The Letters of Queen Victoria, Volume 1 (of 3), 1837 to 1843)

Q >> Queen Victoria >> The Letters of Queen Victoria, Volume 1 (of 3), 1837 to 1843)

Pages:
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 | 32 | 33 | 34 | 35 | 36 | 37 | 38 | 39 | 40 | 41 | 42 | 43 | 44 | 45 | 46 | 47 | 48 | 49 | 50 | 51

I was sure you would be of my opinion relative to Lord Melbourne.
Indeed, dearest Uncle, nothing is to be done without a good heart and
an honest mind; I have, alas! seen so much of bad hearts and dishonest
and _double_ minds, that I know how to value and appreciate _real
worth_.

All is going on well at present, and the elections promise to be
favourable. God grant they may be so! I had a very long and highly
interesting conversation with Palmerston on Saturday, about Turkey,
Russia, etc., etc. I trust something may be done for my sister Queens.
They have got a Constitution in Spain at length, and the Cortes have
done very well. We hope also to conclude a treaty of commerce with the
Spaniards shortly, which would be an immense thing.

If you could get my kind and dear friend Louis Philippe, whom I do so
respect, and for whom I have a great affection, to do something for
poor Spain, it would be of great use.

I am quite _penetrated_ by the King's kindness in sending good old
General Baudrand[58] and the Duc d'Elchingen[59] over to compliment
me; Baudrand did it very well, and with much good feeling. In
Portugal, affairs look very black, I grieve to say. They have
no money, and the _Chartists_ want to bring about another
counter-revolution, which would be fatal to the poor Queen's
interests, I fear.

That you approve my plan about Stockmar I am delighted to hear.

I hope to go into Buckingham Palace very shortly after the funeral.

Now, dearest Uncle, I must invite you _en forme_. I should be most
_delighted_ if you, dearest Aunt Louise, and Leopold (_j'insiste_)
could come about the _middle_ or _end_ of _August_. Then I should beg
you would stay a little longer than usual, a fortnight at _least_. You
could bring as many gentlemen, ladies, _bonnes_, etc., etc., as you
pleased, and I should be _too_ happy and proud to have you under _my
own_ roof....

[Footnote 58: General Comte Baudrand (1774-1848).]

[Footnote 59: Son of Marshal Ney.]

_The Earl of Liverpool to Baron Stockmar._

_5th July 1837._

Went about half-past ten o'clock to Apsley House, and told the Duke
of Wellington the whole of my communication with the Queen, Duchess
of Kent, and Sir John Conroy on 15th June, also of my communication
subsequently with Lord Melbourne, all of which he very much approved
of. He said that he was quite sure that the Queen would find Lord
Melbourne an honourable man, and one in whom Her Majesty might put
confidence; that he was a man apt to treat matters too lightly, or,
as he expressed it, a _poco curante_, but in the main an honest and
an honourable man. Upon my speaking to him of the kind and paternal
conduct of King Leopold towards his Niece, he said that he was fully
persuaded of this, and should at all and any time be ready to uphold
it by his approbation, but that he had no immediate connection with
the Press, whose attacks indeed he held very cheap, though they were
frequently very offensive. He then asked me whether it was not true
that the Queen had thought of some reviews at which she would appear
on horseback. I said there had been some talk of it. He desired me to
say that he thought this would be very dangerous, that she had much
better do this in an open carriage, as no one except such as himself
knew how difficult it was to get steady riding horses, and besides
that, she could not be attended by any female, and that this would
appear indelicate.

[Pageheading: QUEEN ADELAIDE]

_Queen Adelaide to Queen Victoria._

WINDSOR CASTLE, _7th July 1837._

MY DEAREST NIECE,--I must, before I leave this dear Castle, once more
express to you the grateful sense I entertain for the kind treatment I
have experienced from you since it has pleased our heavenly Father to
put you in possession of it. You have contributed much to my comfort
under all the painful and distressing circumstances of this time
of woe, and I assure you that I ever shall remember it with sincere
gratitude.

