise to sound him farther as to his own ulterior views, and the +conversation led to nothing. + +As Lord Derby was walking home, he was overtaken by Lord Jocelyn, who +stated, in direct opposition to what had been said by Lord Palmerston, +that he, and the other two gentlemen named, were consulted upon, and +had concocted the proposed Amendment; and that they were decidedly +acting together. He was present at a dinner of the Peelite Party +yesterday at Mr Wortley's, when Speeches were made, and language held +about the reunion of the Conservative Party, resulting, however, in +a declaration that if your Majesty's servants did not accept Lord +Palmerston's Amendment, they, as a body, would vote in favour of Mr +Villiers. Lord Derby has been farther informed that they are willing +to join the Government, but that one of their conditions would be +that Lord Palmerston should lead the House of Commons, Mr Gladstone +refusing to serve under Mr Disraeli. This, if true, does not look like +an absence of all concert. + +To complete the general confusion of Parties, the Duke of Bedford, who +called on Lady Derby this morning, assures her that Lord John Russell +does not desire the fall of your Majesty's present Government, and +that in no case will he enter into any combination with the Radical +Party, a declaration quite at variance with the course he has pursued +since Parliament met. + +Of course Lord Derby, in these circumstances, has not taken any step +whatever towards exercising the discretion with which your Majesty was +graciously pleased to entrust him this morning.[49] He much regrets +having to send your Majesty so unsatisfactory a statement, and has +desired to have the latest intelligence sent up to him of what may +pass in the House of Commons, and he will endeavour to keep your +Majesty informed of any new occurrence which any hour may produce. + +_Half-past six._ + +Lord Derby has just heard from the House of Commons that Sir James +Graham has given the history of the framing of the Amendment, and has +expressed his intention, if Lord Palmerston's Amendment be accepted, +to advise Mr Villiers to withdraw. Mr Gladstone has held the same +language; there appears to be much difference of opinion, but Lord +Derby would think that the probable result will be the adoption of +Lord Palmerston's proposition. He fears this will lead to a good deal +of discontent among the supporters of the Government; but a different +course would run imminent risk of defeat. + + [Footnote 49: The Queen had allowed him to enter into + negotiations with the Peelites and Lord Palmerston on the + distinct understanding that the latter could not receive the + lead of the House of Commons.] + + + + +[Pageheading: LORD PALMERSTON] + + + +_Mr Disraeli to Queen Victoria._ + +HOUSE OF COMMONS, _26th November 1852._ +(_Half-past one o'clock_ A.M.) + +The Chancellor of the Exchequer, with his humble duty to your Majesty, +reports to your Majesty that the House of Commons has this moment +divided on Mr Villiers' resolution, and in a House of nearly 600 +members they have been rejected by a majority of 80.[50] + +The debate was very animated and amusing, from the rival narratives of +the principal projectors of the demonstration, who, having quarrelled +among themselves, entered into secret and--in a Party sense--somewhat +scandalous revelations, to the diversion and sometimes astonishment of +the House. + +The Chancellor of the Exchequer deeply regrets that, having been +obliged to quit the House early yesterday, he was unable to forward a +bulletin to your Majesty. + +He has fixed next Friday for the Budget. + + [Footnote 50: Lord Palmerston's Amendment (see _ante_, p. + 399) was carried instead, and Protection was thenceforward + abandoned by Mr Disraeli and his followers.] + + + + +[Pageheading: MR DISRAELI AND MR GLADSTONE] + + +_Memorandum by the Prince Albert._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _28th November 1852._ + +Before the Council held yesterday we saw Lord Derby, who seemed much +pleased with the result of the Division, though a good deal galled by +the tone of the Debate. + +Lord Derby had heard it said that Mr Sidney Herbert, although very +bitter in his language, had not meant to be hostile to the Government, +but felt that he owed the duty to speak out to the memory of Sir +Robert Peel; that he was glad to have thrown the load off his mind. +Lord Derby then read us a letter from Lord Claud Hamilton, who had +seen Mr Corry (one of the Peelites), who had given him to understand +that they would _not_ serve under the leadership of Mr Disraeli; that +they were ready, on the other hand, to serve under Lord Palmerston. +This put all further negotiation out of the question, for, +independently of the Queen objecting to such an arrangement, he +himself could not admit of it. On my question why Mr Gladstone could +not lead, he replied that Mr Gladstone was, in his opinion, quite +unfit for it; he had none of that decision, boldness, readiness, and +clearness which was necessary to lead a Party, to inspire it with +confidence, and, still [more], to take at times a decision on the spur +of the moment, which a leader had often to do. Then he said that +he could not in honour sacrifice Mr Disraeli, who had acted very +straightforwardly to him as long as they had had anything to do with +each other, and who possessed the confidence of his followers. Mr +Disraeli had no idea of giving up the lead. + +We could quite understand, on the other hand, that the colleagues of +Sir Robert Peel could not feel inclined to serve under Mr Disraeli. + +Under these circumstances we agreed that nothing should be done at +present, and that it must be left to time to operate changes, that +much must depend upon the success which Mr Disraeli may have with his +Budget, and that the knowledge that Lord Palmerston could not obtain +the lead would oblige those who wished to join to think of a different +combination. + +Lord Derby owned (upon my blunt question) that he did not think Mr +Disraeli had ever had a strong feeling, one way or the other, about +Protection or Free Trade, and that he would make a very good Free +Trade Minister. + +The Queen was anxious to know what Lord Derby thought Lord George +Bentinck (if now alive) would do in this conjunction. Lord Derby's +expression was "he would have made confusion worse confounded" from +his excessive violence. + +ALBERT. + + + + +[Pageheading: RECOGNITION OF THE EMPIRE] + + +_Queen Victoria to the Earl of Malmesbury._ + +OSBORNE, _2nd December 1852._ + +The Queen has received Lord Malmesbury's letter, and returns the +enclosure from Lord Cowley. Under these circumstances the course +recommended to be pursued by Lord Malmesbury[51] appears also to the +Queen as the best. It is evident that we have no means of making +Louis Napoleon say what he will not, nor would any diplomatic form of +obtaining an assurance from him give us any guarantee of his not doing +after all exactly what he pleases. Our honour appears therefore to be +best in our own keeping. Whatever he may say, it is in our _note of +recognition_ that we must state _what_ we recognise and what we do +_not_ recognise. + + [Footnote 51: Lord Malmesbury advised that a formal repetition + of the interpretation and assurances as to the use of the + numeral "III" in the Imperial title, already verbally made by + the President and the French Ambassador, should be demanded. + This was duly obtained. On the 2nd of December, the + anniversary of the _coup d'etat_, the Imperial title was + assumed; on the 4th, the Empire was officially recognised.] + + + + +_The Earl of Derby to Queen Victoria._ + +ST JAMES'S SQUARE, _3rd December 1852._ +(_Friday night, twelve o'clock_ P.M.) + +Lord Derby, with his humble duty, ventures to hope that your Majesty +may feel some interest in hearing, so far as he is able to give it, +his impression of the effect of Mr Disraeli's announcement of the +Budget[52] this evening. Lord Derby was not able to hear quite the +commencement of the Speech, having been obliged to attend the House +of Lords, which, however, was up at a quarter past five, Mr Disraeli +having then been speaking about half an hour. From that time till +ten, when he sat down, Lord Derby was in the House of Commons, and +anxiously watching the effect produced, which he ventures to assure +your Majesty was most favourable, according to his own judgment after +some considerable experience in Parliament, and also from what he +heard from others. Mr Disraeli spoke for about five hours, with no +apparent effort, with perfect self-possession, and with hardly an +exception to the fixed attention with which the House listened to the +exposition of the views of your Majesty's servants. It was altogether +a most masterly performance, and he kept alive the attention of +the House with the greatest ability, introducing the most important +statements, and the broadest principles of legislature, just at the +moments when he had excited the greatest anxiety to learn the precise +measures which the Government intended to introduce. The Irish part of +the question was dealt with with remarkable dexterity, though probably +a great part of the point will be lost in the newspaper reports. It +is difficult to foresee the ultimate result, but Lord Derby has +no hesitation in saying that the general first impression was very +favourable, and that, as a whole, the Budget seemed to meet with the +approval of the House. + + [Footnote 52: Increase of the House Tax, reduction of the Malt + and Tea duties, and relaxation of Income Tax in the case of + farmers, were the salient features of the Budget.] + + + + +[Pageheading: THE QUEEN TO THE EMPEROR] + + +_Queen Victoria to the Emperor of the French._ + +OSBORNE HOUSE, _4th December 1852._ + +SIR, MY BROTHER,--Being desirous to maintain uninterrupted the union +and good understanding which happily subsist between Great Britain +and France, I have made choice of Lord Cowley, a peer of my United +Kingdom, a member of my Privy Council, and Knight Commander of +the Most Honourable Order of the Bath, to reside at your Imperial +Majesty's Court in the character of my Ambassador Extraordinary and +Plenipotentiary. The long experience which I have had of his talents +and zeal for my service assures me that the choice which I have made +of Lord Cowley will be perfectly agreeable to your Imperial Majesty, +and that he will prove himself worthy of this new mark of my +confidence. I request that your Imperial Majesty will give entire +credence to all that Lord Cowley shall communicate to you on my part, +more especially when he shall assure your Imperial Majesty of my +invariable attachment and esteem, and shall express to you those +sentiments of sincere friendship and regard with which I am, Sir, my +Brother, your Imperial Majesty's good Sister, + +VICTORIA R. + +To my good Brother,[53] the Emperor of the French. + + [Footnote 53: The Czar persisted in addressing him as _Mon + cher Ami_.] + + + + +_Queen Victoria to the Earl of Malmesbury._ + +OSBORNE, _6th December 1852._ + +The Queen has this morning received Lord Malmesbury's letter of +yesterday, relative to Count Walewski's audience. The manner in which +Lord Malmesbury proposes this should be done the Queen approves, and +only wishes Lord Malmesbury to communicate with the proper authorities +in order that the _Fairy_ may be at Southampton at the right hour, +and the Frigate, as suggested, in attendance off Osborne or Cowes, +according to what the weather may be. The landing at Osborne Pier, in +wet or stormy weather, is very bad, particularly for a lady. + +The Queen wishes that the Count and Countess Walewski should come down +here with Lord Malmesbury on _Thursday next_, and we should receive +them at half-past one. We wish then that they should _all three dine +and sleep here that day_. + + + + +[Pageheading: A SECRET PROTOCOL] + + +_Queen Victoria to the Earl of Malmesbury._ + +OSBORNE, _8th December 1852._ + +The Queen was very much surprised to receive this morning in a box +from Lord Malmesbury, without any further explanation, a secret +Protocol[54] signed by the representatives of the four great Powers at +the Foreign Office on the 3rd instant. + +A step of such importance should not have been taken without even the +intention of it having been previously mentioned to the Queen, and her +leave having been obtained. She must therefore ask for an explanation +from Lord Malmesbury. Though the purport of the Protocol appears to +the Queen quite right, she ought not to allow the honour of England to +be pledged by her Minister without her sanction. + +The exact wording of a document of that nature is a matter of such +serious importance that it requires the greatest consideration, and it +is a question with the Queen whether it be always quite safe to adopt +entirely what is proposed by Baron Brunnow, who is generally the +_redacteur_ of such documents. + + [Footnote 54: By this Protocol Louis Napoleon was to be + recognised as Emperor by Great Britain, Austria, Prussia, and + Russia.] + + + + +_The Earl of Malmesbury to Queen Victoria._ + +FOREIGN OFFICE, _13th December 1852._ + +Lord Malmesbury presents his humble duty to the Queen. He thought +it advisable to acquaint your Majesty as soon as possible with a +conversation which Count Walewski had held of his own accord +in reference to Her Serene Highness the Princess Adelaide of +Hohenlohe,[55] and he requested Lord Derby to repeat it to your +Majesty. + +Lord Malmesbury was not mistaken in believing that the Count had not +alluded idly to the subject, as he this day called on Lord Malmesbury, +and stated to him that the Emperor of the French had not decided +to negotiate a marriage with the Princess of Wasa;[56] but, on the +contrary, was rather averse to such an alliance; that he was anxious, +on the contrary, to make one which indirectly "_resserrerait les liens +d'amitie entre l'Angleterre et la France_," and that with this view +he wished Lord Malmesbury to ascertain from your Majesty whether any +objections would be raised on the part of your Majesty, or of the +Princess Adelaide's family, to his contracting a marriage with Her +Serene Highness. Your Majesty may suppose that he received this +intimation by a simple assurance that he would submit the French +Emperor's sentiments to your Majesty, and he added that he foresaw a +serious difficulty to the project in the fact that the Princess was +a Protestant. Count Walewski was evidently sincere in the earnestness +with which he spoke of the subject, and the impatience with which he +pressed Lord Malmesbury to inform your Majesty of his proposal. + + [Footnote 55: The Queen's niece, daughter of Princess + Hohenlohe.] + + [Footnote 56: The Princess Caroline Stephanie, daughter of + Prince Gustavus de Wasa, who was son of the last King of + Sweden of the earlier dynasty.] + + + + +[Pageheading: THE EMPEROR'S PROPOSED MARRIAGE] + + +_Queen Victoria to the Earl of Derby._ + +OSBORNE, _14th December 1852._ + +The Queen sends to Lord Derby a communication which she has received +from Lord Malmesbury. + +The Queen is sorry to have been put in a situation which requires on +her part a direct answer, which to have been spared would have been in +every respect more prudent and safe. As it is, however, the Queen is +fully aware that the answer she is forced to give may really have, +or may hereafter be made appear to have, political consequences +disadvantageous to our political relations with France, and injurious +to the Queen's personal character. + +The Queen therefore encloses for Lord Derby a draft of the answer she +intends to give to Lord Malmesbury,[57] asking that Lord Derby will +not only give these matters his fullest consideration, but that he +will return to the Queen the draft as soon as possible, with such of +his suggestions or alterations as he may think advisable to propose to +her. + +The Queen must also express her decided wish that Lord Derby will not +allow Lord Malmesbury to move a single step in this affair without it +has been previously concerted with Lord Derby.[58] + + [Footnote 57: + + _Queen Victoria to the Earl of Malmesbury._ + [_Draft._] + OSBORNE, _14th December 1852._ + + The Queen has received Lord Malmesbury's letter of yesterday, + reporting his conversation with Count Walewski, who had asked + him to ascertain from the Queen "whether any objections would + be raised on her part or on that of the Princess Adelaide's + family to his (the Emperor's) contracting a marriage with Her + Serene Highness." + + In a question which affects the entire prospects and happiness + of a third person, and that person being a near and dear + relation of hers, the Queen feels herself conscientiously + precluded from forming an opinion of her own, and consequently + from taking the slightest part in it either directly or + indirectly. The only proper persons to refer to for the + consideration of and decision on so serious a proposal are the + parents of the Princess and the Princess herself.] + + [Footnote 58: In his reply Lord Derby observed that it did not + appear to him that the matter was at present in so critical + a position. Lord Malmesbury would have little difficulty in + showing Count Walewski, without any interruption of a friendly + _entente_, that the intended overtures were not likely to be + favourably received. He suggested that Lord Malmesbury should + be instructed to treat the proposition as emanating, not from + the Emperor, but unofficially, from Count Walewski; and that + he should, also unofficially, dissuade him from pressing the + subject further; such course could have no injurious effect + upon the political aspect of Europe. Lord Derby could not + understand how the affair, however it might turn out, could + affect the Queen's "personal character." + + He suggested that the following words should be substituted + for the last paragraph: "And while she fully appreciates + the desire expressed by Count Walewski on the part of his + Government, '_de resserrer les liens de l'amitie entre + l'Angleterre et la France_,' she feels bound to leave the + consideration and decision of so serious a proposal to the + unbiassed judgment of the parents of the Princess and the + Princess herself, the only persons to whom such a question can + properly be referred. The Queen thinks it right to add that + being fully persuaded of the strong religious persuasion of + the Princess, of the extreme improbability of any change + of opinion on her part, and of the evils inseparable from a + difference of opinion on such a subject between the Emperor + and his intended Consort, she wishes Lord Malmesbury to place + this consideration prominently before Count Walewski, before + he takes any other step in the matter, which he appears to + have brought unofficially under the consideration of Lord + Malmesbury."] + + + + +[Pageheading: THE QUEEN AND LORD MALMESBURY] + +[Pageheading: THE QUEEN'S OPINION] + + +_Queen Victoria to the Earl of Derby._ + +OSBORNE, _16th December 1852._ + +The Queen has received Lord Derby's letter of the 14th inst. She did +not intend to complain personally of Lord Malmesbury, who, the +Queen is sure, was most anxious to do the best he could under the +circumstances; but she still thinks that a question of such importance +should not have been brought immediately before her for her decision; +and although Lord Derby states his opinion that Lord Malmesbury had no +alternative but to promise to Count Walewski that he would bring "_the +Emperor's sentiments before the Queen_," the very suggestion Lord +Derby now makes, viz. "that Lord Malmesbury should be instructed +to treat the proposition as emanating, not from the Emperor, +but _unofficially_ from Count Walewski, and that he should also +_unofficially_ dissuade him from pressing the matter further"--shows +that there was an alternative. + +Lord Derby and Lord Malmesbury alone can know, whether, after what +may have passed in conversation between Lord Malmesbury and Count +Walewski, this course still remains open. + +There can be no doubt that the best thing would be to terminate this +affair without the Queen being called upon to give any opinion at all. + +Lord Derby seems to treat the matter as of much less importance than +the Queen, but he will admit that, if the alliance is sought by +the Emperor, "_pour resserrer les liens d'amitie entre la France et +l'Angleterre_," the refusal of it on the part of the Queen must also +have the opposite effect. The responsibility of having produced this +effect would rest personally with the Queen, who might be accused of +having brought it about, influenced by personal feelings of animosity +against the Emperor, or by mistaken friendship for the Orleans family, +or misplaced family pride, etc., etc., etc. The acceptance of the +proposal, on the other hand, or even the consummation of the project +without her _direct_ intervention, cannot fail to expose the Queen +to a share in the just opprobrium attaching in the eyes of all +right-thinking men to the political acts perpetrated in France ever +since 2nd December 1851. And, while it would appear as if her Family +did not care for any such considerations, so long as by an alliance +they could secure momentary advantages, it would give the other +Powers of Europe, whom the Emperor seems to be disposed to treat +very unceremoniously (as shown by Lord Cowley's last reports) the +impression that England suddenly had separated herself from them, and +bound herself to France for a family interest pursued by the Queen. + +These are the dangers to "the Queen's personal character," which +presented themselves to her mind when she wrote her last letter, and +which Lord Derby says remained unintelligible to him. + +The Queen wishes Lord Derby to show this letter to Lord Malmesbury, +whom, under the circumstances, she thinks it best not to address +separately. They will be now both in the fullest possession of the +Queen's sentiments, and she hopes will be able to terminate this +matter without the expression of an opinion on the part of the Queen +becoming necessary. + + + + +[Pageheading: DEFEAT OF THE MINISTRY] + + +_The Earl of Derby to Queen Victoria._ + +ST JAMES'S SQUARE, _17th December 1852._ +(4 A.M.) + +Lord Derby, with his humble duty, regrets to have to submit to your +Majesty that the House of Commons, from which he has this moment +returned, has rejected the resolution for the increase of the House +Tax, by a majority of either nineteen or twenty-one.