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 am sorry to hear of the serious disturbances at Ghent; I trust it
is all got under now. If you should hear anything more of Roi
Guillaume's[58] marriage, pray let me hear it, as it is such an odd
story. Old Alava, who was here for two nights last week, told me he
knew _Pauline d'Oultremont_ many years ago, when she was young and
very gay and pretty, but that he wonders much at this marriage, as the
King hates Catholics. Alava is _rayonnant de bonheur_.

I told Lord Melbourne of your alarms respecting the financial crisis,
which _we_ did not bring on--those wild American speculations are the
cause of it--and he desires me to assure you that we will pursue as
moderate and cautious a course as possible.

The Queen Dowager came here yesterday and stays till to-morrow; she is
very cheerful and in good spirits....

I must conclude in haste. Ever your devoted Niece,

VICTORIA R.

Many thanks for the two supplies of ortolans, which were delicious.

[Footnote 58: William I., King of the Netherlands, was greatly
attached to the Roman Catholic Countess d'Oultremont, and in
October 1840, being sixty-seven, abdicated his Crown to marry
her. He was father of the Prince of Orange, who succeeded
him.]

[Pageheading: ARRIVAL OF PRINCE ALBERT]

_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._

WINDSOR CASTLE, _12th October 1839._

MY DEAR UNCLE,--... The dear cousins arrived at half-past seven on
Thursday, after a very bad and almost dangerous passage, but looking
both very well, and much improved. Having no clothes, they could not
appear at dinner, but nevertheless _debuted_ after dinner in their
_neglige_. Ernest is grown quite handsome; Albert's _beauty_ is
_most striking_, and he so amiable and unaffected--in short, very
_fascinating_; he is excessively admired here. The Granvilles and Lord
Clanricarde[59] happened just to be here, but are gone again to-day.
We rode out yesterday and danced after dinner. The young men are very
amiable, delightful companions, and I am very happy to have them here;
they are playing some Symphonies of Haydn _under_ me at this very
moment; they are passionately fond of music.

In the way of news I have got nothing to tell you to-day. Everything
is quiet here, and we have no particular news from abroad. In Spain
the Fueros[60] seem to give sad difficulty to the Cortes.

Ever, my dearest Uncle, your devoted Niece,

VICTORIA R.

[Footnote 59: Ulick John, first Marquis of Clanricarde
(1802-1874), Ambassador at St Petersburg, afterwards Lord
Privy Seal.]

[Footnote 60: Certain rights and privileges of the Basques.]

[Pageheading: A MOMENTOUS DECISION]

_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._

WINDSOR CASTLE, _15th October 1839._

MY DEAREST UNCLE,--This letter will, I am sure, give you pleasure,
for you have always shown and taken so warm an interest in all that
concerns me. My mind is quite made up--and I told Albert this morning
of it; the warm affection he showed me on learning this gave me
_great_ pleasure. He seems _perfection_, and I think that I have the
prospect of very great happiness before me. I _love_ him _more_ than I
can say, and I shall do everything in my power to render the sacrifice
he has made (for a _sacrifice_ in my opinion it is) as small as I
can. He seems to have a very great tact--a very necessary thing in his
position. These last few days have passed like a dream to me, and I
am so much bewildered by it all that I know hardly how to write; but I
_do_ feel _very_, _very_ happy.

It is absolutely necessary that this determination of mine should be
known to _no one_ but yourself, and Uncle Ernest--till the meeting of
Parliament--as it would be considered otherwise neglectful on my part
not to have assembled Parliament at once to have informed them of
it.... Lord Melbourne, whom I of course have consulted about the whole
affair, quite approves my choice, and expresses great satisfaction
at the event, which he thinks in every way highly desirable. Lord
Melbourne has acted in this business, as he has always done towards
me, with the greatest kindness and affection.

We also think it better, and Albert quite approves of it, that
we should be married very soon after Parliament meets, about the
beginning of February; and indeed, loving Albert as I do, I cannot
wish it should be delayed. My feelings are a _little_ changed, I must
say, since last Spring, when I said I couldn't _think_ of marrying for
_three or four years_; but seeing Albert has changed all this.

Pray, dearest Uncle, forward these two letters to Uncle Ernest
(to whom I beg you will enjoin _strict_ secrecy, and explain these
details, which I have not time to do) and to faithful Stockmar.

