Chapter XII (2)

You will be glad to hear that dear old Eos (who is still at Claremont) is going on most favourably; they attribute this sudden attack to her over-eating (she steals whenever she can get anything), living in too warm rooms, and getting too little exercise since she was in London. Certainly her wind was _not_ in the _slightest_ degree affected by her accident, for in the autumn she coursed better than all the other young dogs, and ran and fetched pheasants, etc., from any distance, and ran about the very evening she was taken so ill, as if nothing was the matter. Evidently part of her lungs must be _very_ sound still; and they say _no one's_ lungs are _quite sound_. She must be well starved, poor thing, and not allowed to sleep in beds, as she generally does.

[Footnote 28: Its appearance gave rise to much discussion
among astronomers. On the 17th Sir John Herschel saw its
nucleus from Collingwood in Kent, and on the following night
a dim nebula only; so it was probably receding with great
velocity.]

[Pageheading: MELBOURNE ON DIET]

_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._

BROCKET HALL, _2nd April 1843._

Lord Melbourne presents his humble duty to your Majesty. He received yesterday morning your Majesty's letter of the 30th ult., for which he sincerely thanks your Majesty. Lord Melbourne is delighted to find that your Majesty was pleased with the bouquet. The daphnes are neither so numerous nor so fine as they were, but there are still enough left to make another bouquet, which Lord Melbourne will take care is sent up by his cart to-morrow, and left at Buckingham Palace. Lord Melbourne is very much touched and obliged by your Majesty's very kind advice, which he will try his utmost to follow, as he himself believes that his health entirely depends upon his keeping up his stomach in good order and free from derangement. He owns that he is very incredulous about the unwholesomeness of dry champagne, and he does not think that the united opinion of the whole College of Physicians and of Surgeons would persuade him upon these points--he cannot think that a "Hohenlohe" glass of dry champagne, _i.e._ half a _schoppen_,[29] can be prejudicial. Lord and Lady Erroll[30] and Lord Auckland and Miss Eden are coming in the course of the week, and they would be much surprised not to get a glass of champagne with their dinner. Lord Melbourne is very glad to learn that the Prince's Levée did well, and feels that His Royal Highness undertaking this duty must be a great relief and assistance to your Majesty. Lord Melbourne hopes to see the Baron here when he comes. The spring still delays and hangs back, but it rains to-day, which Lord Melbourne hopes will bring it on.

[Footnote 29: A _schoppen_ is about a pint; it is the same
word etymologically as "scoop."]

[Footnote 30: William George, seventeenth Earl of Erroll,
married a sister of the first Earl of Munster.]

[Pageheading: THE ROYAL CHILDREN]

_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._

BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _4th April 1843._

DEAREST UNCLE,--Many thanks for your very kind letter of the 31st, which I received on Sunday, just as our excellent friend Stockmar made his appearance. He made us very happy by his excellent accounts of you _all_, including dearest Louise, and the children he says are _so_ grown; Leo being nearly as tall as Louise! _En revanche_ he will, I hope, tell you how prosperous he found us all; and how surprised and pleased he was with the children; he also is struck with Albert junior's likeness to his dearest papa, which everybody is struck with. Indeed, dearest Uncle, I will venture to say that not only _no Royal Ménage_ is to be found equal to _ours_, but _no other ménage_ is to be compared to ours, nor is _any one_ to be compared, take him altogether, to _my dearest_ Angel!...

_Sir Robert Peel to Queen Victoria._

WHITEHALL, _6th April 1843._

Sir Robert Peel presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and has this moment received your Majesty's note.

Sir Robert Peel will immediately make enquiry in the first instance in respect to the correctness of the report of the dinner. The omission of the health of the Prince is certainly very strange--it would be very unusual at any public dinner--but seems quite unaccountable at a dinner given in connection with the interests of one of the Royal Theatres.

The toasts are generally prepared not by the chairman of the meeting, but by a committee; but still the omission of the name of the Prince ought to have occurred at once to the Duke of Cambridge, and there cannot be a doubt that he might have rectified, and ought to have rectified, the omission.

Sir Robert Peel is sure your Majesty will approve of his ascertaining in the first instance the real facts of the case--whether the report be a correct one, and if a correct one, who are the parties by whom the arrangements in respect to the toasts were made.

This being done, Sir Robert Peel will then apply himself to the execution of your Majesty's wishes, in the manner pointed out by your Majesty.

He begs humbly to assure your Majesty that he enters most fully into your Majesty's very natural feelings, and that he shall always have the greatest pleasure in giving effect to your Majesty's wishes in matters of this nature, and in proving himself worthy of the confidence your Majesty is kindly pleased to repose in him.

[Pageheading: THE TOAST OF THE PRINCE]

_Sir Robert Peel to Queen Victoria._

WHITEHALL, _6th April 1843._

Sir Robert Peel, with his humble duty to your Majesty, hastens to make a communication to your Majesty, on the subject of your Majesty's letter of this morning, which he hopes will remove from your Majesty's mind any unfavourable impression with regard to the _toasts_ at the theatrical dinner, or to the conduct of the Duke of Cambridge in reference to them.

Sir Robert Peel, since he addressed your Majesty, has made enquiry from Colonel Wood, the member for Brecon, who was present at the meeting.

In order to have the real statement of the case, Sir Robert Peel did not mention the object of the enquiry. The following were the questions and the answers:--

_Q._ What were the toasts at the theatrical dinner last night?

COLONEL WOOD. The first was _The Queen and the Prince_. The Duke said he thought he could not give the health of the Queen in a manner more satisfactory than by coupling with the name of Her Majesty that of her illustrious Consort.

Colonel Wood said that his impression was that the Duke meant to do that which would be most respectful to the Prince, and that he had in his mind when he united the name of the Prince with that of your Majesty, the circumstances of the Prince having recently held the Levée on behalf of your Majesty.

