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

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[Footnote 22: The King of Hanover.]

After dinner, before we sat down, we (that is Charles, Lord Melbourne,
and I) spoke of the numbers of Peers at the Coronation, which, Lord
Melbourne said, with the tears in his eyes, was unprecedented. I
observed that there were very few Viscounts; he said: "There are very
few Viscounts," that they were an odd sort of title and not really
English; that they came from _Vice-Comites_; that Dukes and Barons
were the only _real_ English titles; that Marquises were likewise not
English; and that they made people Marquises when they did not wish to
make them Dukes. Spoke of Lord Audley who came as the First Baron, and
who Lord Melbourne said was a very odd young man, but of a very old
family; his ancestor was a Sir Something Audley in the time of the
Black Prince, who, with Chandos, gained the Battle of Poictiers.

I then sat on the sofa for a little while with Lady Barham and then
with Charles; Lord Melbourne sitting near me the whole evening. Mamma
and Feodore remained to see the illuminations and only came in later,
and Mamma went away before I did. Uncle Ernest drove out to see the
Illuminations.

[Pageheading: PAGES OF HONOUR]

I said to Lord Melbourne when I first sat down that I felt a little
tired on my feet; "You must be very tired," he said. Spoke of the
weight of the Robes, etc., etc., the Coronets; and he turned round to
me with the tears in his eyes, and said _so_ kindly: "And you did it
beautifully--every part of it, with so much taste; it's a thing that
you can't give a person advice upon; it must be left to a person."
To hear this, from this kind impartial friend, gave me great and real
pleasure. Mamma and Feodore came back just after he said this. Spoke
of the Bishops' Copes, about which he was very funny; of the Pages who
were such a nice set of boys, and who were so handy, Lord Melbourne
said, that they kept them the whole time. Little Lord Stafford and
Slane (Lord Mountcharles) were pages to their fathers and looked
lovely; Lord Paget (not a fine boy) was Lord Melbourne's page and
remarkably handy, he said. Spoke again of the young ladies' dresses,
about which he was very amusing; he waited for his carriage with Lady
Mary Talbot and Lady Wilhelmina; he thinks Lady Fanny does not make as
much show as other girls, which I would not allow. He set off for the
Abbey from his house at half-past eight, and was there long before
anybody else; he only got home at half-past six and had to go round
by Kensington. He said there was a large breakfast in the Jerusalem
Chamber where they met _before_ all began; he said, laughing, that
whenever the Clergy, or a Dean and Chapter, had anything to do with
anything, there's sure to be plen'y to eat.

Spoke of my intending to go to bed, etc.; he said, "You may depend
upon it, you are more tired than you think you are." I said I had
slept badly the night before; he said that was my mind, that nothing
kept people more awake than any consciousness of a great event going
to take place, and being agitated. He was not sure if he was not going
to the Duke of Wellington's.

Stayed in the dining room till twenty minutes past eleven, but
remained on Mamma's balcony looking at the fireworks in Green Park,
which were quite beautiful.

Uncle Ernest, Charles, Feodore, and the Ladies and Gentlemen (like
Lehzen, etc.) saw me leave the Palace, arrive at the Abbey, leave the
Abbey, and return to the Palace. Got a long letter from Aunt Louise.

[Pageheading: EXTRA HOLIDAYS FOR SCHOOLS]

_Queen Victoria to Viscount Melbourne._

BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _29th June 1838._

The Queen is very anxious to hear if Lord Melbourne got home safe, and
if he is not tired, and quite well this morning.

Lord Melbourne will be glad to hear that the Queen had an excellent
night, is not the least tired, and is perfectly well this morning;
indeed she feels much better than she has done for some days.

The Queen hears that it is usual to ask for an additional week's
holiday for the boys at the various Public Schools, on the occasion
of the Coronation. Perhaps Lord Melbourne will enquire about this, in
order that there may be no neglect on my part.

_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._

BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _2nd July 1838._

MY DEAREST UNCLE,--_Many_ thanks for _two_ kind letters, one which I
got last Monday and one this morning. The kind interest you take in
me and my country (of which, and of the nation, I'm more proud than I
ever was, since I've witnessed their excessive affection and
loyalty to me) makes me certain that you will be glad to hear how
_beautifully_ everything went off. It was a memorable and glorious day
for me. The millions assembled to witness the progress to and from the
Abbey was _beyond_ belief, and _all_ in the highest good-humour. It
is a fine ceremony, and a scene I shall _ever_ remember, and with
pleasure. I likewise venture to add that people thought I did my part
very well.

