Chapter IX (1)

1840

_Queen Victoria to the Prince Albert._

BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _11th January 1840._

STOCKMAR is here; I saw him yesterday and to-day, and have begged him to explain to you _all the Court affairs, and the affairs concerning the Treaty_, in my name. He will explain to you the Treasury affair, and will do it much better than I should. I am very happy to see him again, and to have him here; he can give such good advice to both of us, and he understands England so fully.... Stocky (as I always used to call him) is so sensible about everything, and is _so much_ attached to you.

I shall have no great dinners, because the large rooms in the upper story here are not yet ready. My good old Primus[1] usually dines with me three or four times a week, almost always on Sundays, _when I cannot invite other people to dinner, as it is not reckoned right here for me to give dinners on Sunday, or to invite many people_. Your song (the bust has been mentioned before) is very fine; there is something touching in it which I like so much....

[Footnote 1: _I.e._ Premier.]

[Pageheading: OPENING OF PARLIAMENT]

_Queen Victoria to the Prince Albert._

BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _12th January 1840._

This letter will be handed you by Torrington personally. I recommend you not to leave late, so as to make the journey without hurry. I did not go to church to-day; the weather is very cold, and I have to be careful not to catch cold before the 16th, because I open Parliament in person. _This is always a nervous proceeding, and the announcement of my marriage at the beginning of my speech is really a very nervous and awful affair for me. I have never failed yet, and this is the sixth time that I have done it, and yet I am just as frightened as if I had never done it before. They say that feeling of nervousness is never got over, and that Wm. Pitt himself never got up to make a speech without thinking he should fail. But then I only read my speech._

I had to-day a visit from George[2] whom I received _alone_, and he was very courteous. His Papa I have also seen.

[Footnote 2: Prince George of Cambridge.]

_Queen Victoria to the Prince Albert._

BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _17th January 1840._

... Yesterday just as I came home from the House of Lords,[3] I received your dear letter of the 10th. I cannot understand at all why you have received no letters from me, seeing that I always wrote twice a week, regularly....

I observe with horror that I have not formally invited your father; though that is a matter of course. My last letter will have set that right. I ought not to have written to you on picture notepaper, seeing that we are in deep mourning for my poor Aunt, the Landgravine,[4] but it was quite impossible for me to write to you on mourning paper....

_But this will not interfere with our marriage in the least; the mourning will be taken off for that day, and for two or three days after, and then put on again._

Everything went off exceedingly well yesterday. There was an immense multitude of people, and perhaps never, certainly not for a long time, have I been received so well; and what is remarkable, I _was not nervous_, and read the speech really well. The Tories began immediately afterwards to conduct themselves very _badly_ and to plague us. But everyone praised you very much. Melbourne made a very fine speech about you and your ancestors. To-day I receive the Address of the House of Lords, and, perhaps, also that of the House of Commons.

[Footnote 3: The Queen had opened Parliament in person, and
announced her intended marriage.]

[Footnote 4: The Princess Elizabeth (born 1770), third
daughter of George III. and widow of the Landgrave Frederick
Joseph Louis of Hesse-Homburg. _See_ p. 195. (Ch. VIII, Footnote 65)]

[Pageheading: TORIES, WHIGS, AND RADICALS]

_Queen Victoria to the Prince Albert._

BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _21st January 1840._

I am awaiting with immense impatience a letter from you. Here hardly anything to relate to-day, because we are living in great retirement, until informed that my poor Aunt has been buried. With the exception of Melbourne and my own people, no one has dined for the last week.

We are all of us very much preoccupied with politics. The Tories really are very astonishing; _as they cannot and dare not attack us in Parliament, they do everything that they can to be personally rude to me.... The Whigs are the only safe and loyal people, and the Radicals will also rally round their Queen to protect her from the Tories; but it is a curious sight to see those, who as Tories, used to pique themselves upon their excessive loyalty, doing everything to degrade their young Sovereign in the eyes of the people. Of course there are exceptions._

_Queen Victoria to the Prince Albert._

BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _31st January 1840._

... You have written to me in one of your letters about our stay at Windsor, but, dear Albert, you have not at all understood the matter. _You forget, my dearest Love, that I am the Sovereign, and that business can stop and wait for nothing. Parliament is sitting, and something occurs almost every day, for which I may be required, and it is quite impossible for me to be absent from London; therefore two or three days is already a long time to be absent. I am never easy a moment, if I am not on the spot, and see and hear what is going on, and everybody, including all my Aunts (who are very knowing in all these things), says I must come out after the second day, for, as I must be surrounded by my Court, I cannot keep alone. This is also my own wish in every way._

Now as to the Arms: _as an English Prince you have no right, and Uncle Leopold had no right to quarter the English Arms, but the Sovereign has the power to allow it by Royal Command: this was done for Uncle Leopold by the Prince Regent, and I will do it again for you. But it can only be done by Royal Command._

I will, therefore, without delay, have a seal engraved for you.

You will certainly feel very happy too, at the news of the coming union of my much-beloved Vecto[5] with Nemours. It gives me quite infinite pleasure, because then I can see the dear child more frequently.

I read in the newspaper that you, dear Albert, have received many Orders; also that the Queen of Spain will send you the Golden Fleece....

Farewell, dearest Albert, and think often of thy faithful

VICTORIA R.

[Footnote 5: The Princess Victoire of Saxe-Coburg, cousin of
Queen Victoria.]