It might perhaps have been better had His Royal Highness adhered to the usual custom, and proposed the health of the Prince distinctly and separately, but he humbly submits to your Majesty that the _intention_ of His Royal Highness must have been to show respect to the Prince.

The reports of public dinners are frequently incorrect, the reporters being sometimes placed at a great distance from the chairman.

[Pageheading: THE KING OF HANOVER]

_Sir Robert Peel to Queen Victoria._

WHITEHALL, _12th April 1843._

Sir Robert Peel presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and will not fail to forward by the first opportunity the letter to Lord Ellenborough which accompanied your Majesty's note.

In consequence of his conversation yesterday morning with Baron Stockmar, Sir Robert Peel begs to mention to your Majesty that he saw to-day a private letter from Berlin, which mentioned that the King of Hanover had apparently abandoned the intention of visiting England this year, but that on the receipt of some letters from England, which he suspected to be written for the purpose of discouraging his visit, the King suddenly changed his intention and wrote a letter to your Majesty, stating that he had thoughts of such a visit.

It was not stated from whence the letters advising the King to remain on the Continent had proceeded.

This letter also stated that the King of Hanover proposed to waive his rank of Sovereign as far as he possibly could on his arrival in England, and to take his seat in the House of Lords without taking any part in the proceedings.

It added that the King could not, in any event, be in England before the latter end of May or beginning of June, and rather hinted that as his proposed visit was more out of a spirit of contradiction and impatience of obstacles being thrown in the way of it, than from any strong wish on his part to come here, he might probably change his intention and defer his visit, particularly if he should find that there was no particular impediment in the way of it.

_Sir Robert Peel to Queen Victoria._

WHITEHALL, _13th April 1843._

Sir Robert Peel presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and begs leave to acquaint your Majesty that the Duke of Cambridge having called on Sir Robert Peel this morning, he took an opportunity of asking His Royal Highness whether he thought the King of Hanover had made up his mind to visit England this year.

The Duke's reply was, as nearly as possible, as follows:--

"Oh yes, the King will certainly come, but I can tell you privately he means to have nothing to do with the House of Lords. He will not make his appearance there. The King has taken his servants for six weeks--that is, engaged their attendance upon him for that time. I know the porter is engaged and the stable servants. The King has written to Her Majesty. His real object in coming is to arrange his private papers, which were left in confusion, and to consult Sir Henry Halford."[31]

This was all that was material that His Royal Highness said.

[Footnote 31: The eminent physician.]

[Pageheading: THE GATES OF SOMNAUTH]

_Lord Ellenborough to Queen Victoria._

CAMP, DELHI, _19th February 1843._

... The gates of the Temple of Somnauth, which have been escorted to Delhi by five hundred cavalry of the protected Sikh States, will be escorted from Delhi to Muttra, and thence to Agra by the same force of cavalry, furnished by the Rajahs of Bhurtpore and Alwar.[32]

While there has been universally evinced a feeling of gratitude to the British Government for the consideration shown to the people of Hindustan in the restoration of these trophies, there has not occurred a single instance of apparent mortification amongst the Mussulmans. All consider the restoration of the gates to be a national, not a religious, triumph. At no place has more satisfaction been expressed than at Paniput, a town almost exclusively Mussulman, where there exist the remains of the first mosque built by Sultan Mahmood after he had destroyed the city and temples of the Hindoos....

[Footnote 32: See _ante_, p. 445. (Ch. XI, 'The Gates of Somnauth')]

[Pageheading: DEATH OF THE DUKE OF SUSSEX]

_Extract from the Will of his late Royal Highness the Duke of
Sussex, dated the 11th August 1840[33] (sent at the Queen's
request by Sir Robert Peel to the Duke of Wellington for his
advice.)_

"I desire that on my death my body may be opened, and should the examination present anything useful or interesting to science, I empower my executors to make it public. And I desire to be buried in the public cemetery at Kensal Green in the Parish of Harrow, in the County of Middlesex, and not at Windsor."

[Footnote 33: The Duke of Sussex died on 21st April of
erysipelas. His first marriage in 1793 to Lady Augusta Murray,
daughter of the fourth Earl of Dunmore, was declared void
under the Royal Marriage Act. Lady Augusta died in 1830; her
daughter married Sir Thomas Wilde, afterwards Lord Truro. The
Duke contracted a second marriage with Lady Cecilia Underwood,
daughter of the Earl of Arran and widow of Sir George Buggin:
she was created Duchess of Inverness in 1840, with remainder
to her heirs-male.]

_The Duke of Wellington to Sir Robert Peel._

STRATHFIELDSAYE, _21st April 1843._

MY DEAR PEEL,--I have just now received your letter of this day, and I return the enclosure in the box. It appears to me that the whole case must be considered as hanging together; that is, the desire to be buried at Kensal Green, that of Freemasons to pay Masonic Honours,[34] that the body of the Duchess of Inverness should be interred near to his when she dies.

Parties still alive have an interest in the attainment of the two last objects, which are quite incompatible with the interment of a Prince of the Blood, a Knight of the Garter, in St George's Chapel at Windsor.

The Queen's Royal Command might overrule the Duke's desire to be buried at Kensal Green.[35] Nobody would complain of or contend against it.

But there will be no end of the complaints of interference by authority on the part of Freemasons, and of those who will take part with the Duchess of Inverness: and it is a curious fact that there are persons in Society who are interested in making out that she was really married to the Duke.[36] Against this we must observe that it will be urged that the omission to insist that the interment should take place in the Collegiate Chapel of St George's, Windsor, and thus to set aside the will, lowers the Royal Family in the opinion of the public, and is a concession to Radicalism. But it is my opinion that the reasons will justify that which will be done in conformity with the will.

