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

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The Queen has put down Lady Mary Talbot, as being the daughter of the
oldest Earl in the Kingdom[15] and a Roman Catholic; and Lady Anne
Fitzwilliam, as she is anxious to show civility to Lord Fitzwilliam,
who has been very kind to the Queen.

Perhaps, when the names are agreed to, Lord Melbourne would kindly
undertake to speak or write to the parents of the young ladies
proposing it to them.

Lady Caroline Lennox.
Lady Adelaide Paget.
Lady Fanny Cowper.
Lady Wilhelmina Stanhope.
Lady Mary Talbot.
Lady Anne Fitzwilliam.
Lady Mary Grimston.
Lady Louisa Jenkinson.

[Footnote 15: John, sixteenth Earl of Shrewsbury (1791-1852).]

_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._

_17th May 1838._

Lord Melbourne presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and thinks
that your Majesty had better direct Lord Conyngham to ask the
Archbishop, before the Audience, who has generally been there and how
it ought to be conducted.

Your Majesty had better read the Answer and not give it to the
Archbishop, as Lord Melbourne apprehends the Archbishop does not give
your Majesty the Address.

Your Majesty had better say something kind to each of the Bishops as
they are presented. They are presented to your Majesty in this manner
as a sort of privilege, instead of being presented at the Drawing-Room
with others, and your Majesty should conduct yourself towards them
exactly as if they had been presented in the usual circle. The time is
about half-past one, and your Majesty had better be punctual so as not
to delay the Drawing-Room.

[Pageheading: THE SLAVE TRADE]

_In the same letter is enclosed a draft of a letter which it was
suggested by Lord Melbourne that the Queen should write to the King of
Portugal, with regard to the suppression of the Slave Trade._

[Draft enclosed]

That you hope that the King and Queen of Portugal will not consider
the strong representations made by your Government on the subject of
the Slave Trade as arising from any desire to embarrass them. That
there is every disposition to make allowance for the difficulties
of Portugal, but allowance must also be made for the feelings of
the people of England; that those feelings on the Slave Trade are as
strong as they are just. That England has made great sacrifices
for the suppression of that crime, that she has made sacrifices to
Portugal, and that she has been extremely indignant at finding that
traffic so obstinately continued to be sheltered and protected under
the flag of Portugal. That Portugal must not expect that England will
much longer refrain from taking effectual measures for preventing
these practices. That you have spoken thus openly because you wish
them to be aware of the truth, and that you entreat both the Queen and
the King to use their power and influence in procuring such a treaty
to be concluded without delay, as will satisfy England and exonerate
Portugal from the reproach under which she now labours.

This is the substance of what might be written. It is perhaps a little
harshly worded, but your Majesty may soften it.

_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._

BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _25th May 1838._

MY DEAREST UNCLE,--I am most thankful for your very kind letter, and
for the beautiful little sword, which delights me.

I have been dancing till past four o'clock this morning; we have had a
charming ball, and I have spent the happiest birthday that I have had
for many years; oh, _how_ different to last year! Everybody was so
kind and so friendly to me.

We have got a number of Austrians and Milanese here, among whom are
a Prince Odescalchi, and a Count Eugene Zichy, renowned for his
magnificent _turquoises_ and his famous valzing, a good-natured
_elegant_; we have also Esterhazy's daughter Marie--now Countess
Chorinsky--a Count and Countess Grippa, and a Marquis and Marchioness
of Trivalzi, etc.

Old Talleyrand[16] is at last dead. I hear he showed wonderful
composure and firmness to the last. He was one of those people who I
thought never would die. Did you know what Pozzo said to somebody here
about him? He said he (Talleyrand) would not die yet, "_parce que le
Diable ne voulait pas l'avoir_."

[Footnote 16: Died 17th May, aged eighty-four.]

[Pageheading: INDEPENDENCE OF BELGIUM]

_The King of the Belgians to Queen Victoria._

LAEKEN, _2nd June 1838._

... I have not all this time touched on our affairs, from motives of
_great discretion_, but as the battle draws nigh,[17] I cannot very
well help writing a few words on the subject. I found an Article in
the French _Constitutionnel_ which paints our position in pretty true
colours. As it is not very long, I beg you to have the goodness to
read it. You have given me so many proofs of affection, and your kind
speech at Windsor is so fresh in my memory, that it would be _very
wrong_ in me to think that in so short a time, and without any cause,
those feelings which are so _precious_ to me could have changed. This
makes me appeal to those sentiments.