[Pageheading: THE PRINCE'S GRANT]

_The King of the Belgians to Queen Victoria._

BRUSSELS, _31st January 1840._

MY DEAREST VICTORIA,--I am most grateful for your long letter of the 27th and 28th inst. I send a messenger to be able to answer quite confidentially. I must confess that I never saw anything _so disgraceful_ than the discussion and vote in the Commons.[6] The whole mode and way in which those who opposed the grant treated the question was so extremely _vulgar_ and _disrespectful_, that I cannot comprehend the Tories. The men who uphold the dignity of the Crown to treat their Sovereign in such a manner, on such an occasion! Even in private life the most sour and saturnine people relax and grow gay and mildly disposed on occasions like this. Clearly, as you are Queen Regnant, Albert's position is to all intents and purposes that of a male Queen Consort, and the same privileges and charges ought to be attached to it which were attached to Queen Adelaide's position. The giving up the income which the Queen-Dowager came into, and which I hope and trust Albert would never have, or have had, any chance of having had himself, was in reality giving up a thing which _custom_ had sanctioned. That Prince George of Denmark[7] was considered to be in the same position as a Queen Consort there can be, I think, no doubt about, and when one considers the immense difference in the value of money then and now, it renders matters still more striking. I must say such conduct in Parliament I did _not expect_, and the less when I consider that your Civil List was rather curtailed than otherwise, perhaps not quite fairly. I rejoice to think that I induced Lord Melbourne to propose to you not to accede to the giving up of the Duchy of Lancaster. Parliament did not deserve it, and by good management I think something may be made of it.

Another thing which made me think that Parliament would have acted with more decency, is that I return to the country now near £40,000 a year, _not because_ I thought my income _too large_, as worthy Sir Robert Peel said, but from motives of political delicacy, which at least might be acknowledged on such occasions. I was placed by my marriage treaty in the position of a Princess of Wales, which in reality it was, though not yet by law, there existing a possibility of a Prince of Wales as long as George IV. lived. I can only conclude by crying _shame, shame_!...

I hope and trust you will not be too much worried with all these unpleasant things, and that Albert will prove a comforter and support to you. And so good-bye for to-day. Ever, my dearest Victoria, your devoted Uncle,

LEOPOLD R.

[Footnote 6: The Ministers proposed an income of £50,000 a
year for the Prince--the Conservatives and Radicals united on
an amendment reducing it to £30,000, which was carried by a
majority of 104.]

[Footnote 7: The Consort of Queen Anne.]

[Pageheading: THE PRINCE AT BRUSSELS]

_The King of the Belgians to Queen Victoria._

BRUSSELS, _1st February 1840._

MY DEAREST VICTORIA,--I hope you will be pleased with me, as I send a messenger on purpose to inform you of Albert's arrival. He will write himself this night, though rather inclined to surrender himself to Morpheus.

He looks well and handsome, but a little interesting, being very much irritated by what happened in the House of Commons. He does not care about the money, but he is much shocked and exasperated by the disrespect of the thing, as he well may.

I do not yet know the exact day of their departure, but I suppose it will be on the 5th, to be able to cross on the 6th. I have already had some conversation with him, and mean to talk _à fond_ to him to-morrow. My wish is to see you both happy and thoroughly united and of one mind, and I trust that both of you will ever find in me a faithful, honest, and attached friend.

As it is eleven o'clock at night, I offer you my respects, and remain, ever, my dearest Victoria, your devoted Uncle,

LEOPOLD R.

Your poor Aunt fainted this morning; she is much given to this, but it was rather too long to-day.

[Pageheading: AMIABILITY OF THE PRINCE]

_The King of the Belgians to Queen Victoria._

BRUSSELS, _4th February 1840._

MY DEAREST VICTORIA,--I have now treated all the questions you wished me to touch upon with Albert, and I was much pleased with his amiable disposition. At a certain distance explanations by letter are next to impossible, and each party in the end thinks the other unreasonable. When he arrived he was rather exasperated about various things, and pretty full of grievances. But our conversations have dissipated these clouds, and now there will only remain the new parliamentary events and consequences, which change a good deal of what one could reasonably have foreseen or arranged. You will best treat these questions now verbally. Albert is quick, not obstinate, in conversation, and open to conviction if good arguments are brought forward. When he thinks himself right he only wishes to have it _proved_ that he _misunderstands_ the case, to give it up without ill-humour. He is not inclined to be sulky, but I think that he may be rendered a little melancholy if he thinks himself unfairly or unjustly treated, but being together and remaining together, there _never_ can arise, I hope, any occasion for any disagreement even on trifling subjects.... Ever, my dearest Victoria, your devoted Uncle,

LEOPOLD R.

_The King of the Belgians to Queen Victoria._

BRUSSELS, _8th February 1840._

MY DEAREST VICTORIA,--This letter will arrive when I trust you will be most happily occupied; I don't mean therefore to trespass on your time.

May Heaven render you as happy as I always wished you to be, and as I always tried hard to see you. There is every prospect of it, and I am sure you will be mistress in that respect of your own _avenir_. _Perfect confidence_ will best ensure and consolidate this happiness. Our rule in poor Charlotte's time was never to permit _one single day_ to pass over _ein Missverständniss_, however trifling it might be.[8] I must do Charlotte the justice to say that she kept this compact most religiously, and at times even more so than myself, as in my younger days I was sometimes inclined to be sulky and silently displeased. With this rule no misunderstandings can take root and be increased or complicated by new ones being added to the old. Albert is gentle and open to reason; all will therefore always be easily explained, and he is determined never to be occupied but by what is important or useful to you....