I confess that I don't like to decide upon cases in such haste; and I cannot consider it necessary that a decision should be made on the course to be taken in respect to the Duke's funeral, on the morrow of the day on which he died.

It would be desirable to know the opinion of the Lord Chancellor, the Archbishop, and others.

I can't think of anything likely to occur, which might alter me: and I'll abide by that which I have above given.

It will be absolutely necessary to take effective measures for the preservation of the peace at this funeral at Kensal Green: and even that the magistrates should superintend the procession of the Freemasons. Believe me, ever yours most sincerely,

WELLINGTON.

[Footnote 34: The Duke of Sussex being Grand Master of
England, and Master of the Lodge of Antiquity.]

[Footnote 35: The body lay in state at Kensington, and was
eventually buried, as the Duke had desired, in the Kensal
Green Cemetery.]

[Footnote 36: See _ante_, p. 478, note 33 (this Ch., above). The
marriage took place, by special licence, at Lady Cecilia's house
in Great Cumberland Place.]

_Queen Adelaide to Queen Victoria._

_22nd April 1843._

MY DEAREST NIECE,--I am just come back and feel very anxious to know how you are, and beg at the same time to offer to you my most affectionate condolence on the melancholy event which has taken again another member of our family from us. Pray do not trouble _yourself_ with answering this note, but let me hear how you feel, and whether you will like to see me to-morrow or at any time most convenient to you.

I feel deeply our new loss, which recalls all the previous sad losses which we have had so forcibly, and I pray that it may not affect you too much, dearest Victoria, and that you will not suffer from the shock it must have been to you. I was not in the least aware of the danger and near approach of the fatal end, and only yesterday began to feel alarmed by the accounts which I had received.

I have been with the poor Duchess of Inverness on my way to town, and found her as composed as possible under the sad circumstances, and full of gratitude to you and all the family for all the kindness which she had received. I pity her very much. It must be her comfort to have made the last years of the Duke's life happy, and to have been his comfort to the last moment.

I wish you good-night, dearest Niece, and beg you to give my best love to dear Albert, and to believe me most devotedly your most affectionate Aunt,

ADELAIDE.

[Pageheading: BIRTH OF PRINCESS ALICE]

_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._

BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _16th May 1843._

MY DEAREST UNCLE,--Your kind and dear letter of the 12th has given me great pleasure. I am happy to give you still better accounts of myself.[37] I have been out every day since Saturday, and have resumed all my usual habits almost (of course resting often on the sofa, and not having appeared in Society yet), and feel so strong and well; much better (independent of the nerves) than I have been either time. We are most thankful for it. The King of Hanover has never said _when_ he will come, even _now_, but always threatens that he will....

Our little baby, who I really am proud of, for she is so very forward for her age, is to be called _Alice_, an old English name, and the other names are to be _Maud_ (another old English name and the same as Matilda) and _Mary_, as she was born on Aunt Gloucester's birthday. The Sponsors are to be: The King of Hanover,--Ernestus the Pious; poor Princess Sophia Matilda,[38] and Feodore, and the christening to be on the 2nd of June. It will be delightful to see you and dearest Louise on the 19th of June, God willing.

Are there any news of Joinville's proceedings at Rio?[39] Ever your devoted Niece,

VICTORIA R.

[Footnote 37: Princess Alice was born on 25th April.]

[Footnote 38: Princess Sophia Matilda of Gloucester.]

[Footnote 39: He married Princess Francesca, sister of the
Emperor of the Brazils and of Queen Donna Maria.]

[Pageheading: CHRISTENING OF PRINCESS ALICE]

_The Earl of Ripon to Queen Victoria._

INDIA BOARD, _5th June 1843._

Lord Ripon, with his humble duty to your Majesty, begs to inform your Majesty that despatches have been this day received at the India House from the Governor-General of India and from the Governor of Bombay, announcing the successful issue of a battle, on the 24th of March, between Sir Charles Napier and Meer Shere Mahommed.[40] The forces of the latter were completely routed, with the loss of all the guns and several standards.

RIPON.

[Footnote 40: Sir Charles Napier, who was in command in
Scinde, defeated the army of the Ameers of Upper and Lower
Scinde at Meeanee on 17th February, and on the 20th took
Hyderabad. On the 24th March he attacked the enemy, who were
posted in a strong position on the banks of a tributary of the
Indus, and obtained a decisive victory.]

_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._

CLAREMONT, _6th June 1843._

DEAREST UNCLE,--I received your kind letter on Sunday, and thank you much for it. I am sorry that you could not take the children to Ardenne, as nothing is so good for children as _very_ frequent change of air, and think you do not let the children do so often enough. Ours do so continually, and are so movable that it gives us no trouble whatever.

Our christening went off very brilliantly, and I wish you could have witnessed it; nothing could be more _anständig_, and little _Alice_ behaved extremely well. The _déjeuner_ was served in the Gallery, as at dear Pussy's christening, and there being a profusion of flowers on the table, etc., had a beautiful effect.

The King of Hanover arrived _just in time_ to be _too late_. He is grown very old and excessively thin, and bends a good deal. He is very gracious, for _him_. Pussy and _Bertie_ (as we call the boy) were not at all afraid of him, _fortunately_; they appeared after the _déjeuner_ on Friday, and I wish you could have seen them; they behaved so beautifully before that great number of people, and I must say looked _very dear_, all in white, and _very distingués_; they were much admired.

We came here on Saturday. The news from Ireland continue to be very alarming. Hoping to hear soon, for _certain_, when you come, believe me, ever, your devoted Niece,

VICTORIA R.

I hope you will _kindly answer_ my letter of _last Tuesday_.

[Pageheading: IRISH AFFAIRS]

_Sir Thomas Fremantle_[41] _to Sir Robert Peel._[42]

HOUSE OF COMMONS, _9th June (1843)._

MY DEAR SIR ROBERT,--The King of Hanover took his seat at twenty minutes past four. He is now on the Woolsack with the Lord Chancellor, the Duke of Wellington, and Lord Strangford; no other Peers are in the House, the time of meeting being five o'clock.

