Chapter XI (3)

The first days, my poor father could do nothing but sob, and it was really heartbreaking to see him. He begins now to have more command upon his grief, and the presence of your uncle, whom he dearly loves, seems to do him good. The poor children are well and _merry_ and seem unconscious of their dreadful loss. From time to time only they jump round us as if looking for protection. The contrast of their gaiety with their horrid misfortune is very painful. Paris is looking remarkably well and strong. Robert[53] is much grown, extremely quick and lively, and begins to speak. The remainder of the family is, as you may easily imagine, in the _deepest affliction_. Nemours especially is quite broken down with grief. Chartres was _more_ than a _brother_ to him, as he was _more_ than a _second father_ to us all. He was the _head_ and the _heart_ and _soul_ of the whole family. We all looked up to him, and we found him on all occasions. A _better_, or even _such_ a brother was never seen; our loss is as great as irreparable; but God's will be done! He had surely His motives in sending on my unfortunate parents the horrid affliction in their old days, and in removing from us the being who seemed the _most necessary_ to the hope and happiness of all; we must submit to His decrees, hard as they are; but it is impossible not to regret that my poor brother has not at least found the death of a soldier, which he had always wished for, instead of such a useless, horrid, and miserable one! It seems, for no one saw him fall, that he did not jump, as we had thought at first, but that he was thrown from the barouche, while standing; and I like it in some measure better so, as God's will is still more manifest in this way. It is equally manifest in _all_ the circumstances attending the catastrophe. My poor brother was not even to have come to Neuilly. He had taken leave of my parents the day before, and would not have gone again if my unfortunate mother had not asked him, and if my parents, who were to go to Paris, had not delayed their departure....

I thank you again and again, my beloved Victoria, for all your interest and sympathy. I was sure you would think of us and of me: you know how much I loved my brother. I little expected to outlive him, as I had done my beloved Mary;[54] but once more, _God's will be done_. I remain now and ever, yours most devotedly,

LOUISE.

I perceive I forgot mentioning Ernest. Pray thank him for his sympathy also. He knows what a brother is, and may feel for us! We expect on Saturday poor Joinville. My father will have thus his four remaining sons round him for the opening of the Session, which takes place on the 26th, and at which he must preside in person. It is a hard duty for him.

[Footnote 53: The young Duc de Chartres, born in 1840.]

[Footnote 54: See _ante_, p. 144. (Ch. VIII, Footnote 8)]

[Pageheading: THE CORN LAWS]

_Sir Robert Peel to Queen Victoria._

WHITEHALL, _23rd July 1842._

Sir Robert Peel, with his humble duty to your Majesty, begs leave to acquaint your Majesty that last night was occupied in the House of Commons with another debate on the Corn Laws, again impeding any progress with the Government business. The debate was entirely confined to those members who act in concert with the Anti-Corn Law League.[55] It continued until twelve, when Mr Cobden, the Member for Stockport, moved an adjournment of the House, on the ground that none of your Majesty's servants had taken a part in the debate....

Several members of the Opposition voted with the Government, and declared that they would not be parties to such vexatious proceedings.

A division on the main question--a Committee to enquire into the state of the country with a view to the Repeal of the Corn Laws--then took place.

The motion was negatived by a majority of 156 to 64--92. The House did not adjourn until three this morning.

[Footnote 55: The Anti-Corn Law League was rapidly gaining
importance, and fiscal policy occupied a great part of the
session of 1842. Peel was already reducing import duties
on articles other than corn. Cobden had been elected at
Stockport, for the first time, in 1841.]

[Pageheading: FURTHER PARTICULARS OF ACCIDENT]

_The King of the Belgians to Queen Victoria._

NEUILLY, _22nd July 1842._

MY DEAREST VICTORIA,--I was anxious to write to you on the 18th, but I was so overpowered with all that surrounded me that I could really not. Yesterday I received your dear letter of the 19th, and I will answer it, so as to give you a clear view of the sad case. On the 12th, Tuesday, Chartres had taken leave, as he meant to go to St Omer, the 13th; however, in the family the Queen and others said he ought to come once more to see them. The King had ordered his carriage to go to town on the 13th, to a Council; Chartres meant to have called shortly after ten.

It is necessary to tell you all this, as it shows how strangely circumstances turned fatally. Chartres did not want to return once more to Neuilly, and the King, if exact, might see him once more in town. Chartres, however, instead of coming early, set off after eleven; his Off. d'Ordonnance, M. Bertin de Veaux, his _valet de chambre_, a German, Holder, begged him not to go quite alone in that small phaeton through Paris, as he was in uniform, but all this did not avail; he insisted to go in the phaeton and to go _alone_. He set out later than he expected, and if the King had set out _exactly_ as he had named, the parents and the son would probably have met on the rising avenue of the Champs Elysees, towards the Barrière de l'Étoile and Arc de Triomphe. However, the King delayed his departure and the son set off. At the place where from the great avenue one turns off towards Neuilly, the horses, which were not even young horses, as I am told that he has had them some years, moved by that stupid longing to get to Neuilly, where they knew their stables, got rather above the postillion, and ran _quasi_ away. Chartres got up and asked the postillion if he could hold his horses no longer; the boy called out "Non, Monseigneur"; he had looked back when he said this, and saw his master for the last time _standing_ in the phaeton. People at some distance saw him come out of his carriage and describe a sort of semicircle falling down. Nobody knows exactly if he jumped out of the carriage, or if he lost his position and fell out. I am inclined to think that, trusting to his lightness and agility, he wanted to jump out, forgetting the impulse which a quick-going carriage gives, as there were marks on his knees as if he had first fallen that way. The principal blow was, however, on the head, the skull being entirely fractured. He was taken up senseless, that is to say confused, but not fainting, and carried into a small inn. At first his appearance, sitting in a chair, was so little altered that people thought it was nothing of any consequence.