I think you might tell Louise of it, but none of her family. I should
wish to keep the dear young gentlemen here till the end of next month.
Ernest's sincere pleasure gave me great delight. He does so adore
dearest Albert. Ever, dearest Uncle, your devoted Niece,

VICTORIA R.

_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._

WINDSOR CASTLE, _16th October 1839._

Lord Melbourne will be ready to wait upon your Majesty at a little
before one.

Lord Melbourne reads with great satisfaction your Majesty's expression
of feeling, as your Majesty's happiness must ever be one of Lord
Melbourne's first objects and strongest interests.

[Pageheading: KING LEOPOLD'S SATISFACTION]

[Pageheading: AUSTRIA AND THE PORTE]

_The King of the Belgians to Queen Victoria._

WIESBADEN, _24th October 1839._

MY DEAREST VICTORIA,--Nothing could have given me greater pleasure
than your dear letter. I had, when I saw your decision, almost the
feeling of old Zacharias[61]--"Now lettest Thou Thy servant depart
in peace"! Your choice had been for these last years my conviction of
what might and would be _best_ for your happiness; and just because I
was convinced of it, and knowing how _strangely_ fate often _deranges_
what one tries to bring about as being the best plan one could fix
upon, _the maximum of a good arrangement_, I feared that it would
_not_ happen. In your position, which may and will, perhaps, become
in future even more difficult in a political point of view, _you could
not exist_ without having a _happy_ and an _agreeable interieur_.

And I am much deceived--which I think I am not--or you will find
in Albert just the very qualities and dispositions which are
indispensable for your happiness, and _which will suit your own
character, temper, and mode of life_. You say most amiably that you
consider it a sacrifice on the part of Albert. This is true in many
points, because his position will be a difficult one; but much, I may
say _all_, will depend on your affection for him. If _you love him,
and are kind to him_, he will easily bear the burthen of the position;
and there is a steadiness and at the same time cheerfulness in his
character which will facilitate this. I think your plans excellent.
If Parliament had been called at an unusual time it would make them
uncomfortable, and if, therefore, they receive the communication at
the opening of the Session, it will be best. The marriage, as you say,
might then follow as closely as possible.

Lord Melbourne has shown himself the _amiable_ and _excellent_ man I
always took him for. Another man in his position, instead of _your_
happiness, might have merely looked to his own personal views and
imaginary interests. Not so our good friend; he saw what was best _for
you_, and I feel it deeply to his praise.

Your keeping the cousins next month with you strikes me as a very good
plan. It will even show that you had sufficient opportunity of judging
of Albert's character....

On the 22nd, Prince Metternich came to see me. He was very kind, and
talked most confidentially about political affairs, particularly the
Oriental concerns.[62] M. de Brunnow had been with him. The short of
his views is this: he wishes that the Powers could be _unanimous_,
as he sees in this the best chance of avoiding measures of violence
against the Pasha of Egypt, which he considers _dangerous_, either as
_not_ sufficiently effective, or of a nature to bring on complications
most earnestly to be avoided, such as making use of Russian troops.
Austria naturally would like to bring about the best possible
arrangement for the Porte, but it will adhere to any arrangement or
proposition which can be agreed upon by England and France. He is,
however, positive that Candia must be given back to the Porte, its
position being too threatening, and therefore constantly alarming the
Porte. He made me write the import of our conversation to King Louis
Philippe, which I did send after him to Frankfort, where he was to
forward it to Paris. Perhaps you will have the goodness to communicate
this political scrap to good Lord Melbourne with my best regards. He
spoke in praise of Lord Beauvale.[63] The Prince is better, but grown
very old and looking tired. It gave me great pleasure to see him
again.

I drink the waters now four days, and can therefore not yet judge of
their good or bad effects. My palpitations are rather increased here;
if my stupid heart will get diseased I shall soon be departing for
some other world. I would it could be soon then.

Till further orders I shall say nothing to your Mother, Charles, or
Feodore.

Now I will conclude with my best blessings, and remain, my dearest and
most beloved Victoria, your devoted Uncle,

LEOPOLD R.

[Footnote 61: An obvious slip for Simeon.]

[Footnote 62: _See_ Introductory Notes for 1839 and 1840.
(to Ch. VIII and Ch. IX)]

[Footnote 63: Frederick Lamb, younger brother of Lord
Melbourne, Ambassador Extraordinary at Vienna, who had
recently been made a Peer.]