It was not necessary that any other Peers should introduce His Majesty. He merely produced his writ of summons, and went to the table to be sworn. I remain, yours sincerely,

THOMAS FREMANTLE.

[Footnote 41: One of the Secretaries of the Treasury:
afterwards Lord Cottesloe.]

[Footnote 42: Forwarded to the Queen by Sir Robert Peel.]

_Sir Robert Peel to the Prince Albert._

WHITEHALL, _11th June 1843._

(_Sunday._)

SIR,--In consequence of the conversation which I had with your Royal Highness on Thursday last on the subject of Ireland, I beg to mention to your Royal Highness that the Cabinet met again to-day at Lord Aberdeen's house.

We had a very long discussion.

The prevailing opinion was that if legislation were proposed,[43] that legislation should be as effectual as possible; that there would be no advantage in seeking for new powers unless these powers were commensurate with the full extent of the mischief to be apprehended.

Foreseeing, however, all the difficulties of procuring such powers, and the increased excitement which must follow the demand for them, we were unwilling to come to an immediate decision in favour of recommending new legislation, and resolved therefore to watch the course of events for some time longer, continuing precautionary measures against disturbances of the public peace.

I have not received any material information from Ireland by the post of this day, nor has Sir James Graham.

I have the honour to be, Sir, with sincere respect, your Royal Highness's most faithful and humble Servant,

ROBERT PEEL.

[Footnote 43: In consequence of the Repeal agitation, the
Ministers had already introduced an Irish Arms Bill, which was
carried.]

[Pageheading: THE REBECCA RIOTS]

_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._

SOUTH STREET, _22nd June 1843._

Lord Melbourne presents his humble duty to your Majesty. He was infinitely obliged to your Majesty for coming into the room the other evening when he was with the Prince, and very much delighted to have an opportunity of seeing your Majesty, especially in such good health and spirits.

Lord Melbourne is very glad that your Majesty has seen _As you Like It_. It is indeed a most gay, lively, and beautiful play. To see or to read it is quite like passing an hour or two in a forest of fairyland. It is so lively, and at the same time so romantic. All depends upon Rosalind, which was an excellent part of Mrs. Jordan. Jaques is also a very particular character and difficult to play.

Lord Melbourne feels himself better, but still weak. He does not like to say much about politics, but he cannot refrain from observing that they seem to him to have permitted these lawless riotings in South Wales[44] to go on with success and impunity a great deal too long. When such things begin nobody can say how far they will go or how much they will spread. There are many who expect and predict a general rising against property, and this is invariably the way in which such things begin.

[Footnote 44: The agitation against the turnpike system which
had broken out in South Wales. _See_ Introductory Note, p.
450. (to Ch. XII)]

_Queen Victoria to Sir James Graham._

BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _23rd June 1843._

The Queen returns these communications to Sir James Graham, which are of a very unpleasant nature. The Queen trusts that measures of the greatest severity will be taken, as well to suppress the revolutionary spirit as to bring the culprits[45] to immediate trial and punishment. The Queen thinks this of the greatest importance with respect to the effect it may have in Ireland, likewise as proving that the Government is willing to show great forbearance, and to trust to the good sense of the people; but that if outrages are committed and it is called upon to act, it is not to be trifled with, but will visit wrong-doers with the utmost severity.

[Footnote 45: _I.e._, the Rebecca rioters.]

[Pageheading: MILITARY MEDALS]

_Queen Victoria to Lord Stanley._

BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _24th June 1843._

The Queen follows Lord Stanley's recommendation to confer the G.C.B. on Sir Charles Napier with great pleasure, from her high opinion of his late achievements, and she thinks it might be advisable that some of the officers who most contributed to the victories of Meeanee and Hyderabad[46] should receive lower grades of the Bath. The Queen is much _impressed with the propriety_ of a medal being given to the troops who fought under Sir Charles Napier, as the armies under Nott, Pollock, and Sale received such distinctions for actions hardly equal to those in Scinde.

[Footnote 46: See _ante_, p. 481. (Ch. XII, 5th June, 1843)]

_Sir James Graham to Queen Victoria._

WHITEHALL, _24th June 1843._

Sir James Graham, with humble duty, begs to lay before your Majesty the report received from Carmarthen this morning. The Earl of Cawdor went to Carmarthen this morning.[47]

Every effort will be made to trace this lawless outbreak to its source, and to bring the principal offenders to justice.

Sir James Graham encloses two Police Reports, which have been received this morning from Dublin. They would seem to indicate some foreign interference, and some hope of foreign assistance mingled with this domestic strife. Several Frenchmen have lately made their appearance in different parts of Ireland.

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

J. R. G. GRAHAM.

[Footnote 47: Lord Cawdor was Lord-Lieutenant of
Carmarthenshire.]

_Queen Victoria to the Duchess of Norfolk._

BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _24th June 1843._

MY DEAR DUCHESS,--The same right which you feel, and which you had to overcome before you took the final step of tendering your resignation,[48] has kept me from sooner acknowledging the receipt of your letter. Under the circumstances which you allude to, it is incumbent upon me to accept of your resignation, but as you throw out yourself a hint that it would be agreeable to you sometimes to perform the duties (which you have hitherto fulfilled), it would give me the greatest gratification if you would let me continue your name on the list of my Ladies of the Bedchamber, and sometimes at your convenience have the pleasure of your society.

I agree with you that for the present your step should not be known, till I shall have had time to find a successor, and I am pleased to think that you will take your waitings, which are at present settled.

With the Prince's kind regards to yourself, and mine to the Duke, believe me, always, yours very affectionately,

VICTORIA R.