He _knew_ no one, and only spoke a few incoherent words in German. The accident happened about a quarter before twelve, and at four he was no more.

I refer for some other details to Albert. Poor Louise looks like a shadow, and only her great devotion for me supports her. It may serve as a lesson how fragile all human affairs are. Poor Chartres, it seems, with the prospect of these camps and altogether, was _never in better spirits_. But I must end. Ever, my dearest Victoria, your devoted Uncle,

LEOPOLD R.

[Pageheading: SIR EDWARD DISBROWE]

_Queen Victoria to the Earl of Aberdeen._

WINDSOR CASTLE, _27th July 1842._

The Queen thanks Lord Aberdeen for the letter she has this morning received.

The Queen thinks that a reprimand would hardly do, as it is not so much from any particular despatch that she has formed this opinion of Sir Edward Disbrowe, but more from the general tenor of his conduct and despatches; therefore she thinks it would be difficult to censure him, which would probably not have the desired effect.[56] For this reason the Queen would prefer his being removed without his being told that it was for his conduct, and without his being able to find this out, which, the Queen concludes from Lord Aberdeen's letter, could easily be done.

[Footnote 56: _See_ p. 409. Lord Aberdeen had suggested
sending Sir Edward Disbrowe a private admonition.]
(Ch. XI, 16th July, 1842)

_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._

WINDSOR CASTLE, _2nd August 1842._

DEAREST UNCLE,--I had the pleasure of receiving your kind letter of the 29th, late on Sunday evening. You know _all_ we have felt, and do _feel_, for the dear and exemplary French family. Really it is too dreadful, but God's will be done! Perhaps poor Chartres is saved great sorrow and grief. _Him_ we must _not_ pity!

God grant all may go off well on these dreadful days, and may He support the dear afflicted parents, widow, and brothers and sisters! My dearest Louise! I hope and trust that her dear children will occupy her and divert her attention; only don't let her swallow and suppress her grief and keep it to herself; that is dreadful, and very hurtful. Let her give way to her sorrow, and talk of it to her.

Pray, dearest Uncle, will not and ought not Paris to be Duke of Orleans now? Hélène is sole guardian, is she not?...

Dear Louise will, I trust, excuse my not answering her kind letter to-day; pray give her my best love, and believe me, always, your most devoted Niece,

VICTORIA R.

[Pageheading: THE FATHERLESS CHILDREN]

_The King of the Belgians to Queen Victoria._

LAEKEN, _5th August 1842._

MY DEAREST VICTORIA,--... Little Paris,[57] who has gained much of late, will keep the name of Paris, at least for the present. Hélène will be, after the poor King's demise, sole guardian of her children; till then the King as head of the family will be supreme in all matters relating to the children.... Your devoted Uncle,

LEOPOLD R.

[Footnote 57: The late Comte de Paris, who bore this title to
the end of his life, father of the present Duc d'Orléans.]

_The Queen of the Belgians to Queen Victoria._

LAEKEN, _5th August 1842._

MY BELOVED VICTORIA,--... Poor little Paris is aware of his misfortune in the way he can be. Hélène told him that he saw everybody weep because he would see no more his beloved father. The poor child wept then very much, and he has done several times since, when the same thing was repeated to him. He wonders why he does not go any more in his unfortunate father's room, and why there is no more "_de cher Papa_," as he says: else he makes no question or observation and is very quiet and cheerful. He cannot yet feel what he has lost and his melancholy fate: but Hélène does what she can to keep alive in him the remembrance of his father.... Yours most affectionately,

LOUISE.

_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._

SOUTH STREET, _8th August 1842._

Lord Melbourne presents his humble duty to your Majesty. He thanks your Majesty much for the letter of the 4th. It can hardly be expected that the grief of the French family will, as yet, much diminish, but Lord Melbourne hopes that they are somewhat more composed. He has heard this morning that Lord and Lady Beauvale were at Boulogne on Saturday; they would probably cross yesterday, and will be in London to-day.

Lord Melbourne understands that Lord Beauvale had an interview of three hours with the King of the French. Charles Howard was married this morning, and Lord Melbourne is going to meet Lord and Lady Carlisle and the rest of the family at Baron Parke's[58] at dinner. Lord Melbourne thinks that Lord Prudhoe's marriage[59] was to be expected.[60] Upon looking at the Peerage, he is only fifty years old, and fifty is young enough to marry anybody. The only fault of fifty is that it advances too rapidly on to sixty, which, on the other hand, is too old to marry anybody. It is Lord Melbourne's opinion that if a man does marry either at fifty or sixty, he had much better take a young girl than a woman of more age and experience. Youth is more malleable, more gentle, and has often more respect and compassion for infirmity than middle-age.

[Footnote 58: Afterwards Lord Wensleydale.]

[Footnote 59: To Lady Eleanor Grosvenor.]

[Footnote 60: Admiral Lord Algernon Percy (1792-1865),
President of the Royal Institution, was created in 1816 Baron
Prudhoe: in 1847, on the death of his brother, he became
fourth Duke of Northumberland.]

[Pageheading: RESIGNATION OF LORD HILL]

_Lord Hill to Queen Victoria._

HARDWICKE GRANGE,[61] _9th August 1842._

Lord Hill presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and craves your Majesty's gracious permission to lay before your Majesty his resignation of the Command of your Majesty's Army.

Lord Hill deeply regrets the necessity of taking a step which will deprive him of a charge that has been so long committed to his hands, and for his continuance in which he is indebted to your Majesty's grace and favour; but he has again suffered much from the illness under which he laboured in the early part of the year, and his health has in consequence become so indifferent as to render him unequal to the adequate discharge of the various important duties of his command, which therefore he feels he could not retain with due regard to the interests of your Majesty's Service.