I hope that you continue quite well and do not suffer from the
exertions and duties of your new position. My best wishes and prayers
attend you on all occasions, for I shall be for the rest of my
life devoted and attached to you as your most affectionate Aunt and
Subject,

ADELAIDE.

_Queen Victoria to Viscount Melbourne._

KENSINGTON PALACE, _10th July 1837._

The Queen regrets very much to hear of Lord Melbourne's indisposition,
and trusts it will be of no duration.

The Queen has just seen the Lord Chamberlain and has given him all her
orders. The Lord Chamberlain says that he will do everything in
his power to facilitate the Queen's going into Buckingham Palace on
Thursday.

The Queen fears that there may have been some mistake with respect to
the Chapter of the Garter, for Lord Conyngham,[60] as well as several
others, imagined it would be held on _Wednesday_ instead of _Friday_.
The Queen requests Lord Melbourne to rectify this mistake, as it is
the Queen's intention to hold the Chapter on _Friday_.

[Footnote 60: The Lord Chamberlain.]

_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._

_11th July 1837._

MY DEAREST, BEST UNCLE,--... I have got very little time and very
little to say. I _really_ and _truly_ go into Buckingham Palace the
day after to-morrow, but I must say, though I am very glad to do so, I
feel sorry to leave for _ever_ my poor old birthplace....

_25th._--I shall not go out of town, I think, before the 20th or
thereabouts of next month. Windsor requires thorough cleaning, and I
must say I could not think of going in sooner after the poor King's
death. Windsor always appears very melancholy to me, and there are so
many sad associations with it. These will vanish, I daresay, if I see
you there soon after my arrival there.

I have very pleasant large dinners every day. I invite my Premier
generally once a week to dinner as I think it right to show publicly
that I esteem him and have confidence in him, as he has behaved so
well. Stockmar is of this opinion and is his great admirer....

[Pageheading: MADAME DE LIEVEN]

_The King of the Belgians to Queen Victoria._

NEUILLY, _12th July 1837._

... Having still a few moments before a special messenger sets off, I
take advantage of it to add a few words. By all I can hear, there are
many intrigues on foot in England at this moment. Princess Lieven[61]
and another individual recently imported from her country seem to be
very active in what concerns them not; beware of them. A rule which I
cannot sufficiently recommend is, _never to permit_ people to speak
on subjects concerning yourself or your affairs, without your having
yourself desired them to do so. The moment a person behaves improperly
on this subject, change the conversation, and make the individual feel
that he has made a mistake.... People will certainly try to speak to
you on your _own personal_ affairs; decline it boldly, and they will
leave you alone....

Now I conclude with my warmest wishes for your happiness. Ever, my
dear Victoria, your faithfully attached Uncle and Friend,

LEOPOLD R.

[Footnote 61: The Princess Dorothea de Benckendorff married the Count
de Lieven at fifteen; in 1812, he became Russian Minister (and later
Ambassador) in London, whither she accompanied him. She was a woman
of extraordinary cleverness, enjoying the confidence of George
IV., Liverpool, Canning, Castlereagh, and Wellington. Inspiring the
efforts, and even composing the despatches of her husband, she became
herself the confidential correspondent of Nesselrode, Esterhazy, Posso
di Borgo, Guizot, and Lord Aberdeen. In 1834, the Lievens returned to
St Petersburg, where the Emperor Nicholas, though indifferent to the
society of women of talent, showed her special marks of regard. Her
husband died at Rome, in January 1838, and she established herself
in Paris, afterwards seeking a home in England during the troubles
of 1848. Returning to Paris, her _salon_ became again the resort of
diplomatists, politicians, and men of the world. She died in January
1857.