[59] This majority +is so decisive, especially having been taken on a question which was +understood to involve the fate of the Government, as to leave Lord +Derby no alternative as to the course which it will be his duty to +pursue; and although, as a matter of form, it is necessary that he +should consult his Colleagues, for which purpose he has desired that +a Cabinet should be summoned for twelve o'clock, he can entertain no +doubt but that their opinion will unanimously concur with his own; +that he must humbly ask leave to resign into your Majesty's hands the +high trust which your Majesty has been pleased to repose in him. Lord +Derby, with your Majesty's permission, will endeavour to do himself +the honour of attending your Majesty's pleasure this evening; but it +is possible that he may not be able to find the means of crossing,[60] +in which case he trusts that your Majesty will honour him with an +audience to-morrow (Saturday) morning. Lord Derby trusts he need +not assure your Majesty how deeply he feels the inconvenience and +annoyance which this event will occasion to your Majesty, nor how +anxious will be his desire that your Majesty should be enabled with +the least possible delay to form an Administration possessing more of +the public confidence. He will never cease to retain the deepest and +most grateful sense of the gracious favour and support which he has +on all occasions received at your Majesty's hands, and which he deeply +regrets that he has been unable to repay by longer and more efficient +service. + + [Footnote 59: This memorable debate and its sensational + ending, with the notable speeches from Disraeli and Gladstone, + has been repeatedly described. See, _e.g._, Morley's + _Gladstone_ and McCarthy's _History of our own Times_. The + _Times_ leader (quoted by Mr Morley) was cut out and preserved + by the Queen.] + + [Footnote 60: To Osborne.] + + + + +[Pageheading: LORD DERBY'S RESIGNATION] + + +_Memorandum by the Prince Albert._ + +OSBORNE, _18th December 1852._ + +Yesterday evening Lord Derby arrived from Town formally to tender his +resignation. We retired to the Queen's room after dinner with him +to hear what he had to say on the crisis. He complained of the +factiousness of the Opposition, which he and his Party hoped, +however, not to imitate; was ready to support, as far as he could, +any Administration which was sincerely anxious to check the growth of +democracy. He said his calculations at the close of the Elections +had been found almost to a man verified in the late vote: 286 members +voting with the Government, and these were their regular supporters; +the other half of the House was composed of 150 Radicals, 50 of the +so-called Irish Brigade, 120 Whigs, and 30 Peelites. It was clear +that, if all these combined, he would be outvoted, though none of +these Parties alone numbered as much as half of his. However, he had +heard lately from good authority that the Whigs and Peelites had +come to an agreement, and were ready to form an Administration on +Conservative principles, to the exclusion of the Radicals, under the +lead of Lord Aberdeen. Although only 150 strong, they thought, that +with all the talent they had at their command, they would be able to +obtain the confidence of the country, and hold the balance between the +two extreme Parties in the House. He felt that after having failed to +obtain the confidence of Parliament himself, he could do nothing +else than retire at once, and he advised the Queen to send for Lord +Lansdowne, who knew better than anybody the state of Parties, and +would give the best advice. He did not advise the Queen to send for +Lord Aberdeen at once, because, if it were reported that he had given +this advice, many of his Party--who had already been distressed at +his declaration to them that if he was defeated he would withdraw from +public life--would think it necessary to join Lord Aberdeen as their +new appointed leader; and then the other half, which felt the deepest +indignation at the treatment they had received from the Peelites, +would throw themselves into a reckless alliance with the Radicals, to +revenge themselves upon the new Government, so the great Conservative +Party would be broken up, which it was so essential for the country to +keep together and moderate. + +I interrupted Lord Derby, saying that, constitutionally speaking, it +did not rest with him to give advice and become responsible for it, +and that nobody therefore could properly throw the responsibility of +the Queen's choice of a new Minister upon him; the Queen had thought +of sending for Lord Lansdowne and Lord Aberdeen together. This, Lord +Derby said, would do very well; he knew that, strictly speaking, the +Sovereign acted upon her own responsibility, but it was always said on +such occasions, for instance, "Lord John advised the Queen to send for +Lord Derby," etc., etc. + +He then gave it rather jokingly as his opinion that he thought less +than 32 could hardly be the number of the new Cabinet, so many former +Ministers would expect to be taken in; the Whigs said 36. Lord John +Russell was designated for the Home Office, Lord Canning for the +Foreign, Mr Gladstone for the Colonial Department, Lord Clanricarde +for the Post Office, Lord Granville for Ireland. These were the +reports. + +ALBERT. + + + + +_Queen Victoria to the Marquis of Lansdowne._ + +OSBORNE, _18th December 1852._ + +The Queen has received Lord Lansdowne's letter, from which she was +very sorry to learn that he is suffering from the gout. Although the +Queen was very anxious to have consulted with him before taking a +definite step for the formation of a new Government consequent on the +resignation of Lord Derby, she would have been very unhappy if Lord +Lansdowne had exposed his health to any risk in order to gratify her +wishes. Time pressing, she has now sent a telegraphic message to Lord +Aberdeen to come down here alone, which, from the terms of the Queen's +first summons, he had thought himself precluded from doing. Should +Lord Lansdowne not be able to move soon, Lord Aberdeen will confer +with him by the Queen's desire immediately on his return to Town. + + + + +[Pageheading: LORD ABERDEEN SUMMONED] + + +_Memorandum by the Prince Albert._ + +OSBORNE, _19th December 1852._ + +Lord Aberdeen arrived here at three o'clock and reported that he had +seen Lord Lansdowne, and had come to a perfect understanding with him; +he had also consulted with his friends, and with Lord John Russell. It +would now depend upon the decision of the Queen whom she would charge +with the formation of a Government. The Queen answered that she +thought Lord Lansdowne was too old and infirm to undertake such +arduous duties, and that she commissioned Lord Aberdeen. He replied +he was fully aware of his own unworthiness for the task, and had +expressed his disinclination to Lord Lansdowne, while Lord Lansdowne, +on the other hand, had pressed him to take the responsibility himself; +but since the Queen had commissioned him, he wished to say that it was +of the greatest importance that only one person should be charged with +the task and be responsible for it, and that the new Government should +not be a revival of the old Whig Cabinet with an addition of some +Peelites, but should be a liberal Conservative Government in the +sense of that of Sir Robert Peel; he thought this would meet with +the confidence of the country, even if excluding the Radicals. Lord +Aberdeen said he meant to propose to the Queen Lord John Russell as +Leader of the House of Commons and Secretary of State for Foreign +Affairs, which _he_ thinks he would accept. (The Queen sanctioned +this.) He would then consult Lord John upon his appointments, but +he (Lord Aberdeen) would be responsible, taking care that Lord John +should be satisfied. There was no doubt that Lord John had full claims +to be Prime Minister again, but that he could give him no greater +proof of confidence, having been his opponent all his life, than to +give him the lead of the House of Commons, which made him virtually +as much Prime Minister as he pleased, and the Foreign Office combined +with it would satisfy Lord John as following the precedent of Mr Fox. +The Peelites would not have served under Lord Lansdowne, much less +under Lord John; but a great many Whigs even objected to Lord John. +This was a temporary and undeserved unpopularity, and still Lord John +remained the first man in the country, and might be Prime Minister +again. The Peelites would know and learn to respect him when meeting +him in office. Lord Aberdeen hoped even many Conservatives now going +with Lord Derby would support such a Government, but to preserve to +it a Conservative character, two Secretaries of State at least must be +_Peelites_. + +We next talked of Lord Palmerston, whom we agreed it would be +imprudent to leave to combine in opposition with Mr Disraeli. Lord +Aberdeen had thought of Ireland for him; we felt sure he would not +accept that. I gave Lord Aberdeen a list of the possible distribution +of offices, which I had drawn up, and which he took with him as +containing "valuable suggestions." He hoped the Queen would allow him +to strengthen himself in the House of Lords, where there was nobody to +cope with Lord Derby, by the translation of Sir James Graham or Mr +S. Herbert, if he should find this necessary. Sir James might gain in +moving from the House of Commons, as he lately fettered himself with +inconvenient Radical pledges. He felt he would have great difficulty +in the formation of his Government, for although everybody promised to +forget his personal wishes and interests, yet when brought to the test +such professions were often belied. The difficulty of measures lies +chiefly in the Budget, as the Income Tax would have to be settled, +and he was anxious to keep a good surplus. As to Reform, he felt that, +considering the Queen to have recommended it by a Speech from the +Throne, and Lord John to have actually introduced a Measure as Prime +Minister, the door could not be closed against it; but it might be +postponed for the present, and there was no real wish for it in the +country. + +He was very sorry that the Government had been upset, and if the +Budget had been such that it could have been accepted he should much +have preferred it. Lord Derby seemed very much offended with him +personally for his speech in the House of Lords. Lord Aberdeen kissed +hands, and started again at four o'clock. + + + + +[Pageheading: LORD ABERDEEN] + +[Pageheading: LORD JOHN RUSSELL] + + +_The Earl of Aberdeen to Queen Victoria._ + +(_Undated._)[61] + +Lord Aberdeen, with his humble duty, begs to inform your Majesty, that +on his return from Osborne last night, he saw Lord Lansdowne and Lord +John Russell, and found them in the same disposition with respect to +the formation of the new Administration. This morning, however, +Lord John Russell, partly from an apprehension of the fatigue of the +Foreign Office, and partly from the effect likely to be produced on +his political friends by his acceptance of office, has expressed his +unwillingness to form part of the Administration, although anxious to +give it his best support. Lord Aberdeen has discussed this matter +very fully with Lord John, and has requested him not to decide finally +until to-morrow morning, which he had promised accordingly. In the +meantime, Lord Aberdeen humbly submits to your Majesty that his +position is materially affected by this irresolution on the part +of Lord John. Had he not felt warranted in relying upon Lord John's +co-operation, he would not have ventured to speak to your Majesty with +the confidence he yesterday evinced. With the most earnest desire to +devote himself to your Majesty's service, it becomes doubtful whether +he could honestly venture to attempt the execution of your Majesty's +commands should Lord John persevere in his present intention. At +all events, nothing further can be done until this matter shall be +decided; and Lord Aberdeen will have the honour of reporting the +result to your Majesty. + + [Footnote 61: Apparently written on the 20th of December + 1852.] + + + + +_Lord John Russell to Queen Victoria._ + +CHESHAM PLACE, _20th December 1852._ + +Lord John Russell presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and is +grateful for your Majesty's condescension in informing him that your +Majesty has charged the Earl of Aberdeen with the duty of constructing +a Government. + +Lord John Russell is desirous of seeing a durable Government, and he +will consider with the utmost care how far he can, consistently +with his own honour and his health and strength, contribute to this +end.[62] + + [Footnote 62: He consulted Lord Lansdowne, and Macaulay, + happening to call, threw his influence into the scale in + favour of his serving under Aberdeen (Walpole's _Russell_, + chap, xxiii.).] + + + + +[Pageheading: MR DISRAELI AND PRINCE ALBERT] + + +_Mr Disraeli to the Prince Albert._ + +DOWNING STREET, _20th December 1852._ + +SIR,--I have the honour to return to your Royal Highness the State +paper[63] which your Royal Highness entrusted to me. I have not +presumed to keep a copy of it, but my memory is familiar with its +contents, and in case hereafter there may be any opportunity formed +to forward the views of your Royal Highness in this respect, I may +perhaps be permitted, if necessary, again to refer to the document. + +I hope I am not presumptuous if, on this occasion, I offer to your +Royal Highness my grateful acknowledgments of the condescending +kindness which I have received from your Royal Highness. + +I may, perhaps, be permitted to say that the views which your Royal +Highness had developed to me in confidential conversation have not +fallen on an ungrateful soil. I shall ever remember with interest and +admiration the princely mind in the princely person, and shall at all +times be prepared to prove to your Royal Highness my devotion. I +have the honour to remain, Sir, your Royal Highness's most obedient +Servant, + +B. DISRAELI. + + [Footnote 63: It is impossible to ascertain what this was; it + was probably one of the Prince's political Memoranda.] + + + + +_The Earl of Aberdeen to Queen Victoria._ + +LONDON, _20th December 1852._ + +Lord Aberdeen, with his humble duty, begs to inform your Majesty that +Lord John Russell has finally decided not to undertake the Foreign +Office, being influenced, Lord Aberdeen fully believes, by domestic +considerations, and contrary to the advice of all the most important +of his political friends. Lord Lansdowne has done his utmost to shake +the resolution, but in vain. Lord John proposes to be in the Cabinet, +without office, but to lead the Government business in the House of +Commons. Lord Aberdeen thinks this arrangement objectionable, and a +novelty, although the Duke of Wellington was Leader in the House +of Lords for two years without office when Lord Hill was +Commander-in-Chief. If the arrangement should be found untenable in +a Parliamentary view, Lord John would consent to accept a nominal +office, such as Chancellor of the Duchy. It is with great regret that +Lord Aberdeen makes this announcement to your Majesty, as his own +position is greatly weakened by this change; but he does not think it +a sufficient reason for abandoning the attempt to serve your Majesty, +which he feared might have been the case if Lord John had persevered +in his intention of not forming part of the Administration. + + + + +[Pageheading: THE QUEEN'S ANXIETY] + + +_Queen Victoria to the Earl of Derby._ + +OSBORNE, _21st December 1852._ + +The Queen has to acknowledge the receipt of Lord Derby's letter. +She has since read his Speech in the House of Lords announcing his +resignation most attentively, and must express her doubts, whether +that Speech was calculated to render easier the difficult task +which has been thrown upon the Queen by the resignation of her late +Government.[64] + + [Footnote 64: Lord Derby severely attacked Lord Aberdeen, in + his absence, and declared himself the victim of a factious + combination.] + + + + +_Queen Victoria to the Earl of Aberdeen._ + +OSBORNE, _21st December 1852._ + +The Queen received Lord Aberdeen's letter early this morning, the +contents of which have filled her with no little anxiety. + +Still, she relies on the spirit of patriotism which she knows animates +all the parties concerned, and which she feels sure will ultimately +prevail over all difficulties, and enable a strong Government to be +formed, which the country so earnestly demands and requires. The Queen +is not surprised at Lord John Russell's fearing the fatigue of the +Foreign Office, together with the lead in the House of Commons, which +Lord Aberdeen's wish to show him entire confidence had prompted him to +offer to Lord John; but _this_ difficulty, she trusts might easily be +obviated. We intend leaving this place for Windsor to-morrow morning, +and being there by two o'clock. + +The Queen would wish to see Lord Aberdeen there in the course of the +afternoon--either at three, four, or five--whichever time is most +convenient to him, and requests him to let her find a line from him +on her arrival, informing her of the hour at which he will come. Any +letter, however, sent by the bag to-night or by a messenger will reach +the Queen _here_ to-morrow morning, as we do not go before a quarter +to ten, and the Queen trusts therefore that Lord Aberdeen will let her +hear as soon as possible how matters stand. + + + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +OSBORNE, _21st December 1852._ + +MY DEAREST UNCLE,--Many thanks for your dear and kind letter of the +17th, which was as ever full of love and affection; but you know +_very_ well that your affectionate child will never allow any mention +of _your_ "leaving the premises." You know--too well--how sacred +duties of any kind are, and above all, those of a King, and in these +days; and how impossible it is for _us to shirk_ or abandon any of +those duties which God has imposed on us. + +You will have heard of our crisis, and of the resignation of the +Government; its overthrow was inevitable; but we must now get a strong +and durable Government, one combined of the best Conservatives and +Liberals, which is what the country expects, demands, and requires. +Lord Aberdeen has undertaken the task, but I cannot yet announce, as +I wish I could, the formation of the new Government. Ever your devoted +Niece, + +VICTORIA R. + +You will receive a small parcel for my dear Charlotte for Christmas +Eve, and I have directed some prize Christmas beef to be forwarded to +Leo, which I hope he will approve of. + + + + +[Pageheading: LORD DERBY'S JUSTIFICATION] + + +_The Earl of Derby to Queen Victoria._ + +ST JAMES'S SQUARE, _22nd December 1852._ + +Lord Derby, with his humble duty, learns with the deepest regret, +by the note which he has just had the honour of receiving, that the +statement which he felt it his duty to make in the House of Lords has +appeared to your Majesty not calculated to render easier the difficult +task which has been thrown upon your Majesty by the resignation +of himself and his colleagues. Lord Derby begs humbly, but most +sincerely, to assure your Majesty that nothing could have been farther +from his intention than to let fall a single word which could increase +the difficulties of the present position. He feels the full extent of +those difficulties, and he may perhaps be forgiven if he entertains a +strong opinion that a due appreciation of their magnitude might have +been expected to have some weight with those Conservative statesmen, +whose opposition thrown into the adverse scale turned the balance +against your Majesty's servants, and rendered their retirement from +office inevitable. Lord Derby does not affect to deny that he thinks +he has some reason, personally and politically, to find fault with the +course which they have pursued: but to suffer any such consideration +to influence his public conduct, with regard to the Government now in +process of formation, would be entirely at variance with his sense of +public duty, and inconsistent with the deep gratitude which he must +ever feel for the confidence with which your Majesty has honoured him. +Lord Derby confesses himself at a loss to understand in what manner +Lord Aberdeen can be enabled to reconcile the many and serious +discrepancies, in matters both of Church and State, which would appear +to exist among his presumed future colleagues; but it will give him +unfeigned satisfaction to see these difficulties surmounted in such +a sense as to enable him to give to the Government his independent +support; and in the meantime it is his determination honestly to +undertake the task, difficult as it must be, of keeping together a +powerful Party, without the excitement of opposition to a Government +by which their own leaders have been superseded, and of some members +of which they think they have reason to complain; and even to +induce that Party to give it their support, whenever they can do so +consistently, with their own conscientious convictions. + + + + +[Pageheading: THE NEW GOVERNMENT] + + +_Memorandum by the Prince Albert._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _22nd December 1852._ + +We arrived here from Osborne at half-past one, and saw Lord Aberdeen +at half-past five, who reported the progress he had made in the +formation of his Government. + +_The Chancellorship._--He had hoped to be able to offer to Lord St +Leonards to remain, but Lord John Russell insisted, on the part of +his Party (which he personally regretted to have to do), that +the Chancellor should be a Liberal; Lord Aberdeen in consequence +recommended Lord Cranworth. + +_The Presidency of the Council._--The Duke of Newcastle, who might +have done for Ireland, but whose presence in the House of Lords would +be a great support to Lord Aberdeen. + +_The Privy Seal._--The Duke of Argyll, to whom he had, however, not +yet applied. + +_The Secretaries of State._--It appeared that Lord Palmerston had +repented of his decision, for he had addressed Lord Lansdowne, and +told him that he gave him his proxy--putting himself entirely into +his hands, feeling sure that he would take care of his honour. Lord +Lansdowne, who had been throughout very kind in his exertions to bring +about the junction of Parties, was now engaged to prevail upon him +to take the Home Office. We congratulated Lord Aberdeen upon this +symptom, which augured confidence in his success. Lord Aberdeen said +that