Lord Hill had flattered himself that he should have been able to have laid his application for retirement before your Majesty himself, and personally to have expressed to your Majesty his deep and lasting sense of your Majesty's gracious kindness to him on all occasions. Having, however, left London by the advice of his medical attendants, and being too unwell to undertake a second journey, Lord Hill avails himself of this mode of assuring your Majesty of his unabated zeal for the Service, of his dutiful devotion to your Majesty's person, and of the pain and sorrow with which he relinquishes an appointment that afforded him the honour and advantage of executing your Majesty's commands, and receiving many gracious proofs of your Majesty's support and confidence.

[Footnote 61: Lord Hill's country house in Shropshire.]

[Pageheading: APPOINTMENT OF COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF]

_Sir Robert Peel to Queen Victoria._

WHITEHALL, _10th August 1842._

Sir Robert Peel presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and begs leave to acquaint your Majesty that he received at a late hour last night the accompanying letter to your Majesty from Lord Hill. From the one which accompanied it, addressed to Sir Robert Peel, he has reason to believe that it conveys to your Majesty the wish of Lord Hill to be relieved, on the ground of ill-health and increasing infirmities, from the Command of your Majesty's Forces.

Sir Robert Peel would humbly submit for your Majesty's consideration whether it might not be a deserved mark of your Majesty's approbation to confer upon Lord Hill the rank of Viscount, with remainder to his nephew Sir Rowland Hill,[62] who will succeed Lord Hill in the Barony. Lord Beresford[63] and Lord Combermere[64] have the rank of Viscounts, and perhaps the long, faithful services of Lord Hill as Commander-in-Chief may appear to your Majesty to entitle him to equal distinction in the Peerage.

Sir Robert Peel has reason to believe that when Lord Hill's retirement shall be known there will be many competitors for the office of Commander-in-Chief.

Sir George Murray,[65] Sir Edward Paget,[66] Lord Londonderry,[67] Lord Combermere, and perhaps Lord Beresford, will severally urge their pretensions.

Sir Robert Peel humbly submits to your Majesty that should the Duke of Wellington be willing to undertake the duties of this important trust, no claims could stand in competition with his, and no selection from the candidates whom he has named would be satisfactory to the Army or public in general.

Sir Robert Peel would therefore humbly recommend to your Majesty that the offer of this appointment should be made to the Duke of Wellington, with the signification of a wish on the part of your Majesty (should your Majesty be pleased to approve of the arrangement), that His Grace should continue a member of the Cabinet, and the organ of the Government, as at present, in the House of Lords.

[Footnote 62: Lord Hill died 10th December 1842, and was
succeeded in his peerages by Sir Rowland Hill, who died in
1875.]

[Footnote 63: William Carr Beresford (1768-1854), created
Viscount Beresford in 1823 for the victory of Albuera, 1811.]

[Footnote 64: Sir Stapleton Cotton (1773-1865), created
Viscount Combermere for the capture of Bhurtpore.]

[Footnote 65: Sir George Murray (1772-1846), received a
K.C.B. for his services in the Peninsula, M.P. for Perth, and
afterwards Commander-in-Chief in Ireland.]

[Footnote 66: General Sir Edward Paget, G.C.B. (1775-1849),
brother of the first Marquis of Anglesey.]

[Footnote 67: Prior to being Ambassador at Vienna, Lord
Londonderry had distinguished himself in the Peninsula.]

[Pageheading: THE DUKE ACCEPTS]

_The Duke of Wellington to Queen Victoria._

LONDON, _12th August 1842._

Field-Marshal the Duke of Wellington presents his humble duty to your Majesty. He has been informed by Sir Robert Peel that your Majesty had been graciously pleased to approve of the recommendation submitted by your Majesty's servants that he should be appointed the Commander-in-Chief of your Majesty's Forces.

He is sensible of and grateful for this fresh proof of your Majesty's confidence in him and gracious favour towards him.

He hopes that your Majesty will believe that your Majesty may rely upon his making every effort in his power to promote your Majesty's views for the honour and interest of the country in any situation in which he may be placed.

Which is humbly submitted to your Majesty by your Majesty's most dutiful and devoted Subject and Servant,

WELLINGTON.

_Queen Victoria to Lord Hill._

WINDSOR CASTLE, _12th August 1842._

The Queen has received Lord Hill's letter of the 9th inst., and is much concerned to learn that Lord Hill's health is so indifferent that he thinks it is his duty to resign the important office which he has so long and so honourably held. The Queen can only reluctantly give her consent to this determination, as she regrets to lose Lord Hill's services at the head of her Army. She cannot, however, miss this opportunity of expressing to Lord Hill her entire approbation of his conduct throughout the time he served her. The Prince begs to have his kind regards sent to Lord Hill.

[Pageheading: RIOTS IN MANCHESTER]

_Sir Robert Peel to Queen Victoria._

CABINET ROOM, DOWNING STREET, _13th August 1842._

Sir Robert Peel presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and is sorry to be under the necessity of troubling your Majesty so suddenly, but he is sure your Majesty will excuse him for making any proposal to your Majesty which the public service may render requisite.[68]

The accounts received this morning from Manchester with regard to the state of the country in that neighbourhood are very unsatisfactory, and they are confirmed by the personal testimony of magistrates who have arrived in London for the purpose of making representations to your Majesty's servants on the subject.

A Cabinet has just been held, and it is proposed to send a battalion of Guards by the railway this evening. The 16th of August (Tuesday next) is the anniversary of a conflict which took place in Manchester in the year 1819[69] between the Yeomanry Cavalry and the populace, and it is feared that there may be a great assemblage of persons riotously disposed on that day.

Under these circumstances it appears desirable to your Majesty's confidential advisers that a proclamation should be immediately issued, warning all persons against attendance on tumultuous meetings, and against all acts calculated to disturb the public peace. It is necessary that a Council should be held for the issue of this proclamation, and important that it should arrive in Manchester on Monday.