Madame de Lieven about this time told Greville that she had had an
audience of the Queen, "who was very civil and gracious, but timid
and embarrassed, and talked of nothing but commonplaces"; and Greville
adds that the Queen "had probably been told that the Princess was an
_intrigante_, and was afraid of committing herself."

Madame de Lieven wrote to Lord Aberdeen on the 30th July 1837:--

J'ai vu la Reine deux fois, je l'ai vue seule, et je l'ai vue dans la
societe du soir, et avec son Premier Ministre. Elle a un aplomb, un
air de commandement, de dignite, qui avec son visage enfantin, sa
petite taille, et son joli sourire, forment certainement le spectacle
le plus extraordinaire qu'il soit possible de se figurer. Elle est
d'une extreme reserve dans son discours. On croit que la prudence est
une de ses premieres qualites. Lord Melbourne a aupres d'elle un
air d'amour, de contentement, de vanite meme, et tout cela mele avec
beaucoup de respect, des attitudes tres a son aise, une habitude de
premiere place dans son salon, de la reverie, de la gaiete, vous voyez
tout cela. La Reine est pleine d'aimables sourires pour lui.

La societe le soir n'etait composee que du household de la Reine, de
tout le household de la Duchesse de Kent (moins la famille Conroy, qui
n'approche pas du Palais), et de quelques etrangers. La Duchesse de
Kent est parfaitement mecontente,--elle m'en a meme parle. Je doute
que la mere et la fllle habitent longtemps sous le meme toit. Quant
a Lord Melbourne, il me semble que la Duchesse le deteste. Il est
evident qu'il est dans la possession entiere et exclusive de la
confiance de la Reine, et que ses ressentiments, comme ses peines
passees, sont confies sans reserve a son Premier Ministre....]

[Pageheading: PARLIAMENT PROROGUED]

_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._

_18th July 1837._

MY BELOVED UNCLE,--... I have been so busy, I can say but two words
more, which are that I prorogued Parliament yesterday in person, was
very well received, and am not at all tired to-day, but quite frisky.
There is to be no review _this year_, as I was determined to have it
only if I _could ride_, and as I have not ridden for two years, it was
better not. Believe me, always, your devoted Niece,

VICTORIA R.

_Viscount Palmerston to Queen Victoria._

STANHOPE STREET, _22nd July 1837._

... With regard to Count Orloff,[62] your Majesty will probably renew
to him, on his taking leave, the assurances which your Majesty has
already given, of your desire to cement and maintain the friendly
alliance which subsists between the two Crowns; and an expression
might be repeated of the pleasure which your Majesty has derived from
the selection of a person who possesses the confidence and esteem of
the Emperor so fully as Count Orloff is known to do.

It might, perhaps, be as well to avoid any allusion to your Majesty's
not being personally acquainted with the Emperor, or anything that
might be construed into an invitation to that Sovereign to come to
England, because Viscount Palmerston has reason to believe that any
such hint would be eagerly caught at, while at the same time such
a visit does not, under all circumstances, seem to be a thing
particularly to be desired....

[Footnote 62: The Russian Ambassador.]

[Pageheading: DISCRETION ADVISED]

_The King of the Belgians to Queen Victoria._

LAEKEN, _24th July 1837._

MY DEAREST CHILD,--... I hear that the Levee went off very well, and I
have no doubt that the Drawing-Room did the same. Your _spirit_ in all
these new and trying proceedings makes me _happy beyond expression_.
Believe me, with _courage_ and _honesty_, you will get on beautifully
and successfully. The firmness you displayed at the beginning of your
reign will be for your quiet of the utmost importance. People must
come to the opinion _it is of no use intriguing, because when her mind
is once made up, and she thinks a thing right_, no earthly power will
make her change. To these qualities must be added one which is of
great importance, this is _discretion_; humble as it seems, it has
often brought about successes in which talent failed and genius
did not succeed. Discretion in the great affairs of the world does
wonders, and safety depends frequently and is chiefly derived from
it....