Now I conclude, with my renewed warmest and sincerest good wishes for you, ever, my dearest Victoria, your devoted Uncle,

LEOPOLD.

[Footnote 8: _(From an unpublished Contemporary Memoir by
Admiral Sir William Hotham, G.C.B.)_

"Her Royal Highness was now and then apt to give way to a high
flow of animal spirits, natural at her time of life, and from
carelessness more than unkindness to ridicule others. In one
of these sallies of inconsiderate mirth, she perceived the
Prince, sombre and cold, taking no apparent notice of what was
going on, or if he did, evidently displeased. She at length
spoke to him about it, and he at once manifested reluctance
to join in the conversation, saying that though he had been a
tolerably apt scholar in many things, he had yet to learn in
England what pleasure was derived from the exercise of that
faculty he understood to be called "quizzing"; that he could
by no means reconcile it to himself according to any rule
either of good breeding or benevolence. The tears instantly
started in her eye, and feeling at once the severity and
justice of the reproof, assured him most affectionately
that, as it was the first time she had ever merited His Royal
Highness's reproof on this subject, she assured him most
solemnly it should be the last."]

[Pageheading: THE WEDDING-DAY]

_Queen Victoria to the Prince Albert._[9]

_10th February 1840._

DEAREST,--... How are you to-day, and have you slept well? I have rested very well, and feel very comfortable to-day. What weather! I believe, however, the rain will cease.

Send one word when you, my most dearly loved bridegroom, will be ready. Thy ever-faithful,

VICTORIA R.

[Footnote 9: A note folded in _billet_ form, to be taken by
hand. Addressed:

"HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS THE PRINCE.
"THE QUEEN."

This was the day of their marriage at the Chapel Royal. After
the wedding breakfast at Buckingham Palace they drove to
Windsor, and on the 14th they returned to London.]

_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._

WINDSOR CASTLE, _11th February 1840._

MY DEAREST UNCLE,--I write to you from here, the happiest, happiest Being that ever existed. Really, I do not think it _possible_ for any one in the world to be _happier_, or AS happy as I am. He is an Angel, and his kindness and affection for me is really touching. To look in those dear eyes, and that dear sunny face, is enough to make me adore him. What I can do to make him happy will be my greatest delight. Independent of my great personal happiness, the reception we both met with yesterday was the most gratifying and enthusiastic I ever experienced; there was no end of the crowds in London, and all along the road. I was a good deal tired last night, but am quite well again to-day, and happy....

My love to dear Louise. Ever your affectionate,

VICTORIA R.

_The King of the Belgians to Queen Victoria._

BRUSSELS, _21st February 1840._

MY DEAREST VICTORIA,--I am more grateful than I can express that, notwithstanding your many _empêchements_ and occupations, you still found a little moment to write to me. News from you are always most precious to me, and now almost more than ever. This is such an important moment in your life, it will so much decide how the remainder is to be, that I am deeply interested in all I can hear on the subject. Hitherto, with the exception of your own dear and Royal self, I have not been spoiled, _et j'ai puisé beaucoup de mes nouvelles_ in the _Times_ and such like sources.

God be praised that the dear _ménage_ is so happy! I can only say may it be so for ever and ever. I always thought that with your warm and feeling heart and susceptibility for strong and lasting affection, you would prefer this _genre_ of happiness, if you once possessed it, to every other. It must be confessed that it is less frequent than could be wished for the good of mankind, but when it does exist, there is something delightful to a generous heart like yours in this sacred tie, in this attachment for better for worse, and I think the English Church service expresses it in a simple and touching manner.

I was happy to see that the Addresses of both Houses of Parliament were voted in a decent and becoming way. How mean people are! If they had not seen the public at large take a great interest in your marriage and show you great affection, perhaps some would again have tried to bring on unpleasant subjects....

My letter is grown long; I will therefore conclude it with the expression of my great affection for your dear self. Ever, my most beloved Victoria, your devoted Uncle,

LEOPOLD R.

[Pageheading: POPULAR ENTHUSIASM]

_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._

_6th March 1840._

... As your Majesty has by your Lord Chamberlain permitted plays to be acted on Wednesdays and Fridays in Lent, it would be condemning yourself if you did not go to see them if you like to do so....

... Lord Melbourne is much pleased to hear that your Majesty and the Prince liked _The School for Scandal_. It is upon the whole the cleverest comedy in the English language, the fullest of wit and at the same time the most free from grossness.

[Pageheading: THE CORN LAWS]

_Lord John Russell to Queen Victoria._

_4th April 1840._

Lord John Russell presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and has the honour to state that the House of Commons having resumed the consideration of the Corn Laws, the debate was closed by Sir Robert Peel, in a speech much inferior to those which he usually makes. Mr Warburton moved an adjournment, which caused many members to leave the House. The motion being opposed, there were on a division 240 against adjournment, and only 125 in favour of it.

Mr Warburton then by some blunder moved that the House adjourn, which puts an end to the debate. This was eagerly caught at by the opposite party, and agreed to. So that the question is lost by this ridiculous termination, and it is to be feared that it will produce much discontent in the manufacturing class.[10]

[Footnote 10: The opposition to the Corn Laws was now
increasing in the North.]