These considerations have prevented Sir Robert Peel from giving previous notice to your Majesty, and having your Majesty's sanction for the holding of a Council. On account of the urgency of the case, he has requested a sufficient number of Privy Councillors to repair to Windsor this evening, in order that should your Majesty be graciously pleased to hold a Council, the proclamation may be forthwith issued. The members of the Privy Council will be in attendance about half-past six o'clock, as Sir Robert Peel has considered that from that time to half-past seven will probably be the least inconvenient to your Majesty.

He writes this immediately after the breaking up of the Cabinet.

[Footnote 68: The disturbances of this month, which originated
in a strike for wages in Lancashire, were inflamed by
agitators, and rapidly spread through Cheshire, Staffordshire,
Warwickshire, and Yorkshire, eventually extending to the
populous parts of Scotland and Wales. Several conflicts took
place between the populace and the military, and there
was much loss of life and property, as well as aggravated
distress.]

[Footnote 69: On 16th August 1819, a great popular
demonstration in favour of Parliamentary Reform, presided
over by Henry Hunt, the Radical, had taken place in St Peter's
Fields, Manchester. A riot ensued, and the Yeomanry charged
the populace, with some loss of life. The affair was
afterwards known as the Peterloo massacre.]

[Pageheading: CHARTIST DISTURBANCES]

_Sir James Graham to Queen Victoria._

WHITEHALL, _15th August 1842._

Sir James Graham, with humble duty, begs to lay before your Majesty the enclosed letter from Major-General Sir William Warre[70] in command of the Northern District.

From this report it is evident that a strong and salutary moral impression had been produced by the arrival of a reinforcement of 1,400 men in the disturbed district in the short time of six-and-thirty hours after the first requisition for assistance had been sent from Manchester; and the General has now at his disposal a force quite adequate to cope with the vast assemblage of people who are expected to meet to-morrow at Manchester.

Some symptoms of this disposition forcibly to suspend labour have appeared in the West Riding of Yorkshire; but on the whole the accounts, both from Scotland and the disturbed district, which have been received this morning, may be considered favourable. The railroad communications as yet are uninterrupted; no collision has taken place between the troops and the multitude, except at Preston;[71] and Sir James Graham is willing to hope that this insurrectionary movement may be suppressed without recourse to extreme measures. Every precaution, however, has been taken, and arrangements are made for augmenting the force under the command of Sir William Warre, if it should become necessary.

The character of these riots has assumed more decidedly a political aspect. It is no longer a strike for higher wages, but the Delegates, who direct the movement, avow that labour shall not be resumed until the people's Charter be granted.[72]

Sir James Graham will hasten to-morrow to inform your Majesty of the accounts which he may receive.

The above is humbly submitted by your Majesty's dutiful Subject and Servant,

J. R. G. GRAHAM.

[Footnote 70: Lieutenant-General Sir William Warre
(1784-1853), a distinguished Peninsular officer.]

[Footnote 71: The mob attacked the military, who fired and
killed three or four persons.]

[Footnote 72: A colossal petition in favour of the Charter had
been presented during the Session by Mr T. Duncombe.]

[Pageheading: SATISFACTORY RESULTS]

_Sir Robert Peel to Queen Victoria._

WHITEHALL, _18th August 1842._ (_Thursday morning._)

Sir Robert Peel presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and begs leave to acquaint your Majesty that he returned to London last night.

He has this morning gone through all the letters received from the country, with Sir James Graham, by whom the details of the information will be forwarded to your Majesty.

It appears to Sir Robert Peel that the general tenor of the reports is _satisfactory_. From Manchester, from Wigan, from Preston, the reports are very good.

The movement is not one caused by distress. The demand for employment has increased, and the price of provisions--and particularly of potatoes, bread, and bacon--has rapidly fallen within the last fortnight or three weeks.

People of property and the Magistrates (notwithstanding their political dissensions) are now acting in harmony, and with more energy.

Orders have been sent to apprehend the Delegates assembled in Manchester, _the very moment_ that the law will warrant their apprehension, and Sir Robert Peel should not be surprised to hear of their committal to Lancaster Castle in the course of to-day.

Every vigilance will be exerted with reference to _Cooper_[73] (whom your Majesty names) and all other itinerant agitators.

As might be naturally expected, the movements and disorderly spirit spreading from the centre (Manchester) are appearing in remote points; but when peace and confidence are thoroughly restored at Manchester, the example will quickly tell in the circumjacent districts.

Birmingham is tranquil and well-disposed. The accounts from Scotland are favourable.

[Footnote 73: A Leicester Chartist, who was afterwards tried
for sedition.]

[Pageheading: PARLIAMENT PROROGUED]

_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._

SOUTH STREET, _17th August 1842._

Lord Melbourne presents his humble duty to your Majesty. He is going down to-day to Brocket Hall with Lord and Lady Beauvale. Lord and Lady Palmerston are coming down to-morrow, and Lord and Lady Cowper will probably come over from Panshanger.

Your Majesty read extremely well in the House of Lords on Friday last.[74] Lord Melbourne can judge better of this from the body of the House than he could when he stood close to your Majesty. Nothing can be more clear and distinct, and at the same time more natural and free from effort. Perhaps if your Majesty could read a tone louder it would be as well. Charles Buller, who was amongst the House of Commons, told Lord Melbourne that, where he stood, the voice, although well heard, sounded somewhat weak. But this should not be attempted unless it can be done with perfect ease. Nothing injures reading so much as the attempt to push the organ beyond its natural powers.

Lord Melbourne hopes that these tumults in the manufacturing districts are subsiding, but he cannot conceal from your Majesty that he views them with great alarm--much greater than he generally thinks it prudent to express. He fears that they may last in the form of strike, and turn out much longer than is looked for, as they did in 1832 and 1833.