Now I must quickly conclude, with the prayer that you will _not
permit_ anybody, be it even your Prime Minister, to speak to you on
matters that concern you _personally_, without _your_ having expressed
the wish of its being done. You have no idea of the importance of this
for your peace and comfort and safety. I always act on this principle,
and I can say with great success.

Believe me ever, my dearest Victoria, your devoted Uncle,

LEOPOLD R.

_The King of the Belgians to Queen Victoria._

LAEKEN, _29th July 1837._

MY DEAREST CHILD,--Your dear letter of the 24th inst. is, amongst _so
many kind letters_, _almost the kindest I yet received_ from your
dear hands. My happiness and my greatest pride will always be, to be
a _tender and devoted father to you, my beloved child_, and to watch
over you and stand by you with _heart_ and _soul as long_ as the heart
which _loves_ you so sincerely will beat.

I have no doubt that Lord Melbourne will always do everything in his
power to be useful to you. His position is become extremely happy;
after having been, under the late King at least, in an awkward
position, he is now sure of enjoying your confidence and sincere
support. If the elections turn out favourably to the Ministry, it
will, I hope, give them the means of trying to _conciliate_ the
great mass of the _moderate_ Tories, who from their nature and in
consequence of their opinions are safe and desirable supporters of the
Crown. The two extremes will give them trouble, and the ultra-Tories
appear to me to be even the _more unreasonable_ of the two.

I am most happy to see you on your guard against Princess Lieven and
such-like people. Your life amongst intriguers and tormented with
intrigues has given you an experience on this important subject which
you will do well not to lose sight of, as it will unfortunately often
_reproduce itself_, though the names and manner of carrying on the
thing may not be the same.

I also think Windsor a little melancholy, but I believe that one likes
it more and more, as the Park in particular is uncommonly beautiful.
We shall try our best to enliven it by our presence, and probably soon
after your arrival. I am most happy to see you so spirited and happy
in your new position; it will go a great way to ensure your success,
and your spirit and courage will never be _de trop_.

Now I will conclude for the day, not to bore you, and beg you always
to believe me, my dear and beloved Victoria, your devoted Uncle and
Friend,

LEOPOLD R.

[Pageheading: PRINCESS HOHENLOHE]

_The Princess Hohenlohe to Queen Victoria._

LANGENBURG, _31st July 1837._

MY DEAREST VICTORIA,--On arriving here, I found your dear letter of
the 9th of this month; and some days ago I received the one of the
16th. Many, many thanks for them both; it is indeed kind of you to
write to me now when you have so much to do. You have no idea what a
feeling it is, to hear and read of you, and to think that it is _you_,
_my own dear sister_, who are the object of general observation, and,
I may say, admiration; it is sometimes like a dream. For those who are
near you it is quite different than for me, who have not seen you yet
in your new position, but must represent to myself all through the
report of others. The description in the papers of your proroguing
Parliament I read with great interest; it must have been an imposing
moment for you, your standing for the first time in your life in
the middle of that assembly where the interests and welfare of your
country are discussed and decided upon. It is with pride, pleasure,
and anxiety I think of you at the description of such scenes and
occurrences. I saw too by the papers that your _incognito_ at the
Opera was not quite kept as you wished it....

[Pageheading: THE ELECTIONS]

_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._

BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _1st August 1837._

MY DEAREST UNCLE,--... I should be _most_ happy to "peep once" into
your country, and wish that it _could_ be.

With respect to Politics, Lord Melbourne told me this morning that he
thinks the Lords will be more moderate and reasonable next Session.
The Duke of Wellington made a speech shortly before the Dissolution of
Parliament, in which he said that _he wished as much as the Government
did to pass the questions now pending_.

You do not think Alexander[63] _near_ handsome enough in my opinion;
you know, ladies are much better judges. He is somewhat colossal,
I own, but very proportionate and good-looking, I think. I am all
impatience to hear more about all this, and when you imagine the
marriage will take place.