[Footnote 48: Of her position as Bedchamber Woman.]

[Pageheading: DUELLING IN THE ARMY]

_Queen Victoria to the Duke of Wellington_.

(_July 1843._)

The Queen having attentively perused the proposed General Order for the more efficient repression of the practice of duelling in the Army, approves of the same, but recommends that the Duke of Wellington should submit to the Cabinet the propriety of considering of a general measure applicable to _all branches_ of the Naval and Military Service.[49]

[Footnote 49: An influential anti-duelling association had
been formed this year, and subsequently public attention was
drawn to the question by a duel on 1st July, at Camden Town,
in which Colonel Fawcett was shot by his brother-in-law,
Lieutenant Munro, who had reluctantly gone out, after enduring
much provocation. Mainly owing to Prince Albert's efforts,
the Articles of War were so amended as to put a stop to the
practice.]

[Pageheading: THE SPANISH MARRIAGE]

_The Prince Albert to Lord Aberdeen._

_20th July 1843._

MY DEAR LORD ABERDEEN,--The Queen and myself have been taken much by surprise by Lord Howard de Walden's despatch marked "most confidential." The opinions of the Portuguese Court must have entirely changed. Although we have not heard anything on the subject, we are fully convinced of the correctness of Lord Howard's statements and of his conjectures. We are both pleased to see the view which he takes, and the good opinion he has of our little cousin. The Queen thinks it right that you should inform Lord Howard that the possibility of a marriage between Prince Leopold[50] and the Queen of Spain has been for some time a favourite thought of hers and mine, and that you thought that this combination had some advantages which hardly any other could offer. But that the matter had been and was treated here as one purely and solely Spanish, in which we carefully abstained from interfering with, and that we leave it to work itself out or not by its own merit.

That you wished him to take the same view, but not to lose sight of it, and to report to you whatever he might hear bearing upon the subject. Believe me, etc.,

ALBERT.

[Footnote 50: Son of Prince Ferdinand of Saxe-Coburg, and
brother of the King of Portugal. See _ante_, p. 378, and
_post_, p. 486. (Ch. XI, Footnote 11; Ch. XII, 'The Spanish Marriage')]

_Queen Victoria to the Duchess of Norfolk._

DEAR DUCHESS,--I write to inform you that I have named your successor,[51] who is to be Lady Douro.[52] The great regret I experience at your leaving me is certainly diminished by the arrangement which we have agreed upon together, and which will still afford me the pleasure of having you occasionally about me. I trust that the Duke's health will admit of your taking your waiting in September, but think it right to tell you that we shall probably at that time be making some aquatic excursions in our new yacht, and consequently be from home the greater part of your waiting.

With the Prince's best regards to yourself, and mine to the Duke, believe me, always, yours very affectionately,

VICTORIA R.

[Footnote 51: As Bedchamber Woman.]

[Footnote 52: Elizabeth, daughter of the eighth Marquis of
Tweeddale, afterwards Duchess of Wellington. She died in
1904.]

_Queen Victoria to Sir Robert Peel._

WINDSOR CASTLE, _3rd August 1843._

The Queen returns the enclosed papers, and gives her sanction to the bringing in of the Bill for Enrolling and Arming the Out-Pensioners of Chelsea Hospital with great pleasure, as she thinks it a very good measure at the present crisis, calculated to relieve the troops which are rather overworked, and to secure a valuable force to the service of the Government. The Queen hopes that in bringing in the Bill Sir Robert Peel will make as little of it as possible, in order not to make it appear a larger measure than it is.

The Regulations strike the Queen as very judicious, and she has little doubt that they will raise the military spirit in the Pensioners, and will make the measure popular with them, which cannot fail to attach them more to the Crown.

_Queen Victoria to Sir Robert Peel._

WINDSOR CASTLE, _13th August 1843._

The Queen is desirous that whatever is right should be done, but is strongly of opinion that the King of Hanover's threat (for as such it must be regarded) not to leave this country till the affair[53] is decided upon, should in _no way_ influence the transaction, as it is quite immaterial whether the King stays longer here or not.

[Footnote 53: Of the Crown jewels; _ante_, p. 439.
(Ch. XI, 'Crown Jewels')]

[Pageheading: THE SPANISH MARRIAGE]

_Queen Victoria to the Earl of Aberdeen._

WINDSOR CASTLE, _13th August 1843._

The Queen sees with great regret, in Sir Robert Gordon's despatch of 4th August, that Prince Metternich has resumed his favourite scheme of a marriage between the Queen of Spain and a son of Don Carlos, and that King Louis Philippe has almost come to a secret understanding with him upon that point.[54] The Queen is as much as ever convinced that instead of tending to pacify Spain _this_ combination cannot fail to call _new_ principles of discord into action, to excite the hopes of a lost and vanquished party for revenge and reacquisition of power, and to carry the civil war into the very interior of the family. The Queen is anxious (should Lord Aberdeen coincide in this view of the subject, as she believes he does) that it should be _clearly_ understood by Sir Robert Gordon, and Prince Metternich.