_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._

_5th April 1840._

Lord Melbourne presents his humble duty to your Majesty. He is quite well but much tired. He has so much to do this morning that he will not be able to speak to Albemarle,[11] but if Albemarle dines at the Palace, he certainly will then.

Lord Melbourne always feared anything like a mixture of the Stable establishments. It would have been much better that what horses the Prince had should have been kept quite separate, and that the horses of your Majesty's which he should have to use should have been settled, and some plan arranged by which they could have been obtained when wanted. Horses to be used by one set of people and kept and fed by another will never do. Servants and subordinate agents in England are quite unmanageable in these respects. If they get [matters] into their hands neither the Deity nor the Devil, nor both together, can make them agree. Lord Melbourne writes this in ignorance of the actual facts of the case, and therefore it may be inapplicable.

[Footnote 11: Master of the Horse.]

_Lord John Russell to Queen Victoria._

_8th April 1840._

Lord John Russell presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and has the honour to state that Sir James Graham yesterday brought forward his motion on China in a speech of nearly three hours.[12] He was answered by Mr Macaulay in a manner most satisfactory to his audience, and with great eloquence. Sir William Follett spoke with much ingenuity, but in the confined spirit of a lawyer.

[Footnote 12: The motion was to censure Ministers for their
want of foresight in their dealings with China in connection
with the extension of commerce, and with the opium trade. The
motion was rejected by 271 to 262.]

[Pageheading: ENGLAND AND CHINA]

_Lord John Russell to Queen Victoria._

_9th April 1840._

Lord John Russell presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and has the honour to report that the debate went on yesterday, when Mr Hawes spoke against the motion. In the course of the debate Mr Gladstone[13] said the Chinese had a right to poison the wells, to keep away the English! The debate was adjourned.

[Footnote 13: Mr Gladstone had been member for Newark since
1832.]

_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._

_2nd May 1840._

Mr Cowper has just come in and tells me that they have determined to begin the disturbance to-night at the Opera, at the very commencement of the performance.[14] This may be awkward, as your Majesty will arrive in the middle of the tumult. It is the intention not to permit the opera to proceed until Laporte gives way.

Lord Melbourne is afraid that if the row has already begun, your Majesty's presence will not put an end to it; and it might be as well not to go until your Majesty hears that it is over and that the performance is proceeding quietly. Some one might be sent to attend and send word.

[Footnote 14: A _fracas_ took place at the Opera on 29th
April. The Manager, Laporte, not having engaged Tamburini
to sing, the audience made a hostile demonstration at the
conclusion of the performance of _I Puritani_. An explanation
made by Laporte only made matters worse, and eventually the
Tamburinists took possession of the stage.]

_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._

_6th May 1840._

Lord Melbourne presents his humble duty to your Majesty. He has just received this from Lord John Russell--a most shocking event,[15] which your Majesty has probably by this time heard of. The persons who did it came for the purpose of robbing the house; they entered by the back of the house and went out at the front door.[16] The servants in the house, only a man and a maid, never heard anything, and the maid, when she came down to her master's door in the morning, found the horrid deed perpetrated....

[Footnote 15: The murder of Lord William Russell by his valet,
Courvoisier, in Norfolk Street, Park Lane.]

[Footnote 16: This was the original theory.]

[Pageheading: MURDER OF LORD WILLIAM RUSSELL]

_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._

_6th May 1840._

Lord Melbourne presents his humble duty to your Majesty. Since he wrote to your Majesty, he has seen Mr Fox Maule,[17] who had been at the house in Norfolk Street. He says that it is a most mysterious affair. Lord William Russell was found in his bed, quite dead, cold and stiff, showing that the act had been perpetrated some time. The bed was of course deluged with blood, but there were no marks of blood in any other part of the room; so that he had been killed in his bed and by one blow, upon the throat, which had nearly divided his head from his body. The back door of the house was broken open, but there were no traces of persons having approached the door from without. His writing-desk was also broken open and the money taken out, but otherwise little or nothing had been taken away. The police upon duty in the streets had neither heard nor seen anything during the night. In these circumstances strong suspicion lights upon the persons in the house, two maids and a man, the latter a foreigner[18] and who had only been with Lord William about five weeks. These persons are now separately confined, and the Commissioners of Police are actively employed in enquiring into the affair. An inquest will of course be held upon the body without delay.

Lord Melbourne has just received your Majesty's letter, and will immediately convey to Lord John your Majesty's kind expressions of sympathy.

[Footnote 17: Under-Secretary for Home Affairs; afterwards, as
Lord Panmure, Secretary for War.]

[Footnote 18: Courvoisier.]

[Pageheading: MRS NORTON]

[Pageheading: PRINCESS CHARLOTTE]

_The King of the Belgians to Queen Victoria._

LAEKEN, _22nd May 1840._

MY DEAREST VICTORIA,--I received yesterday a most kind and dear letter from your august hands. Charles,[19] who wanted to cross yesterday, will have had very bad weather. He _is_ prepared not to make too long a stay in England. He dined here on the 19th. Louise was prepared to come to dinner, but was not quite equal to it; she therefore came after it. He came also to see me on the 20th, before his departure for Ostende. It is very gracious of you to have given him subsidies, but in fact poor Feo stands more in need of it. She really is too poor; when one thinks that they have but £600 a year, and that large castles, etc., are to be kept up with it, one cannot conceive how they manage it. It was a very generous feeling which prompted you to see Mrs Norton, and I have been too much her friend to find fault with it. True it is that Norton was freely accepted by her, but she was very poor, and could therefore hardly venture to refuse him. Many people will flirt with a clever, handsome, but poor girl, though not marry her--besides, the idea of having old Shery[20] for a grandfather had nothing very captivating. A very unpleasant husband Norton certainly was, and one who had little tact. I can well believe that she was much frightened, having so many eyes on her, some of which, perhaps, not with the most amiable expression.