when he saw Lord Palmerston, who then declined office, nothing +could have exceeded the expressions of his cordiality; he had even +reminded him that in fact they were great friends (!!!) of sixty +years' standing, having been at school together. We could not help +laughing heartily at the _Harrow Boys_ and their friendship. The +Foreign Office Lord John had again positively refused, contrary to the +advice of all his friends, and to please Lady John. This arrangement +failing, Lord Clarendon was to undertake it, but Lord Clarendon was +now gone himself to try to persuade Lord, or rather Lady, John to +accept--at least temporarily--declaring his readiness to take it +off his hands at any time if he should find the work too heavy. Lord +Aberdeen had no hope, however, of Lord Clarendon's success. Then +there would come the grave Constitutional Question of establishing the +novelty of a Leader in the House of Commons who held no office. Lord +John had seen the danger of being exposed to the reproach that he had +slipped into office without having gone through the popular ordeal +of a re-election, and had proposed to obviate this by accepting +the Stewardship of the Chiltern Hundreds, and then having himself +re-elected for the City of London. But this would not meet all the +objections, for it would still be considered unconstitutional that +he should lead the business of the Government in the House of Commons +without the responsibility of office. The Leader of the House of +Commons was an irresponsible person, and Lord John's saying: "I shall +represent you (Lord Aberdeen) in the House of Commons," would be +equally unconstitutional. Lord John must therefore be prevailed upon +to take the Chancellorship of the Duchy of Lancaster, though he +felt no inclination to become the successor of Mr Christopher. Lord +Aberdeen read a Memorandum of Lord John's, containing his political +views on the crisis and the principles of the new Government, of which +he is to send the Queen a copy. + +_For the Colonial Office._--Lord Aberdeen wavered between Sir J. +Graham and Mr Gladstone; either could be this, or Chancellor of the +Exchequer. Lord John wished Sir James as Chancellor of the Exchequer. +We argued the greater capabilities of Sir James for the Administration +of the Colonies, and Mr Gladstone for the Finances. + + _Chancellor of the Exchequer_--therefore, Mr Gladstone. + _Admiralty_--Mr Sidney Herbert. + _Board of Control_--Sir C. Wood. + _Board of Trade_--Lord Granville. + _Board of Works_--Sir F. Baring. + +(Baring and Wood being the two men whom Lord John had insisted on +having on the Treasury Bench sitting by his side.) + + _Postmaster_--Lord Canning. + _Secretary-at-War_--Mr Cardwell. + +These would form the Cabinet. Upon Ireland no decision had been +come to, though Lord Granville was generally pointed out as the best +Lord-Lieutenant. + +Lord Aberdeen was very much pleased with the entire confidence +existing between him and Lord John. The Budget would be a formidable +difficulty, as in fact the Government would be an Income Tax +Government. + +Lord Derby's intemperate and unconstitutional behaviour would do +no good to the Government; many of his friends were disgusted. Lord +Clanwilliam had called his speech in the House of Lords "a great +outrage." The Radicals might be conciliated in some of the lower +Offices by the appointment of Mr Charles Villiers, Sir William +Molesworth, and others. + + + + +[Pageheading: THE EMPEROR OF THE FRENCH] + + +_The Earl of Malmesbury to Queen Victoria._ + +FOREIGN OFFICE, _23rd December 1852._ + +Lord Malmesbury presents his humble duty to the Queen, and considers +it right to inform your Majesty that Count Walewski again asked him +yesterday where the Prince of Hohenlohe was now residing, adding that +it was the intention of the Emperor to send a person to see him, and +ascertain his feelings with respect to a marriage between him and the +Princess Adelaide. Lord Malmesbury confined himself to replying that +he did not know. Lord Malmesbury might perhaps in his private capacity +endeavour to discourage these advances, but as long as he has the +honour of being one of your Majesty's Ministers, it appears to him +that your Majesty will be _personally_ the least committed by his +interfering as little as possible in the matter. + +The Emperor is becoming extremely irritable at the delay of the three +great Powers in recognising the Empire, and he has said to M. Huebner +that, as they had plenty of time to agree among themselves what course +they should pursue when it was proclaimed, he cannot understand how +Austria and Prussia can in the face of Europe humiliate themselves by +waiting for the orders of Russia--"_les ordres de la Russie_." + + + + +_Queen Victoria to the Earl of Malmesbury._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _23rd December 1852._ + +The Queen has received Lord Malmesbury's letter. She thinks he is +acting very judiciously in giving Count Walewski no advice whatever as +long as he holds the Seals of Office. + + + + +[Pageheading: NEW APPOINTMENTS] + + +_Queen Victoria to the Earl of Aberdeen._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _23rd December 1852._ + +The Queen has received Lord Aberdeen's communication of this morning, +and was pleased to hear that Lord John has finally accepted the +Foreign Office. She has also received the second communication, with +the List of the distribution of Offices. The Queen thinks it of such +importance that the Cabinet should be now announced to the world as +complete, that she is unwilling to throw any difficulties in the way. +At the same time, she must observe that in some instances the changes +are, in her opinion, not for the better. Sir J. Graham will be very +unpopular in the Navy; his achievements at the Admiralty in former +times[65] were all _retrenchments_, and have since proved in many +instances injurious to the Service. The Secretary-at-War ought +properly to be left out of the Cabinet for the well working of the +Army;[66] the President of the Board of Trade has always been in the +Cabinet, and in Lord Granville's case, even the Vice-President. +Lord Granville will have a difficulty as Chancellor of the Duchy of +Lancaster, being one of the chief lessees of the Duchy, and, the Queen +believes, even engaged in a law-suit against it. The Queen has no +objection to Sir William Molesworth[67] at the Office of Works. She +hopes that the Presidency of the Council will be filled at once, for +which Lord Clarendon would be best. + +Amongst the Under-Secretaries of State, the Queen wishes merely to +express her objection at seeing Mr B. Osborne[68] at the _Foreign_ +Office. The Queen sees Lord Chandos's[69] name as Secretary to the +Treasury; she would be very much pleased to see his services secured. +All the other proposals she approves. + +The Queen must repeat in conclusion that she considers the rapid +completion of the Government of the first importance, even if none of +the points the Queen has alluded to should be amended. + + [Footnote 65: From 1830 to 1834.] + + [Footnote 66: The Secretary-at-War was not a Secretary of + State.] + + [Footnote 67: M.P. for Southwark; well known as a + philosophical writer, the first member of the Radical Party + included in any Ministry.] + + [Footnote 68: Mr Bernal Osborne, a well-known speaker at the + time, became Secretary of the Admiralty.] + + [Footnote 69: Afterwards, as Duke of Buckingham, Secretary for + the Colonies and Governor of Madras.] + + + + +[Pageheading: THE NEW CABINET] + + +_Queen Victoria to the Earl of Aberdeen._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _24th December 1852._ + +The Queen has this moment received Lord Aberdeen's letter, reporting +that new difficulties have arisen in the completion of the Government +by new proposals made by Lord John Russell, since the Queen's sanction +had been given to the arrangements submitted to her by Lord Aberdeen, +which had then been agreed to by Lord John Russell. The Queen begins +to fear serious mischief from the long duration of the crisis. It must +weaken the prestige of the new Government, and, instead of smoothing +difficulties, is, from the nature of things, rather calculated to +invite new ones. The Queen has, in her letter of yesterday, stated +some objections _she_ felt, but added that she would waive them all +for the satisfaction of the immediate want of the country (a strong +Government), and she must express her hope that political parties will +not fall short in patriotic spirit of the example she has thus herself +set. + + + + +_Queen Victoria to the Earl of Aberdeen._ +[_Draft--from recollection._] + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _24th December 1852._ + +The Queen has received Lord Aberdeen's letter of this afternoon, and +is very glad to hear that he has overcome the difficulties which he +mentioned this morning, and that he has secured the services of Lord +Lansdowne in the Cabinet. She hopes, however, that Lord Aberdeen will +remain firm on the other points, as difficulties are never overcome by +yielding to more than can be fairly demanded. + + + + +_Memorandum by Queen Victoria._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _25th December 1852._ + +Lord Aberdeen came this afternoon to announce the completion of his +Cabinet. + +From many of them answers have not yet been received. + +The day before it looked very bad. Lord John Russell had sent in such +a list of persons whom he required in the Cabinet (Sir Francis +Baring, Sir George Grey, etc., etc.), that, having been very yielding +hitherto, Lord Aberdeen was obliged to be peremptory in his refusal. +Now that the Cabinet was formed on a due proportion, he was inclined +to let Lord John have his own way pretty much with regard to the +minor Offices, considering that he brought 250 followers, and he (Lord +Aberdeen) only 50. + +It was to Lord Clarendon that the persuasion of Lady John was finally +due, but Lord Aberdeen had to add his own promise to that of Lord +Clarendon, that the latter would take the Foreign Office whenever she +thought Lord John ought to be relieved from it. + +Lady Palmerston had been most anxious to bring her husband into office +again; Lord Aberdeen had seen the first symptom of their joint wish in +the earnestness with which Lord Palmerston's friends declared in all +places that, had he been well enough, he would certainly have voted +against the Government. + +Lord Lansdowne's exertions and Lord Clarendon's disinterestedness were +beyond all praise. + +Of the Derbyites, he heard that most of them would be very quiet, and +many would be very friendly. + +Lord Breadalbane is to be Lord Chamberlain. We recommend a trial to +get Lord Jersey to remain as Master of the Horse. + +VICTORIA R. + + + + +_The Prince Albert to the Earl of Aberdeen._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _26th December 1852._ + +MY DEAR LORD ABERDEEN,--I have heard rumours of some appointments in +the Household, for which the writs are to be moved to-morrow. As you +have not yet placed before the Queen your recommendations, I merely +write this to you, fearing that the "Whig Party" may deal out places +before you have had an opportunity of taking the Queen's pleasure. +Ever yours truly, + +ALBERT. + + + + +[Pageheading: LORD DERBY'S FAREWELL AUDIENCE] + + +_Memorandum by the Prince Albert._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _27th December 1852._ + +Lord Derby had his audience of leave yesterday afternoon. He repeated +his thanks to the Queen for the support and countenance she had given +him throughout the period he had been allowed to serve her, adding +his regrets that his services could not have been more efficient or +longer. One thing only distressed him in taking leave, and that +was the idea that the Queen might think he had unnecessarily raised +difficulties to the formation of a new Government by his Speech in +the House of Lords. Now, it had been incumbent upon him to show to +his Party that he had not quitted office on light grounds, after the +sacrifices of opinion they had brought in order to support him; he had +to prove that the vote in the House of Commons was not an accidental +vote, but the preconcerted Union of all Parties (in opposition) +against him, which gave them a real majority. We replied that it was +not his opinion on the late division, to the expression of which the +Queen had objected, but to that of an opinion on the character of +the new Government which the Queen had not yet formed. It was of the +greatest importance to keep that in suspense, and the declaration that +Lord Derby knew Lord Aberdeen to profess Conservative opinions of his +own (Lord Derby's) shade, had at once given the alarm to the Radicals, +and made them insist upon a greater proportion of Liberals in the +Cabinet. Lord Derby rejoined he had expressed his doubts as to how +these differences could be reconciled; and he did not see now how this +was to be done. How could Lord Aberdeen and Lord John Russell agree +upon the Foreign Policy, for instance? The Queen replied that Lord +John's views were very sound and moderate, and that the line of +Foreign Policy he had formerly had to pursue had been forced upon him +by Lord Palmerston, who had never left a question for the decision of +the Cabinet to which he had not already given a decided bias. + +Did Lord Derby know that Lord Palmerston gave it out everywhere that, +had he been well enough, he should certainly have voted _against_ +the Government? Lord Derby could only say that he had allowed his +son-in-law, Lord Jocelyn, to go to Italy under the firm conviction +that Lord Palmerston would refuse to join Lord Aberdeen or Lord John +Russell! + +Lord Derby took leave after five o'clock. + +ALBERT. + + + + +[Pageheading: LADY DERBY'S LETTER] + + +_The Countess of Derby to the Marchioness of Ely._[70] + +ST JAMES'S SQUARE, _27th December 1852._ + +MY DEAREST LADY ELY,--Lord Derby told me that he saw you yesterday, +but only for a moment. I think he was nervous about his audience of +leave, but he returned deeply touched by the kindness of manner of the +Queen and the Prince. I cannot resist saying to you that, during the +last year, he has been more and more impressed with the admirable +qualities of the Queen, and her noble straightforwardness on all +occasions, and her unvarying kindness have inspired him with the +strongest attachment (if I may venture so to express his feelings for +Her Majesty). During that week of terrible suspense he continually +said to me that his chief anxiety and regret were caused by the fear +of leaving the Queen, particularly before he had had time and power to +do more in her service. I am writing in haste, having much to do this +last day in Town, but I have very often wished that the Queen knew how +warmly and sincerely Lord Derby is devoted to her service. He is also +very grateful to the Prince, for whose abilities he has the highest +admiration, often speaking of his wonderful cleverness. I am delighted +to hear that the Queen is so well; he said she was looking remarkably +well yesterday. He told me that Her Majesty used some kind expression +about myself. If you should have an opportunity of saying to Her +Majesty how grateful I am for all her former kindness, I should be +very much obliged to you. Ever yours very affectionately, + +EMMA DERBY. + + [Footnote 70: Submitted to the Queen by Lady Ely.] + + + + +[Pageheading: THE NEW MINISTRY] + +[Pageheading: MR DISRAELI] + + +_Memorandum by the Prince Albert._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _28th December 1852._ + +The delivery of the Seals of Office of the outgoing Ministers into the +Queen's hands, and her bestowal of them upon the new Ministers, took +place to-day. + +Of the former, Mr Disraeli seemed to feel most the loss of office. + +We saw Lord Aberdeen for some time, who submitted the names of all the +persons he recommended for the subordinate Offices, of whom he will +send a list. We asked him what might have passed between the last +Session and this to chill his feelings for Lord Derby, who maintained +that up to the Dissolution he had sent him messages to say that he +perfectly agreed with him, except on the Commercial Policy, and that +he never would join the Whigs. Lord Aberdeen disclaimed all knowledge +of such messages, though he acknowledged to have been very friendly to +Lord Derby. At the General Election, however, it appeared to him +that there was such a total want of principle in him and his Party, +pledging themselves for Protection in one place and Free Trade in +another, and appearing consistent only on one point, viz. their hatred +to Sir Robert Peel's memory and his friends, that he became determined +to have nothing to do with them. + +The formation of the Government appeared to give satisfaction to the +country, though of course the number of the disappointed must be even +larger than usual on such occasions. Lord Canning seemed very much +hurt at not being taken into the Cabinet, and felt inclined to refuse +the Post Office. We agreed upon the impolicy of such a step, +and encouraged Lord Aberdeen to press him. Lord Clanricarde, and +particularly Lord Carlisle, were very much grieved at being left out +altogether, but there was no help for it; for each man taken in from +one side, two would be proposed from the other, and the Cabinet was +just large enough to work. + +We saw Lord Lansdowne after the Council, who seemed well satisfied +with the Government, a combination he had so much and so long wished. +Lord Carlisle's annoyance was the only thing which personally grieved +him. He said that from the moment he had read Mr Disraeli's Budget he +had felt sure that the Government would fall immediately; the country +would never submit to a new tax with a surplus in the Exchequer. + +Lord John Russell, whom we saw afterwards, seemed in very good health +and spirits. He told us that the peaceful parting scene in the House +of Commons had been his doing; he had told Mr Walpole that he thought +Mr Disraeli ought to make an apology to the House for the language he +had used, and which had given pain to a great many persons; and on +Mr Walpole's saying that that was a very delicate thing to tell Mr +Disraeli, he had allowed it to be told him as a message from him (Lord +John). Mr Disraeli declared his readiness, provided others would do +the same, and declared they had meant no offence.[71] We owned that +we had been astonished to find them of a sudden all so _well bred_. We +asked what Lord Palmerston had been about during the crisis? Lord John +told us in reply that Lord Palmerston had certainly been disposed +to join Lord Derby's Government, but always said he could not do so +alone; that if eight of them were to join, then they would have the +majority in the Cabinet. He also said that he believed Lord Palmerston +would have voted _for_ some parts of the Budget and against others. +Lord John does not think that that large Party of Lord Derby's will +long keep together, that some would vote for the Government, others +might try to raise a Protestant cry. + +Lord Palmerston looked excessively ill, and had to walk with two +sticks from the gout. + + [Footnote 71: "Mr Disraeli ... with infinite polish and grace + asked pardon for the flying words of debate, and drew easy + forgiveness from the member (Mr Goulburn), whom a few hours + before he had mocked as 'a weird sibyl'; the other member (Sir + James Graham), whom he could not say he greatly respected, but + whom he greatly regarded; and the third member (Sir C. + Wood), whom he bade learn that petulance is not sarcasm, and + insolence is not invective. Lord John Russell congratulated + him on the ability and the gallantry with which he had + conducted the struggle, and so the curtain fell." Morley's + _Gladstone_, Book III. chap. viii.] + + + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _28th December 1852._ + +MY DEAREST UNCLE,--Your dear letter of the 24th reached me on Monday, +and I thank you warmly for it. The success of our excellent Aberdeen's +arduous task and the formation of so brilliant and strong a Cabinet +would, I was sure, please you. It is the realisation of the country's +and our _most_ ardent wishes, and it deserves success, and will, I +think, command great support.... It has been an anxious week, and just +on our happy Christmas Eve we were still very uneasy. + +As I mean to write again before this year runs out, and I have a long +Council with outgoing and incoming Ministers this afternoon, you will +excuse my taking leave here. Ever your truly devoted Niece, + +VICTORIA R. + + + + +[Pageheading: THE SUGGESTED MARRIAGE] + + +_The Princess Hohenlohe to Queen Victoria._ + +LANGENBURG, _30th December 1852._ + +MY DEAREST VICTORIA,--According to your wish and our promise, we send +this servant with the most unwelcome news that yesterday morning M. +de Jaux arrived here and told Ernest (as you will see by his letter to +Albert) that the Count Walewski wishes to have an interview with him +to confer on the subject we know of. A quarter of an hour before I +received this letter from Uncle Leopold, which I sent in Ernest's +letter to Ada, and in which he speaks his opinion that we ought not +to say "_No_" _at once_, before telling Ada of it. This is very much +against my wish and Ernest's, for we both would like to make an end +of the affair as soon as possible, but cannot, as we see the truth of +what Uncle Leopold says. I send a letter to Mamma to you, and one for +Ada. Mamma knows of it, as she wrote to me the other day, and I leave +it to you, dearest Victoria, if you or Mamma will tell the poor child +of the transaction. She will be in great distress. I wish she may at +once say "_No_," but am not sure of it; and in our letters we have +not said anything for the thing, but nothing against also but what +naturally is to be said against it. She will not know what to do, and +I am sure you and Mamma will not put it to her in _too_ favourable a +light, as we are of the same opinion on the subject; but yet there may +be some things in its favour too. I wish you would make Charles come +to us--_if you think it wise to do so_--and he not only will try to +engage us to it. But there may be so many reasons for or against which +in a letter it is not possible to explain all, and which we could not +answer in time; besides by him we might learn more accurately what +Ada feels: but I leave it quite to your and Albert's judgment, if this +would be a good plan. I am in great