The amiable Duc de Nemours dined with me on Friday, comes to _my_ ball
to-night, and dines again with me on Wednesday. Pray tell dearest Aunt
Louise that I thank her much for her very kind letter, and will avail
myself of her kindness and _not_ write to her this mail.

Feodore is writing in my room, well and happy. Uncle Ernest still very
lame, and Charles well. There's an account of the family. Ever and
ever your most devoted Niece,

VICTORIA R.

_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._

_8th July 1838._

Lord Melbourne presents his humble duty to your Majesty. As your
Majesty does not ride, the question is between driving down the line
or not going down it at all,[23] and it appears to Lord Melbourne
that the first is the best, namely, to drive down; but if your Majesty
feels a strong repugnance, there is no more to be said.

Lord Melbourne thinks it safer and more prudent that your Majesty
should not ride; but still it might have been done, and if Lord
Melbourne had thought that your Majesty wished it much, he would not
have dissuaded it.

[Footnote 23: Referring to the Hyde Park review on the next day.]

[Pageheading: LOYAL DEMONSTRATIONS]

_The King of the Belgians to Queen Victoria._

NEUILLY, _12th July 1838._

MY DEAREST VICTORIA,--I am very grateful for your kind letter; it
is extremely _meritorious_, amidst such fatigues and festivities and
occupations of every kind, to find a moment to write. I expressed
already the _great satisfaction_ with which I read and heard all
the accounts of the Coronation, and I believe that there _never_ was
anything like it. The only one which in point of loyal demonstration
may approach it is that of George III., but I think it fell short of
yours.

I am happy to see that it has _increased_, if possible, your affection
and attachment to your country, and this is in every respect a great
blessing. You will remember that I have never varied on that subject,
the great thing is to be the _National_ Sovereign of your _own_
country, and to love its very faults. This strengthens the _mutual
attachment_, and that can _never be too strong_....

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

LEOPOLD R.

The whole of the family here offer their best _hommages_.

_The King of the Belgians to Queen Victoria._

NEUILLY, _20th July 1838._

I feel most grateful for your dear kind letter of the 10th inst.,
which I received a few days ago. I hear that the review was something
_most splendid_, and I feel always some regret at having been deprived
of the happiness of seeing you _en fonction_, which you do in a degree
of rare perfection. May the remembrance of all this long remain in
your mind, to cheer and strengthen you when occasionally there will be
a darker sky....

[Pageheading: LORD DURHAM]

_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._

_10th August 1838._

Lord Melbourne presents his humble duty to your Majesty. The very
difficult and embarrassing situation in which Lord Durham and the
Canadas and the Ministry are left by the vote of the House of Lords
of last night, requires that a Cabinet should be held to-day, and Lord
Melbourne has directed one to be summoned at two. Lord Melbourne will
wait upon your Majesty either before that hour or after, about four
o'clock. The vote of last night and the Bill of Lord Brougham[24] is
a direct censure upon Lord Durham. Lord Durham's conduct has been most
rash and indiscreet, and, as far as we can see, unaccountable. But to
censure him now would either be to cause his resignation, which would
produce great embarrassment, and might produce great evil, or to
weaken his authority, which is evidently most undesirable....

[Footnote 24: This Bill (which emphasised the illegality of
Lord Durham's ordinance) was read a second time by 54 to 36.
On the following day Lord Melbourne announced to the Peers
that Ministers had resolved to advise that the ordinance
should be disallowed.]

_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._

_10th August 1838._

Lord Melbourne presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and begs to
inform you that the Cabinet have determined to advise your Majesty
to disallow Lord Durham's ordinance, and to announce the same to the
House of Lords.[25]

This is absolutely necessary, but very disagreeable, and will be very
much so to Lord Durham.

[Footnote 25: _See_ Introductory Note for the year, _ante_, p. 102.
(Introductory Note to Ch. VII)]

_The Queen of the Belgians to Queen Victoria._

_25th September 1838._

MY MOST BELOVED VICTORIA,--I can never thank you enough for the dear
letter which I found on my table on arriving here, Sunday evening. It
was most kind of you to have written so soon after our departure, and
such an affectionate, good, kind letter. The tears came to my eyes
as I read it, and I felt quite moved. Short as has been our stay,
and great, as always, the pain of leaving you, it has been a _great
happiness_ for me to see you again, a happiness for which I shall
always thank God, you, and your dear Uncle. I need not add how _very
precious_ is your affection to me, and how _very grateful_ I am for
every new proof of it. You know my feelings on this point, and
you know they are better _felt_ than _expressed_. Your calling me
_Louise_, and in such a kind way, gave me great pleasure. Almost all
those dear to me call me so, and I think it looks more affectionate;
I would fain say now _sister-like_, although I am rather an old sister
for you now....

