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

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The Queen hopes Lord Melbourne is quite well and not tired.

Monday at two o'clock for the Judge Advocate.

The Queen hears Lady Sandwich is very much delighted at her
appointment.

_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._

BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _15th July 1839._

MY DEAR UNCLE,--I have no letter from you, but hope to get one
soon....

I shall send this letter by a courier, as I am anxious to put several
questions to you, and to mention some feelings of mine upon the
subject of my cousins' visit, which I am desirous should not
transpire. First of all, I wish to know if _Albert_ is aware of the
wish of his _Father_ and _you_ relative to _me?_ Secondly, if he knows
that there is _no engagement_ between us? I am anxious that you should
acquaint Uncle Ernest, that if I should like Albert, that I can make
_no final promise this year_, for, at the _very earliest_, any such
event could not take place till _two or three years hence_. For,
independent of my youth, and my _great_ repugnance to change my
present position, there is _no anxiety_ evinced in _this country_ for
such an event, and it would be more prudent, in my opinion, to wait
till some such demonstration is shown,--else if it were hurried it
might produce discontent.

Though all the reports of Albert are most favourable, and though
I have little doubt I shall like him, still one can never answer
beforehand for _feelings_, and I may not have the _feeling_ for him
which is requisite to ensure happiness. I _may_ like him as a friend,
and as a _cousin_, and as a _brother_, but not _more_; and should this
be the case (which is not likely), I am _very_ anxious that it should
be understood that I am _not_ guilty of any breach of promise, for
_I never gave any_. I am sure you will understand my anxiety, for I
should otherwise, were this not completely understood, be in a very
painful position. As it is, I am rather nervous about the visit, for
the subject I allude to is not an agreeable one to me. I have little
else to say, dear Uncle, as I have now spoken openly to you, which I
was very, _very anxious_ to do.

You will be at Paris, I suppose, when you get this letter, and I
therefore beg you to lay me at the feet of the whole family, and to
believe me ever your very devoted Niece,

VICTORIA R.

_Queen Victoria to Viscount Melbourne._

BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _20th July 1839._

The Queen anxiously hopes Lord Melbourne has slept well, and has not
suffered from last night. It was very wrong of him not to wish the
Queen good-night, as she expected he would in so small a party, for
she _saw_ that he did _not_ go away immediately after supper. When
did he get home? It was great pleasure to the Queen that he came last
night. We kept up the dancing till past three, and the Queen was much
amused, and slept soundly from four till half-past ten, which she is
ashamed of. She is quite well, but has got a good deal of cold in her
head; she hopes to see Lord Melbourne at two.

[Pageheading: THE DUCHESS OF BRAGANZA]

_Queen Victoria to Viscount Melbourne._

BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _25th July 1839._

The Queen has seen the Duchess of Braganza,[47] who, though a good
deal changed, is still handsome, and very amiable; she seemed so glad,
too, to see the Queen again. The child[48] is grown a dear fine girl.
Lord Palmerston thought it right that I should ask her to dinner also
on Saturday and take her to the Opera; and on Sunday, as she came on
purpose to see the Queen, and goes on Monday.

On Sunday (besides Lord Melbourne) the Queen proposes asking
Palmerston, Normanby, Uxbridge, and Surrey, and no one else except the
Duchess's suite. The Queen hopes Lord Melbourne will approve of this.
He will not forget to let the Queen know how the debate is going on,
at about nine or ten, as she will be curious to know. She trusts he
will not suffer from the fatigue of to-night.

[Footnote 47: The step-mother of Donna Maria. Pedro I. assumed
the title of Duke of Braganza after his abdication.]

[Footnote 48: Probably the princess known as "Chica,"
afterwards Princesse de Joinville.]

[Pageheading: SYRIAN AFFAIRS]

_The King of the Belgians to Queen Victoria._

ST CLOUD, _26th July 1839._

... Everything is pretty quiet, and the _grace accordee a Barbes_[49]
has put down the rage against the King personally, at least for some
little time. The affairs of the Orient interest a good deal. I think
that it is better the Porte should be on a favourable footing with
Mehemet Ali than if that gentleman had pushed on in arms, as it will
put the _casus foederis_ out of the question, and the Turks will not
call in the assistance of the Russians. Whoever pushed the late Sultan
into this war has done an act of great folly, as it could only bring
the Porte into jeopardy.

[Footnote 49: Armand Barbes, the leader of a fatal riot
in Paris, was sentenced to death, a sentence afterwards
remitted.]