distress, you well may think, my +dearest Victoria. Oh! if we could but say "_No_" at once!... + +Many thanks, my dearest Victoria, for your kind letter of the 22nd. In +the papers I have been following with the greatest interest what has +been said on the formation of the new Ministry; there is one name +though which frightens me--Lord Palmerston. Let me wish you joy of the +New Year; may it _bring peace_ not only to the nations, but also +to us. Every blessing and happiness to you, dear Albert, and your +children, and for me your love and affection, which is a blessing to +your devoted Sister, + +FEODORA. + +Ernest also wishes you all possible happiness. If Ada has the wish to +see the Emperor before she decides, what is to be done? + + + + +[Pageheading: NEW YEAR WISHES] + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _31st December 1852._ + +MY DEAREST UNCLE,--On _this_, the last day of the old year, allow me +to offer my most ardent wishes for _many_ and happy returns of the +New Year to you and yours. May it be one of peace and prosperity to +us _all_, and may we have the happiness of seeing _you_ again. May we +still hope to see you this _winter_ or not? + +Our Government is very satisfactorily settled. To have my faithful +friend Aberdeen as Prime Minister is a great happiness and comfort +for me personally. Lord Palmerston is terribly altered, and all his +friends think him breaking. He walks with two sticks, and seemed in +great suffering at the Council, I thought. I must now conclude. Ever +your devoted Niece, + +VICTORIA R. + + + + +INTRODUCTORY NOTE + +TO CHAPTER XXII + + +The opening of the year 1853 saw a strong Coalition Ministry in power; +the necessity of a cordial understanding with France was obvious, but +bitter and indiscreet attacks on the Emperor of the French were made +by certain members of the Government, for which Mr Disraeli took them +severely to task. Lord John Russell, who had been appointed Foreign +Secretary, resigned that office in February, in favour of Lord +Clarendon, being unable to bear the twofold burden of the Leadership +of the House and the Foreign Office. Though the arrangement was +questioned, he continued during the year to lead the House without +office. A Canadian Clergy Reserves Bill, an India Bill, introducing +competitive examination into the Civil Service, and various measures +of Metropolitan improvement were passed. A more important feature of +the Session was Mr Gladstone's first Budget, dealing comprehensively +with the Income Tax, and imposing a duty on successions to real +property. + +The Eastern Question, however, overshadowed all other interests. For +some time a dispute had existed between the Latin and Greek Churches +as to the guardianship of the Holy Places (including the Church of +the Holy Sepulchre) in Palestine. After long negotiations between the +French and Russian Governments, as representing these Churches, an +indecisive judgment was pronounced by the Porte, which, however, so +incensed Russia that she began to make warlike demonstrations, +and sent Prince Menschikoff to Constantinople to make peremptory +requisitions as to the Holy Places. + +In the meanwhile, the Czar had made confidential overtures to +Sir Hamilton Seymour, the British Ambassador at St Petersburg, +representing the Sultan as a very "sick man," and suggesting that, +on the dissolution of his Empire, a concerted disposal of the Turkish +dominions should be made by England and Russia; these conversations +were reported at once to the British Government. Lord Stratford +de Redcliffe, who had been sent to represent British interests +at Constantinople, arrived there after Prince Menschikoff, and a +settlement of the disputes as to the Holy Places was then easily +effected, Lord Stratford insisting on this question being kept +independent of any other issue. But Prince Menschikoff had come to +the conference with instructions to keep an ulterior object in view, +namely, to advance a claim, by means of a strained interpretation of +the Treaty of Kainardji of 1774, of a Russian protectorate over the +Christian subjects of the Sultan. Influenced by Lord Stratford, the +Porte rejected the claim, and, in retaliation, the Czar occupied the +Danubian Principalities of Wallachia and Moldavia, characterising the +step not as an act of war, but a material guarantee of Russia's just +rights. The French Emperor, anxious to divert the attention of his +subjects from domestic politics, was making preparations for war; and +similar preparations were also being made in England. + +Negotiations took place between the Powers with a view of averting +war, and a document known as the Vienna Note, to which Great Britain +and France were parties, and which Russia accepted, was proffered to +the Sultan: again Lord Stratford interposed to prevent its acceptance, +and, when the Russian Government subsequently announced its own +interpretation of the Note, it was apparent that the Western Powers +had been mistaken as to its purport. + +An Ultimatum, requiring the evacuation of the Principalities, was +sent by the Porte to Russia and rejected: war broke out, and the first +encounter at Oltenitza, on the 4th of November, resulted in favour of +Turkey. Meanwhile both the British and French fleets had been sent +to the East, and, on the declaration of war, the British Admiral +was instructed to take any action he thought fit to prevent Russian +aggression on Turkish territory. On the 30th of November the Turkish +Fleet in Sinope Harbour was destroyed by the Russian squadron, this +occurrence provoking profound indignation in England, though it had +been urged both within the Cabinet and outside that the despatch of +the combined Western Fleets through the Dardanelles was more likely to +appear as a defiance to Russia than a support to Turkey. + +Earlier in the year Lord Aberdeen had desired to retire, but enquiry +soon disclosed that Lord John Russell no longer had the influence +necessary to form a Ministry, and in the face of danger Lord Aberdeen +remained at his post. But there were sharp dissensions in the Cabinet, +especially between Lord Palmerston, representing the anti-Russian +party, on the one hand, and on the other Lord Aberdeen, who distrusted +the Turks, and Mr Gladstone, who disavowed any obligation to uphold +the integrity of the Ottoman Empire. In December, Lord Palmerston +resigned office, the ostensible reason being his opposition to the +contemplated Reform Bill of the Government. The real cause was his +opinion that apathy was being shown by his colleagues in reference to +the Eastern Question; however, after arrangements had been made for +replacing him, he was, at his own desire, re-admitted to the Cabinet. + + + + +CHAPTER XXII + +1853 + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _4th January 1853._ + +MY DEAREST UNCLE,--... Our new Government will really, I think, +command a large support, and, I trust, be of duration, which is a +great object. Their only difficulty will be the Budget. + +The coldness and tardiness of the Northern Powers in recognising _our_ +new _bon Frere_ annoys him very much, and produces a bad effect in +France. I don't think it is wise. Unnecessary irritation may produce +_real_ mischief. To squabble about _how_ to call him, after having +praised and supported him after the _Coup d'Etat_, seems to me very +_kleinlich_ and inconsistent, and I think our conduct throughout has +been much more dignified.... + +I have read with pleasure the loyal addresses of the Chambers, and +with peculiar satisfaction the allusion to Leopold's visit to England. +Let him and Philippe come here often and regularly, and let them study +this country and her laws _a fond_--it will do them more good than +all the studying and reading in the world. They all three express most +warmly to us their hopes of returning to us soon. Do let us have the +hope of seeing you in February. It would be delightful!... I must now +wish you good-bye. Ever your devoted Niece, + +VICTORIA R. + + + + +[Pageheading: HEADMASTERSHIP OF ETON] + + +_The Earl of Aberdeen to Queen Victoria._ + +LONDON, _9th January 1853._ + +... Lord Aberdeen also begs to mention to your Majesty that he saw +Dr Hawtrey yesterday and in signifying your Majesty's gracious +intentions[1] towards him, took an opportunity of expressing in very +strong terms the great importance of the choice of his successor as +Headmaster of Eton, and described the requisite qualifications for +such a situation, as well as the objections to which some appointments +might be liable. Lord Aberdeen was perfectly understood by Dr Hawtrey, +although no name was mentioned; and the subject was regarded as being +of the utmost importance, not only to the school itself, but to the +nation at large. + + [Footnote 1: Dr E. C. Hawtrey was advanced to the Provostship + of Eton upon the death of the Rev. Francis Hodgson. Dr C. O. + Goodford succeeded to the Headmastership.] + + + + +[Pageheading: MARRIAGE OF EMPEROR NAPOLEON] + + +_Lady Augusta Bruce to the Duchess of Kent._ + +RUE DE VARENNES 65, _31st January 1853._ + +DEAREST MADAME,--I fear that I shall not be able to add much to the +newspaper account of yesterday's ceremony,[2] for it was one the +impression of which is best conveyed by a simple and accurate +description of the scene, and of those arrangements and details which +combined to render its effect gorgeous and dazzling. Apart, however, +from the historical interest attached to it as one of the very curious +acts of the extraordinary Drama now enacting in France, the impression +produced was one that would be called forth by a magnificent +theatrical representation, and little more. This seemed to be the +public feeling, for though multitudes thronged the streets, the day +being dry, they appeared to be animated by curiosity chiefly, and that +_sober_ curiosity which now characterises the people of Paris, wearied +as they are of _novelty_ and excitement. As far as one can judge, +it does not seem that the lower orders take much interest in this +marriage; the ambition and vanity of _his_ partisans have been wounded +by it, and, of course, his enemies do not scruple to calumniate and +slander the unfortunate object of his choice disgracefully. + +It is very difficult to ascertain anything like truth as regards her, +but her beauty and engaging manners will, it is thought by many, gain +for her, for a time at least, a greater amount of popularity than his +friends who now blame the marriage expect. That he is passionately in +love with her no one doubts, and his countenance on late occasions, as +well as yesterday, wore a radiant and joyous expression very unusual. +She, on the contrary, showed a considerable amount of nervousness at +the Civil Marriage, and was as pale as death yesterday--however, even +with the high and determined spirit she is supposed to have, this +might be expected. Lady Cowley had been kind enough to send us an +invitation, of which we were tempted to avail ourselves.[3] Nothing +could be more splendid than the decorations of the Cathedral--velvet +and ermine--gold and silver--flags and hangings of all colours were +combined and harmonised with the splendid costumes of the Clergy, +the uniforms, civil and military, and the magnificent dresses of the +ladies. The greatest mistake was the _conflict_ of lights--the windows +not having been darkened, though countless thousands of wax candles +were lighted. The music was very fine.... The object of our neighbours +seemed to be to scan and criticise the dress of the Bride, and the +wonderful penetration and accuracy of their eagle glances was to us +something incredible! Certainly, though unable ourselves at such a +distance to appreciate the details of her dress or the expression of +her countenance, we saw her distinctly enough to be able to say that +a more lovely _coup d'[oe]il_ could not be conceived. Her beautifully +chiselled features and marble complexion, her nobly _set-on head_, +her exquisitely proportioned figure and graceful carriage were most +striking, and the whole was like a Poet's Vision! I believe she is +equally beautiful when seen close, but at a distance at which we saw +her the effect was something more than that of a lovely picture, it +was aerial, ideal. On the classically shaped head she wore a diamond +crown or diadem, round her waist a row of magnificent diamonds to +correspond, and the same as trimming round the "basques" of her gown. +Then a sort of cloud or mist of transparent lace enveloped her, +which had the effect of that for which, when speaking of the hills in +Scotland, Princess Hohenlohe could find no English word, "_Duft_." I +hope your Royal Highness will not think me very much carried by what +pleases the eye. I felt all the while that one could view the matter +but as an outside show; as such, in as far as she was concerned, +it was exquisitely beautiful--and I suppose that a sort of national +prejudice made me attribute the grace and dignity of the scene, +for what there was of either came from her, to the blood of +_Kirkpatrick!!!_ + +The carriages were ugly and the Procession by no means fine, and +those in which the Bridal party afterwards travelled to St Cloud, +were driven by individuals in the famous theatrical costume of the +well-known "Postillon de Longjumeau!"[4] + + [Footnote 2: The Emperor of the French was married to + Mademoiselle Eugenie de Montijo on the 29th of January. + William Kirkpatrick, her maternal grandfather, had been a + merchant and American Consul at Malaga, and had there married + Francoise de Grivegnec. Their third daughter, Maria + Manuela, married, in 1817, the Count de Teba, a member of an + illustrious Spanish family, who in 1834 succeeded his brother + as Count de Montijo, and died in 1839. His widow held an + influential social position at Madrid, and her elder daughter + married the Duke of Alba in 1844, while she herself, with + Eugenie, her younger daughter, settled in Paris in 1851.] + + [Footnote 3: Lord Cowley had been specifically instructed by + the Government to attend the marriage and be presented to the + Empress.] + + [Footnote 4: A comic opera, written by Adolphe Adam, and + performed at Paris in 1836.] + + + + +[Pageheading: THE EMPRESS] + + +_The King of the Belgians to Queen Victoria._ + +LAEKEN, _4th February 1853._ + +MY DEAREST VICTORIA,--Receive my best thanks for your gracious letter +of the 1st. Since I wrote to you _le grand evenement a eu lieu!_ We +truly live in times where at least variety is not wanting; the only +mischief is that like drunkards people want more and more excitement, +and it therefore will probably end by what remains the most exciting +of all--War. Amusing and interesting war is, it must be confessed, +more than anything in the world, and that makes me think that it +must be the bouquet when people will be _blase_ of everything else. +I enclose a letter from our Secretary of Legation at Madrid, Baron +Beyens, who married a great friend of the Queen, Mademoiselle de Santa +Cruz, and is much _au fait_ of all things that interest the public +just now. It seems by what I learned from Paris that the Empress +communicated to a friend a communication of _son cher epoux_ when +she expressed her sense of her elevation to such eminence; as it may +interest you and Albert, I will make an extract of it here: "Vous ne +me parlez, ma chere enfant, que des avantages de la position que je +vous offre, mais mon devoir est de vous signaler aussi ses dangers; +ils sont grands, je serai sans doute a vos cotes l'objet de plus d'une +tentative d'assassinat; independamment de cela, je dois vous confier +que des complots serieux se fomentent dans l'armee. J'ai l'[oe]il +ouvert de ce cote et je compte bien d'une maniere ou d'autre prevenir +toute explosion; le moyen sera _peut-etre la guerre_. La encore il y a +de grandes chances de ruine pour moi. Vous voyez donc bien que vous +ne devez pas avoir de scrupules pour partager mon sort, les mauvaises +chances etant peut-etre egales aux bonnes!" + +I was sorry to hear of Lord Melbourne's, _i.e._, Beauvale's, death. +I knew him since 1814, and found him always very kind. For poor Lady +Melbourne, who devoted herself so much, it is a sad blow. We are +longing for a little cold, but it does not come though we have some +east wind. I am held back in some of the _most essential_ measures for +the defence of the country by the tricks of the Chamber. I see that +the Manchester party shines in unusual Bright-ness and Cobden-ness by +a degress of absurdity never as yet heard of. In the American War the +Quakers refused to fight; they did not besides like the extremities +the States had gone to against the mother country; but not to defend +its own country against probable invasion is truly too much. + +Pray have the goodness to give my best love to Albert, and believe me, +ever my dearest Victoria, your devoted Uncle, + +LEOPOLD R. + + + + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _8th February 1853._ + +MY DEAREST UNCLE,--I have to thank you for two most kind letters of +the 4th and 7th (which I have just received) with very interesting +enclosures, which shall be duly returned. The little report of what +the Emperor said to the Empress is very curious, and tallies with what +I have also heard of his thinking much more of the insecurity of his +position than he used to do. The description of the young Empress's +character is an interesting one, and also agrees with what I had +heard from those who know her well. It may be in her power to do much +good--and I hope she may. Her character is made to captivate a man, I +should say--particularly one like the Emperor. + +I am sorry that you have had trouble with your Parliament. Ours begins +its work on Thursday. The accounts of the support which our +Government will receive are most satisfactory, and the Cabinet is most +harmonious.... Ever your devoted Niece, + +VICTORIA R. + + + + +[Pageheading: THE CZAR AND TURKEY] + + +_The Earl of Aberdeen to Queen Victoria._ + +LONDON, _8th February 1853._ + +... Lord John Russell read at the Cabinet a despatch received from +your Majesty's Minister at St Petersburg, giving an account of an +interview with the Emperor, at which His Majesty appeared to expect an +early dissolution of the Turkish Empire, and proposed in such a case +to act in perfect concert with the British Government. Lord John also +read the rough draft of a proposed answer to this despatch, which, +with slight alterations, was fully approved.[5] + +Lord Aberdeen does not think there is anything very new in this +demonstration by the Emperor. It is essentially the same language he +has held for some years, although, perhaps, the present difficulties +of Turkey may have rendered him more anxious on the subject.... + + [Footnote 5: _See_ Introductory Note, p. 431. The Emperor had, + no doubt, misunderstood the attitude of the British Ministry + in 1844 on this subject, and regarded Lord Aberdeen as in full + sympathy with himself.] + + + + +[Pageheading: THE LEADERSHIP] + + +_Lord John Russell to Queen Victoria._ + +CHESHAM PLACE, _12th February 1853._ + +Lord John Russell presents his humble duty to your Majesty; he has +waited till to-day in order to be able to give some account of the +appearance of the House of Commons. + +Lord John Russell's statement of measures to be proposed was well +received, but as it did not contain reform was a disappointment to a +part of the House. Mr Walpole spoke privately to Lord John Russell +as to his future position in leading the Government in the House of +Commons without office. Mr Walpole said it was neither illegal nor +unconstitutional, but might prove inconvenient as a precedent. + +The Speaker said in conversation there was clearly no _constitutional_ +objection, but that the leadership of the House was so laborious that +an office without other duties ought to be assigned to it.... + + + + +[Pageheading: LORD JOHN RUSSELL'S DEFENCE] + + +_Queen Victoria to Lord John Russell._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _13th February 1853._ + +The Queen has received Lord John Russell's letter of yesterday, and +was very glad to hear that he considers the aspect of the House of +Commons as favourable to the Government. + +Lord John alludes for the first time in his letter to a question +on which the Queen has not hitherto expressed her opinion to him +personally, viz., how far the proposed new arrangement of Lord John's +holding the leadership of the House of Commons without office was +constitutional or not?[6] Her opinion perfectly agrees with that +expressed by Mr Walpole to Lord John. If the intended arrangement were +_undoubtedly illegal_ it would clearly never have been contemplated at +all; but it may prove a _dangerous precedent_. + +The Queen would have been quite prepared to give the proposition +of the Speaker "that the leadership of the House of Commons was so +laborious, that an Office without other duties ought to be assigned +to it," her fullest and fairest consideration, upon its merits and its +constitutional bearings, which ought to have been distinctly set forth +before her by her constitutional advisers for her final and unfettered +decision. + +What the Queen complains of, and, as she believes with justice, is, +that so important an innovation in the construction of the executive +Government should have been practically decided upon by an arrangement +intended to meet personal wants under peculiar and accidental +circumstances, leaving the Queen the embarrassing alternative only, +either to forego the exercise of her own prerogative, or to damage by +her own act the _formation_ or _stability_ of the new Government, both +of paramount importance to the welfare of the Country. + +[Footnote 6: See _ante_, pp. 417, 421.] + + + + + +_Lord John Russell to Queen Victoria._ + +CHESHAM PLACE, _13th February 1853._ + +Lord John Russell presents his humble duty to your Majesty. He cannot +forbear from vindicating himself from the charge of forming or +being party to an arrangement "intended to meet personal wants +under peculiar and accidental circumstances, leaving the Queen the +embarrassing alternative only, either to forego the exercise of +her own prerogative, or to damage by her own act the _formation_ or +_stability_ of the new Government--both of paramount importance to the +welfare of the Country." + +Lord John Russell has done all in his power to contribute to the +formation of a Ministry in which he himself holds a subordinate +situation, from which nearly all his dearest political friends are +excluded, and which is held by some to extinguish the party which for +eighteen years he has led. + +He has done all this in order that your Majesty and the Country might +not be exposed to the evil of a weak Ministry liable to be overthrown +at any moment, formed whether by Lord Derby, or by himself at the head +of one party only. + +But in consenting to this arrangement he was desirous to maintain his +honour intact, and for this purpose he asked before the Ministry was +formed for the honour of an Audience of your Majesty, that he might +explain all the circumstances of his position. + +This Audience was not granted, and Lord John Russell has never been +in a situation to explain to your Majesty why he believes that his +leading the House of Commons without office is not liable to any +constitutional objection. + +The Speaker and Mr Walpole both concur that no constitutional +objection to this arrangement exists, but should your Majesty wish to +see the arguments briefly stated by which Lord John Russell has been +convinced, he should be happy to be allowed to lay them before your +Majesty. + + + + +[Pageheading: THE REFUGEE QUESTION] + + +_The Earl of Clarendon to Queen Victoria._ + +_25th February 1853._ + +Lord Clarendon presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and +humbly begs to state that Count Colloredo[7] called upon him this +afternoon.... Count Colloredo then said that he had another and more +disagreeable subject to discuss with Lord Clarendon. He commenced +by reading a note from Count Buol[8] complaining bitterly of the +refugees, and the manner in which they abused the hospitality +afforded them in this country, and attributing in great measure to the +proclamations of Kossuth and Mazzini the late insurrection at Milan, +and the attempt on the Emperor's life.