Leopold is half crazy with the steam-engine, and particularly with
the _tools_ which you sent him. I enclose here the expression of his
gratitude. I wrote exactly what he told me to write, and I did not add
a word. He has found again his kie (key), and he wears it suspended
to his neck by a blue riband, with the Duchess's little seal. He felt
deeply the attention you had to have an _L_ engraved on each tool, and
after his letter was closed he charged me to thank you for it, and
to tell you that it gave him great pleasure. An _iron spade_ was the
greatest object of his ambition, and he worked so hard yesterday with
it, that I feared he would hurt himself with the exertion. He will go
to-day to the races with us, in the Scotch dress which the Duchess had
the kindness to send him. It fits very well, and he is very proud of
having a coat shaped _like that of a man_....

[Pageheading: IRELAND AND O'CONNELL]

_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._

_25th October 1838._

Lord Melbourne presents his humble duty to your Majesty....

Mr Stanley of the Treasury[26] arrived in London yesterday, and
acquaints me that Lord Normanby makes no secret of his willingness,
and indeed his desire, to undertake the government of Canada. It
would have been better if Lord Normanby had acquainted Lord Melbourne
quietly of this, and not made it at once public to all the world. It
is not necessary to do anything at present. If Lord Durham remains,
which Lord Melbourne does not, however, think likely, there will be
no successor to be appointed, and if he returns, the authority of
Governor of Lower Canada will devolve upon Sir John Colborne,[27] in
whose hands it may be very safely left for the present.

If Ireland should be vacant, there is a strong feeling amongst many
that it would be nice to name the Duke of Sussex. It is said that it
would be popular in Ireland, that the name of one of the Royal Family
would do good there, and that it would afford to O'Connell a pretext
and opportunity for giving up his new scheme of agitation. It is also
added that the Duke would suffer himself to be guided on all essential
matters by the advice of his Chief Secretary, and that he would
content himself with discharging the ceremonial duties. Here are the
reasons for it--your Majesty is so well acquainted with the reasons on
the other side, that it is unnecessary for me to detail them.

I am afraid that times of some trouble are approaching, for which
your Majesty must hold yourself prepared; but your Majesty is too well
acquainted with the nature of human affairs not to be well aware
that they cannot very well go on even as quietly as they have gone on
during the last sixteen months.

[Footnote 26: "Ben" Stanley, afterwards Lord Stanley of Alderley,
Secretary to the Treasury.]

[Footnote 27: Field-Marshal Sir John Colborne, afterwards Lord Seaton,
had been Military Secretary to Sir John Moore, had commanded a brigade
with much distinction in the Peninsula, and had contributed greatly to
the success of the British arms at Waterloo.]

_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._

_4th November 1838._

Lord Melbourne is very well, but Sir James Clark,[28] a Scotchman and
a physician, and therefore neither by country nor by profession very
religious, detained him from Church in order to go through the report
upon the state of Buckingham Palace. This is not a very good excuse,
but it is the true one. Lord Melbourne is very grateful to your
Majesty for your enquiries, and having some letters to submit, will be
happy to attend upon your Majesty.

[Footnote 28: Physician-in-Ordinary to the Queen.]

[Pageheading: DEATH OF LADY JOHN RUSSELL]

_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._

WINDSOR CASTLE, _6th November 1838._

MY DEAR UNCLE,--.... We have all been much distressed by the
melancholy and untimely death of poor Lady John Russell,[29] which
took place on the 1st. She was safely confined on the 20th of October
with a little girl, who bears my name, and seemed to be going on very
well; but on Wednesday she began to sink from weakness, not disease,
and died at three o'clock on Thursday. It is a dreadful blow to _him_,
for he was _so_ attached to her, and I don't believe two people ever
were happier together. I send you his pretty letter to me, which I
think you may be interested to see; he is _dreadfully_ beat down by
it, but struggles manfully against his grief, which makes one pity him
more. She has left four children by her first husband, _now orphans_,
the eldest a sweet girl twelve years old, and two little girls by Lord
John; the eldest of these two is two and a half, and the youngest a
_fortnight_. I had known her _very_ well and liked her, and I assure
you I was dreadfully shocked at it. You may also imagine what a loss
she is to poor Miss Lister, who has no mother, and whose only sister
she was. I fear, dear Uncle, I have made a sad and melancholy letter
of this, but I have been so much engrossed by all this misery, and
knowing you take an interest in poor Lord John, that I let my pen run
on almost involuntarily.