_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._

_3rd August 1839._

Lord Melbourne will wait upon your Majesty at a quarter before five,
if possible, but there is much to discuss at the Cabinet. The Caspian
Pasha has taken the Turkish fleet to Alexandria,[50] and Mehemet Ali
says that he will not give it up to the Sultan until he dismisses the
Grand Vizier, and acknowledges the hereditary right of the Pasha to
the countries which he at present governs. This is to make the Sultan
his subject and his vassal.

The accounts from Birmingham are by no means good.[51] There has
been no disturbance of the peace, but the general disposition is both
violent and determined.

[Footnote 50: The Viceroy of Egypt had revolted against the
Porte, and on 8th June the Sultan purported to deprive him and
Ibrahim, his son, of their dignities. War was declared,
and the Turkish fleet despatched to Syria. But the Admiral
treacherously sailed to Alexandria, and the Ottoman troops,
under Hafiz, who had succeeded Mehemet Ali in the Government
of Egypt, were utterly routed. With the traitorous conduct
of the Turkish admiral, Disraeli, a few years later, compared
Peel's conversion to Free Trade.]

[Footnote 51: Chartist riots were very frequent at the time.
_See_ Introductory Note, _ante_, p. 141. (to Ch. VIII)]

[Pageheading: THE OPERA]

_Queen Victoria to Viscount Melbourne._

BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _4th August 1839._

The Queen hopes Lord Melbourne is quite well this morning, and did not
sit up working very late last night; the Queen met him twice yesterday
in the Park, and really wondered how anybody _could_ ride, for she
came home much hotter than she went out, and thought the air quite
like as if it came out of an oven; to-day we can breathe again. It was
intensely hot at the Opera; the Queen-Dowager visited the Queen in her
box, as did also the young Grand Duke of Weimar, who is just returned
from Scotland, and whom the Queen has asked to come after dinner
to-morrow. The Queen has not asked the Duke of Sussex to come after
dinner to-morrow, as she thought he would be bored by such a sort of
party; does not Lord Melbourne think so? and she means to ask him to
dinner soon.

The Queen has not asked Lord Melbourne about any days this week
besides to-morrow (when she trusts he may be able to come, but she
does not know what there is in the House) and Wednesday; but perhaps
Lord Melbourne will consent to leave Thursday and Friday open in
_case_ he should be able to come one or both of those days.

_Queen Victoria to Viscount Melbourne._

BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _4th August 1839._

The Queen has just received Lord Melbourne's letter; and wishes to
know if Lord Melbourne means by "to-day" that he is also coming to
see her _this afternoon_, (which she does not expect) as well as _this
evening_? for she did _not_ ask him in her note of this morning _if_
he would come to-night (for she felt _sure_ of that), but if he could
come _to-morrow_, about which he has not answered her, as to whether
he expects there will be anything of great length in the House of
Lords. Lord Melbourne will forgive the Queen's troubling him again,
but she felt a little puzzled by his letter; she sent him a card for
Wednesday without previously asking him, as she thought that would
suit him, and hopes it does?

The Queen will follow Lord Melbourne's advice respecting the Duke of
Sussex.

We have just returned from hearing not only a very long, and very bad,
but also, a very ludicrous, sermon.

The heat is somewhat less, but the Queen is undecided as to driving
out or not.

[Pageheading: KING LOUIS PHILIPPE]

_The King of the Belgians to Queen Victoria._

LAEKEN, _9th August 1839._

... I am sorry that you are less pleased with the old Duke, but party
spirit is in England an incurable disease. These last two years he had
rendered essential service to the present Administration; perhaps he
has been soured by last summer's events. It was my intention to have
answered your questions sooner, but from Paris I had not the means.
Now the time draws so near when I hope to have the happiness of seeing
you, that I think it will be better to treat the matter verbally, the
more so as my most beloved Majesty is easily displeased with what may
be written with the best intention, instead that in conversation the
immediate reply renders any misunderstanding, however small, very
difficult; and as I do not wish to have any great or small with you,
and see no occasion for it, I will give my answer _de vive voix_.