[9] This note expressed a +hope and belief that some measure would at once be adopted by +your Majesty's Government to remove the just complaints of +Allied Governments, and intimated that should this hope not +be _spontaneously_ realised some measures on the part of those +Governments would become necessary for their own protection as well as +to mark their sense of the wrong done to them by England. + +Lord Clarendon said that your Majesty's Government were as indignant +as that of Austria could be at the disgraceful abuse of the protection +afforded to these refugees; but he could hold out no hope of any +legislation for the purpose of sending them out of the country. + +Count Colloredo did not disguise his annoyance and disappointment at +this, and seemed to attribute it to want of goodwill on the part of +your Majesty's Government, which he felt sure would have the support +of public opinion in proposing such a measure as his Government +desired. + +The discussion became rather warm, and Lord Clarendon thought it +right to remark that too much importance might be given to these +proclamations and too little to the causes which at home might lead +the subjects of Austria to manifest their discontent by revolutionary +outbreaks, nor could we conceal from ourselves that the complaints +about the refugees were occasionally directed against the free +institutions which gave them protection, and that we were not always +viewed with favour as presenting the single but prosperous exception +to that system of government which otherwise would now almost be +uniform in Europe.[10] + + [Footnote 7: Austrian Ambassador.] + + [Footnote 8: Austrian Prime Minister.] + + [Footnote 9: Kossuth and Mazzini were in England, prosecuting + their schemes against Austria; the Austrian Government + attributed to them the Milanese rising, and the recent attempt + to assassinate the Emperor Francis Joseph at Vienna.] + + [Footnote 10: The Refugee Question was debated in the House of + Lords on the 4th of March.] + + + + +_Queen Victoria to Viscount Palmerston._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _9th March 1853._ + +The Queen has received Lord Palmerston's letter, and the reports on +the Militia which she returns, having marked several parts in them +which show an absence of the most important requisites. Already in +October the Queen observed upon the want of arms for the Militia, and +was invariably answered that they would be immediately provided. But +by these reports this seems still not to be the case. + + + + +[Pageheading: PRINCE MENSCHIKOFF] + + +_The King of the Belgians to Queen Victoria._ + +LAEKEN, _18th March 1853._ + +MY DEAREST VICTORIA,--Receive my best thanks for your gracious letter +of the 15th. I trust that the bitter cold weather we have now again +will not displease you. I fear Albert's heavy cold will not be the +better by the east wind which makes one shiver. I am thunderstruck by +a telegraph despatch from Marseilles of the 17th, which declares that +Prince Menschikoff has not succeeded, and has therefore given orders +for the Russian fleet to come to Constantinople.[11] Heaven grant +that these news may not be true, though bad news generally turn out +correct. I am so sorry to see the Emperor Nicholas, who had been so +wise and dignified since 1848, become so very unreasonable. In Austria +they are still a good deal excited. One can hardly feel astonished +considering circumstances; I trust that reflection may induce them to +modify their measures. The Italian Nobles have shown themselves great +fools by acting as they have done, and thereby giving an opening to +social revolution. By some accident we have been within these few days +well informed of some of the movements of the good people that enjoy +an asylum in England. Kossuth is now the great director and favourite, +and Republics are everywhere to spring up, till he (Kossuth) is to be +again Dictator or Emperor somewhere.... Europe will never recover that +shock of 1848. + +My dearest Victoria, your truly devoted Uncle, + +LEOPOLD R. + + [Footnote 11: _See_ Introductory Note, _ante_, pp. 431.] + + + + +[Pageheading: THE "HOLY PLACES"] + + +_The Earl of Aberdeen to Queen Victoria._ + +LONDON, _22nd March 1853._ + +Lord Aberdeen presents his humble duty to your Majesty. He encloses +a letter from Lord Cowley, which shows a considerable degree of +irritation on the part of the French Government, and of embarrassment +in consequence of the rash step they have taken in ordering the +departure of their fleet from Toulon to the Greek Waters.[12] If no +catastrophe should take place at Constantinople, as Lord Aberdeen +hopes and believes, this irritation will probably subside, and they +may find us useful in assisting them to escape from their difficulty +with respect to the "Holy Places." + +Lord Aberdeen has seen the Instructions of Prince Menschikoff, which +relate exclusively to the claims of the Greek Church at Jerusalem; and +although these conditions may humiliate Turkey, and wound the vanity +of France, there is nothing whatever to justify the reproach +of territorial aggression, or hostile ambition. If the Turkish +Government, relying upon the assistance of England and France, should +remain obstinate, the affair might become serious; but even then, Lord +Aberdeen is convinced that no final step will be taken by the Emperor, +without previous communication to England. + +Much depends upon the personal character of Prince Menschikoff. If +he can command himself sufficiently to wait for the arrival of Lord +Stratford, Lord Aberdeen does not doubt that the matter will be +settled, without coming to extremities.... + + [Footnote 12: Even before the Conference met, Menschikoff's + overbearing conduct and demeanour had induced Napoleon to + despatch the French Fleet from Toulon to Salamis, to watch + events.] + + + + +[Pageheading: THE CZAR CONCILIATORY] + + +_Queen Victoria to the Earl of Aberdeen._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _23rd March 1853._ + +The Queen has received Lord Aberdeen's letter of yesterday, and +returns Lord Cowley's. Everything appears to her to depend upon the +real nature of the demands made by Russia, and the Queen was therefore +glad to hear from Lord Aberdeen that he found nothing in Prince +Menschikoff's instructions to justify the reproach of territorial +aggression or hostile ambition. Still the mode of proceeding at +Constantinople is not such as would be resorted to towards a "sick +friend for whose life there exists much solicitude." This ought +clearly to be stated to Baron Brunnow, in the Queen's opinion. + +The two Drafts to Sir H. Seymour and Lord Cowley struck the Queen as +very temperate, conciliatory, and dignified. + + + + +_The Earl of Clarendon to Queen Victoria._ + +_29th March 1853._ + +Lord Clarendon presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and humbly +begs to state that he had this afternoon a satisfactory interview with +the French Ambassador, who told him that the Emperor had to a certain +extent been deceived upon the Eastern Question, and that he had given +his decision without fully considering the matter in all its bearings. +But that he had since viewed it in a different light, and had so +far recognised the propriety of the course adopted by your Majesty's +Government, that if the sailing order had not been improperly +published in the _Moniteur_ the French Fleet should not have quitted +Toulon. + +Count Walewski further stated that _the Persons_ who had thus advised +the Emperor, finding that their views were not supported by facts as +they hoped, had endeavoured to throw the blame upon England and to +show that France had been abandoned and Russia preferred by your +Majesty's Government, and that hence had arisen the want of cordiality +and good feeling with respect to which Lord Clarendon some days ago +spoke to Count Walewski. He, however, assured Lord Clarendon that all +this had now passed away, and that the Emperor was as anxious as +ever for a good understanding with England, and particularly upon +all matters connected with the East. Lord Clarendon expressed +great satisfaction that this momentary difference between the two +Governments should be at an end. + +Count Walewski in confidence requested Lord Clarendon to impress +upon Lord Cowley the necessity of often seeing the Emperor, and not +trusting to the Minister, when any question of difficulty arose. + +Count Walewski said the Emperor was particularly anxious that your +Majesty should know that the liberation of the Madiai[13] was owing to +the interference which the French Legation had been instructed by the +Emperor to use in their behalf. + + [Footnote 13: Two persons, husband and wife, domiciled in + Florence, who had embraced the English reformed religion. In + 1852 they were seized, imprisoned in separate dungeons, and + subjected to great hardships. Lords Shaftesbury and Roden went + to Florence and appealed to the Grand Duke on their behalf, + but were unsuccessful. In March 1853, however, after the + British Government had interposed, the two were released, a + pension being provided for them by public subscription.] + + + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _29th March 1853._ + +MY DEAREST UNCLE,--I have to thank you very much for your kind letter +of the 25th.... + +I hope that the Oriental Question will be satisfactorily settled. +From all the confidential reports we have received from the Emperor of +Russia, I think I may safely say that though he has treated the Sultan +rather overbearingly and roughly, there is _no_ alteration in +his views--and _no wish whatever_ on his part to appropriate +Constantinople or any of those parts to himself--though he does not +wish us, or France or Austria _or Greece_, to have it either. But he +thinks the dissolution of the Ottoman Empire very imminent, which +I really think is not the case. The Russians accuse us (as we have +preached moderation) of being too French--and the French of being too +Russian!.... + +Now with Albert's love, ever your devoted Niece, + +VICTORIA R. + + + + +_Queen Victoria to Lord Clarendon_. + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _30th March 1853._ + +The Queen has received Lord Clarendon's letter with great +satisfaction. We are now reaping the fruits of an honest and +straightforward conduct, and the Queen hopes Lord Clarendon will +likewise in all future cases of difficulty arrest the mischief, sure +to arise from a continuance of mutual suspicion between this +Country and any Power, by at once entering upon full and unreserved +explanations, on the first symptoms of distrust. + +As the Emperor deserves great credit, if he really caused the +liberation of the Madiai, the Queen wishes Lord Clarendon to express +to Count Walewski her feelings on this subject. + + + + +[Pageheading: THE CZAR'S LETTER] + + +_The Emperor of Russia to the Prince Albert._ + + 8 +ST. PETERSBOURG, _le -- Avril 1853._ + 20 + +MONSEIGNEUR,--J'allais Vous adresser mes felicitations sinceres pour +l'heureuse delivrance de Sa Majeste la Reine, quand Votre aimable +lettre est venue me prevenir.[14] Veuillez donc, Monseigneur, etre +persuade, que c'est avec grande joie, que ma femme et moi, nous avons +appris cet heureux evenement, et j'ose aussi vous prier de deposer +aux pieds de Sa Majeste mes humbles hommages et felicitations. Je me +flatte n'avoir pas besoin de Vous assurer tous deux, Monseigneur, de +toute la sincerite des sentiments d'affection que je Vous porte. Cette +fois j'ose y joindre mes remerciments bien sentis a Sa Majeste la +Reine, pour l'indulgence et l'attention qu'Elle a daigne preter aux +communications dont j'avais charge directement Sir Hamilton Seymour, +qui a le merite seul d'avoir su transmettre mes intentions avec une +fidelite et une exactitude parfaites. + +Je crois que dans peu Sa Majeste la Reine sera dans le cas de se +persuader, que _Son sincere et fidele ami_ l'a prevenue a temps de +ce qu'il prevoyait devoir infailliblement arriver; non certes dans +l'intention d'etre un _prophete de mauvais augure_, mais dans la +conviction intime, que ce n'est que la confiance la plus intime, la +plus complette et la plus parfaitte identite de vues entre Sa Majeste +et Son tres humble serviteur, c. a. d. entre l'Angleterre et la +Russie, que peuvent commander aux evenements et conjurer de terribles +catastrophes! + +Maintenant nous nous entendons, et je m'en remets a Dieu pour tout ce +qui doit arriver. + +C'est avec la plus haute consideration et la plus sincere amitie que +je serais, toujours, Monseigneur, de Votre Altesse Royale le tout +devoue Cousin, + +NICOLAS. + + [Footnote 14: The fourth son of the Queen and Prince, + afterwards Duke of Albany, was born on the 7th of April at + Buckingham Palace.] + + + + +[Pageheading: BIRTH OF PRINCE LEOPOLD] + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _18th April 1853._ + +MY DEAREST UNCLE,--My first letter is _this_ time, as last time, +addressed to you; last time it was because dearest Louise, to whom the +first had heretofore always been addressed, was with me--alas! _now_, +she is no longer amongst us! I can report very favourably of +myself, for I have never been better or stronger or altogether more +comfortable. + +Stockmar will have told you that _Leopold_ is to be the name of our +fourth young gentleman. It is a mark of love and affection which I +hope you will not disapprove. It is a name which is the dearest to me +after Albert, and one which recalls the almost _only_ happy days of my +sad childhood; to hear "Prince Leopold" again, will make me think of +all those days! His other names will be George Duncan Albert, and +the Sponsors, the King of Hanover, Ernest Hohenlohe, the Princess of +Prussia and Mary Cambridge. + +George is after the King of Hanover, and Duncan as a compliment to +dear Scotland.... Ever your devoted Niece and Child, + +VICTORIA R. + + + + +[Pageheading: MR GLADSTONE'S BUDGET] + + +_Lord John Russell to Queen Victoria._ + +CHESHAM PLACE, _19th April 1853._ + +Lord John Russell presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and is +happy to say that Mr Gladstone's statement last night was one of +the most powerful financial speeches ever made in the House of +Commons.[15] + +Mr Pitt in the days of his glory might have been more imposing, but he +could not have been more persuasive. + +Lord John Russell is very sanguine as to the success of the plan, both +in the House of Commons and in the country. + + [Footnote 15: Mr Gladstone's Budget imposed a duty for the + first time on the succession to real property; he retained + the Income Tax for two years longer, at its then rate of + sevenpence in the pound on incomes above L150, and extended + it, at the rate of fivepence in the pound, to incomes between + L100 and L150. Ireland was made subject to the tax, but + received relief in other directions. Remissions of indirect + taxes were also made, and one of these, the repeal of the + Advertisement Duty, was carried against the Government.] + + + + +_The Prince Albert to Mr Gladstone._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _19th April 1853._ + +MY DEAR MR GLADSTONE,--I must write to you a line in order to +congratulate you on your success of last night. I have just completed +a close and careful perusal of your speech, which I admire extremely, +and I have heard from all sides that the effect it has produced is +very good. Trusting that your Christian humility will not allow you +to become dangerously elated, I cannot resist sending you the report +which Lord John Russell made to the Queen for your perusal; knowing +that it will give you pleasure, and that these are the best rewards +which a public man can look for. Ever yours truly, + +ALBERT. + + + + +_Mr Gladstone to the Prince Albert._ + +DOWNING STREET, _19th April 1853._ + +Sir,--I have to offer my most humble and grateful thanks to Her +Majesty for graciously allowing me to know the terms in which Lord +John Russell's kindness allowed him to describe the statement made by +me last night in the House of Commons; and to your Royal Highness for +the letter which your Royal Highness had been pleased to address to +me. + +The reception which you, Sir, gave to my explanation on the 9th +instant of the propositions I had to submit to the Cabinet, was one of +the first and best omens of their favourable fortune. + +As a Servant of the Crown, deeply sharing in that attachment which +all servants of Her Majesty must feel both to her Throne and Person, +I venture to hope that the propositions of the Government declared +through me, are in accordance with our faith and loyalty to Her +Majesty. + +For myself, Sir, I am most thankful, if it can be said that I have not +by my own defects injured a good and an honest cause; my only title to +reward lies in sincerity of purpose, and by such testimony as that of +your Royal Highness I am already much more than duly rewarded.... + +I return the letter of Lord John Russell, and I pray your Royal +Highness to believe me, Sir, your most dutiful and most obedient +Servant, + +W. E. GLADSTONE. + + + + +[Pageheading: THE INDIA BILL] + + +_Queen Victoria to the Earl of Aberdeen._ + +OSBORNE, _27th May 1853._ + +The Queen has read Lord Aberdeen's letter of yesterday with great +concern. She had been much surprised to hear from Lord John Russell on +the 24th that "in concert with Sir Charles Wood and Sir James Graham, +he had settled last night to propose to the Cabinet on Wednesday to +delay the measure (on the Indian Government) till next Session, and +that Sir James Graham had stated that Lord Aberdeen would be ready +to assent to this course."[16] She did not answer Lord John until she +should have heard from Lord Aberdeen himself. From the explanation he +has now given to the Queen, she must say that it would have a _very +bad_ effect if the measure were withdrawn at the eleventh hour, and +after all that has been publicly and privately stated.