I was delighted to learn that you meant to visit poor Claremont, and to pass there part of your precious birthday. Claremont is the place where in younger days you were least plagued, and generally I saw you there in good spirits. You will also _nolens volens_ be compelled to think of me, and maybe of poor Charlotte.

This gives me an opening for saying a few words on this subject. I found several times that some people had given you the impression that poor Charlotte had been hasty and violent even to imperiousness and _rudeness_. I can you assure that it was _not so_; she was quick, and even violent, but I never have seen anybody so open to conviction, and so fair and candid when wrong. The proverb says, and not without some truth, that ladies come always back to the first words, to avoid any symptom of having been convinced. Generous minds, however, do not do this; they fight courageously their battles, but when they clearly see that they are wrong, and that the reasons and arguments submitted to them are _true_, they frankly admit the truth. Charlotte had eminently this disposition; besides, she was so anxious to please me, that often she would say: "Let it be as it may; provided you wish it, I will do it." I always answered: "I never want anything for myself; when I press something on you, it is from a conviction that it is for your interest and for your good." I know that you have been told that she ordered everything in the house and liked to show that she was the mistress. It was not so. On the contrary, her pride was to make me appear to my best advantage, and even to display respect and obedience, when I least wanted it from her. She would almost exaggerate the feeling, to show very clearly that she considered me as her lord and master.

And on the day of the marriage, as most people suspected her of a very different disposition, everybody was struck with the manner in which she pronounced the promise of obedience. I must say that I was much more the master of the house than is generally the case in private life. Besides, there was something generous and royal in her mind which alone would have prevented her doing anything vulgar or ill-bred. What rendered her sometimes a little violent was a slight disposition to jealousy. Poor Lady Maryborough,[21] at all times some twelve or fifteen years older than myself, but whom I had much known in 1814, was once much the cause of a fit of that description. I told her it was quite childish, but she said, "it is not, because she is a very coquettish, dissipated woman." The most difficult task I had was to change her manners; she had something brusque and too rash in her movements, which made the Regent quite unhappy, and which sometimes was occasioned by a struggle between shyness and the necessity of exerting herself. I had--I may say so without seeming to boast--the manners of the best society of Europe, having early moved in it, and been rather what is called in French _de la fleur des pois_. A good judge I therefore was, but Charlotte found it rather hard to be so scrutinised, and grumbled occasionally how I could so often find fault with her.

Nothing perhaps speaks such volumes as the _positive fact_ of her manners getting _quite changed_ within a year's time, and that to the openly pronounced satisfaction of the very fastidious and not over-partial Regent. To explain how it came that manners were a little odd in England, it is necessary to remember that England had been for more than ten years completely cut off from the rest of the world....

We have bitter cold weather which has given colds to both the children. Uncle Ferdinand [22] is now only arriving _si dice_ on Sunday next. He has been robbed of 15,000 francs in his own room _au Palais-Royal_, which is very unpleasant for all parties.

My letter is so long that I must haste to conclude it, remaining ever, my beloved Victoria, your devoted Uncle,

LEOPOLD R.

My love to Alberto.

[Footnote 19: Prince Charles of Leiningen.]

[Footnote 20: The three sisters, Mrs Norton, Lady Dufferin,
and Lady Seymour (afterwards Duchess of Somerset), the latter
of whom was "Queen of Beauty" at the Eglinton Tournament, were
grand-daughters of R. B. Sheridan. Lord Melbourne was much
in Mrs Norton's company, and Norton, for whom the Premier had
found a legal appointment, sued him in the Court of Common
Pleas for _crim. con._; the jury found for the defendant.]

[Footnote 21: Lord Maryborough (1763-1845) was William
Wellesley Pole, brother of the Marquess Wellesley and the
Duke of Wellington. He married Katherine Elizabeth Forbes,
grand-daughter of the third Earl of Granard.]

[Footnote 22: Prince Ferdinand of Saxe-Coburg, King Leopold's
brother.]

[Pageheading: THE QUEEN AND THE PRINCE]

_Memorandum by Mr Anson._

_Minutes of Conversations with Lord Melbourne and Baron Stockmar._

_28th May 1840._

_Lord Melbourne._--"I have spoken to the Queen, who says the Prince complains of a want of confidence on trivial matters, and on all matters connected with the politics of this country. She said it proceeded entirely from indolence; she knew it was wrong, but when she was with the Prince she preferred talking upon other subjects. I told Her Majesty that she should try and alter this, and that there was no objection to her conversing with the Prince upon any subject she pleased. My impression is that the chief obstacle in Her Majesty's mind is the fear of difference of opinion, and she thinks that domestic harmony is more likely to follow from avoiding subjects likely to create difference. My own experience leads me to think that subjects between man and wife, even where difference is sure to ensue, are much better discussed than avoided, for the latter course is sure to beget distrust. I do not think that the Baroness[23] is the cause of this want of openness, though her name to me is never mentioned by the Queen."