There is a great mass of discontented feeling in the country arising from the actual state of society. It arises from the distress and destitution which will fall at times upon a great manufacturing population, and from the wild and extravagant opinions which are naturally generated in an advanced and speculative state of society.

This discontent has been aggravated and fermented by the language of every party in the state. Lord Melbourne can exempt no party from this blame, nor hardly any individual except himself. The Tories and Conservatives (not the Leaders, but the larger portion of the party) have done what they could to inflame the public mind upon that most inflammable topic of the Poor Laws. The _Times_ newspaper has been the most forward in this. The Whigs and Radicals have done what they could in the same direction upon the Corn Laws. Mr Attwood[75] and another set have worked the question of the Currency, and the whole career of Mr O'Connell in Ireland has been too manifest to be mistaken. It is no wonder if working in this manner altogether they have at last succeeded in driving the country into this which is certainly very near, if not actually a rebellion.

Lord Melbourne earnestly hopes that your Majesty and the Prince, the Prince, and Princess are all well.

[Footnote 74: Parliament was prorogued by the Queen in person
on 12th August.]

[Footnote 75: Who represented the Radical views of the
Birmingham school.]

[Pageheading: THE DISTURBED DISTRICTS]

_Sir James Graham to Queen Victoria._

WHITEHALL, _18th August 1842._

Sir James Graham, with humble duty, is happily enabled to state to your Majesty that the accounts from the disturbed districts received this morning are more satisfactory.

In Lancashire a disposition to resume work has been partially evinced; and at Preston, where the most vigorous measures were taken in the first instance, there has hardly been a cessation of employment.

Sir James Graham encloses a letter from the Chief Constable of the County of Lancashire detailing a successful resistance to a fresh attempt on the part of a mob to enter Preston; and he sends also a report from the Mayor of Manchester and from Mr Forster, the Stipendiary Magistrate. Decisive measures will be adopted for the immediate apprehension of the Delegates, not only at Manchester, but in every other quarter where legal evidence can be obtained which will justify their arrest. The law, which clearly sanctions resistance to the entry of these mobs into cities, is now understood by the local authorities. A bolder and firmer spirit is rising among all classes possessing property in defence of their rights against these bands of plunderers, who are the enemies both of law and of property. The prisoners taken in the commission of treasonable felonies are numerous; warrants are issued against others whose persons are known: the supremacy of the law will be promptly vindicated, and Sir James Graham entertains the confident hope that order will be soon restored.

In the Potteries a signal example was made by a handful of your Majesty's troops opposed to a riotous multitude which had burnt houses and spread devastation, and Sir James Graham encloses a letter from Captain Powys giving a description of the occurrence. The effect of this example has been that yesterday throughout this district no rioting took place.

[Pageheading: DISTURBANCES IN LONDON]

_Sir James Graham to Queen Victoria._

WHITEHALL, _19th August 1842._

Sir James Graham, with humble duty, begs to announce to your Majesty that the accounts from the North, on the whole, may be considered satisfactory....

Five of the principal Delegates at Manchester have been apprehended. Warrants are out against four others. A very important seizure of papers has been made which discloses a conspiracy, extensive in its ramifications, going back as far as July 1841. It is hoped that these papers, which are still at Manchester, may lead to fresh discoveries. Sir James Graham will send to Manchester to-night an experienced law officer, for the purpose of pursuing the investigation on the spot.

There was a meeting last night in the neighbourhood of London, of a violent character. Sir James Graham had given positive orders to the police not to allow any mob, as night approached, to enter London. Notwithstanding these directions, a mob assembled in Lincoln's Inn Fields about eleven o'clock, and moved through the city to Bethnal Green. Sir James Graham had the troops on the alert, but the multitude dispersed without any serious disturbance.

_Sir James Graham to Queen Victoria._

_20th August 1842._

... An attempt to hold a meeting at dusk in the suburbs of London was resisted by the police yesterday evening in pursuance of orders issued by the Government in conjunction with the Lord Major, and the peace of the metropolis was preserved.

The above is humbly submitted by your Majesty's dutiful Subject and Servant,

J. R. G. GRAHAM.

[Pageheading: TROUBLE AT THE CAPE]

_Lord Stanley to Queen Victoria._

DOWNING STREET, _26th August 1842._

Lord Stanley, with his humble duty, submits for your Majesty's perusal copies of three despatches, received yesterday from the Governor of the Cape of Good Hope, detailing the unfortunate result of an attack made by a small party of your Majesty's troops upon the camp of the insurgent Boers at Natal; and also the copy of a despatch which Lord Stanley has sent in consequence to Sir George Napier,[76] which, he trusts, may meet your Majesty's approbation. Lord Stanley would have submitted the draft for your Majesty's approval previous to sending it, had not an opportunity presented itself of sending it off by a fast-sailing private ship which sailed this morning, the intelligence having only been received yesterday. The instructions sent to Sir George Napier, on the 10th of April, but not received when this unfortunate affair took place, were in substance not to attempt the subjugation of these people by direct force, but to warn them that their titles to the land which they occupy would not be recognised by your Majesty, that they would have no title to claim protection from the aggression of the neighbouring tribes, to interdict communication between them and the settled parts of the Colony, and to prevent any intercourse by sea with foreign or British traders. The unfortunate event which has now occurred will render it necessary to take steps, as Sir George Napier has already done, for vindicating the power of your Majesty's Arms; but when that shall have been effected, Lord Stanley would still hope that a considerable number of these misguided men may be induced to return to their allegiance, and to the settled parts of your Majesty's dominions, and he feels confident that in such an event he will be fulfilling your Majesty's wishes in directing that they may be treated with all possible lenity.

All which is humbly submitted by your Majesty's most dutiful Servant and Subject,

STANLEY.

[Footnote 76: Sir George Napier (1784-1855) governed Cape
Colony for seven years, and the Boers were extruded from Natal
by him.]