I have resumed my singing lessons with Lablache[64] twice a week,
which form an agreeable recreation in the midst of all the business I
have to do. He is such a good old soul, and greatly pleased that I go
on with him. I admire the music of the _Huguenots_ very much, but do
not sing it, as I prefer Italian to French for singing greatly. I
have been learning in the beginning of the season many of your old
favourites, which I hope to sing with you when we meet. I wish I could
keep Lablache to sing with us, but he will be gone by that time, I
greatly fear.

Now farewell, my beloved Uncle. Give my affectionate love to my dear
Aunt, and believe me always, your devoted Niece,

VICTORIA R.

_J'embrasse Leopold et Philippe._

[Footnote 63: Prince Alexander of Wuertemberg, betrothed to Princess
Marie of Orleans, daughter of Louis Philippe. She died 10th January
1839. See Letter of Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians, 11th
January 1839.]

[Footnote 64: See _ante_, p. 50. (Ch. V, Footnote 7)]

[Pageheading: THE ELECTIONS]

_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._

_9th August 1837._

MY BELOVED UNCLE,--... With respect to the Elections, they are, I'm
thankful to say, rather favourable, though not quite so much so as
we could wish. But upon the whole we shall have as good a House as we
had, and, _I_ hope (as Lord Melbourne does also), a more moderate one
than the last one. The Irish Elections are very favourable to us; we
have gained six in the English boroughs, and lost, I grieve to say,
several in the counties.

The country is very quiet, and I have good reason to believe all will
do very well.

The King of Wuertemberg is to arrive to-night, under the name of Count
Teck, and wishes to be in strict _incognito_. He comes on purpose to
see me; you know he is my second cousin--his mother[65] was sister
to Queen Caroline and daughter to my grand-aunt.[66] I shall give the
King a large dinner on Friday and a little concert after it....

[Footnote 65: Queen Augusta of Wuertemberg.]

[Footnote 66: Augusta, Duchess of Brunswick, sister of George
III.]

_Lord John Russell to Queen Victoria._

ENDSLEIGH, _15th August 1837._

Lord John Russell presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and has
the honour to lay before your Majesty a general statement of the
result of the elections, which, with the exception of one or two
doubtful counties in Ireland, may be said to be completed....

It is not to be denied that this near balance of parties makes the
task of conducting the government difficult for any Ministry. On
the other hand, the circumstances of the country do not present any
extraordinary difficulty, and were any such to arise, the general
composition of the new House of Commons affords a security that the
maintenance of the Constitution and the welfare of the country would
be permanent objects to the majority of its Members.[67]

Lord John Russell had some time ago the honour of stating to your
Majesty that the return of Mr Fox Maule for Perthshire, and of Mr Hume
for Middlesex, were hardly to be expected. In this as in many other
instances the superior organisation of the Tory party have enabled
them to gain the appearance of a change of opinion, which has not in
fact taken place.

Lord John Russell is sorry to add that bribery, intimidation, and
drunkenness have been very prevalent at the late elections, and that
in many cases the disposition to riot has only been checked by the
appearance of the Military, who have in all cases conducted themselves
with great temper and judgment.

[Footnote 67: While the extreme Radicals were in several cases
defeated, the number of O'Connell's followers was decidedly
increased. The general balance of parties was not much
affected, though the complaint made by Mr Roebuck, the Radical
Member for Bath, in the last days of William IV.'s reign, that
there was no Government, and that the machinery of legislation
was at a dead stop, was no longer warranted.]

[Pageheading: LEAVING WINDSOR]

_Lord John Russell to Queen Victoria._

ENDSLEIGH, _21st August 1837._

Lord John Russell presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and
has the honour to submit to your Majesty a letter from the Earl of
Coventry requesting an Audience.