_Baron Stockmar._--"I wish to have a talk with you. The Prince leans more on you than any one else, and gives you his entire confidence; you are honest, moral, and religious, and will not belie that trust. The Queen has not started upon a right principle. She should by degrees impart everything to him, but there is danger in his wishing it all at once. A case may be laid before him; he may give some crude and unformed opinion; the opinion may be taken and the result disastrous, and a forcible argument is thus raised against advice being asked for the future.

"The Queen is influenced more than she is aware of by the Baroness. In consequence of that influence, she is not so ingenuous as she was two years ago. I do not think that the withholding of her confidence does proceed wholly from indolence, though it may partly arise, as the Prince suggests, from the entire confidence which she reposes in her present Ministers, making her inattentive to the plans and measures proposed, and thinking it unnecessary entirely to comprehend them; she is of necessity unable to impart their views and projects to him who ought to be her friend and counsellor."

[Footnote 23: Baroness Lehzen.]

[Pageheading: OXFORD'S ATTEMPT]

_Viscount Palmerston to Queen Victoria._

CARLTON TERRACE, _10th June 1840._

Viscount Palmerston presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and though your Majesty must be overwhelmed with congratulations at your Majesty's escape from the aim of the assassin,[24] yet Viscount Palmerston trusts that he may be allowed to express the horror with which he heard of the diabolical attempt, and the deep thankfulness which he feels at your Majesty's providential preservation.

Viscount Palmerston humbly trusts that the failure of this atrocious attempt may be considered as an indication that your Majesty is reserved for a long and prosperous reign, and is destined to assure, for many years to come, the welfare and happiness of this nation.

[Footnote 24: Edward Oxford, a pot-boy, aged eighteen, fired
twice at the Queen on Constitution Hill. The Queen, who was
untouched either shot, immediately drove to the Duchess of
Kent's house to announce her safety. On his trial, Oxford was
found to be insane.]

_The King of the French to Queen Victoria._

_11 Juin 1840._

MADAME MA S[OE]UR,--C'est avec une profonde indignation que je viens d'apprendre l'horrible attentat qui a menacé les précieux jours de votre Majesté. Je rends grâce du fond de mon c[oe]ur à la Divine Providence qui les a miraculeusement conservés, et qui semble n'avoir permis qu'ils fussent exposés à un si grand danger, que pour faire briller aux yeux de tous, votre courage, votre sang-froid, et toutes les qualités qui vous distinguent.

J'ose espérer que votre Majesté me permettra de recourir à son entremise pour offrir à S.A.R. le Prince Albert, l'expression de tous les sentiments dont je suis pénétré, et qu'elle voudra bien recevoir l'assurance de tous ceux que je lui porte, ainsi que celle de ma haute estime, de mon inaltérable attachement et de mon inviolable amitié. Je suis, Madame ma S[oe]ur, de votre Majesté, le bon Frère,

LOUIS PHILIPPE R.

[Pageheading: A PROVIDENTIAL ESCAPE]

_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._

_11th June 1840._

Lord Melbourne presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and returns your Majesty many, many thanks for your letter. Lord Melbourne was indeed most anxious to learn that your Majesty was well this morning. It was indeed a most awful and providential escape. It is impossible not to shudder at the thought of it.

Lord Melbourne thinks that it will be necessary to have an examination of this man before such of your Majesty's confidential servants as are of the Privy Council;[25] it should take place this morning.

Addresses will be moved in both Houses immediately upon their meeting.

[Footnote 25: _I.e._, the Cabinet.]

_The King of the Belgians to Queen Victoria._

LAEKEN, _13th June 1840._

MY DEAREST AND MOST BELOVED VICTORIA,--I cannot find words _strong enough_ to express to you my horror at what happened on the 10th, and my happiness and delight to see your escape from a danger which was really very great. In your good little heart I hope that it made you feel grateful to God for a protection which was very signal. It does good and is a consolation to think that matters are not _quite_ left to take care of _themselves_, but that an all-powerful Hand guides them.

Louise I told the affair mildly, as it might have made too great an impression on her otherwise. She always feels so much for you and loves you so much, that she was rejoiced beyond measure that you escaped so well and took the thing with so much _courage_. That you have shown _great fortitude_ is not to be doubted, and will make a very great and good impression. I see that the general feeling is excellent, but what a melancholy thing to see a young man, without provocation, capable of such a diabolical act! That attempts of that sort took place against George III., and even George IV., one can comprehend; but you have not only been extremely liberal, but in no instance have you hitherto come into contact with any popular feeling or prejudice; besides, one should think that your being a lady would alone prevent such unmanly conduct. It shows what an effect bad example and the bad press have. I am sure that this act is _une singerie_ of what passes in France, that it is a fancy of some of those societies _de Mort aux Rois et Souverains_, without knowing wherefore, merely as a sort of fashion....

[Pageheading: EGYPT AND THE POWERS]

_The King of the Belgians to Queen Victoria._

ST CLOUD, _26th July 1840._

MY DEAREST VICTORIA,--Your dear letter of the 19th greatly delighted me....