[17] Nothing +damages a Government more than the appearance of vacillation and +uncertainty of purpose, and no Government ought to shun this more +than the _present_. The fact of a dissension in the Cabinet on a vital +point, which it cannot be hoped will remain concealed, must besides +much impair its vigour and power.... + +The Queen earnestly hopes that it will not become necessary to change +the course announced by the Government. + + [Footnote 16: The India Bill, which passed during the Session, + threw open the lucrative patronage of the Company (whose + existence was continued but with less absolute control) to + competition. The Mutiny, and the resulting legislation of + 1858, tended subsequently to overshadow Sir Charles Wood's + measure.] + + [Footnote 17: The matter had been referred to a Cabinet + Committee, reported upon, agreed to in full Cabinet, proposed + to and sanctioned by the Queen and announced to Parliament.] + + + + +[Pageheading: THE EMPEROR FRANCIS JOSEPH] + + +_The King of the Belgians to Queen Victoria._ + +LAEKEN, _3 June 1853._ + +MY DEAREST, BEST VICTORIA,--... The young Emperor[18] I confess I like +much, there is much sense and courage in his warm blue eye, and it is +not without a very amiable merriment when there is occasion for it. +He is slight and very graceful, but even in the _melee_ of dancers and +Archdukes, and all in uniform, he may always be distinguished as +the _Chef_. This struck me more than anything, as now at Vienna the +dancing is also that general _melee_ which renders waltzing most +difficult.... The manners are excellent and free from pompousness or +awkwardness of any kind, simple, and when he is graciously disposed, +as he was to me, _sehr herzlich und natuerlich_. He keeps every one +in great order without requiring for this an _outre_ appearance of +authority, merely because he is the master, and there is that about +him which gives authority, and which sometimes those _who have the +authority cannot succeed in getting accepted or in practising_. I +think he may be severe _si l'occasion se presente_; he has something +very _muthig_. We were several times surrounded by people of all +classes, and he certainly quite at their mercy, but I never saw his +little _muthig_ expression changed either by being pleased or alarmed. +I trust that this family connection may mitigate the only impression +which in Austria has created a hostile feeling, viz. the suspicions +in Palmerston's time that it had become a plan of England _to +destroy_ the Austrian Empire. After the _attentat_ on the Emperor the +impression on those who are attached to their country was, and +still is, that in England a sort of menagerie of Kossuths, Mazzinis, +Lagranges, Ledru Rollins, etc., is kept to be let occasionally loose +on the Continent to render its quiet and prosperity impossible. That +impression, which Lord Aberdeen stated in the House of Lords at the +end of April, is strong everywhere on the Continent, in Prussia as it +is in Austria, and even here our _industriels_ are convinced of it. +About what is to be done by way of graciousness on your part we will +consider. ...Ever, my dearest Victoria, your devoted Uncle, + +LEOPOLD R. + + [Footnote 18: Francis Joseph, Emperor of Austria.] + + + + +_The Duke of Newcastle to Queen Victoria._ + +_7th June 1853._ + +The Duke of Newcastle presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and +has the honour of bringing under your Majesty's notice a desire for +some time past felt by the Archbishop of Canterbury, and by others +interested in the welfare of the Church of England in the Colonies, +that the extensive See of Capetown should be divided, and that a new +Bishopric of Grahamstown should be erected. + +An endowment of L10,000 for the proposed See has lately been provided +by the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts. + +The Duke of Newcastle under these circumstances hopes that your +Majesty will approve of the erection of this new See, and has the +honour to recommend to your Majesty that, in that case the Rev. J. W. +Colenso should be appointed to it. + +Mr Colenso at present holds a living in the Diocese of Norwich, he was +second wrangler at Cambridge, and was at one time tutor to two of the +sons of the late Sir Robert Peel at Harrow. + +The Duke of Newcastle has received a very high character of Mr Colenso +from his Diocesan, and the Archbishop of Canterbury considers him a +fit person to be recommended to your Majesty. + + + + +[Pageheading: THE KING OF HANOVER] + + + +_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ + +BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _22nd June 1853._ + +MY DEAREST UNCLE,--Many thanks for your kind letter of the 17th, which +I could not answer on my usual day (yesterday), as we were the whole +day at the Camp, where there was a Review, at which I rode. It was +a very fine sight, but my enjoyment was a good deal spoilt by the +nervousness which I was in at having my poor blind cousin[19] _on_ +horseback next to me--_led_. It is a sad sight, and one which keeps +me in a constant state of anxiety, as one is afraid of saying or doing +anything which may pain or distress him, or of his meeting with any +accident; but he manages it wonderfully well, hardly ever makes a +mistake, and manages so well at dinner. He is very cheerful, kind, +and civil, and would be very good looking if it were not for his poor +eyes. He likes to go everywhere and do everything like anybody else, +and speaks of things _as if he saw_ them.... + +The Oriental Question is at a standstill. It is the Emperor of +Russia who must enable _us_ to help him out of the difficulty. I feel +convinced that _War will_ be _avoided_, but I don't see _how_ exactly. +Our Troops looked beautiful yesterday. I wish your young people could +see our Camp.[20] + +With Albert's love, believe me, ever, your devoted Niece, + +VICTORIA R. + + [Footnote 19: King George V. of Hanover.] + + [Footnote 20: Lord Stratford de Redcliffe had insisted that + the disputed points as to the guardianship of the Holy Places, + and the Russian demand for a Protectorate over the Christian + subjects of the Sultan, should be kept distinct. After the + former had been arranged and the latter had been rejected by + the Porte acting under Lord Stratford's advice, Menschikoff + abruptly quitted Constantinople, and the Russian troops, + crossing the Pruth, invaded the Danubian principalities of + Moldavia and Wallachia (now united as Roumania). In England, + meanwhile, a military encampment had been established at + Chobham.] + + + + +[Pageheading: DEATH OF LADY DALHOUSIE] + + +_The Earl of Dalhousie to Queen Victoria._ + +_12th July 1853._ + +Lord Dalhousie presents his humble duty to your Majesty, most +gratefully acknowledging the gracious words which your Majesty has +addressed to him in the time of his great affliction.[21] + +Your Majesty has been pleased for many years to honour him with +frequent marks of personal distinction. He is indeed most keenly +sensible of the favour which bestowed them all. But his deep gratitude +must ever be given to the goodness which dictated the touching +assurance he has now received of your Majesty's interest in the +piteous fate of one who for eighteen years has been all the world to +him, whose patient, gentle spirit, and whose brave heart had turned +aside so many perils, and who yet has sunk at last under the very +means on which all had securely reckoned as her certain safety. + +Lord Dalhousie ought not perhaps to have uttered even this much of his +sorrow, but your Majesty's truly gracious words have melted it from +his heart; and still encourage him to believe that your Majesty will +not regard it as obtrusive. + +Lord Dalhousie will not mingle the other topics, on which it is his +duty to address your Majesty, with this respectful expression of the +enduring gratitude, with which he has the honour to subscribe himself, +your Majesty's most obedient, most humble, and most faithful Subject +and Servant, + +DALHOUSIE. + + [Footnote 21: Lady Dalhousie died on the 6th of May, on her + passage home from India.] + + + + +[Pageheading: PALMERSTON'S ATTITUDE] + + +_The Earl of Aberdeen to Queen Victoria._ + +LONDON, _11th September 1853._ + +Lord Aberdeen presents his most humble duty to your Majesty.... + +Lord Aberdeen has by no means forgotten the conversation to which your +Majesty has referred; but after full consideration he believes that +the safest and best course has been adopted.[22] Trusting to your +Majesty's gracious condescension, and the confidence with which Lord +Aberdeen has been honoured, he will humbly venture to lay before your +Majesty, without any reserve, the motives which have induced him to +offer this advice to your Majesty. + +The situation of Lord Palmerston is peculiar.[23] Unless he should +continue to be a cordial member of your Majesty's Government, he may +very easily become the leader of Opposition. Lord Aberdeen is at this +moment ignorant of his real views and intentions. He has been recently +more than once thwarted in his endeavours to press a hostile policy +upon the Cabinet; and it has been reported to Lord Aberdeen that he +has expressed himself in terms of great hostility. This cannot perhaps +be avoided, and is only the result of taking different views of the +public interest; but it is very essential that Lord Palmerston should +have no personal or private cause of complaint against Lord Aberdeen. +From his office of Home Secretary he might naturally expect to have +the honour of attending your Majesty; and should this not be the +case he might probably resent it and attribute it to the jealousy and +ill-will of Lord Aberdeen. But whether he did this, or not, himself, +the Public and the Press would not fail to do so, and would convert +this neglect into the ground of the most hostile and bitter attacks. + +Your Majesty may perhaps be aware that there is no amount of flattery +which is not offered to Lord Palmerston by the Tory party, with the +hope of separating him altogether from the Government. + +Lord Aberdeen fully admits that this step which he has humbly proposed +to your Majesty may fail to produce any good effect, and that it may +even be turned hereafter to the injury of the Government; but, at +all events, Lord Aberdeen's conscience will be clear; and if Lord +Palmerston has any generous feelings, it is not impossible that he +may appreciate favourably a proceeding which cannot but afford him +personal satisfaction. + + [Footnote 22: Lord Aberdeen had suggested that it would be + advisable for several reasons that Lord Palmerston should + be invited to Balmoral as Minister in attendance, and he + accordingly went there on the 15th of September.] + + + + +_Queen Victoria to the Earl of Clarendon._ + +BALMORAL, _24th September 1853._ + +The Queen has this morning received Lord Clarendon's letter of the +22nd inst. She has not been surprised at the line taken by Austria, +who, Lord Clarendon will remember, the Queen never thought could +be depended upon, as she is not in that independent position which +renders a National Policy possible. The accounts from Constantinople +are very alarming, and make the Queen most anxious for the future. She +quite approves of the steps taken by the Government. The presence of +the Fleets at Constantinople in case of general disturbance will take +from the Emperor of Russia what Lord Cowley calls his _coup de Theatre +a la Sadlers Wells_, viz.: the part of the generous protector of the +Sultan and restorer of Order.[24] + + [Footnote 23: Lord Palmerston and Lord John Russell led the + war party in the Cabinet; but the latter was pledged to the + introduction of a Reform Bill, while the former was opposed + to the scheme. Lord Aberdeen's pacific views were making him + increasingly unpopular in the country.] + + [Footnote 24: Even after the Russian occupation of the + Principalities, which the Russian Minister, Count Nesselrode, + had described as not an act of war, but a material guarantee + for the concession by Turkey of the Russian demands, + the resources of diplomacy were not exhausted. The Four + Powers--England, France, Austria, and Prussia--agreed, in + conference at Vienna, to present a note for acceptance by + Russia and the Porte, to the effect (_inter alia_) that the + Government of the Sultan would remain faithful "to the letter + and to the spirit of the Treaties of Kainardji and Adrianople + relative to the protection of the Christian religion." This + was most unfortunately worded, but, however, the clause had + obtained the sanction of the English Government, and the + Czar expressed his willingness to accept it. Lord Stratford, + however, saw the danger underlying the ambiguity of the + language, and, under his advice, the Porte proposed as an + amendment the substitution of the words "to the stipulations + of the Treaty of Kainardji, confirmed by that of Adrianople, + relative to the protection by the Sublime Porte of the + Christian religion." The Russian Government refused to accept + this amendment, and from that moment war was inevitable. The + British Fleet under Admiral Dundas had been sent from Malta to + the East at the beginning of June.] + + + + +[Pageheading: THE VIENNA NOTE] + + +_Queen Victoria to the Earl of Aberdeen._ + +BALMORAL, _25th September 1853._ + +The Queen has received Lord Aberdeen's letter of the 23rd, and is very +thankful to him for this full and lucid statement of the present very +critical situation. + +She transmits to him a memorandum containing our views, drawn up +by the Prince with the desire he might also communicate it to Lord +Clarendon.[25] + +The Queen must say she now rejoices the Fleets should be on their way +to Constantinople. + +God grant that any outbreak at Constantinople may yet be averted. + + [Footnote 25: The Memorandum stated that it would be fruitless + further to attempt to settle the dispute by the "Redaction" of + Notes to be exchanged between Turkey and Russia, or the + choice of particular words and expressions in public documents + designed in order to avoid naming the real objects in dispute. + + "It is evident" (it was added) "that Russia has hitherto + attempted to deceive us in pretending that she did not aim + at the acquisition of any _new_ Right, but required only a + satisfaction of honour and a re-acknowledgment of the Rights + she already possessed by Treaty; that she _does intend_ and + for the first time lays bare that intention, to acquire _new_ + Rights of interference which the Porte does _not_ wish to + concede and cannot concede, and which the European Powers have + repeatedly declared she _ought not_ to concede.... + + "If the views of Russia, for instance, with regard to + 'Modification III. of the Note,' were to prevail, the + extension of the advantages and privileges enjoyed by + Christian communities, in their capacity as _foreigners_, + to the Greeks generally, with the Right granted to Russia + to intercede for them to this effect, would simply make + foreigners of 10,000,000 of the subjects of the Porte, or + depose the Sultan as their sovereign, putting the Emperor of + Russia in his place."] + + + + +_The Earl of Aberdeen to Queen Victoria._ + +LONDON, _6th October 1853._ + +... The Cabinet will meet to-morrow; and Lord Aberdeen will have +the honour of humbly reporting to your Majesty the result of their +discussions. It will be Lord Aberdeen's endeavour to prevent any rash +decision; and, above all, to keep open the possibility of peaceful +communications. No doubt, it may be very agreeable to humiliate the +Emperor of Russia; but Lord Aberdeen thinks that it is paying a little +too dear for this pleasure, to check the progress and prosperity of +this happy country, and to cover Europe with confusion, misery, and +blood. + + + + +[Pageheading: MOVEMENTS OF THE FLEET] + + +_The Earl of Aberdeen to Queen Victoria._ + +LONDON, _7th October 1853._ + +Lord Aberdeen presents his humble duty to your Majesty. As your +Majesty will expect to hear from him to-day, he has the honour of +addressing your Majesty, although he could wish that it had been in +his power to give your Majesty a more full and satisfactory account +of the decisions of the Cabinet. The meeting was very long, and +considerable difference of opinion prevailed in the course of the +discussion. At length, however, Lord Aberdeen is happy to say there +was such an agreement as ensured a certain degree of unanimity. With +this view, it was determined to adhere to a defensive principle +of action in the East. The Fleets may perhaps be already at +Constantinople; but, at all events, they are to be brought there +forthwith, and to be stationed either there or in the Bosphorus, +unless the Russians should cross the Danube, or make any attack upon +the Turkish possessions on the coast of the Black Sea. In this case, +the combined Fleets would enter the Black Sea, for the defence of the +Turkish territory. + +Considering the position we have already assumed in this unfortunate +affair, perhaps it was impossible to do less than this; and as there +is very little chance of Russia undertaking any active hostilities +of the nature apprehended, it may reasonably be hoped that no actual +collision will take place. At the same time it must be recollected +that Russia will regard the entrance of line of battle-ships into the +Black Sea as a virtual declaration of war against herself. + +There is yet no confirmation of the actual declaration of war by +the Porte, and although there is no reason to suspect any serious +impediment to the decision of the Divan being fulfilled, it is rather +strange that intelligence to this effect has not been received. If +Lord Stratford should see great cause for apprehension at the prospect +of the Turks in the prosecution of hostilities, it is just possible +that by his influence he may have arrested the progress of their +warlike measures; but probably this is too much to hope. At all +events, Lord Aberdeen trusts that the path of negotiation is not +finally closed, and that, notwithstanding the equivocal position of +Great Britain in this contest, it may still be possible to employ +words of conciliation and peace.... + + + + +[Pageheading: WAR IMMINENT] + +[Pageheading: LORD ABERDEEN OVERBORNE] + + + +_Memorandum by the Prince Albert._ + +BALMORAL, _10th October 1853._ + +I had a long interview with Sir James Graham this morning, and told +him that Lord Aberdeen's last letter to the Queen and him[26] made us +very uneasy. It was evident that Lord Aberdeen was, against his +better judgment, consenting to a course of policy which he inwardly +condemned, that his desire to maintain unanimity at the Cabinet led +to concessions which by degrees altered the whole character of the +policy, while he held out no hope of being able permanently to secure +agreement. I described the Queen's position as a very painful one. +Here were decisions taken by the Cabinet, perhaps even acted upon, +involving the most momentous consequences, without her previous +concurrence or even the means for her to judge of the propriety or +impropriety of course to be adopted, with evidence that the Minister, +in whose judgment the Queen placed her chief reliance, disapproved +of it. The position was morally and constitutionally a wrong one. The +Queen ought to have the whole policy in spirit and ultimate tendency +developed before her to give her deliberate sanction to it, knowing +what it involved her in abroad and at home. She might now be involved +in war, of which the consequences could not be calculated, chiefly by +the desire of Lord Aberdeen to keep his Cabinet together; this might +then break down, and the Queen would be left without an efficient +Government, and a war on her hands. Lord Aberdeen renounced one of his +chief sources of strength in the Cabinet, by not making it apparent +that he requires the sanction of the Crown to the course proposed by +the Cabinet, and has to justify his advice by argument before it can +be adopted, and that it does not suffice to come to a decision at the +table of the Cabinet. Sir James Graham perfectly coincided with this +view and offered to go up to Town immediately. The Queen wrote the +letter to Lord Aberdeen ... which Sir James takes up with him. He +shall arrive at Windsor on Friday (14th), and Lord Aberdeen is to have +an Audience on Saturday. Sir James will tell him that the Queen wants +his deliberate opinion on what course is best to be followed, and +that the course once adopted should be steadily and uninterruptedly +pursued. + +ALBERT. + + [Footnote 26: + + _The Earl of Aberdeen to Sir James Graham._ + [_Submitted to the Queen._] + + ARGYLL HOUSE, _8th October 1853._ + + MY DEAR GRAHAM,--... When we met, Clarendon made a sort of + _resume_ of what had taken place before we all separated, but + ended with no specific proposal. After a few interlocutory + remarks from different quarters, Palmerston proposed his plan. + Lord John faintly supported it in general terms, but did not + seem much in earnest about it. I said that it appeared to + involve the necessity of a declaration of war against Russia, + and the calling together Parliament forthwith. Gladstone + strongly argued against the proposal. Clarendon then read + an outline of his proposed instructions, which were a great + abatement from Palmerston's plan. We came at last to a sort + of compromise; our great difficulty being now to deal with the + question of entering the Black Sea. I consented to this being + done, provided it was strictly in defence of some point of + attack on Turkish territory. I have no fear that this will + take place; and as long as we abstain from entering the Black + Sea, Peace may be possible between us and Russia. We have thus + assumed a strictly defensive position, which for the + moment may be sufficient, and will enable us to carry on + negotiations; but this cannot last long. Under the character + of defensive war, we should inevitably become extensively + engaged. Should the Turks be at all worsted, which is + probable, of course we must increase our assistance. We + should have a French army, and perhaps English money--all for + defence. + + The aspect of the Cabinet was, on the whole, very good. + Gladstone, active and energetic for Peace; Argyll, Herbert, + C. Wood, and Granville, all in the same sense. Newcastle, + not quite so much so, but good; Lansdowne, not so warlike + as formerly; Lord John warlike enough, but subdued in + tone; Palmerston urged his views perseveringly, but not + disagreeably. The Chancellor said little, but was cordially + peaceful. Molesworth was not present, there having been some + mistake in sending the notice. + + On the whole, therefore, yesterday passed off well enough; + but we shall see what to-day will bring us. Not a syllable was + said in the Cabinet on any other subject. Lord John seemed + in good humour; he came to see me a few minutes before the + Cabinet. I told you that I had spoken to Gladstone very + fully; but I did not press any decision respecting _domestic_ + matters, as it would at this moment be quite unseasonable. + Nevertheless, it must not be forgotten altogether. Yours, + etc., etc., + + ABERDEEN.] + + + + +[Pageheading: LORD STRATFORD'S INSTRUCTIONS] + + +_Queen Victoria to the Earl of Clarendon._ + +BALMORAL, _11th October 1853._ + +The Queen has received Lord Clarendon's letter. She had written to +Lord Aberdeen that she felt it her duty to pause before giving her +consent to the measures decided on in the Cabinet, until she should +have received an explanation on the views which dictated that +decision, and of the ulterior steps involved in it; and Sir James +Graham is gone up to Town, verbally to explain more fully the Queen's +feelings. She has now received and read the Despatches, which have +in the meantime been sent off to their points of destination without +having received her sanction! + +The draft to Vienna the Queen thinks very ably argued, and justly to +define the present position of the question at issue.