It is usual for the Sovereign to receive any Peer who may be desirous
of an Audience, without any other person being present. But if the
Peer who is thus admitted to the honour of an Audience should enter
upon political topics, it has been the custom for your Majesty's
predecessors merely to hear what is offered, and not to give any
opinion, or to enter into any discussion or conversation upon such
topics.

Should your Majesty be pleased to grant Lord Coventry's request of
an Audience, perhaps the most convenient course will be that the
Lord-in-Waiting should signify to him, direct from Windsor, your
Majesty's pleasure.

_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._[68]

WINDSOR CASTLE, _19th September 1837._ (_20 m(inutes) p(ast) 11._)

MY DEAREST, MOST BELOVED UNCLE,--One line to express to you,
_imperfectly_, my thanks for all your _very_ great kindness to me, and
_my great_, _great_ grief at your departure! God knows _how sad_, _how
forlorn_, I feel! _How_ I _shall_ miss you, my dearest, dear Uncle!
_every, every where_! _How_ I shall miss your conversation! _How_ I
shall miss your _protection_ out riding! Oh! I feel _very_, _very_
sad, and cannot speak of you both without crying!

Farewell, my beloved Uncle and _father!_ may Heaven bless and protect
you; and do not forget your most affectionate, devoted, and attached
Niece and _Child_,

VICTORIA R.

[Footnote 68: Written on the conclusion of a visit of the King
of the Belgians to England.]

_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians_.

WINDSOR CASTLE, _3rd October 1837._

MY BELOVED UNCLE,--... I am quite sad to leave this fine place, where,
if it had not been for the meeting of Parliament _so_ early this year,
I would have remained till November. I have passed _such_ a pleasant
time here, the _pleasantest summer_ I have _ever_ passed in my life; I
have had the _great_ happiness of having you and my beloved Aunt here,
I have had pleasant people staying with me, and I have had delicious
rides which have done me more good than anything. It will be such a
break-up of our little circle! Besides my own people, Lord Melbourne
and Lord Palmerston are the only people who have been _staying_ here,
and this little party was very social and agreeable. The Princess
Augusta of Saxony[69] has been here for two nights; she is neither
young nor handsome, but a very kind good person.

The news from Portugal are bad which I got this morning. The Civil War
is _ended_, and the _Chartists_ have been _completely defeated_; this
is sad enough, but I was fearful of it: a counter-revolution _never_
does well.[70]

_En revanche_, the news from Spain are by far better....

Believe me always, in haste, your devoted and affectionate Niece,

VICTORIA R.

[Footnote 69: Daughter of King Frederick Augustus of Saxony.]

[Footnote 70: On July 1st a new Ministry had come into
power in Portugal. The finances of the country were in great
confusion, a military insurrection broke out in the North at
Braga, the Ministry resigned, and a new Ministry came into
office in August. On the 18th August, the Duke of Terceira,
followed by many persons of distinction, joined the
insurgents, and, establishing himself at Mafra, advanced upon
Lisbon with the Chartist troops, issuing a proclamation of
provisional regency. A Convention was eventually signed, and
the Cortes proceeded to discuss measures of Constitutional
Reform.]

[Pageheading: RECEPTION AT BRIGHTON]

_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._

_6th October 1837._

Lord Melbourne presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and in
acknowledging your Majesty's gracious communication, of yesterday
returns his thanks for the very lively account which your Majesty has
given of the journey and the entrance into Brighton. Lord Melbourne
entirely partakes in the wish your Majesty has been graciously pleased
to express that he had been there to witness the scene; but your
Majesty will at once perceive that it was better that he was not, as
in that case Lord Melbourne would have been accused of an attempt
to take a political advantage of the general enthusiasm and to mix
himself and the Government with your Majesty's personal popularity.
Lord Melbourne fears that for some time your Majesty will find
yourself somewhat incommoded by the desire, which naturally prevails
amongst all ranks and classes, to obtain an opportunity of seeing your
Majesty....