Let me now add a few words on politics. The _secret_ way in which the arrangement about the arbitration of the Turco-Egyptian affairs has been signed, the keeping out of France in an affair so _near_ it and touching its interests in various ways, has had here a very _disastrous_ effect.[26] I cannot disguise from you that the consequences may be very serious, and the more so as the Thiers Ministry is supported by the movement party, and as _reckless of consequences_ as your own Minister for Foreign Affairs, even much more so, as Thiers himself would not be sorry to see everything existing upset. He is strongly impregnated with all the notions of fame and glory which belonged to part of the Republican and the Imperial times; he would not even be much alarmed at the idea of a Convention ruling again France, as he thinks that _he_ would be the _man to rule_ the Assembly, and has told me last year that he thinks it for France perhaps the _most powerful_ form of Government.[27]

The mode in this affair ought to have been, as soon as the Four Powers had agreed on a proposition, to communicate it officially to France, to join it. France had but two ways, either to join or to refuse its adhesion. If it had chosen the last, it would have been a free decision on her part, and a secession which had nothing offensive in the eyes of the nation.

But there is a material difference between leaving a company from motives of one's own, or being _kicked out_ of it. I must beg you to speak seriously to Lord Melbourne, who is the head of your Government, on these important affairs; they may upset everything in Europe if the mistake is not corrected and moderated.

I shall write again to you next Friday from hence, and on Saturday, 1st August, we set off. Ever, my dearest Victoria, your devoted Uncle,

LEOPOLD R.

[Footnote 26: On the 15th of July a convention was signed in
London by representatives of England, Russia, Austria, and
Prussia, offering an ultimatum to the Viceroy of Egypt. The
exclusion of France was hotly resented in Paris. Guizot,
then Ambassador in London, had been kept in ignorance of the
project, but the Foreign Secretary, Lord Palmerston, denied
that there had been any discourtesy intended, or want of
consideration shown.]

[Footnote 27: Louis Adolphe Thiers (1797-1877), who through
the Press had contributed to the downfall of the Bourbons, had
held various Cabinet offices under Louis Philippe, and, from
March to October 1840, was for the second time Premier.]

[Pageheading: PRINCE LOUIS NAPOLEON]

_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._

_7th August 1840._ (10 P.M.)

Lord Melbourne presents his humble duty to your Majesty. The House of Lords lasted until eight, and Lord Melbourne might by an exertion have got to the Palace to dinner, but as he had the Speech, by no means an easy one, to prepare for the consideration of the Cabinet to-morrow, he thought it better to take this evening for that purpose, and he hopes therefore that your Majesty will excuse his not coming, which is to him a great sacrifice to have made.

Your Majesty will have probably seen by this time the report from your Majesty's Consul at Boulogne of the mad attempt of Louis Bonaparte.[28] It is rather unfortunate that it should have taken place at this moment, as the violent and excited temper of the French nation will certainly lead them to attribute it to England. It will also be highly embarrassing to the King of the French to have in his possession a member of the family of Bonaparte and so many Bonapartists who have certainly deserved death but whom it may not be prudent or politic to execute.

[Footnote 28: The Prince, afterwards the Emperor Napoleon
III., descended on Boulogne with fifty-three persons, and
a tame eagle which had been intended, with stage effect, to
alight on the Colonne de Napoléon. He was captured, tried
for high treason, and sentenced to perpetual imprisonment. He
effected his escape, which was undoubtedly connived at by the
authorities, in 1846.]

[Pageheading: THE CONVENTION OF 1828]

_The King of the Belgians to Queen Victoria._

WIESBADEN, _22nd September 1840._

MY DEAREST VICTORIA,--I was most happy in receiving this morning per messenger your dear little letter of the 15th, though it is grown a little elderly. The life one leads here is not favourable to writing, which, besides, is prohibited, and easily gives me palpitation enough to sing "_di tanti palpiti!_" I get up at half after six and begin to drink this hot water; what with drinking and walking one comes to ten o'clock or half after ten for breakfast. Then I read papers and such like things. At one o'clock I have been generally bored with some visit or other till two o'clock. I try to finish some writing, and then I walk and ride out till dinner-time, generally at seven. In the evening I have written sometimes, but it certainly does one harm. You see that there remains but little time for writing.

I am most happy to find that you are well; the papers, which don't know what to invent to lower the Funds, said that you had been unwell on the 10th, which, God be praised! is not at all true.

I pity poor Princess Augusta[29] from all my heart. I am sure that if she had in proper time taken care of herself she might have lived to a great age. I have not time to-day to write at any length on the politics of the day, but I am _far from thinking_ that the French _acted wisely_ in the Oriental affair. I must say that I think the King _meant well_, but I should not have _abstained_ from the Conference as he did, though, in France, interference with Mehemet Ali was certainly not popular. In England much of the _fond_ is logical, but the form towards France was, and is still, harsh and insulting. I don't think France, which these ten years behaved well, and the poor King, who was nearly murdered I don't remember how often, deserved to be treated so unkindly, and all that seemingly to please the great Autocrat. We must not forget what were the fruits of the _first_ Convention of July 1828--I think the 16th or 26th of that month; I ought to remember it, as I took its name in vain often enough in the Greek affair.