_Queen Adelaide to Queen Victoria._

BUSHEY HOUSE, _7th September 1842._

MY DEAREST NIECE,--... Your Mamma's visit gave me great pleasure, and it has been a great treat to me to hear her sing again, and _so well_, which put me in mind of former happy days. I regret _much_ that she leaves me already this afternoon again, but the strong and powerful _magnet_ which you have left at the Castle draws her back, and I dare not keep her away from such treasures.

I beg you, my dearest Victoria, to give my affectionate love to dear Albert, and to believe me ever most devotedly, your very affectionate Aunt,

ADELAIDE.

[Pageheading: THE QUEEN VISITS SCOTLAND]

_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._

TAYMOUTH,[77] _8th September 1842._

MY DEAREST UNCLE,--I make no excuses for not having written, as I know that you will understand that when one is travelling about and seeing so much that is _totally_ new, it is very difficult to find time to write....

Albert has told you already how successfully everything had gone off hitherto, and how much pleased we were with Edinburgh, which is an unique town in its way. We left Dalkeith on Monday, and lunched at Dupplin, Lord Kinnoul's, a pretty place with quite a new house, and which poor Lord Kinnoul displayed so well as to fall head over heels down a steep bank, and was proceeding down another, if Albert had not caught him; I did not see it, but Albert and I have nearly died with laughing at the _relation_ of it. From Dalkeith we went through Perth (which is _most_ beautifully situated on the Tay) to Scone Palace,[78] Lord Mansfield's, where we slept; fine but rather gloomy. Yesterday morning (Tuesday) we left Scone and lunched at Dunkeld, the beginning of the Highlands, in a tent; _all_ the Highlanders in their fine dress, being encamped there, and with their old shields and swords, looked very romantic; they were chiefly Lord Glenlyon's[79] men. _He_, poor man! is suddenly become _totally_ blind, and it was very melancholy to see him do the _honours_, _not_ seeing _anything_. The situation of Dunkeld, down in a valley surrounded by wooded hills, is very, very pretty. From thence we proceeded to this enchanting and princely place; the whole drive here was beautiful. All Lord Breadalbane's[80] Highlanders, with himself at their head, and a battalion of the 92nd Highlanders, were drawn up in front of the House. In the evening the grounds were splendidly illuminated, and bonfires burning on the hills; and a number of Highlanders danced reels by torchlight, to the bagpipes, which was very wild and pretty....

[Footnote 77: Lord Breadalbane's house. The Queen left London
on 29th August for Scotland by sea, reaching Edinburgh on 1st
September.]

[Footnote 78: Scone Abbey was granted to Sir David Murray
(afterwards Viscount Stormont) by James VI. of Scotland, whose
cup-bearer he was, and whose life he saved.]

[Footnote 79: Afterwards George, sixth Duke of Atholl
(1814-1864).]

[Footnote 80: John, second Marquis of Breadalbane, K.T.
(1796-1862).]

[Pageheading: DRUMMOND CASTLE]

_Queen Victoria to Viscount Melbourne._

TAYMOUTH, _10th September 1842._

It has been long the Queen's intention to write to Lord Melbourne, but we have seen and done so much, it has been impossible. Everything has gone off so well at Edinburgh, Perth, and elsewhere. This is a princely and most beautiful place, and we have been entertained by Lord Breadalbane in a magnificent way. The Highland Volunteers, two hundred in number (without the officers), keeping guard, are encamped in the park; the whole place was twice splendidly illuminated, and the sport he gave the Prince out shooting was on the largest scale.

The Highlands and the mountains are too beautiful, and we _must_ come back for longer another time. The Queen will finish this letter at Drummond Castle,[81] as we leave this in half an hour.

_Drummond Castle, 11th._--We arrived here yesterday evening at seven, having had a most beautiful journey. We went with Lord Breadalbane up the Loch Tay (by water) to Ochmore[82] (I don't know _how_ it is written), a cottage belonging to Lord Breadalbane, close to Killin. The morning was very fine, and the view indescribably beautiful; the mountains so high, and so wooded close to Killin. It is impossible to say how kind and attentive Lord Breadalbane and poor Lady Breadalbane (who is so wretchedly delicate) were to us. We were so sorry to go away, and might perhaps have managed to stay two days longer at Taymouth, were we not fearful of delaying our sea voyage back too much. However, we mean to visit him for longer another time; the Highlands are so beautiful, and so new to _me_, that we are most anxious to return there again.

The journey from Killin to Comrie was _most_ beautiful, and through such wild scenery--Glen Ogle, which of course Lord Melbourne knows--and then along Loch Ern. This house is quite a cottage, but the situation is fine, and the garden very beautiful. We leave this on Tuesday for Dalkeith[83] where we sleep, and re-embark the next day for _England_. We greatly admire the extreme beauty of Edinburgh; the situation as well as the town is most striking; and the Prince, who has seen so much, says it is the finest town he ever saw. Scone Palace (where we slept on Tuesday night) is fine, but gloomy; Perth is beautiful.

The Queen hopes Lord Melbourne is very well. The Prince begs to be remembered to him.

Dalkeith is a fine good house, and the park and grounds very pretty.

[Footnote 81: The seat of Lord Willoughby d'Eresby.]

[Footnote 82: It should be written Auchmore.]

[Footnote 83: The seat of the Duke of Buccleuch.]

_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._

WINDSOR CASTLE, _20th September 1842._

MY DEAREST UNCLE,--Pray accept my best thanks for your kind letter of the 15th, which I received on Saturday, the day of our arrival here. Dearest Louise will have told you what I wrote to her. We had a speedy and prosperous voyage home of forty-eight hours, on board a fine large and very fast steamer, the _Trident_, belonging to the General Steam Navigation Company. We found our dear little Victoria so grown and so improved, and speaking so plain, and become so independent; I think really few children are as forward as she is. She is quite a dear little companion. The Baby is sadly backward, but also grown, and very strong. I am so distressed about dearest Louise's still coughing, but she tells me it is decreasing. Only pray let her give way to her grief; much crying, even if it makes her cough for the moment, can do her no real harm, but stifling and swallowing _grief_ (which she _cannot_ repress) gnaws at the very roots of life and undermines health. Ostend and sea-baths would, I should think, do her good.