[Footnote 54: Since the Quadruple Alliance (of England,
France, Spain, and Portugal) in 1834 to expel Don Carlos and
Dom Miguel from the Peninsula, the question of the marriage
of Queen Isabella (then aged four) had been a subject
of incessant consideration by England and France. The
Queen-Mother had suggested to Louis Philippe the marriages of
the Queen to the Duc d'Aumale and of the Infanta (her sister)
to the Duc de Montpensier: such a proposal, however gratifying
to the French King's ambition, would naturally not have been
favourably viewed in England; but Guizot promoted warmly the
alternative project of a marriage of the Queen to her cousin
Don Francisco de Asis, Duke of Cadiz, son of Don Francisco de
Paula, the Infanta being still to marry Montpensier. It was
believed that, if this marriage of the Queen took place, there
would be no issue of it, and Louis Philippe's ambition would
be ultimately gratified. To Palmerston's protest against this
scheme (before the Melbourne Ministry fell), Guizot replied,
"_La Reine aura des enfants et ne mourra pas._" The other
possible candidates for the Queen's hand from the French point
of view were Count Montemolin, the son of Don Carlos, the
Count de Trapani, son of Francis I., King of the Two Sicilies,
and thus brother of Queen Christina, and the Duke of Seville,
a brother of the Duke of Cadiz. Other candidates also favoured
by the Queen-Mother were (while he was unmarried) Prince
Albert's brother, and his cousin Leopold, brother of the King
of Portugal; but the French King was bent upon a marriage
of the Queen with some descendant of Philip V., and equally
determined to prevent the Infanta's marriage either with
Leopold or any other Prince not a descendant of Philip V. The
view of Prince Albert and of Lord Aberdeen was that it was a
matter for the young Queen herself and the Spanish people. See
_ante_, p. 485. (Ch. XII, 20th July, 1843)]

_The Earl of Aberdeen to Queen Victoria._

FOREIGN OFFICE, _13th August 1843._

Lord Aberdeen, with his most humble duty, begs to assure your Majesty that he will not fail to give his best attention to your Majesty's communication respecting the marriage of the Queen of Spain.

In a recent despatch to Sir Robert Gordon, Lord Aberdeen has repeated the opinion entertained by your Majesty's Government, that the marriage of the Queen with the son of Don Carlos, instead of leading to the conciliation and unison of parties, would be more likely to produce collision and strife, and to increase the existing animosity between the different political factions by which Spain is distracted.

This marriage, however, has always been a favourite project with Austria and the Northern Courts; and it has also been apparently supported by the French Government. It cannot be denied that at first sight there are many considerations by which it may seem to be recommended; but the weight of these can only be duly estimated by the authorities and people of Spain.

The same may be said respecting the marriage of the Queen with any other Spanish Prince, a descendant of Philip V. which, in the opinion of many, would be most agreeable to the feelings and prejudices of the nation. To this project also it appears that the French Government have recently assented.

Lord Aberdeen humbly thinks that the interests of this country and of all Europe are deeply concerned in the exclusion of a French Prince from the possibility of receiving the hand of the Queen; and that it would not be a wise policy to oppose any marriage by which this should be effected, consistently with the free choice of the Queen, and the sanction of the Spanish Government and people. The avowed predilections of Queen Christina, and her increased means of influence recently acquired, render this a matter of considerable anxiety and importance at the present moment.

[Pageheading: PARLIAMENTARY OBSTRUCTION]

_Queen Victoria to Sir Robert Peel._

WINDSOR CASTLE, _16th August 1843._

The Queen cannot refrain from writing a line to express her indignation at the very unjustifiable manner in which the minority of thirteen members obstructs the progress of business.[55] She hopes that every attempt will be made to put an end to what is really indecent conduct. Indeed, how is business to go on at all if such vexatious opposition prevails? At all events, the Queen hopes that Sir Robert will make _no kind_ of concession to these gentlemen, which [could] encourage them to go on in the same way.

The Queen forgot to say this morning that she thinks it would be better that the Investiture of the Thistle should be put off for the present.

[Footnote 55: By opposition to the Bill removing doubts as to
the admission of Ministers in Scotland.]

_Queen Victoria to Sir James Graham._

WINDSOR CASTLE, _22nd August 1843._

The Queen returns these papers to Sir J. Graham, and thinks that this important Memorial[56] should _not_ be decided on without the opinion of the House of Lords; the Queen trusts that everything will be done to secure inviolate the maintenance of the Marriage Act.

[Footnote 56: The memorial was that of Sir Augustus d'Este
(1794-1848), the son of the union of the Duke of Sussex and
Lady Augusta Murray. On 4th April 1793 they were married at
Rome by an English clergyman, the ceremony being repeated in
the same year at St George's, Hanover Square. The Court of
Arches annulled the marriage in 1794, but Sir Augustus now
preferred a claim to the peerage. Ultimately the Lords, after
consulting the judges, disallowed it.]

_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._

SOUTH STREET, _23rd August 1843._

Lord Melbourne presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and thanks your Majesty much for the last note which he had the honour of receiving. Lord Melbourne is much pleased that your Majesty is glad of Wilhelmina Stanhope's marriage,[57] and was very glad to hear that your Majesty had congratulated her and Lady Stanhope upon it, which was very kind, and gave much satisfaction. Lord Dalmeny is an excellent young man, and altogether it is an event much to be rejoiced at, especially as it has been so long delayed, and fears began to be entertained that it would never happen. The Duke and Duchess of Sutherland seem also much pleased with Evelyn's[58] marriage. She is a beautiful girl, and a very nice person in every respect, and everybody must wish her happy. Lord Melbourne has been at Panshanger for two or three days with Uxbridge and Lady Uxbridge, Ella, and Constance. Uxbridge is having continual cricket matches as he used to have, which is a very good thing, making the country gay, and pleasing the people.

Matrimonial affairs, Lord Melbourne is afraid, remain _in statu quo_.

Lord Melbourne was very glad to hear from Anson yesterday and to learn that he thinks himself getting better. Lord Liverpool had given Lord Melbourne a very poor account of him. Lord Melbourne hopes that your Majesty may have a pleasant tour, but he cannot refrain from earnestly recommending your Majesty to take care about landing and embarking, and not to do it in dangerous places and on awkward coasts. Lord Melbourne is going the day after to-morrow with Lord and Lady Beauvale to Brocket Hall, and from thence on the 29th to Melbourne, to stay about three weeks or a month.

Lord Melbourne congratulates your Majesty upon the near approaching termination of the Session of Parliament, which is always a relief to all parties. Some great measures have been passed. Lord Melbourne wishes your Majesty health and happiness, and begs to be respectfully remembered to the Prince.