This first Convention brought about the battle of Navarino and the second campaign of the Russians, which ended with, in fact, the demise of the poor old Porte, the _Treaty of Adrianople_.[30] Your Majesty was then afflicted with the age of ten, in itself a good age, and may not remember much about it except that in 1829 the affair about my going to Greece began, and that your affectionate heart took some interest in that. Lord Melbourne, however, you _must encourage to speak about this matter_. Canning's intention was this: he said we must remain with Russia, and by this means _prevent_ mischief. The Duke of Wellington, who came to me shooting at Claremont in 1828, really did cry, though he is not of a crying disposition, and said "_by this Convention the Russians will have the power of doing all they never would have dared to do single-handed_, and shielded by this infernal Convention, it will not be in our power _to stop them_." Russia is again in this very snug and comfortable position, that _the special protection of the Porte_ is confided to its tender mercies--_la chèvre gardant le chou_, the wolf the sheep, as I suppose I must not compare the Turcs to lambs. The Power which ruined the Ottoman Empire, which since a hundred and forty years nearly _pared_ it all round nearly in every direction, is to be the protector and guardian of that same empire; and we are told that it is the most scandalous calumny to suspect the Russians to have any other than the most humane and disinterested views! "_ainsi soit-il_," as the French say at the end of their sermons. This part of the Convention of the 15th of July 1840 strikes impartial people as strange, the more so as nothing lowers the Porte so much in the eyes of the few patriotic Turks who remain than the protection of the arch-enemy of the concern, Russia. I beg you to read this part of my letter to my good and dear friend, Lord Melbourne, to whom I beg to be kindly remembered.

[Footnote 29: Princess Augusta, second daughter of George III.
_See_ p. 230. (Ch. IX, 26th September 1840)]

[Footnote 30: Under this treaty (14th September 1829) the
Danubian principalities were made virtually independent
States, the treaty rights of Russia in the navigation of the
Bosphorus and Dardanelles were confirmed, and Greek affairs
were arranged, by incorporating in the treaty the terms of the
Protocol of 22nd March 1829.]

[Pageheading: A THREATENED CRISIS]

_Queen Victoria to Viscount Melbourne._[31]

WINDSOR CASTLE, _26th September 1840._

This is certainly awkward; but the latter part about Peel is most absurd; to him I can never apply, we must do everything but that. But for God's sake do not bring on a crisis;[32] the Queen really could not go through that _now_, and it might make her _seriously ill_ if she were to be kept in a state of agitation and excitement if a crisis were to come on; she has had already so much lately in the distressing illness of her poor Aunt to harass her. I beseech you, think of _all_ this, and the consequences it might cause, not only to me, but to all Europe, as it would show our weakness in a way that would be seriously injurious to this country.

[Footnote 31: The letter, to which this is a reply, seems not
to have been preserved. The Queen's letter, having been shown
to Lord John Russell and copied by him, has hitherto been
supposed to be a letter from Lord Melbourne to Lord John
Russell. _See_ Walpole's _Russell_, vol. i., chap. xiii.]

[Footnote 32: The Cabinet met on the 28th to consider
the Oriental Question. The Government was on the verge of
dissolution, as Lord Palmerston and Lord John Russell were in
conflict. The meeting was adjourned till 1st October.]

[Pageheading: FRANCE AND THE EAST]

_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._

WINDSOR CASTLE, _26th September 1840._

MY DEAREST UNCLE,--I have unfortunately very little time to-day, but I will try and answer your kind letters of the 13th and 19th briefly. You know now that the sufferings of good excellent Aunt Augusta were terminated on the 22nd of this month. I regret her _very, very_ sincerely, though for herself we are all most thankful for the release of such unexampled sufferings, borne with such unexampled patience. Almost the last thing she said when she was still conscious, the day before she died, was to Mr More (the apothecary), who wrote me every morning a Report: "Have you written to my darling?" Is this not touching? The Queen-Dowager had her hand in hers when she died, and closed her eyes when all was over; all the Family were present.

I have seen your letters to Palmerston, and his answer to you, and I also send you a paper from Lord Melbourne. I assure you that I _do_ give these affairs my _most serious_ attention: it would be indeed _most_ desirable if France could _come back to us_, and I think what Metternich suggests very sagacious and well-judged.[33] You must allow me to state that _France_ has _put herself_ into this unfortunate state. _I_ know (as I saw _all_ the _papers_) how she was engaged to join us--and I know how strangely she refused; I know also, that France _agrees_ in the _principle_, but only doubts the _efficacy_ of the measures. Where then is "_La France outragée_"? wherefore arm when there is _no_ enemy? wherefore raise the war-cry? But this has been _done_, and has taken _more_ effect than I think the French Government _now_ like; and _now_ she has to undo all this and to calm the general agitation and excitement, which is not so easy. Still, though France is in the wrong, and _quite_ in the wrong, still _I_ am most anxious, as I am sure my Government also are, that France should be pacified and should again take her place amongst the five Powers. I am sure she might easily do this....

Albert, who sends his love, is much occupied with the Eastern affairs, and is quite of my opinion....

[Footnote 33: Metternich's suggestion was that if other
means of coercion failed, the allies should renew their
deliberations in conjunction with France.]

_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._

WINDSOR CASTLE, _30th September 1840._

Lord Melbourne presents his humble duty to your Majesty. He is quite well, and will be ready at half-past one.

The Prince's[34] observations are just, but still the making an advance to France now, coupled with our constant inability to carry into effect the terms of our Convention, will be an humiliating step.

Lord Melbourne sends a letter which he has received this morning from Lord Normanby, whom he had desired to see Lord Palmerston and Lord John Russell, and try what he could do.

Lord Melbourne also sends a letter which he has received from Lord Lansdowne.

Lord Melbourne would beg your Majesty to return them both.

[Footnote 34: Prince Metternich.]

_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._

DOWNING STREET, _1st October 1840._