Now comes a subject which will _astonish_ you. I am charged _de
sonder_ your will and pleasure on the following subject. The King my
father-in-law goes to Eu, where he hopes to remain till the 5th or 6th
of September. Having at his disposition some very fine steamers, his
great wish would be to go over to Brighton, just for one afternoon and
night, to offer you his respects in person. He would in such a
case bring with him the Queen, my Aunt, Clementine,[52] Aumale and
Montpensier. The first step in this business is to know what
your pleasure is, and to learn that very frankly, as he perfectly
understands that, however short such a visit, it must be submitted to
the advice even of some of your Ministers. What renders the thing very
difficult, in my opinion, is that in a country like France, and with
so many Ministerial difficulties, the King to the _last hour_ will
hardly know if he can undertake the thing. As, however, the first
object is to know your will, he begged me to ascertain that, and to
tell you that if you had the _smallest objection_ you would not be
carried away by the apprehension of hurting him by telling me honestly
that you did _not_ see how the affair could be arranged, but to speak
out, that he knew enough how often objections may arise, and that even
with himself he could only be sure of the thing at the last moment.

[Footnote 52: Who afterwards married Queen Victoria's cousin,
Prince Augustus (Gusti) of Coburg.]

[Pageheading: THE NEW SULTAN]

_Viscount Palmerston to Queen Victoria._

FOREIGN OFFICE, _19th August 1839._

Viscount Palmerston presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and in
submitting the accompanying private letter from the Earl Granville[53]
begs to state that neither Viscount Melbourne nor Viscount Palmerston
are of opinion that it would be expedient that your Majesty should
send an Ambassador Extraordinary to compliment the young Sultan[54]
on his accession. The circumstances connected with his accession are
indeed fitter matter for condolence than for congratulation, and he
would probably be better pleased by the restoration of his fleet than
by the arrival of Ambassadors Extraordinary. Moreover, it has not been
customary for the Sovereign of England to send such missions upon the
accession of Sultans.

[Footnote 53: The first Earl Granville (1773-1846), formerly
Ambassador Extraordinary to the Russian Court, at this time
Ambassador at Paris.]

[Footnote 54: Abdul Medjid, a lad of sixteen, succeeded the
Sultan Mahmoud. The majority of the Powers agreed to place him
under the protection of Europe, and to warn Mehemet Ali
that the matter was for Europe, not him, to decide. France,
however, wished to support Mehemet, and direct the Alliance
against Russia. But Nicholas I. of Russia was prepared to
support England as far as regarded the affairs of Turkey and
Egypt, and to close the Dardanelles and Bosphorus to warships
of all nations, it being stipulated that Russian ships of war
only were to pass the Bosphorus, as acting under the mandate
of Europe in defence of the Turks. _See_ further, Introductory
Notes for 1839 and 1840. (to Ch. VIII and Ch. IX)]

_The King of the Belgians to Queen Victoria._

OSTENDE, _24th August 1839._

... The King's intention would be to leave Eu in the evening, let us
say at eight or nine o'clock, and to land, perhaps at ten or eleven,
at Brighton on the _following morning_. He would have the honour of
dining with you, and would re-embark in the _evening of the same day_,
so as to be back on the _following morning_ at Eu. He will therefore,
as you see, _not_ sleep in England.

If you cannot give any _pied-a-terre_ in the Palace for these few
hours, they will remain in an hotel. But I must say that as the King
and Queen put themselves to _some inconvenience in coming_ to see
you, it would be _rather desirable_ to offer them rooms in the Palace,
which I think might be easily managed. As far as we are concerned, it
_does not matter_ if we are housed in an hotel or where we bivouac. I
will charge Van de Weyer to take rooms for us somewhere....

Do not imagine that I have done the least to bring this about for my
own satisfaction, which is _very limited_ in this business, but the
King wished _much to see you once_, and so did the Queen, who abhors
sailing more than anybody, and this is perhaps the _only_ opportunity
which may ever offer of doing it, even with some political benefit, as
it certainly is desirable that it should appear that the two maritime
Powers are on good terms.... And now, God bless you! Ever, my dearest
Victoria, your devoted Uncle,

LEOPOLD R.

[Pageheading: LOUIS PHILIPPE'S VISIT]

_The King of the Belgians to Queen Victoria._

OSTENDE, _25th August 1839._ (_La St Louis._)

MY DEAR VICTORIA,--To keep up the fire of letters, I write again,
having received this morning interesting news. As I must forward
this letter by Calais, and know not who may read it in these times of
curiosity, I am forced to be guarded; but the news are as follows,
of the 23rd--curious coincidence, as your letter was also of that
date--that, the moment _approaching, many and serious_ difficulties
arise, and that the expedition was considered imprudent by some
people, that, besides, the presence would perhaps be required,
before the _possible_ departure, at the _usual home_ of the person
interested, that therefore for the present it would perhaps be best to
give it up. I must say that I am _most happy_ that matters have come
to this pass, because it would have been next to impossible to arrange
affairs properly in proper time. You may now consider everything _as
over_, and settle your plans without reference to it....