[Footnote 57: To Lord Dalmeny. _En secondes noces_, she
married the fourth Duke of Cleveland.]

[Footnote 58: Lady Evelyn Leveson Gower, married, on 4th
October, to Charles, Lord Blantyre.]

[Pageheading: VISIT TO THE CHÂTEAU D'EU]

_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._

CHÂTEAU D'EU, _4th September 1843._

MY DEAREST UNCLE,--I write to you from this dear place, where we are in the midst of this admirable and truly amiable family, and where we feel quite at home, and as if we were one of them. Our reception by the dear King and Queen has been most kind, and by the people really gratifying.[59] Everything is very different to England, particularly the population. Louise has told you all about our doings, and therefore tell you nothing but that I am highly interested and amused. Little Chica (Mdme. Hadjy)[60] is a charming, sprightly, lively creature, with immense brown eyes. We leave this the day after to-morrow for Brighton, where the children are, who are extremely well, I hear. Many thanks, dearest Uncle, for your kind letter of the 29th, by which I see that poor Prince Löwenstein[61] came to see you; he is Mamma's old friend. As I am in a great hurry, and as I hope, God willing, to see you very soon, I must conclude in haste, and leave all my remarks for another day. Ever your devoted Niece,

VICTORIA R.

Pray forgive this confused and horrid scrawl.

[Footnote 59: The Queen was enthusiastically received at
Tréport. On the 2nd there was a great entertainment in
the banqueting-room of the Château, and on the 4th a _fête
champêtre_ on the Mont d'Orléans in the forest. On the 5th
there was a review, and on the 7th the Queen returned to
England.]

[Footnote 60: The Princess of Joinville. See _ante_, p. 451.
(Ch. XII, 10th January, 1843).
Hadjy is the Prince of Joinville.]

[Footnote 61: Prince William of Löwenstein (1783-1847).]

[Pageheading: THE FRENCH VISIT]

_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._

MELBOURNE, _6th September 1843._

Lord Melbourne presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and thanks your Majesty much for your letter of the 27th ult., which he received here some days ago. We have been quite dismayed and overwhelmed with the melancholy intelligence of death after death which has followed us. I was much concerned for poor Charles Howard's loss, but we were quite struck down by the melancholy event of poor Mrs W. Cowper.[62] She promised to suit us all well, my sister particularly, and to be a great source of happiness and comfort.

Your Majesty is quite right in supposing that Lord Melbourne would at once attribute your Majesty's visit to the Château d'Eu to its right cause--your Majesty's friendship and affection for the French Royal Family, and not to any political object. The principal motive now is to take care that it does not get mixed either in reality or in appearance with politics, and Lord Melbourne cannot conceal from your Majesty that he should lament it much if the result of the visit should turn out to be a treaty upon any European matter, unfavourable to England and favourable to France. Do not let them make any treaty or agreement there. It can be done elsewhere just as well, and without any of the suspicion which is sure to attach to any transaction which takes place there.

[Footnote 62: Mr and Mrs William Cowper had only been married
on 24th June.]

_The King of the Belgians to Queen Victoria._

LAEKEN, _8th September 1843._

MY DEAREST AND MOST BELOVED VICTORIA,--I have been highly gratified that you found a moment to write me such a dear letter. I am sure that the personal contact with the family at Eu would interest you, and at the same time remove some impressions on the subject of the King, which are really untrue. Particularly the attempt of representing him like the most astute of men, calculating constantly everything to deceive people.

His vivacity alone would render such a system extremely difficult, and if he appears occasionally to speak too much and to seem to hold a different language to different people, it is a good deal owing to his vivacity and his anxiety to carry conviction to people's mind.

The impression of your visit will besides do wonders in removing the silly irritation which had been got up since 1840, and which might have in the end occasioned serious mischief, and that without being _in the least_ called for, the passions of nations become very inconvenient sometimes for their Governors.... Your devoted Uncle,

LEOPOLD R.

My best love to dearest Albert; he seems to have had the greatest success, and I am very glad of it, as it had some time ago been the fashion to invent all sorts of nonsense.

I left Stockmar extremely hypochondriacal, but I trust not so unwell as he fancied. His son accompanies him to Coburg.

[Pageheading: THE QUEEN'S RETURN]

_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._

ON BOARD THE _Victoria and Albert_, IN THE RIVER,[63]

_21st September 1843._

MY DEARLY BELOVED UNCLE,--I seize the first opportunity of informing you of our excellent passage; we shall be in half-an-hour or three-quarters at Woolwich; it is now half-past ten A.M. The day and night were beautiful, and it is again, very fine to-day. We anchored in Margate Roads at eleven last night, and set off again about five.

Let me thank you and my beloved Louise in both our names again for your _great kindness_ to us, which, believe me, we feel _deeply_. We were _so happy_ with you, and the stay was _so delightful_, but so painfully short! It was such a joy for me to be once again under the roof of one who has ever been a father to me! I was _very_ sad after you left us; it seems so strange that all should be over--but the _delightful_ souvenir will _ever_ remain. To leave my dearest Louise too was so painful--and also poor Aunt Julia,[64] so immediately after making her acquaintance; pray tell her that, for me. I shall write to Louise to-morrow. You must forgive my hand being so trembling, but we are _lighter_ than usual, which causes the tremulous motion to be so much more felt.

That God may bless and protect you _all always_ is our fervent prayer. Believe me, always, your devoted and grateful Niece and Child,

VICTORIA R.

[Footnote 63: On the 12th the Queen and Prince Albert sailed
from Brighton on a visit to King Leopold. They visited Ostend,
Bruges, Ghent, Brussels, and Antwerp.]

[Footnote 64: Sister of the Duchess of Kent, married to the
Grand Duke Constantine.]