[27] + +The instructions to Lord Stratford,[28] on the other hand, appear to +her very vague, and entrusting him with enormous powers and a latitude +of discretion which is hardly to be called safe. As matters have now +been arranged, it appears to the Queen, moreover, that we have taken +on ourselves in conjunction with France all the risks of a European +war, without having bound Turkey to any conditions with respect to +provoking it. The hundred and twenty fanatical Turks constituting the +Divan at Constantinople are left sole judges of the line of policy +to be pursued, and made cognisant at the same time of the fact +that England and France have bound themselves to defend the Turkish +Territory! This is entrusting them with a power which Parliament has +been jealous to confide even to the hands of the British Crown. It may +be a question whether England ought to go to war for the defence of +so-called Turkish Independence; but there can be none that if she does +so, she ought to be the sole judge of what constitutes a breach +of that independence, and have the fullest power to prevent by +negotiation the breaking out of the war. + +The Queen would wish copies of the enclosed papers to be sent for her +use as soon as convenient. + + [Footnote 27: In this despatch Lord Clarendon, after referring + to the interpretation which Count Nesselrode had put upon the + Vienna Note, and the Russian rejection of it as amended by + the Porte, told Lord Westmorland that it would be useless and + dishonourable to recommend it in its unaltered form, that the + Czar was contending for privileges for Christian subjects + of the Porte not hitherto enjoyed by them, and that a war + embarked upon in such a cause would be without parallel in + history.] + + [Footnote 28: Authority had been given to Lord Stratford to + employ the British Fleet in the manner he might deem most fit + for defending Turkish territory from aggression, and he was + instructed that if the Russian Fleet left Sebastopol, the + British Fleet was to pass through the Bosphorus.] + + + + +[Pageheading: RESENTMENT OF THE CZAR] + +[Pageheading: LORD JOHN AND THE PREMIERSHIP] + + +_Memorandum by the Prince Albert._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _16th October 1853._ + +We saw Lord Aberdeen yesterday. He went with us through the whole +of the proceedings of the last six weeks with respect to the Eastern +Question. Regretted Count Nesselrode's Note,[29] which Baron Brunnow +owned nobody would regret more than the Count himself, acknowledged +the weakness of Austria, felt sure of Lord Stratford's insincerity +towards him and the Government,... as he had to Lord Aberdeen's +certain knowledge called "the conduct of the Government infamous" and +declared "he would let the world know that his name was Canning." He +acknowledged the disadvantage of the course adopted by the Cabinet, +which left the Turks at liberty to do as they pleased; he had to +concede this to the Cabinet, which would otherwise have been broken +up by Lord John and Lord Palmerston. Had he known what the Queen's +opinion was, he might have been more firm, feeling himself supported +by the Crown, but he had imagined from her letters that there was more +animosity against Russia and leaning to war in her mind. + + [Footnote 29: In this despatch to Baron Meyendorff, the + Austrian Foreign Minister, the Count had disclosed the fact + that the Russian interpretation of the Vienna Note differed + from that of the other Powers.] + +Yet, under all the adverse circumstances Lord Aberdeen saw still +reason for hope that a peaceable settlement could be obtained. The +French were ready to do anything we pleased, go to war, remain at +peace, etc., etc.; in fact, Louis Napoleon had experienced the great +advantage for his position of the Alliance with England.... Lord +Stratford was thoroughly frightened, and had made a proposal himself, +which accordingly he would support _con amore_. The Emperor of Russia +had failed in his attempt to form a Northern League against the +Western Powers.... The Emperor complained bitterly of the conduct +of the Powers, who had disgraced him before the world by making him +accept a Note, and sanctioning its alteration by Turkey; "now they +should do what they pleased and settle matters with Turkey first, and +bring him only what was settled and fixed, he was wearied of the whole +business, and anxious to get rid of it for ever." + +What Lord Aberdeen now proposed was to follow the Emperor's advice and +agree with Turkey upon a Note, leaving out all that she had objected +to in the Vienna Note as Lord Stratford recommended, and taking as +much as possible Redschid Pasha's own words to found the proposal of +it upon the declaration made by the Emperor at Olmuetz to the Powers, +that he sought for _no new_ right, privilege, or advantage, but solely +for the confirmation of the legal _status quo_, but accompanying this +with a declaration, that if Turkey created needless difficulties and +tried to evade a peaceful settlement the Powers would withdraw their +support and leave her to fight her own battle. We went over the +Documents which are not yet settled, even between Lord Aberdeen +and Lord Clarendon, and will require the greatest caution in their +wording. It is evident that the Turks have every inducement not to +let this opportunity slip in going to war with Russia, as they will +probably never find so advantageous a one again, as the whole of +Christendom has declared them in the right, and they would fight with +England and France actively on their side! + +At home, Lord Aberdeen said matters do not stand much better. Lord +John has convinced himself that, under present circumstances it +would not do for him to ask Lord Aberdeen to retire from the Prime +Ministership and let him step in in his place; perhaps he has found +out also that the Peelites will not serve under him; his own Whig +colleagues would very much regret if not object to such a change, and +that Lord Palmerston could not well submit to the arrangement. So +he told Lord Aberdeen that he had given up that idea; it was clear, +however, that he was now looking for an opportunity to break up the +Government on some popular ground, which it was impossible to hope +that he should not find. He now had asked for the immediate summoning +of Parliament, called for by the state of the Oriental Question. This +would create the greatest alarm in the country, and embarrassment to +the Government, and was therefore resisted. Lord Aberdeen told Lord +John quite plainly he knew what the proposal meant--he meant to break +up the Government. "I hope not," was Lord John's laughing reply. + +The Queen taxed Lord Aberdeen with imprudence in talking to Lord +John of his own readiness to leave office, which he acknowledged, but +called _very natural_ in a man of seventy. Lord John was dissatisfied +with his position;... upon Lord Aberdeen telling him that he had the +most powerful and honourable position of any man in England as leader +of the House of Commons, he answered, "Oh, _there_ I am quite happy!" + +I asked how under such circumstances that all-important measure of +Parliamentary Reform, upon which the future stability and well-being +of the Country so much depended, was to be matured and brought +forward? Lord Aberdeen replied that Lord John had it all ready and +prepared in his pocket, and told Lord Aberdeen so, adding, however, +that under present circumstances there was no use in bringing it +forward, to which Lord Aberdeen added: "You mean unless you sit in the +chair which I now occupy?" Lord John laughed. + +We discussed the probable consequences of Lord John's retirement. Lord +Aberdeen thought that Lord Palmerston, Lord Lansdowne, and even Lord +Clarendon would secede with him, but this by no means implied that the +whole party would; Lord Palmerston would not coalesce with Lord John, +but try for the lead himself; Lord Clarendon quite agreed with Lord +Aberdeen, and had been very angry with Lord John, but was personally +under great obligations to him, and Sir James Graham had (as he said) +been very much struck with the change of tone in Lord Clarendon at +the last meeting of the Cabinet. Most of the Liberals seemed very much +pleased with their situation. Sir James Graham had, of his own accord, +told Lord Aberdeen that, in the event of Lord John's secession, he +himself could not well sit in the House of Commons under so much +younger a man as Mr Gladstone as Leader. He knew that there would be +objections to his assuming the lead himself, but he would be quite +ready to go to the House of Lords to support Lord Aberdeen. + +ALBERT. + + ++++++++++++++ + +[Pageheading: THE CZAR'S LETTER] + + +_The Emperor of Russia to Queen Victoria._[30] + + 18 +TSARSKO, _ce_ -- _Octobre_ 1853. + 30 + +MADAME,--Votre Majeste connait, je l'espere, les sentiments +d'affection sincere qui m'attachent a Sa personne, depuis que j'ai +eu l'honneur de L'approcher. Il m'a semble qu'Elle daignait aussi +m'accorder quelque bienveillance. A la veille d'evenements, peut-etre +fort graves, qu'Elle daigne donc excuser si je m'adresse droit a Elle, +pour essayer de prevenir des calamites, que nos deux pays ont un egal +interet a eviter. J'ose le faire avec d'autant plus de confiance, +que longtemps encore avant que les affaires d'Orient eussent pris +la facheuse tournure qu'elles ont acquise depuis, je m'etais adresse +directement a votre Majeste, par l'entremise de Sir Hamilton Seymour, +pour appeler votre attention, Madame, sur des eventualites, alors +encore incertaines, mais deja fort probables a mes yeux, et que +je desirais eclaircir, _avant tout_, avec le Cabinet Anglais, pour +ecarter autant qu'il m'etait possible, toute divergence d'opinion +entre nous. La correspondance d'alors, qu'Elle daigne de la faire +relire atteignit son but, car elle mettait le Gouvernement Anglais au +fait de mes plus intimes pensees sur ces graves eventualites, tandis +que, je devais au moins le penser ainsi, j'obtiens en reponse un egal +expose des vues du Gouvernement de votre Majeste. + +Surs ainsi de ce que nous desirions de part et d'autre, par quelle +fatalite devons-nous donc, Madame, en venir a une mesintelligence +aussi prononcee, sur des objets qui paraissaient convenus d'avance, +_ou ma parole est engagee vis-a-vis de votre Majeste_, comme je crois +_celle du Gouvernement Anglais engagee de meme vis-a-vis de moi_. + +C'est a la justice, au c[oe]ur de votre Majeste que j'en appelle, +c'est a Sa bonne foi et a Sa sagesse que je m'en mets qu'Elle daigne +de decider entre nous. + +Devons nous rester, comme je le souhaite ardemment, dans une bonne +intelligence egalement profitable a nos deux Etats, ou juge-t-Elle, +que le pavillon Anglais doive flotter pres du croissant, pour +combattre la croix de Saint Andre!!! + +Telle que soit la determination de votre Majeste, qu'Elle veuille etre +persuadee de l'inalterable et sincere attachement avec lesquels je ne +cesserais d'etre, de votre Majeste, le tout devoue frere et ami, + +NICOLAS. + +Je prie votre Majeste de vouloir bien faire mes amities a Monseigneur +le Prince Albert. + + [Footnote 30: Greville calls the writing of this letter an + unusual step; but in sending it to Lord Aberdeen and Lord + Clarendon, the Queen observed that its despatch was an + important and advantageous fact, as it both committed the Czar + personally, and enabled her to state certain truths to him, + as well as to explain privately the views which guided her own + and her Ministers' conduct.] + + + + +[Pageheading: LORD STRATFORD'S PROPOSAL] + + +_Queen Victoria to the Earl of Aberdeen._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _5th November 1853._ + +Although the Queen will have the pleasure of seeing Lord Aberdeen this +evening, she wishes to make some observations on the subject of Lord +Stratford's last private letters communicated to her yesterday by Lord +Clarendon.[31] They exhibit clearly on his part a _desire_ for war, +and to drag us into it. When he speaks of the sword which will not +only have to be drawn, but the scabbard thrown away, and says, the war +to be successful must be a "_very comprehensive one_" on the part of +England and France, the intention is unmistakable, and it becomes a +serious question whether we are justified in allowing Lord Stratford +any longer to remain in a situation which gives him the means of +frustrating all our efforts for peace. The question becomes still +graver when it is considered that General Baraguay d'Hilliers seems +from Lord Cowley's account of his conversation with him equally +anxious for extreme measures. + +The Queen must express her surprise that Lord Stratford should have +coolly sent on so preposterous a proposal as Redschid Pasha's note +asking for a Treaty of Alliance, the amalgamation of our Fleets with +the Turkish one, and the sending of our surplus ships to the "_White_" +Sea (!) without any hesitation or remark on his part. As the note +ends, however, by saying that the Porte desires _que les points +ci-dessus emenes (sic) soient apprecies par les Cours d'Angleterre +et de France, et que ces Cours veuillent bien declarer leur intention +d'agir en consequence_, this appears to the Queen to afford an +admirable opportunity for stating plainly and strongly to the Turkish +Government that we have _no intention_ of being used by them for their +own purposes. This time such a declaration might be _handed in_ to the +Turkish Government, so that there can be no mistake about the matter +for the future. + +The Queen encloses the letter and note, and wishes Lord Aberdeen to +show her letter to Lord Clarendon. + + [Footnote 31: Lord Stratford had written that Redschid Pasha + was unable to make head against his warlike colleagues, and + that unless some proposal of a decidedly satisfactory kind + should come from Vienna very soon, there would be no chance + of avoiding hostilities. Lord Stratford added that he had + obtained a promise that no act of hostility should take place + on the Turkish side before the expiration of fifteen days, and + concluded with the words: "I fear that war is the decree of + Fate, and our wisest part will be to do what we can to bring + it to a thoroughly good conclusion."] + + + + +[Pageheading: THE QUEEN TO THE CZAR] + + +_Queen Victoria to the Emperor of Russia._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _ce 14 Novembre 1853._ + +SIRE ET TRES CHER FRERE,--C'est avec une profonde et sincere +satisfaction que je viens de recevoir la lettre que V.M.I. a bien +voulu m'ecrire le 18/30 Octobre. Je suis vivement touchee des +sentiments affectueux que vous m'y temoignez. V.M. me connait assez +pour savoir combien ils sont reciproques. + +Je vous remercierai egalement, Sire, de la franchise avec laquelle +vous me parlez des complications actuelles; je ne saurais mieux +repondre aux loyales intentions de V.M. qu'en lui exprimant a mon +tour, et avec toute droiture, mes opinions a ce sujet, car c'est la, +j'en suis sure, le meilleur moyen de conserver utilement une amitie +bien veritable. + +J'ai, mon cher Frere, conformement a votre desir, relu les +communications confidentielles que vous avez bien voulu me faire, ce +printemps, par l'intermediaire du bon Sir Hamilton Seymour, et les +reponses que mon Gouvernement a recu l'ordre d'adresser a V.M. + +Bien qu'une difference d'opinion tres notable devint alors evidente +entre V.M. et moi relativement a la maniere d'envisager l'etat de la +Turquie et l'appreciation de sa vitalite, le Memorandum de V.M. en +date du 3/15 Avril vint neanmoins dissiper de la maniere la plus +heureuse ces facheuses apprehensions; car il m'annoncait que, si nous +n'etions pas d'accord sur _l'etat de sante_ de l'Empire Ottoman, nous +l'etions cependant sur la necessite, pour le laisser vivre, de ne +point lui faire des demandes humiliantes, pourvu que tout le monde en +agit de meme, et que personne n'abusat de sa faiblesse pour obtenir +des avantages exclusifs. V.M. dans ce but, daigna meme se declarer +prete "a travailler de concert avec l'Angleterre a l'[oe]uvre commune +de prolonger l'existence de l'Empire Turque, en evitant toute cause +d'alarme au sujet de sa dissolution." + +J'avais de plus la conviction qu'il n'existait et ne pouvait +exister au fond aucune divergence d'opinion entre nous au sujet des +reclamations relatives aux Lieux-Saints, reclamations qui, j'avais +droit de le croire, constituaient le seul grief de la Russie contre la +Porte. + +Je mets, Sire, la confiance la plus entiere dans la parole que V.M. a +bien voulu me donner alors, et, que les assurances subsequentes, dues +a votre amitie, sont venues confirmer, en me donnant la connaissance +de Vos intentions. Personne n'apprecie plus que moi la haute loyaute +de V.M., et je voudrais que les convictions que j'ai a cet egard +pussent seules resoudre toutes les difficultes. Mais quelle que soit +la purete des motifs qui dirigent les actions du Souverain meme le +plus eleve par le caractere, V.M. sait que ses qualites personnelles +ne sont point suffisantes dans des transactions internationales par +lesquelles un Etat se lie envers un autre en de solennels engagements; +et les veritables intentions de V.M. ont ete a coup sur meconnues et +mal interpretees, a cause de la forme donnee au reclamations adressees +a la Porte. + +Ayant a c[oe]ur, Sire, d'examiner ce qui avait pu produire ce facheux +malentendu, mon attention a ete naturellement attiree par l'article +7 du Traite de Kainardji; et je dois dire a V.M. qu'apres avoir +consulte, sur le sens qui pouvait avoir ete attache a cet article, +les personnes les plus competentes de ce pays-ci; apres l'avoir relu +ensuite moi-meme, avec le plus sincere desir d'impartialite, je suis +arrivee a la conviction que cet article n'etait point susceptible de +l'extension qu'on y a voulu donner. Tous les amis de V.M. ont, comme +moi, la certitude que vous n'auriez point abuse du pouvoir, que vous +eut ainsi ete accorde; mais une demande de ce genre, pouvait a peine +etre acceptee par un Souverain qui tient a son independance. + +Je ne cacherai pas davantage a V.M. l'impression douloureuse qu'a +produit sur moi l'occupation des Principautes. Cette occupation a +cause, depuis les quatres derniers mois, une perturbation generale +en Europe, et pourrait amener des evenements ulterieurs que je +deplorerais d'un commun accord avec V.M. Mais, comme les intentions +de V.M. envers la Porte sont, je le sais, amicales et desinteressees, +j'ai toute confiance que vous trouverez le moyen de les exprimer et +mettre a execution de maniere a detourner de plus graves dangers, +que tous mes efforts, je vous assure, tendront sans cesse a empecher. +L'attention impartiale avec laquelle j'ai suivi les causes qui ont +fait echouer jusqu'a present toutes les tentatives de conciliation, +me donne la ferme conviction qu'il n'existe pas d'obstacle reel qui ne +puisse etre ecarte ou promptement surmonte avec l'assistance de V.M. + +Je n'abandonne point l'espoir de cet heureux resultat, meme apres les +tristes conflits qui ont fait couler le sang dans les Principautes; +car j'ai la foi en Dieu que lorsque de toute part les intentions +sont droites et lorsque les interets bien entendus sont communs, le +Tout-Puissant ne permettra pas que l'Europe entiere qui contient +deja tant d'elements inflammables, soit exposee a une conflagration +generale. + +Que Dieu veille sur les jours de V.M.; et croyez, Sire, a +l'attachement sincere avec lequel je suis, Sire et cher Frere, de +votre Majeste Imperiale, la bien bonne S[oe]ur et Amie, + +VICTORIA R. + +Albert est tres sensible au souvenir de V.M. et me prie de le mettre a +vos pieds. + + + + +[Pageheading: LORD ABERDEEN'S SCRUPLES] + + +_The Earl of Aberdeen to Queen Victoria._ + +LONDON, _26th November 1853._ + +Lord Aberdeen presents his humble duty to your Majesty. The Cabinet +met to-day for the consideration of the overtures made by the French +Government for the settlement of the Eastern Question.[32] These +proposals were in substance adopted; although a considerable change +was made in their form, and in some of their details. The step now +taken is evidently wise; but Lord Aberdeen can scarcely venture +to hope that it will be attended with success. Pacific language is +accompanied with insulting and hostile acts; and it remains to be seen +what effect will be produced on the Emperor of Russia by the entrance +of English and French ships of war into the Black Sea, under the +pretext of bringing off Consuls from Varna, and of looking after the +grain-ships at the Sulina mouth of the Danube. This information has +hitherto been only communicated by telegraph; but it is calculated +to lead to serious consequences, of which Lord Stratford must be +perfectly well aware. + + [Footnote 32: The Emperor had made certain suggestions to Lord + Cowley, which the British Government were willing to adopt; + but the anti-Russian feeling was increasing daily in the + nation, and, as will be seen from the Queen's letter of the + 27th of November, Lord Stratford seemed resolved on war.] + + + + +_Queen Victoria to the Earl of Aberdeen._ + +OSBORNE, _27th November 1853._ + +The Queen has received Lord Aberdeen's letter of yesterday. She is +sorry to find that after all a considerable change was made in the +form of the French proposal. She is not aware at present of what that +change consists in and is therefore unable to form an opinion as +to the effects of its introduction, but she quite concurs in Lord +Aberdeen's apprehensions with regard to the effect of Lord Stratford's +orders to the Fleet. The perusal of Lord Stratford's Despatches of the +5th inst. has given the Queen the strongest impression that, whilst +guarding himself against the possibility of being called to account +for acting in opposition to his instructions, he is pushing us deeper +and deeper into the War policy which we wish to escape. Wherefore +should three poor Turkish steamers go to the Crimea, but to beard the +Russian Fleet and tempt it to come out of Sebastopol, which would thus +constitute the much desired contingency for our combined Fleets to +attack it, and so engage us irretrievably! + +The Queen must seriously call upon Lord Aberdeen and the Cabinet to +consider whether they are justified in allowing such a state of things +to continue! + + + + +[Pageheading: THE CZAR TO THE QUEEN] + + +_The Emperor of Russia to Queen Victoria._ + + 2 +S. PETERSBOURG, _le -- Decembre 1853._ + 14 + +MADAME,--Je remercie votre Majeste d'avoir eu la bonte de repondre +aussi amicalement que franchement a la lettre que j'ai eu l'honneur +de lui ecrire. Je la remercie egalement de la foi qu'elle accorde a +ma parole,--je crois le meriter, je l'avoue,--28 annees d'une vie +politique, souvent fort penible, ne peuvent donner le droit a personne +d'en douter. + +Je me permets aussi, contrairement a l'avis de votre Majeste, de +penser, qu'en affaires publiques et en relations de pays a pays, +rien ne peut etre _plus sacre_ et ne l'est en effet a mes yeux que la +parole souveraine, car elle decide en derniere instance de la paix +ou de la guerre. Je ne fatiguerais certes pas l'attention de votre +Majeste par un examen detaille du sens qu'elle donne a l'article 7 du +Traite de Kainardji; j'assurerais seulement, Madame, que depuis 80 ans +la Russie et la Porte l'ont compris ainsi que nous le faisons encore. +Ce sens-la n'a ete interrompu qu'en derniers temps, a la suite +d'instigations que votre Majeste connait aussi bien que moi. +Le retablir dans son reception primitive et la justifier par un +engagement plus solennel, tel est le but de mes efforts, tel il sera, +Madame, quand meme le sang devrait couler encore contre mon v[oe]u le +plus ardent; parce que c'est une question vitale pour la Russie, et +mes efforts ne lui sont impossibles pour y satisfaire. + +Si j'ai du occuper les Principautes, ce que je regrette autant que +votre Majeste, c'est encore Madame, parce que les libertes dont ces +provinces jouissent, leurs ont ete acquises _au prix du sang Russe, et +par moi-meme Madame les annees_ 1828 _et_ 29. Il ne s'agit donc pas de +_conquetes_, mais a la veille d'un conflit que l'on rendait de plus en +plus probable, il eut ete indigne de moi de les livrer surement a la +main des ennemis du Christianisme, dont les persecutions ne sont un +secret que pour ceux qui veulent l'ignorer. J'esperais avoir repondu +ainsi aux doutes et aux regrets de votre Majeste _avec la plus entiere +franchise_. Elle veut bien me dire qu'Elle ne doute pas qu'avec mon +aide le retablissement de la paix ne soit encore possible, malgre +le sang repandu; j'y reponds de grand c[oe]ur, _Oui_, Madame, si les +organes des volontes de votre Majeste _executent fidelement ses ordres +et ses intentions bienveillantes. Les miennes n'out pas varie des le +debut de cette triste episode. Reculer devant le danger, comme vouloir +maintenant autre chose que je n'ai voulu en violant ma parole, serait +au-dessous de moi_, et le noble c[oe]ur de votre Majeste doit le +comprendre. + +J'ajouterais encore que son c[oe]ur saignera en apprenant les horreurs +qui se commettent deja par les hordes sauvages, pres desquels flotte +le pavillon Anglais!!! + +Je la remercie cordialement des v[oe]ux qu'Elle veut bien faire pour +moi; tant que ma vie se prolongera ils seront reciproques de ma part. +Je suis heureux de le Lui dire, en l'assurant du sincere attachement +avec lequel je suis, Madame, de votre Majeste, le tout devoue Frere +and Ami, + +NICOLAS. + +Je me rappelle encore une fois au bon souvenir de Son Altesse Royale +le Prince Albert et le remercie egalement de ses paroles obligeantes. + + + + +[Pageheading: LORD PALMERSTON AND REFORM] + + +_The Earl of Aberdeen to Queen Victoria._ + +LONDON, _6th December 1853._ + +... As Lord John Russell will have the honour of seeing your Majesty +to-morrow, he will be able to explain to your Majesty the present +state of the discussions on Reform, and the progress of the +Measure.