[Pageheading: THE VISIT POSTPONED]

_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._

BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _26th August 1839._

MY DEAREST UNCLE,--I had already written you a letter when I received
your two very kind ones, and I shall therefore not send my first. My
friendship for the dear King and Queen makes me, as you may easily
understand, wish most exceedingly to see them and to make the
acquaintance of the Queen and all the family. And I feel the immense
kindness of them all in wishing to see me, and in coming over for only
a few hours. Politically it would be _wished_ by _us all_, and the
_only_ difficulty I see is the following, which is, that _I do not
feel quite_ equal to going to Brighton and receiving them all, so soon
after the Prorogation.[55] I do not _feel_ well; I feel _thoroughly_
exhausted from all that I have gone through this Session, and am quite
knocked up by the two little trips I made to Windsor. This makes me
fear, uncertain as it all is, with such a pressure of business, so
many affairs, and with so much going on, that I should be unequal to
the journey and the whole thing. This, and this _alone_, could make me
express a wish that this most kind visit should take place _next_
year instead of this year. I feel such regret really in saying this--I
should so wish to see them, and yet I feel I am not _quite_ up to
it. You will understand me, dear Uncle, I am certain, as I know the
anxiety you always express for my health. For _once_ I _long_ to leave
London, and shall do so on Friday. If you could be at Windsor by the
4th, I should be delighted.

The dear Ferdinands, whom I _all dearly_ love, will await you here.
I have had so much to do and so many people to see, that I feel quite
confused, and have written shockingly, which you must forgive. Ever
your devoted Niece,

VICTORIA R.

[Footnote 55: On 27th August.]

[Pageheading: THE QUEEN'S SPEECH]

_Queen Victoria to Viscount Melbourne._

BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _26 August 1839._ (_10 minutes to 12._)

The Queen has received both Lord Melbourne's notes; she was a good
deal vexed at his not coming, as she had begged him herself to do so,
and as he wrote to say he would, and also as she thinks it right and
of importance that Lord Melbourne should be here at large dinners; the
Queen _insists_ upon his coming to dinner to-morrow, and also begs him
to do so on Wednesday, her two last nights in town, and as she will
probably not see him at all for two days when she goes on Friday;
the Queen would wish to see Lord Melbourne _after_ the Prorogation
to-morrow at any hour _before_ five he likes best.

The Queen has been a good deal annoyed this evening at Normanby's
telling her that John Russell was coming to town next Monday in order
to _change_ with _him_.[56] Lord Melbourne _never_ told the Queen that
this was definitely settled; on the contrary, he said it would "remain
in our hands," to use Lord Melbourne's own words, and only be settled
during the Vacation; considering all that the Queen has said on the
subject to Lord Melbourne, and considering the great confidence the
Queen has in Lord Melbourne, she thinks and feels he ought to have
told her that this was _settled_, and not let the Queen be the
last person to hear what is settled and done in her own name; Lord
Melbourne will excuse the Queen's being a little eager about this, but
it has happened once before that she learnt from other people what had
been decided on.

The Queen has such unlimited confidence in Lord Melbourne that she
knows all that he does is right, but she cannot help being a little
vexed at not being told things, when she is accustomed to great
confidence on Lord Melbourne's part.

Lord Melbourne may rely on the Queen's secrecy respecting Howick; he
knows the Queen always keeps things to herself; Normanby hinted at his
wish to get rid of Howick.

The Speech is safely arrived, has been read over twice, and shall not
be forgotten to-morrow; the Queen wishes they would not use such thin
and slippery paper--for it is difficult to hold with nervous, and, as
Lord Melbourne knows, _shaking_ hands. The Queen trusts Lord Melbourne
will be less tired in the morning.