_Queen Victoria to Sir James Graham._

WINDSOR CASTLE, _22nd September 1843._

The Queen has received Sir James Graham's letter of the 22nd.[65] She has long seen with deep concern the lamentable state of turbulence in South Wales, and has repeatedly urged the necessity of its being put an end to, by _vigorous_ efforts on the part of the Government. The Queen, therefore, willingly gives her sanction to the issuing of a special Commission for the trial of the offenders and to the issuing of a proclamation. Monday, the 2nd, being the earliest day at which, Sir James says, the necessary Council could be held, will suit the Queen very well; she begs, therefore, that Sir James will cause the Council to meet here on that day at three o'clock.

[Footnote 65: The insurrection of the Rebeccaites was assuming
a more dangerous form, and at Hendy Gate they committed a
cold-blooded act of murder.]

[Pageheading: MATRIMONIAL PROJECTS]

_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._

WINDSOR CASTLE, _26th September 1843._

MY DEAREST UNCLE,--I cannot sufficiently thank you for your two _most kind_ and affectionate letters of the 22nd and 23rd, which gave me the greatest pleasure. _How often_ we think of our _dear_ and _delightful_ visit it is impossible for me to say; indeed, I fear these _two_ never-to-be-forgotten _voyages_ and _visits_ have made me think Windsor and its daily occurrences very dull. But this is very ungrateful for what I have had, which is so much more than I ever dared to hope for. The weather is become colder, and yesterday and the day before were horrid, foggy, raw days; to-day it is finer again....

Feodore and Ernest came to us yesterday, and I find them both _very_ well; Feodore is, I think, grown more serious than she was....

You remember that when we were together we talked of who Aumale could marry; he will only marry a Catholic, and no Spaniard, no Neapolitan, no Austrian, and also no Brazilian, as Louise tells me. Why should not Princess Alexandrine of Bavaria do? It would be a good connection, and you say (though not as pretty as Princess Hildegarde) that she is not ill-looking. _Qu'en pensez-vous?_ Then for _Tatane_[66]--a Princess of Saxony would be extremely _passlich_.

How long does Aunt Julia stay with you?

Albert, I suppose, writes to you, and I, dearest Uncle, remain ever and ever, your _most truly_ devoted and _warmly attached_ Niece,

VICTORIA R.

We find Pussy amazingly advanced in intellect, but alas! also in naughtiness. I hold up Charlotte as an example of every virtue, which has its effect; for when she is going to be naughty she says: "Dear Ma, what does cousin Charlotte do?"

[Footnote 66: Antoine, Duc de Montpensier.]

[Pageheading: ROYAL VISITORS]

_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._

WINDSOR CASTLE, _3rd October 1843._

MY DEAREST UNCLE,--Many, many thanks for your kind letter of the 28th, received on Sunday, which was written from the Camp of Beverloo, which Albert recollects with _great pleasure_ and interest, having amused himself so much there.

I can give you excellent accounts of ourselves. The boy returned from Brighton yesterday, looking really the picture of health, and much _embelli_; Pussy is in great force, but not to be compared to Charlotte in beauty; and Fatima (_alias_ Alice) is as enormous and flourishing as ever. Dearest Louise seems much pleased with Aunt Julia, which I am glad of, and I rejoice that poor Aunt has had the happiness of making my beloved Louise's acquaintance, for it will be a happy recollection for her in her solitude.

We expect the Grand Duke Michael here this afternoon; he is to stay till Friday. The Michael Woronzows,[67] with a son and daughter, are also coming, and we shall be a large party, and are going to dine in the Waterloo Gallery, which makes a very handsome dining-room, and sit after dinner in that beautiful grand Reception Room. _How_ I envy your going to that dear French family! I hope that you will like my favourite Chica. I trust, however, that you will _not_ stay too long away for your good people's sake.

Not being quite sure of your going, I shall direct this to Brussels still.

We went this morning to Kew, visited the old Palace--which is not at all a bad house--the Botanical Gardens, and then my Aunt's.[68]

The Revolution at Athens[69] looks like _le commencement de la fin_; it was _very_ unanimous.

Now, dearest Uncle, adieu! Ever, your most affectionate Niece,

VICTORIA R.

[Footnote 67: Prince Michael Woronzow (1782-1856) was a
plenipotentiary at the Congress of Aix-la-Chapelle (1818), and
was in command at the siege of Varna in 1828.]

[Footnote 68: The Duchess of Cambridge.]

[Footnote 69: A bloodless revolution had taken place on
the 14th of September, partly in consequence of King Otho
exercising his patronage in favour of Bavarians rather than
Greeks. He now acceded to the popular demands.]

[Pageheading: THE DUC DE BORDEAUX]

_Queen Victoria to the Earl of Aberdeen._

WINDSOR CASTLE, _9th October 1843._

The Queen has received Lord Aberdeen's two letters. She has been reflecting upon his proposition that Mr Lytton Bulwer[70] should be appointed Minister at Madrid, and quite approves it. The Queen trusts that he will try and keep on the best terms with the French Minister there, and that without in any way weakening our interests, the representatives of these two powerful countries will act _together_. The Queen feels _certain_ that if it is known by _our_ respective Ministers that _both_ Governments _wish_ to act _together_, and not _against_ one another, that much irritation will be avoided; and that our agents, particularly in distant countries, will understand that they are _not_ fulfilling the wishes of their Sovereign by representing every little incident in the most unfavourable light....

The Queen hopes that Lord Aberdeen will take some early opportunity of employing Mr Aston. Who will replace Mr Bulwer at Paris? his successor ought to be an efficient man, as Lord Cowley[71] is rather infirm. The Queen regrets to say that the Duc de Bordeaux[72] is coming here; he really must not be received by the Queen, as she fears his reception at Berlin has done _no_ good; and altogether, from what she sees in the papers, she fears there is no good purpose in his coming here.