[33] Lord Aberdeen feels it to be his duty to inform your +Majesty that on Saturday evening he received a visit from Lord +Palmerston, who announced his decided objection to the greater part +of the proposed plan.[34] He did this in such positive terms that +Lord Aberdeen should imagine he had made up his mind not to give the +Measure his support; but Lord John entertains considerable doubt that +such is the case. + +Lord Aberdeen thinks it by no means improbable that Lord Palmerston +may also desire to separate himself from the Government, in +consequence of their pacific policy, and in order to take the lead of +the War Party and the Anti-Reformers in the House of Commons, who +are essentially the same. Such a combination would undoubtedly +be formidable; but Lord Aberdeen trusts that it would not prove +dangerous. At all events, it would tend greatly to the improvement of +Lord John's Foreign Policy. + + [Footnote 33: On the 19th of November Lord John had written to + the Queen outlining the Reform proposals of the Committee of + the Cabinet. The Queen subsequently wrote to make additional + suggestions, _e.g._, for finding a means of bringing into the + House official persons or men without local connections, and + for dealing with Ministerial re-elections.] + + [Footnote 34: Lord Palmerston wrote to Lord Lansdowne, giving + an account of the affair:-- + + "CARLTON GARDENS, _8th December 1853._ + + "MY DEAR LANSDOWNE,--I have had two conversations with + Aberdeen on the subject of John Russell's proposed Reform + Bill, and I have said that there are three points in it to + which I cannot agree. + + "These points are--the extent of disfranchisement, the + extent of enfranchisement, and the addition of the Municipal + Franchise in Boroughs to the L10 Householder Franchise.... + + "We should by such an arrangement increase the number of + bribeable Electors, and overpower intelligence and property by + ignorance and poverty. + + "I have told Aberdeen that I am persuaded that the Measure as + proposed by John Russell and Graham will not pass through the + two Houses of Parliament without material modifications, and + that I do not choose to be a party to a contest between the + two Houses or to an Appeal to the Country for a Measure of + which I decidedly disapprove; and that I cannot enter into a + career which would lead me to such a position, that, in + short, I do not choose to be dragged through the dirt by John + Russell. I reminded Aberdeen that on accepting his offer of + Office, I had expressed apprehension both to him and to you, + that I might find myself differing from my Colleagues on the + question of Parliamentary Reform. + + "I have thought a good deal on this matter. I should be very + sorry to give up my present Office at this moment: I have + taken a great interest in it, and I have matters in hand which + I should much wish to bring to a conclusion. Moreover, I + think that the presence in the Cabinet of a person holding the + opinions which I entertain as to the principles on which our + Foreign Affairs ought to be conducted, is useful in modifying + the contrary system of Policy, which, as I think, injuriously + to the interests and dignity of the Country, there is a + disposition in other quarters to pursue; but notwithstanding + all this. I cannot consent to stand forward as one of the + Authors and Supporters of John Russell's sweeping alterations. + Yours sincerely, + + PALMERSTON."] + + + + +[Pageheading: LORD PALMERSTON'S POSITION] + + +_The Prince Albert to the Earl of Aberdeen._ + +OSBORNE, _9th December 1853._ + +MY DEAR LORD ABERDEEN,--The Queen has consulted with Lord John +Russell upon the Reform plan, and on the question of Lord Palmerston's +position with regard to it; and he will doubtless give you an account +of what passed. She wishes me, however, to tell you likewise what +strikes her with respect to Lord Palmerston. It appears to the Queen +clear that the Reform Bill will have no chance of success unless +prepared and introduced in Parliament by a _united_ Cabinet; that, +if Lord Palmerston has made up his mind to oppose it and to leave the +Government, there will be no use in trying to keep him in it, and that +there will be danger in allowing him to attend the discussions of +the Cabinet, preparing all the time his line of attack; that if a +successor to him would after all have to be found at the Home Office, +it will be unfair not to give that important member of the Government +full opportunity to take his share in the preparation and deliberation +on the measure to which his consent would be asked. Under these +circumstances it becomes of the highest importance to ascertain-- + +1. What the amount of objection is that Lord Palmerston entertains to +the Measure; + +2. What the object of the declaration was, which he seems to have made +to you. + +This should be obtained _in writing_, so as to make all future +misrepresentation impossible, and on this alone a decision can well +be taken, and, in the Queen's opinion, even the Cabinet could alone +deliberate. + +Should Lord Palmerston have stated his objections with the view of +having the Measure modified it will be right to consider how far that +can safely be done, and for the Queen, also, to balance the probable +value of the modification with the risk of allowing Lord Palmerston to +put himself at the head of the Opposition Party, entailing as it does +the possibility of his forcing himself back upon her as leader of that +Party. + +Should he on the other hand consider his declaration as a "notice +to quit," the ground upon which he does so should be clearly put on +record, and no attempt should be made to damage the character of the +Measure in the vain hope of propitiating him. Ever yours truly, + +ALBERT. + + + + +[Pageheading: LORD PALMERSTON RESIGNS] + + +_Memorandum by the Prince Albert._ + +OSBORNE, _16th December 1853._ + +Lord Aberdeen arrived yesterday and returned to-day to meet the +Cabinet to-morrow. Lord Palmerston has sent in his resignation in a +short note to Lord Aberdeen, a further correspondence with Lord John +and Lord Lansdowne, Lord Aberdeen put into my hands, and I have copied +the two most important letters which follow here. + +Lord John is reported as very angry, calling Lord Palmerston's conduct +"treacherous," a term Lord Aberdeen hardly understands, as against him +he has been perfectly consistent with regard to the Reform Measure, +from the beginning, and had frequently denied the necessity of +Reform.... Lord Aberdeen had advised Lord John to show boldness and +energy, and to undertake the Home Office at once himself; this would +have a great effect under the difficulties of the circumstances, +would show that he was in earnest and determined to carry his Reform +Measure. Lord John seemed hit by the idea, but asked for time to +consider; after seeing _Lady_ John, however, he declined. + +Lord Aberdeen's fears are still mainly as to the Eastern Question, +Lord John pressing for war measures. Lord Aberdeen had followed my +advice, and had a long explanation on the subject, in which they +both agreed that their policy should be one of Peace, and he thought +matters settled when Lord John now asks for contingent engagements to +make war on Russia if her forces cross the Danube (which Lord Aberdeen +thinks quite uncalled for), and to convoy the Turkish expeditions in +the Black Sea, even if directed against Russian territory, etc., etc. +The Cabinet is certain not to agree to either of these propositions. + +When Lord Aberdeen announced the intended rupture with Lord Palmerston +to Lord John, he drily said: "Well, it would be very awkward for you +if Palmerston quarrels one day with you about Reform, and I the next +about Turkey!" + +There can be no doubt that Lord Palmerston will at once try to put +himself at the head of the late Protectionist party, and, with the +present indifference of the Country upon Reform, the fate of the Bill +is by no means certain. On the question of Peace or War, Lord +Aberdeen is quite certain that the House of Commons will adopt no war +resolutions. + +Much will depend, however, on the line taken by Lord Lansdowne, who +has great influence in the House of Lords, and whose secession would +spread great alarm over the Country as to the real tendency of the +Measure (which the Duke of Newcastle describes as in fact a great +increase of power to the land[35]). We agree that the Queen should +write to him to prevent any hasty step. + +The Queen sanctioned the offer of the Home Office to Sir George Grey, +and of a seat in the Cabinet to Mr Cardwell (the President of the +Board of Trade). + +ALBERT. + + [Footnote 35: _I.e._, the landed interest.] + + + + +[Pageheading: LORD LANSDOWNE AND REFORM] + + +_Queen Victoria to the Marquis of Lansdowne._ + +OSBORNE, _16th December 1853._ + +The Queen has been made very anxious by the Resignation of Lord +Palmerston, but still more so by hearing that Lord Lansdowne has +not been able to reconcile himself to the Measure of Reform as +now proposed in the Cabinet, which has caused Lord Palmerston's +withdrawal. Lord Lansdowne is aware of the paramount importance which +the Queen attaches to a safe settlement of that question, and to the +maintenance of her present Government; and she would press upon Lord +Lansdowne not to commit himself to a final determination before she +shall have an opportunity of seeing him. The Queen will go to Windsor +on Thursday, and hold a Council on Friday, at which it may perhaps be +convenient to Lord Lansdowne to attend, and it will give the Queen +the greatest pleasure to find that Lord John Russell has succeeded in +removing Lord Lansdowne's objections. + + + + +[Pageheading: LORD STRATFORD'S DESPATCH] + + +_Queen Victoria to the Earl of Clarendon._ + +OSBORNE, _17th December 1853._ + +The Queen returns the enclosed Draft and Despatch to Lord Clarendon. + +She has never been so much perplexed respecting any decision she has +had to make, as in the present instance. She has read Lord Stratford's +Despatch (358) over several times, and she is struck, every time more, +with the consummate ability with which it is written and argued; but +also with the difficulty in which it places the person reading it to +extract distinctly what the Porte will be prepared to concede. + +The concluding passage of the Draft involves the most important +consequences. As the Queen understands it, it promises war with Russia +in a given contingency, but the contingency is: Russia rejecting terms +which are "in their spirit and character such as Your Excellency sets +forth in your Despatch." The Queen finds it impossible to make such +tremendous consequences dependent upon such vague expressions. The +more so, as "the spirit and character" alluded to, appears to her to +be, as if purposely, obscure. + +When Lord Stratford says, that the Turks would be satisfied "with a +renewal in clear and comprehensive terms of the formal Declarations +and Treaties already existing in favour of the Porte"--the Queen +cannot understand what is meant--as all the former Treaties between +Russia and Turkey have certainly not been in favour of the Porte. +Nor is it clear to the Queen whether "the clear and unquestionable +deliverance from Russian interference applied to spiritual matters" is +compatible with the former treaties. + +Whilst the Queen, therefore, perfectly agrees in the principle +that, should Russia "for its own unjustifiable objects, show herself +regardless of the best interests of Europe" by rejecting every fair +term, the time will have arrived "for adopting measures of more active +coercion against her"--she cannot sanction such a Declaration +except on terms which are so clear in themselves as to exclude all +misinterpretation. + + + + +[Pageheading: SINOPE] + + +_Queen Victoria to the Earl of Clarendon._ + +(Undated.) + +The Queen has received Lord Clarendon's letter of the 19th, and +enclosures. She approves the Draft to Vienna, and asks to have a copy +of it, together with the Despatch from Lord Westmorland to which it +refers. + +She also approves of the Draft to Lord Cowley, with certain +exceptions, viz., on the second page our accordance with the views +of the French Government "upon the utterly unjustifiable course that +Russia has pursued," etc., is stated. If, as the Queen must read it, +this refers to the affair at Sinope,[36] it is a dangerous assertion, +as we have yet no authentic account of the circumstances of the case, +which would make it possible to judge what degree of justification +there might have been. The sentence should, at any rate, be qualified +by some expression such as "as far as we know," or "should present +accounts prove correct," etc. + +The word "utterly" might under any circumstances be left out, as a +state of War is in itself a justification of a battle. + +On page four the words "by sea" will have to be added to make the +statement precise and correct. + +The concluding sentence, the Queen must consider as tantamount to +a declaration of war, which, under the guarded conditions however +attached to it, she feels she cannot refuse to sanction. It would, in +the Queen's opinion, be necessary, however, distinctly and fully to +acquaint the Russian Government with the step now agreed upon. + +Lord Palmerston's mode of proceeding always had that advantage, that +it threatened steps which it was hoped would not become necessary, +whilst those hitherto taken, started on the principle of not +needlessly offending Russia by threats, obliging us at the same time +to take the very steps which we refused to threaten. + +The Queen has to make one more and a most _serious_ observation. The +Fleet has orders now to prevent a recurrence of such disasters as that +of Sinope. This cannot mean that it should protect the Turkish Fleet +in acts of aggression upon the Russian territory, such as an attack on +Sebastopol, of which the papers speak. This point will have to be made +quite clear, both to Lord Stratford and the Turks. + +The Queen would also wish to have copies of the Draft, when corrected, +of Lord Cowley's Despatch. + + [Footnote 36: On the 30th of November the Russian Fleet from + Sevastopol attacked the Turkish squadron in the harbour of + Sinope, a naval station in the Black Sea, and destroyed it. + The feeling in the country against Russia was greatly inflamed + by the incident, which was referred to as the "massacre of + Sinope."] + + + + +[Pageheading: PUBLIC FEELING] + + +_Memorandum by the Prince Albert._ + +WINDSOR CASTLE, _25th December 1853._ + +Lord Aberdeen had an Audience of the Queen yesterday afternoon. +He reported that some of his colleagues, Sir C. Wood, the Duke +of Newcastle, and Mr Gladstone, had been very anxious that Lord +Palmerston should be readmitted into the Cabinet; they had had +interviews with him in which he had expressed his hope to be allowed +to reconsider his step. Lady Palmerston had been most urgent upon this +point with her husband. All the people best conversant with the House +of Commons stated that the Government had no chance of going on with +Lord Palmerston in opposition, and with the present temper of the +public, which was quite mad about the Oriental Question and the +disaster at Sinope. Even Sir W. Molesworth shared this opinion. + +Lord Palmerston had written a letter to Lord Aberdeen, in which he +begs to have his resignation considered as not having taken place, +as it arose entirely from a misapprehension on his part, his having +believed that none of the details of the Reform Measure were yet +open for consideration, he had quite agreed in the principle of the +Measure! Lord Aberdeen saw Lord John and Sir J. Graham, who convinced +themselves that under the circumstances nothing else remained to be +done. Lord Aberdeen having asked Lord John whether he should tell the +Queen that it was a political _necessity_, he answered: "Yes, owing to +the shabbiness of your colleagues," to which Lord Aberdeen rejoined: +"Not shabbiness; _cowardice_ is the word." + +Lord Aberdeen owns that the step must damage the Government, although +it ought to damage Lord Palmerston still more. Lord John's expression +was: "Yes, it would ruin anybody but Palmerston." + +Lord Aberdeen thinks, however, that he can make no further +difficulties about Reform, and he, Lord John, and Graham were +determined to make no material alterations in the Bill. Graham is +suspicious lest the wish to get Palmerston in again, on the part of +a section of the Cabinet, was an intrigue to get the Measure +emasculated. Lord Aberdeen does not believe this.... + +Lord Aberdeen describes Lord John's feeling as very good and cordial +towards him. He, Lord John, had even made him a long speech to show +his gratitude for Lord Aberdeen's kindness to him. + +ALBERT. + + + + +[Pageheading: PALMERSTON RESUMES OFFICE] + + +_The Earl of Aberdeen to Queen Victoria._ + +LONDON, _26th December 1853._ + +Lord Aberdeen, with his most humble duty to your Majesty, has the +honour of enclosing copies of Lord Palmerston's letter to him,[37] +and of his answer. Lord Aberdeen was not without some apprehension +of receiving a rejoinder; but instead of which, a note arrived this +morning, merely asking if a Cabinet was likely to be summoned in the +course of the week, as he was going into the country; in fact, a note +just as if nothing whatever has taken place! + + [Footnote 37: Lord Palmerston wrote: "I find ... that I was + mistaken in inferring from your letter that the details of + the intended Reform Bill had been finally settled by the + Government, and that no objection to any part of those details + would be listened to." He went on to say that, under the + circumstances, he could not decline to comply with the wish + of many members of the Government that he should withdraw his + resignation.] + + + + +_Printed by Hazell, Watson & Viney, Ld. London and Aylesbury. +Paper supplied by John Dickinson & Co., Ld., London._ + + * * * * + + + + +Transcriber's Note: + +[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). + +The original pageheadings have been retained, and moved to appropriate +positions, at 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. + + +Mr or Mr. + +Most instances of this form of address, in the book, are 'Mr', without +the period. There are a few spelt as 'Mr.', with the period. These +have been left as they appeared in the original book. + + +Russian Dates. + +The difference between the Russian Calendar and the Calendar used in +Western Europe was 12 days...22nd March 1848, in Great Britain and +Western Europe, was 3rd April in Russia; 8th April 1853, in Great +Britain and Western Europe, was 20th April in Russia, etc. + + + +ERRATA (and sic): + +Obvious punctuation errors have been repaired. + +Pages 124/5: 'Wellingon' corrected to 'Wellington' [Footnote 6: The +Duke of Wellington wrote to Croker, 19th of December 1846...] + +Page 146: '1843' corrected to '1848'. CLAREMONT, _11th January 1848._ + +Page 173: 'sacrified' corrected to 'sacrificed' ... interests (those of +the smaller Sovereigns) are not sacrificed.... + +Page 186, Footnote 33: 'De Tallenay' corrected to 'de Tallenay' + +Page 187: Innspruck (sic: alternative spelling) + +Page 332: happness corrected to happiness. + +Page 341: 'you' corrected to 'your' (Ever your devoted Niece....) + +Page 388: 'Excehquer' corrected to 'Exchequer' (The Chancellor of the +Excehquer) + +Page 389: 'you' corrected to 'your' (ever your truly devoted Niece,) + +Page 403: 'decidedy' corrected to 'decidedly' (and that they were +decidedly acting together.) + +Page 443: 'an at' corrected to at an (... should be at an end.) + +Page 458: 'Queston' corrected to 'Question' (the Oriental Question.) + +Page 471: 'opnion' corrected to 'opinion' (... shared this opinion.) + + + + + + + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Letters of Queen Victoria, Vol 2 +(of 3), 1844-1853, by Queen Victoria + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK LETTERS--QUEEN VICTORIA, 1844-1853 *** + +***** This file should be named 24780.txt or 24780.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/2/4/7/8/24780/ + +Produced by Paul Murray, Lesley Halamek and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at https://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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