The independent existence of the Provinces which form this Kingdom has
always been an object of importance to England; the surest proof of
it is, that for centuries England has made the greatest sacrifices of
blood and treasure for that object. The last time I saw the late King
at Windsor, in 1836, he said to me: "If ever France or any other
Power invades your country, it will be a question of immediate war for
England; we cannot suffer that." I answered him I was happy to hear
him speak so, as I also did not want any foreign Power to invade
us....

All I want from your kind Majesty is, that you will _occasionally_
express to your Ministers, and particularly to good Lord Melbourne,
that, as far as it is _compatible_ with the interests _of your own_
dominions, you do _not_ wish that your Government should take
the _lead_ in such measures as might in a short time bring on the
_destruction_ of this country, as well as that of your uncle and his
family.

Europe has enjoyed ever since 1833, in our part of it, a state of
_profound peace_ and real happiness and prosperity. None can deny that
the measures which I adopted to organise this country have greatly
contributed to this happy state of affairs; this makes me think that
the changes which are to take place should be brought about in a _very
gentle manner_....

I am sorry to have you to listen to so much about politics, but it is
not my fault; I wished nothing so much as _to be left alone_. I shall
do all I can to bring about a good conclusion, but it must not be
forgotten that these seven years _all the dangers, all the trouble_,
fell constantly to _my share_....

Now I will make haste to conclude, and remain ever, my dearest
Victoria, your truly devoted Uncle,

LEOPOLD R.

[Footnote 17: The execution of the treaty of 1831, called the
Twenty-four Articles, assigning part of Luxemburg to Holland,
had been reluctantly agreed to by Leopold, but the King of
Holland withheld his assent for seven years.]

[Pageheading: ANGLO-BELGIAN RELATIONS]

[Pageheading: PROGRESS OF BELGIUM]

_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._

BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _10th June 1838._

MY DEAREST UNCLE,--It is indeed a long while since I have written to
you, and I fear you will think me very lazy; but I must in turn say,
dearest Uncle, that your silence was longer than mine, and that it
grieved me, and _m'a beaucoup peinee_. I know, however, you have had,
and still have, _much_ to do. Many thanks, my dear Uncle, for your
very kind letter of the 2nd inst....

It would indeed, dearest Uncle, be _very wrong_ of you, if you thought
my feelings of warm and devoted attachment to you, and of great
affection for you, could be changed. _Nothing_ can ever change them!
Independent of my feelings of affection for you, my beloved Uncle, you
must be aware that the ancient and hereditary policy of this country
with respect to Belgium must make me most anxious that my Government
not _only_ should not be parties to any measure that would be
prejudicial to Belgium, but that my Ministers should, as far as may
not conflict with the interests or engagements of this country, do
_everything_ in their power to promote the prosperity and welfare of
your Kingdom.

My Ministers, I can assure you, share all my feelings on this subject,
and are most anxious to see everything settled in a satisfactory
manner between Belgium and Holland.

We all feel that we cannot sufficiently or adequately express how much
Belgium owes to your wise system of government, which has rendered
that country so flourishing in every way, and how much all Europe is
indebted to you for the preservation of general peace; because it is
certain that when you ascended the throne of Belgium that country
was the one from which the occasion of a general war was much to be
feared; whereas now it is become a link to secure the continuance of
peace; and by the happy circumstances of your double near relationship
to me and to the King of the French, _Belgium_--which was in former
times the cause of discord between England and France--becomes now a
mutual tie to keep them together.

This, my beloved Uncle, we owe to you, and it must be a source of
pride and gratification to you.

I perfectly understand and feel that your position with respect to all
these affairs is very difficult and trying, and the feelings of your
subjects are far from unnatural; yet I sincerely hope that you will
use the great influence you possess over the minds of the leading men
in Belgium, to mitigate discontent and calm irritation, and procure
acquiescence in whatever arrangements may ultimately be found
inevitable.

You are right in saying that I, though but a child of twelve years old
when you went to Belgium, remember much of what took place, and I have
since then had the whole matter fully explained to me. The Treaty of
November 1831 was perhaps not so advantageous to the Belgians as could
have been wished, yet it cannot have been thought very advantageous to
the Dutch, else they would have most probably urged their Government
before this time to accept it; besides, when these conditions were
framed, England was only one out of _five_ Powers whose concurrence
was required, and consequently they were made under very difficult
circumstances. This treaty having been ratified, it is become binding,
and therefore it is almost impossible to consider it as otherwise,
and to set aside those parts of it which have been ratified by all the
parties.