[Footnote 56: _See_ Introductory Note, _ante_, p. 141. (to Ch. VIII)]

_The King of the Belgians to Queen Victoria._

OSTENDE, _21st September 1839._

MY DEAREST VICTORIA,--Your _delightful_ little letter has just arrived
and went like _an arrow to my heart._ Yes, my beloved Victoria! I _do
love you tenderly_, and with all the power of affection which is often
found in characters who do not make much outward show of it. I love
you _for yourself_, and I love in you the dear child whose welfare I
carefully watched. My great wish is always that you should _know_
that I am _desirous_ of _being useful_ to you, without _hoping for
any other return_ than some little affection from your warm and kind
heart. I am even so far pleased that my eternal political affairs are
settled, as it takes away the _last possibility_ of imagining that I
may want something or other. I have all the honours that can be given,
and I am, politically speaking, very solidly established, more so than
most Sovereigns in Europe. The only political longing I still have
is for the Orient, where I perhaps shall once end my life, unlike
the sun, rising in the West and setting in the East. I never press
my services on you, nor my councils, though I may say with some truth
that from the extraordinary fate which the higher Powers had ordained
for me, my experience, both political and of private life, is great. I
am _always ready_ to be useful to you _when and where_ it may be, and
I repeat it, _all I want in return is some little sincere affection
from you_....

And now I conclude for to-day, not without expressing again my
satisfaction and pleasure at having seen you yesterday morning with
your dear honest face, looking so dear in your morning attire. Our
time was spent very satisfactorily, and only the weather crossed our
wishes, and to that one can submit when everything else is delightful.
Once more, God bless you! Ever, my dearest Victoria, your devoted
Uncle,

LEOPOLD R.

[Pageheading: VISIT OF PRINCE ALBERT]

_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._

WINDSOR CASTLE, _25th September 1839._

MY DEAR UNCLE,--You will, I think, laugh when you get this letter,
and will think I only mean to employ you in _stopping_ my relations at
Brussels, but I think you will approve of my wish. In the first place
I don't think one can _reckon_ on the Cousins arriving here on the
30th. Well, all I want is that _you_ should detain them one or two
days longer, in order that they may arrive here on _Thursday, the
3rd_, if possible _early_. My reason for this is as follows: a number
of the Ministers are coming down here on Monday to stay till Thursday,
on affairs of great importance, and as you know that people are always
on the alert to make remarks, I think if _all_ the Ministers were to
be down here when they arrive, people would say--it was to _settle
matters_. At all events it is better to avoid this. I think indeed a
day or two at Brussels will do these young gentlemen good, and
they can be properly fitted out there for their visit. Ever yours
devotedly,

VICTORIA R.

_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._

WINDSOR CASTLE, _1st October 1839._

MY DEAR UNCLE,--I received your kind letter on Sunday, for which many
thanks. The _retard_ of these young people puts me rather out, but of
course cannot be helped. I had a letter from Albert yesterday saying
they could not set off, he thought, before the 6th. I think they don't
exhibit much _empressement_ to come here, which rather shocks me.

I got a very nice letter from dear Alexander yesterday from
Reinhardtsbrun;[57] he says Albert is very much improved, but not
taller than Augustus. His description of him is as follows:--"Albert,
I found, had become stronger and more handsome; still he has not grown
much taller; he is of about the same size as Augustus; he is a most
pleasant, intelligent young man. I find, too, that he has become more
lively than he was, and that sits well on him, too." (_Translation._)
I think you may like to hear this, as I know Alexander is a very
correct observer of persons, and his opinion may be relied upon. He
adds that Albert plagues Leopold beyond measure.

I shall take care and send a gentleman and carriages to meet my
cousins, either at Woolwich or the Tower, at whichever place you
inform me they land at. The sooner they come the better. I have got
the house _full_ of Ministers. On Monday the Queen Dowager is coming
to sleep here for two nights; it is the _first time_, and will be a
severe trial. Ever your devoted Niece,

VICTORIA R.

[Footnote 57: A picturesque castle, about eight miles from
Gotha.]

[Pageheading: A CHARM AGAINST EVIL]

_Queen Victoria to Viscount Melbourne._

WINDSOR CASTLE, _7th October 1839._

The Queen sends the little _charm_ which she hopes may keep Lord
Melbourne from _all evil_, and which it will make her very happy if he
will put [? it with] his keys. If the ring is too small Lord Melbourne
must send it back to her, and she will have it altered.

The Queen has made up her mind at length to ask Lady Clanricarde, as
Lord Melbourne wishes it so much. Shall Surrey invite her, or Lord
Palmerston? and from Thursday to Friday?

_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._

WINDSOR CASTLE, _8th October 1839._

MY DEAR UNCLE,--I have to thank you for three kind letters of the 1st,
4th, and 5th, the last which I received yesterday. I received another
letter from Alex. M. yesterday, _since Ernest's arrival_, and he says
that they have determined on setting off, so as to embark at Antwerp
on the 9th and be here after all on the 10th! I suppose you will have
also heard. I shall therefore (unless I hear from you to the contrary)
send one of my equerries and two carriages to the Tower on _Thursday_.