We have very good accounts of the Queen-Dowager from Gibraltar.

Please return me Lord John's letter when you have done with it.

Lord and Lady Howard[30] have been here, and I urged him to _bear_
Dietz as an inevitable evil, and I think he seems very anxious to do
what is right. I have likewise written to Ferdinand, urging _him_ and
Dietz to be reasonable.

Will you tell Aunt Louise that she will receive a box containing the
Limerick lace dress (just like mine), which I lay at her feet. I
fear, dear Uncle, you will think I'm making you my commissioner _de
toilette_, as in these two letters I have plagued you with commissions
on that subject....

[Footnote 29: Daughter of Mr Thomas Lister. She had been widow
of the second Lord Ribblesdale, and married Lord John Russell
in April 1835.]

[Footnote 30: Charles Augustus, sixth Lord Howard de Walden,
was the British Minister at Lisbon, and afterwards (1846-1868)
at Brussels.]

_The King of the Belgians to Queen Victoria._

LAEKEN, _9th November 1838._

MY DEAREST VICTORIA,--Your kind and interesting letter of the
6th reached me yesterday morning. I hail in you those simple and
unaffected feelings which it contains. May you _always_ preserve that
great warmth and truth of character which you now possess, and rest
assured that it will be an ornament to you, and the means of finding
the same truth and warmth of feeling in others. Those who serve, from
whatever motive it may be, have always their eyes wide open on their
superiors, and no qualities impose so much on them the necessity of
respect, which they _gladly avoid_, than a warm and noble character
that knows how to feel for others, and how to sympathise with their
sorrows. I pity Lord John from all my heart, having always had for him
sentiments of the sincerest regard. I fear that as a political man it
may prove also a severe blow. All depends on how he takes it, if he
will wish to forget his grief by occupying himself with political
strife or if his greater sensibility will make him wish to indulge it
in solitude....

[Pageheading: LORD JOHN RUSSELL]

_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._

WINDSOR CASTLE, _12th November 1838._

MY DEAREST UNCLE,--I was certain you _would_ take interest in and feel
for poor Lord John; he is, I hear, still dreadfully shaken, and quite
unequal to do any business at present. His chief consolation is in
attending to the children.

I felt much for you, and still more for poor dear Aunt Louise, when
the sad separation from poor Marie[31] took place; it is so melancholy
to see a dear relation depart who is _so ill_.

I have this morning heard from Ferdinand that the good Queen is
at last confined, after keeping us for _two months_ and _more dans
l'attente_ of the event. It took place on the 3rd, and Ferdinand
writes such a funny letter, saying, "nous sommes tous bien heureux
surtout moi qui craignais que ce ne fut une petite fille ce qui m'eut
ete un peu desagreable, car en fait d'enfants j'aime mieux les petits
garcons, parce qu'ils sont plus gais et plus tapageurs."[32] Isn't
this very good?

I believe the King of the French is to be godfather....

[Footnote 31: See _post_, p. 144. (Ch. VIII, 11th January, 1839)]

[Footnote 32: The Prince received the title of Duke of
Oporto.]

_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._

_20th November 1838._

Lord Melbourne presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and transmits
a copy of Mr. Macaulay's letter.[33]...

Lord Melbourne fears, from what he hears of the language of Lord
Howick and Mr. Monson, that much difficulty will be found in making
arrangements and deciding upon questions. But Lord Melbourne will use
every effort in his power in order to keep the Administration together
and to carry on the public service. Lord Melbourne hears with concern
from Mr Fox Maule that Lord John Russell does not return to business
as readily as Mr Maule had hoped that he would, and Lord Melbourne
fears that he will not do whilst he remains at Cassiobury with
the children. Solitude and retirement cherish and encourage grief.
Employment and exertion are the only means of dissipating it.

[Footnote 33: Declining to join the Government. The original
is not preserved among the Queen's papers.]

[Pageheading: CANADA AND LORD DURHAM]

_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._

_22nd November 1838._

Lord Melbourne presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and begs to
acknowledge your Majesty's gracious communication received yesterday.
Lord Melbourne had nothing particular to lay before your Majesty, but
still regrets that he did not write, as your Majesty might have wished
to hear from him.