I am very glad that you went to see the King of Prussia, and saw so many old friends; Fritz of Mecklenburg[84] is, you know, Albert's very dear friend; he is just arrived here.

Alexandrine's brother everybody praises; the whole family are handsome and well brought up.

The Archduke Frederic[85] comes here to-morrow for a week's visit. Everybody praises him, and Ferdinand liked him very much; all Archduke Charles's[86] sons are said to be very well brought up. How I wish Archduke John[87] had come over here!

Now, dearest Uncle, adieu! and pray believe me, always, your most affectionate Niece,

VICTORIA R.

It would be _very_ kind of you if you would tell me if there is a chance of Augustus's marrying Clementine.[88] Don't believe I should say a word _against_ it; but I have heard so much about it that I should be really and sincerely glad to know a _little_ of the _truth_ from _you_.

[Footnote 84: Frederic William (1819-1904), afterwards Grand
Duke of Mecklenburg-Strelitz. See _post_, p 434. (Ch. XI, Footnote 93)]

[Footnote 85: Son of the Archduke Charles.]

[Footnote 86: (1771-1847), third son of the Emperor Leopold
II. Distinguished in the Napoleonic wars.]

[Footnote 87: (1782-1859), younger son of the Emperor Leopold
II. Commanded on the Rhine, 1815. Administrator of the Empire,
1848.]

[Footnote 88: Prince Augustus of Saxe-Coburg and Princess
Clementine of Orleans were married in the following April.
Prince Ferdinand of Bulgaria is their son.]

[Pageheading: THE QUEEN'S STEAM YACHT]

_Sir Robert Peel to Queen Victoria._

WHITEHALL, _22nd September 1842._

Sir Robert Peel presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and begs leave, with reference to your Majesty's note of yesterday, to state to your Majesty that the _first_ act of Sir Robert Peel on his return from Scotland was to write to Lord Haddington[89] and strongly urge upon the Admiralty the necessity of providing a steam yacht for your Majesty's accommodation.

Sir Robert Peel trusts that your Majesty may entirely depend upon being enabled to make any excursions your Majesty may resolve upon in the early part of next summer, in a steam vessel belonging to your Majesty, and suitable in every respect for your Majesty's accommodation.

Sir Robert Peel has had a personal communication with Sir John Barrow,[90] one of the Secretaries to the Admiralty, this morning, upon the subject, and Sir Robert Peel has written by this post to Sir George Cockburn,[91] who is out of town.

He finds that the Admiralty is now building a large vessel to be worked by steam power, applied by means of a revolving screw instead of paddles. It may be doubtful whether the same degree of velocity can be attained by means of the screw, particularly in a very large vessel. Of this a full trial will be made.

Sir John Barrow assures Sir Robert Peel that he has been on board a steam-boat moved by the screw, and that the working of the engine is scarcely perceptible; that there is none of the tremulous motion which accompanies the beats of the paddles, and that it will be possible to apply an apparatus by means of which the smoke can be consumed, and the disagreeable smell in great measure prevented.

Sir Robert Peel will leave nothing undone to ensure your Majesty's comfort and safety in any future naval excursions that your Majesty may be pleased to make.

[Footnote 89: First Lord of the Admiralty.]

[Footnote 90: Barrow had been made second Secretary in 1804
by Dundas; he was a self-made man, and a most indefatigable
traveller, writer, and promoter of Arctic exploration.]

[Footnote 91: Admiral of the Fleet Sir George Cockburn
(1772-1853), First Naval Lord.]

[Pageheading: QUEEN ISABELLA]

_The Earl of Aberdeen to Queen Victoria._

_27th September 1842._

Lord Aberdeen, with his most humble duty, lays before your Majesty a letter which he has received from Mr Aston, respecting the marriage of the Queen of Spain, and which, after what has already passed, may perhaps cause your Majesty some surprise.

Lord Aberdeen is humbly of opinion that the language hitherto employed by your Majesty's Government upon this subject ought not to undergo any change, and that it ought to be treated entirely as a Spanish question.

Great Britain would naturally regard a marriage with a son of the King of the French as injurious to Spain and menacing to Europe, but would probably not feel it necessary to give such an opinion respecting any other alliance. While this might be plainly stated, and the Spanish Government exhorted to act according to their own independent view of the real interests of the country and of the Queen, Lord Aberdeen would humbly propose that the Regent should be explicitly informed by Mr Aston that he must not expect to receive any assistance from your Majesty's Government in promoting a marriage with a Prince of the Netherlands.

Lord Aberdeen believes that the difficulties in the way of such an alliance will be found to be very great, and especially that the religion of the Prince will present an obstacle which in Spain must be nearly insurmountable.

[Pageheading: LORD MELBOURNE ON SCOTLAND]

_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._

BROCKET HALL, _29th September 1842._

Lord Melbourne presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and has to acknowledge your Majesty's letter of the 25th inst., which he had the honour and pleasure of receiving here on the 27th. Lord Melbourne is well aware how much your Majesty's time must have been occupied by the number of visitors at the Castle. We are much rejoiced here that your Majesty saw the Prince and Princess Liechtenstein.[92] The latter is a great favourite of Lady Beauvale's, to whom she was always very kind, and who describes her exactly as your Majesty does, as being very "amiable and unassuming," and though one of the first, if not the first lady at Vienna, as not at all partaking of the insolence and hauteur which is by some ascribed to the society of that capital. As a beauty, she is perhaps upon too large a scale, except for those who admire women of all shapes and sizes; but her eyes and brow are very fine, and there is a very peculiarly soft and radiant expression about them. Lord Melbourne had heard of his Sovereignty, but understands that his territory is extremely limited. His possessions as a subject of Austria are worth a good deal more than his German principality.