I feel I must in turn, dearest Uncle, entreat your indulgence for so
long a letter, and for such full explanations, but I felt it my duty
to do so, as you had spoken to me on the subject.

You may be assured, my beloved Uncle, that both Lord Melbourne and
Lord Palmerston are most anxious at all times for the prosperity and
welfare of Belgium, and are consequently most desirous of seeing this
difficult question brought to a conclusion which may be satisfactory
to you. Allow me once more therefore, dearest Uncle, to beseech you
to use your powerful influence over your subjects, and to strive to
moderate their excited feelings on these matters. Your situation is a
very difficult one, and nobody feels more for you than I do.

I trust, dearest Uncle, that you will, at all times, believe me your
devoted and most affectionate Niece,

VICTORIA R.

[Pageheading: FOREIGN POLICY]

_The King of the Belgians to Queen Victoria._

LAEKEN, _June [18] 1838._

MY DEAREST AND MOST BELOVED VICTORIA,--You have written me a _very
dear_ and long letter, which has given me _great pleasure and
satisfaction_. I was much moved with the expressions of truly felt
affection, which it contains, and I shall _never_ again doubt your
affection for me, but rely on your dear heart and the constancy of
your character.

I will now tell you honestly that I had some misgivings; I did not
exactly think that you had quite forgotten me, but I thought I had
been put aside as one does with a piece of furniture which is no
longer wanted. I did not complain, because I fear if affection is once
on the decline, reproaches only diminish it the faster. I therefore
said nothing, but in a life full of grief and disappointments like
mine, the loss of your affection would have been one of the most
severe. It was in this point of view that the declaration made by
Lord Palmerston at the beginning of May to the Prussian Government
chagrined me much.[19] It was premature, because the negotiation
was not yet renewed. It looked as if the English Government had
been anxious to say to the Northern Powers, who always steadfastly
_protected_ Holland, "You imagine, perhaps, that we mean to have
_egards_ for the uncle of the Queen; there you see we shall make even
shorter work with him now than we did under our late master."

This impression had been _general_ on the Continent; they considered
the declaration to Prussia in this way: "La Reine et ses Ministres
sont donc entierement indifferents sur le compte du Roi L.; _cela
change entierement_ la position, et nous allons faire mains basses sur
lui." From that moment their language became extremely imperious;
they spoke of nothing but acts of coercion, bombardment, etc., etc. I
firmly believe, because I have been these many years on terms of great
and sincere friendship with Palmerston, that he did not himself quite
foresee the importance which would be attached to his declaration. I
must say it hurt me more in my _English_ capacity than in my Belgian,
as I came to this country _from England_, and was chosen _for that
very reason_. Besides, I am happy to say, I was never as yet in the
position to ask for any act of kindness from you, so that whatever
little service I may have rendered you, remained on a basis of perfect
disinterestedness. That the first diplomatic step in our affairs
should seem by your Government to be directed against me, created
therefore all over the Continent a considerable sensation. I shall
never ask any favours of you, or anything that could in the least be
considered as _incompatible_ with the interests of England; but you
will comprehend that there is a great difference in claiming favours
and in being treated as an enemy....

I will conclude my overgrown letter with the assurance that you
never were in greater favour, and that I love you dearly. Believe me,
therefore, ever, my best beloved Victoria, your devoted Uncle,

LEOPOLD R.

[Footnote 18: The day of the month is not given.]

[Footnote 19: Prussia was giving unmistakable evidence of a
disposition to support Holland against Belgium.]

[Pageheading: THE CORONATION]

_Queen Adelaide to Queen Victoria._

MARLBORO' HOUSE, _28th June 1838._ (_At a quarter before 12 o'clock on
the Coronation Day._)

MY DEAREST NIECE,--The guns are just announcing your approach to the
Abbey, and as I am not near you, and cannot take part in the sacred
ceremony of your Coronation, I must address you in writing to assure
you that my thoughts and my whole heart are with you, and my prayers
are offered up to Heaven for your happiness, and the prosperity and
glory of your reign. May our Heavenly Father bless and preserve you,
and His Holy Ghost dwell within you to give you that peace which the
world cannot give! Accept of these my best wishes, and the blessing of
your most devoted and attached Aunt,

ADELAIDE.

_Extract from the Queen's Journal._

_Thursday, 28th June 1838._

I was awoke at four o'clock by the guns in the Park, and could not get
much sleep afterwards on account of the noise of the people, bands,
etc., etc. Got up at seven, feeling strong and well; the Park
presented a curious spectacle, crowds of people up to Constitution
Hill, soldiers, bands, etc. I dressed, having taken a little breakfast
before I dressed, and a little after. At half-past 9 I went into the
next room, dressed exactly in my House of Lords costume; and met Uncle
Ernest, Charles,[20] and Feodore (who had come a few minutes before
into my dressing-room), Lady Lansdowne, Lady Normanby, the Duchess of
Sutherland, and Lady Barham, all in their robes.