Lord Melbourne returns the King of Portugal's[34] letter, which, as
your Majesty observes, is very rough and ill-tempered with reference
to Lord Howard.[35] Lord Melbourne read it with much concern, as it
shows so much dislike and alienation, as renders it very improbable
that they should ever go on together well and in a friendly spirit.
Lord Melbourne fears that the epithets applied to Lord Howard, though
very severe and full of resentment, are not entirely ill-chosen and
inappropriate.

All the Ministers, except Lord Duncannon[36] and Lord John Russell,
dined here yesterday, and they all appeared to be in very good-humour
and disposed to co-operate in order to meet the difficulties by which
we are surrounded....

With respect to Canada, Lord Melbourne feels that it may be considered
somewhat presumptuous in him to undervalue danger, which is considered
by those upon the spot to be so great and so imminent, but still he
cannot feel the alarm which seems to be felt there. Lord Durham, Lord
Melbourne is convinced, exaggerates the peril in order to give greater
_eclat_ to his own departure. The worst symptom which Lord Melbourne
perceives is the general fear which seems to prevail there, and which
makes every danger ten times as great as it really is.

[Footnote 34: The birth of an heir on 16th September 1837
conferred on Prince Ferdinand the right to the title of King.]

[Footnote 35: See _ante_, p. 131. (Ch VII, Footnote 30)]

[Footnote 36: Lord Duncannon (1781-1847), at this time Lord
Privy Seal and First Commissioner of Woods and Forests,
was afterwards (as Earl of Bessborough) Lord-Lieutenant of
Ireland. He must not be confused with the Lord Dungannon who
sat in the House of Commons as Mr Hill-Trevor from 1830-1841,
and, as Viscount Dungannon, was elected in 1843, but
immediately unseated on petition.]

[Pageheading: BELGIUM AND ENGLAND]

_The King of the Belgians to Queen Victoria._

LAEKEN, _24th November 1838._

MY DEAR VICTORIA,--Van Praet[37] is bearer of this letter. The
present moment being one of some importance--which may, if imprudently
managed, cause great disturbances in the West of Europe, and exercise
a reaction on your own Government--I think it my duty to inform you
of what is going on.

I join a copy of a letter to Lord Palmerston. I should feel obliged to
you if you would read it _in the presence_ of good Lord Melbourne,
in whose fairness and sense of justice I must say I feel great
confidence....

I will not complain, only one subject I must touch upon as really very
unfair. That your Ministers should take a line unfavourable to this
country may be explained by their political position, but why should
they press so much on the French Government? I really see no cause for
it. England is in an _excellent_ position for a _mediator_, and
for all parties it is highly desirable that that position should be
maintained.[38]

I will not plague with a longer letter. You know from experience that
I _never ask anything of you._ I prefer remaining in the position of
having rendered services without wanting any return for it but your
affection; but, as I said before, if we are not careful we may see
serious consequences which may affect more or less everybody, and
_this_ ought to be the object of our most anxious attention. I remain,
my dear Victoria, your affectionate Uncle,

LEOPOLD R.

[Footnote 37: Jules van Praet, author of a History of
Flanders, was Secretary of the Belgian Legation in London in
1831, and took a leading part in the negotiations which placed
King Leopold on the throne.]

[Footnote 38: King Leopold considered that the interests of
Belgium were being neglected by the four Powers, and in his
speech at the opening of his Parliament, on 13th November,
stated amid loud acclamations that those interests would
be defended with perseverance and courage. The Deputies, in
reply, said that Belgium had consented to painful sacrifices
only under a formal guarantee by the Powers, which they now
shrank from carrying out.]

[Pageheading: BELGIUM AND HOLLAND]

_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._

_2nd December 1838._

Lord Melbourne presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and returns
this letter with the enclosures. He has read it and them with great
attention. Your Majesty will probably think it right to acquaint the
King that your Majesty had already seen his letter to Lord Palmerston.

Lord Melbourne cannot perceive the justice of the King's complaint.
For the sake of the King himself and of the Belgian nation, we are
most anxious to settle speedily and definitely the questions so
long pending between Belgium and Holland, and which arose from the
separation of the two countries in 1830. We can only settle it by the
agreement of the four Great Powers who constitute the Conference to
which the question was referred, viz., Austria, Prussia, England,
France. Of course it is of vital importance for us to carry them all
along with us, and for that reason we press France. If she differs
from us, there is a ground immediately laid for difference and war.