Lord Melbourne greatly congratulates your Majesty upon the happy progress and termination of the expedition to Scotland. He is very glad of three things--that your Majesty returned by sea, in the steamer, and that the passage was a good one....

The country is indeed most interesting, full of real picturesque beauty and of historical and poetical associations and recollections. There is nothing to detract from it, except the very high opinion that the Scotch themselves entertain of it. Edinburgh is magnificent--situation, buildings, and all--but the boasting of the articles in the newspapers respecting it almost inclined one to deny its superiority. It is also, as your Majesty says, most striking to contemplate in the Clans the remains of feudal times and institutions. It is quite as well, however, particularly for Monarchy, that they are but remains, and that no more of them have been left.

Lord Melbourne thanks your Majesty much for your kind enquiries after his health. He thinks that he is getting better and stronger than he has been, and has a notion of trying a little shooting in October.

Lord Melbourne begs to be respectfully remembered to the Prince.

[Footnote 92: Prince Aloysius Joseph of Liechtenstein
(1796-1858) and his wife, Princess Françoise-de-Paule,
Countess Kinsky.]

_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._

WINDSOR CASTLE, _18th October 1842._

MY DEAREST UNCLE,--I only received your kind letter yesterday, for which my best thanks. I am delighted to hear that Louise's cough is decidedly better, and that upon the whole the dear family are well, thank God! Certainly where He sees fit to afflict, He gives strength to bear up!

Louise says Vecto is in great beauty, and the baby magnificent. I wish you could see Pussy now; she is (_unberufen_) the picture of health, and has just cut her first eye-tooth, without the slightest suffering. We are going to Brighton on the 1st of November for a month; it is the _best_ month _there_ and the _worst here_. I think I _may_ announce Augusta Cambridge's[93] marriage as certain, as I have just received a note from the Duke, which is as follows:--

"Being very anxious to communicate to you as soon as possible an event which concerns deeply my family, I take the liberty of requesting you to let me know on what day and at what hour I may wait upon you."

I shall see him to-morrow, and report the result to Louise on Friday.

I have just taken leave of poor Esterhazy, who has presented his letters of recall. He looked wretched, and Lord Aberdeen told me he is only ill at being obliged to go; he is quite miserable to do so, but the great gentleman at Johannisberg has most ungraciously refused to listen to his entreaties to remain, which is very foolish, as they don't know who to send in his place. I am _very_ sorry to lose him, he is so amiable and agreeable, and I have known him ever since I can remember anybody; he is, besides, _equally liked_ and on _equally good terms_ with _both_ parties _here_, which was of the greatest importance. It was touching to see him so low and ill and unlike himself.

The accounts of poor dear Alexandrine's eyes continue _very bad_; she cannot write at all, or go out, or do anything.

Say everything proper from us to the whole family, and pray believe me, always, your devoted Niece,

VICTORIA R.

[Footnote 93: The Princess Augusta of Cambridge, who was
married to Frederic William, afterwards Grand Duke of
Mecklenburg-Strelitz, in the following June.]

[Pageheading: HISTORICAL STUDIES]

_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._

BROCKET HALL, _20th October 1842._

Lord Melbourne presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and begs leave respectfully to acknowledge your Majesty's of the 15th inst., which he received here the day before yesterday.

Lord Melbourne is very glad to hear that your Majesty is reading with the Prince. Hallam's work[94] certainly requires much consideration and much explanation, but it is a fair, solid, impartial work, formed upon much thought and much reading. St Simon's[95] is an excellent work; he has some prejudices, but was a good honest man, and his book is full of useful information. If your Majesty wishes for a book relating to what passed from one hundred to two hundred years ago, Lord Melbourne would strongly recommend the Private Memoirs of the Lord Chancellor Clarendon (Edward Hyde), not the great work, _The History of the Rebellion_, though that is well worth reading, but the _Memoirs_, and Bishop Burnet's History of his own time. The reigns of Charles II., James II., and the Revolution are very curious in the latter. During Queen Anne's reign the Bishop was not so much consulted, and his work is therefore not so interesting. If your Majesty wishes to turn your attention to more recent events, Professor Smyth's[96] lectures upon Modern History, and particularly upon the French Revolution, seem to Lord Melbourne sound, fair, and comprehensive. Lord Mahon's[97] is also a good work, and gives a good account of the reigns of George I. and George II. He has been thought by some in his last volume to have given too favourable a character of the Chevalier, Charles Edward Stuart.

Lord Melbourne is much touched by what your Majesty says of the Princess Royal, and the delight and comfort which your Majesty finds in her, as well as by the whole picture which your Majesty draws of your domestic happiness. When your Majesty refers to what passed three years ago, your Majesty may be assured that it is with no small pleasure that Lord Melbourne recalls any share which he may have had in that transaction, and congratulates himself as well as your Majesty and the Prince upon results which have been so fortunate both for yourselves and for the country. Lord Melbourne ventures to hope that your Majesty will convey these feelings to the Prince, together with the assurance of his respectful remembrance.

[Footnote 94: The _Constitutional History_, published in
1827.]

[Footnote 95: Louis Rouffroy, Duc de Saint-Simon, author of
the celebrated _Mémoires_, published 1829-30.]

[Footnote 96: William Smyth (1765-1849), Regius Professor of
Modern History at Cambridge.]

[Footnote 97: Afterwards fifth Earl Stanhope: the book
referred to is his _History of England from the Peace of
Utrecht to the Peace of Versailles_.]

[Pageheading: WALMER CASTLE]

_The Duke of Wellington to Sir Robert Peel._

WALMER CASTLE, _26th October 1842._