[Footnote 20: Prince Charles of Leiningen, the Queen's
half-brother.]

[Pageheading: THE ABBEY]

At 10 I got into the State Coach with the Duchess of Sutherland and
Lord Albemarle and we began our Progress. I subjoin a minute account
of the whole Procession and of the whole Proceeding,--the route, etc.
It was a fine day, and the crowds of people exceeded what I have ever
seen; many as there were the day I went to the City, it was nothing,
nothing to the multitudes, the millions of my loyal subjects, who were
assembled _in every spot_ to witness the Procession. Their good humour
and excessive loyalty was beyond everything, and I really cannot say
_how_ proud I feel to be the Queen of _such_ a Nation. I was alarmed
at times for fear that the people would be crushed and squeezed on
account of the tremendous rush and pressure.

I reached the Abbey amid deafening cheers at a little after half-past
eleven; I first went into a robing-room quite close to the entrance
where I found my eight train-bearers: Lady Caroline Lennox, Lady
Adelaide Paget, Lady Mary Talbot, Lady Fanny Cowper, Lady Wilhelmina
Stanhope, Lady Anne Fitzwilliam, Lady Mary Grimston, and Lady Louisa
Jenkinson--all dressed alike and beautifully in white satin and silver
tissue with wreaths of silver corn-ears in front, and a small one of
pink roses round the plait behind, and pink roses in the trimming of
the dresses.

After putting on my mantle, and the young ladies having properly
got hold of it and Lord Conyngham holding the end of it, I left the
robing-room and the Procession began as is described in the annexed
account, and all that followed and took place. The sight was splendid;
the bank of Peeresses quite beautiful all in their robes, and the
Peers on the other side. My young train-bearers were always near me,
and helped me whenever I wanted anything. The Bishop of Durham[21]
stood on the side near me, but he was, as Lord Melbourne told me,
remarkably _maladroit_, and never could tell me what was to take
place. At the beginning of the Anthem, where I've made a mark, I
retired to St Edward's Chapel, a dark small place immediately behind
the Altar, with my ladies and train-bearers--took off my crimson robe
and kirtle, and put on the supertunica of cloth of gold, also in the
shape of a kirtle, which was put over a singular sort of little gown
of linen trimmed with lace; I also took off my circlet of diamonds and
then proceeded bareheaded into the Abbey; I was then seated upon St
Edward's chair, where the Dalmatic robe was clasped round me by the
Lord Great Chamberlain. Then followed all the various things; and last
(of those things) the Crown being placed on my head--which was, I must
own, a most beautiful impressive moment; _all_ the Peers and Peeresses
put on their coronets at the same instant.

[Footnote 21: Edward Maltby, 1770-1859.]

My excellent Lord Melbourne, who stood very close to me throughout
the whole ceremony, was _completely_ overcome at this moment, and
very much affected; he gave me _such_ a kind, and I may say _fatherly_
look. The shouts, which were very great, the drums, the trumpets, the
firing of the guns, all at the same instant, rendered the spectacle
most imposing.

[Pageheading: HOMAGE]

The Enthronisation and the Homage of, first, all the Bishops, and then
my Uncles, and lastly of all the Peers, in their respective order
was very fine. The Duke of Norfolk (holding for me the Sceptre with a
Cross) with Lord Melbourne stood close to me on my right, and the
Duke of Richmond with the other Sceptre on my left, etc., etc. All my
train-bearers, etc., standing behind the Throne. Poor old Lord Rolle,
who is 82, and dreadfully infirm, in attempting to ascend the steps
fell and rolled quite down, but was not the least hurt; when he
attempted to re-ascend them I got up and advanced to the end of the
steps, in order to prevent another fall. When Lord Melbourne's turn to
do Homage came, there was loud cheering; they also cheered Lord Grey
and the Duke of Wellington; it's a pretty ceremony; they first all
touch the Crown, and then kiss my hand. When my good Lord Melbourne
knelt down and kissed my hand, he pressed my hand and I grasped his
with all my heart, at which he looked up with his eyes filled with
tears and seemed much touched, as he was, I observed, throughout the
whole ceremony. After the Homage was concluded I left the Throne, took
off my Crown and received the Sacrament; I then put on my Crown again,
and re-ascended the Throne, leaning on Lord Melbourne's arm. At the
commencement of the Anthem I descended from the Throne, and went into
St Edward's Chapel with my Ladies, Train-bearers, and Lord Willoughby,
where I took off the Dalmatic robe, supertunica, etc., and put on the
Purple Velvet Kirtle and Mantle, and proceeded again to the Throne,
which I ascended leaning on Lord Melbourne's hand.

There was another most dear Being present at this ceremony, in the
box immediately above the royal box, and who witnessed all; it was my
dearly beloved angelic Lehzen, whose eyes I caught when on the Throne,
and we exchanged smiles. She and Spaeth, Lady John Russell, and Mr.
Murray saw me leave the Palace, arrive at the Abbey, leave the Abbey
and again return to the Palace!!

[Pageheading: POPULAR ENTHUSIASM]

I then again descended from the Throne, and repaired with all the
Peers bearing the Regalia, my Ladies and Train-bearers, to St Edward's
Chapel, as it is called; but which, as Lord Melbourne said, was
more _un_like a Chapel than anything he had ever seen; for what was
_called_ an _Altar_ was covered with sandwiches, bottles of wine,
etc., etc. The Archbishop came in and _ought_ to have delivered
the Orb to me, but I had already got it, and he (as usual) was _so_
confused and puzzled and knew nothing, and--went away. Here we waited
some minutes. Lord Melbourne took a glass of wine, for he seemed
completely tired. The Procession being formed, I replaced my Crown
(which I had taken off for a few minutes), took the Orb in my left
hand and the Sceptre in my right, and thus _loaded_, proceeded through
the Abbey--which resounded with cheers, to the first robing-room;
where I found the Duchess of Gloucester, Mamma, and the Duchess of
Cambridge with their Ladies. And here we waited for at least an hour,
with _all_ my ladies and train-bearers; the Princesses went away about
half an hour before I did. The Archbishop had (most awkwardly) put
the ring on the wrong finger, and the consequence was that I had the
greatest difficulty to take it off again, which I at last did with
great pain. Lady Fanny, Lady Wilhelmina, and Lady Mary Grimston looked
quite beautiful. At about half-past four I re-entered my carriage,
the Crown on my head, and the Sceptre and Orb in my hands, and we
proceeded the same way as we came--the crowds if possible having
increased. The enthusiasm, affection, and loyalty were really
touching, and I shall ever remember this day as the _Proudest_ of my
life! I came home at a little after six, really _not_ feeling tired.

[Pageheading: INCIDENTS OF THE CORONATION]

At eight we dined. Besides we thirteen--my Uncles, sister, brother,
Spaeth, and the Duke's gentlemen--my excellent Lord Melbourne and Lord
Surrey dined here. Lord Melbourne came up to me and said: "I must
congratulate you on this most brilliant day," and that all had gone
off so well. He said he was not tired, and was in high spirits. I
sat between Uncle Ernest[22] and Lord Melbourne; and Lord Melbourne
between me and Feodore, whom he had led in. My kind Lord Melbourne was
much affected in speaking of the whole ceremony. He asked kindly if I
was tired; said the Sword he carried (the first, the Sword of State)
was excessively heavy. I said that the Crown hurt me a good deal. He
was so much amused at Uncle Ernest's being astonished at our still
having the Litany. We agreed that the whole thing was a very fine
sight. He thought the robes, and particularly the Dalmatic, "looked
remarkably well." "And you did it all so well--excellent!" said he,
with tears in his eyes. He said he thought I looked rather pale and
"moved by all the people" when I arrived; "and that's natural;
and that's better." The Archbishop's and Dean's copes, which were
remarkably handsome, were from James the Second's time; the very same
that were worn at his Coronation, Lord Melbourne told me. Spoke of the
Bishop of Durham's awkwardness, Lord Rolle's fall, etc. Of the Duc
de Nemours being like his father in face; of the young ladies'
(train-bearers') dresses; which he thought beautiful; and he said
he thought the Duchess of Richmond (who had ordered the make of the
dresses, etc., and had been much condemned by some of the young ladies
for it) quite right. She said to him: "One thing I was determined
about; that I would have no discussion with their Mammas about it."
Spoke of Talleyrand and Soult having been very much struck by the
ceremony of the Coronation; of the English being far too generous
_not_ to be kind to Soult. Lord Melbourne went home the night before,
and slept very deeply till he was woke at six in the morning. I said I
did not sleep well. Spoke of the Illuminations and Uncle Ernest's wish
to see them.