[Pageheading: THE QUEEN'S HAPPINESS]

_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._

WINDSOR CASTLE, _29th October 1839._

MY DEAREST UNCLE,--Your most kind and most welcome letter of the 24th
arrived yesterday, and gave me very, very great pleasure. I was sure
you would be satisfied and pleased with our proceedings.

Before I proceed further, I wish just to mention one or two
alterations in the plan of announcing the event.

As Parliament has _nothing_ whatever to say respecting the marriage,
can neither approve nor disapprove it (I mean in a manner which might
_affect_ it), it is now proposed that, as soon as the cousins are gone
(which they now intend to do on the 12th or 14th of November, as time
presses), I should assemble all the Privy Councillors and announce to
them my intention....

Oh! dear Uncle, I _do_ feel so happy! I do so adore Albert! he is
quite an angel, and so very, very kind to me, and seems so fond of me,
which touches me much. I trust and hope I shall be able to make him
as happy as he _ought_ to be! I cannot bear to part from him, for we
spend such happy, delightful hours together.

Poor Ernest has been suffering since Wednesday last with the jaundice,
which is very distressing and troublesome, though not alarming.... I
love him dearly too, and look upon him quite as a brother.

What you say about Lord Melbourne has given me great pleasure; it is
very just and very true. There are not many _such_ honest kind friends
to be found in this world. He desires me to say that he is deeply
sensible of your good opinion, and that he can have no other object
than that which he considers best to secure my happiness, which is
closely connected with the well-being of the country.

I am glad you saw Prince Metternich, and that you were satisfied with
the interview.

I hope and trust you may derive much benefit from your stay at
Wiesbaden. Pray name me to good Stockmar, and believe me, always, your
most devoted Niece and Child,

VICTORIA R.

[Pageheading: CONGRATULATIONS]

_The Queen of the Belgians to Queen Victoria._

LAEKEN, _9th November 1839._

MY MOST BELOVED VICTORIA,--Your Uncle has already told you, I trust,
with what feelings of deep affection and gratitude I received the so
_interesting_ and _important_ communication which you permitted him
to make to me; but I was longing for an opportunity to speak to you
myself of the great subject which fills now our hearts, and to tell
you how very grateful I have been, I am, and will ever be, for the
confidence and trust which you so kindly placed in me. All I can
say is that you did full justice to my feelings, for _nothing_ could
interest _more_ my heart than _your_ marriage, my most dearly loved
Victoria, and I could not have heard even of that of Clementine with
_more_ anxious affection and sisterly love. I cannot really tell you
_with words_ how deeply and strongly I was moved and affected by the
great news itself, and by your dear, unaffected, confiding, happy
letter. When I received it I could do nothing but cry, and say
internally, "May God bless her now and ever!" Ah! may God bless you,
my most beloved Victoria! may He shower on you His best blessings,
fulfil _all_ your heart's wishes and hopes, and let you enjoy for
_many, many years_ the happiness which the dearest ties of affection
_alone_ can give, and which is the only _real_ one, the only worthy of
the name in this uncertain and transitory world!

I have seen much of dear Albert two years ago, I have watched him, as
you may well think, with particular care, attention, and interest, and
although he was very young then, I am well convinced that he is not
only fit for the situation which he is now called to fulfil, but, what
is still more important in my eyes, that he has _all those qualities_
of the heart and the mind which can give and ensure happiness. I think
even that his disposition is particularly well calculated to suit
yours, and I am fully confident that you will be both happy together.
What you tell me of your fear of not being worthy of him, and able to
make him sufficiently happy, is for me but a proof more of it. Deep
affection makes us always diffident and _very humble_. Those that we
love stand so high in our own esteem, and are in our opinion so much
above us and all others that we naturally feel unworthy of them and
unequal to the task of making them happy: but there is, I think, a
mingled charm in this feeling, for although we regret not to be
what we should wish to be for them, feeling and acknowledging the
superiority of those we love and must always love and respect, is a
great satisfaction, and an increasing and everlasting one. You will
feel it, I am sure, as well as I do....

You will excuse my blots and hurried scribbling when I will tell you
that in order to profit of the private messenger which goes to-morrow
morning I write to you at ten in the evening, a thing quite unusual
for me, and even rather forbidden: but after having been deprived of
expending my heart for so many days, I could not _not_ avail myself of
the present opportunity. When I write to you by the ordinary messenger
I will continue to be _silent_; but I trust you will permit me to
say some time a word, when a safe opportunity presents itself, for my
heart is with you more than I can tell. I would that I could see you,
when it could be, for an hour. I remain, my most beloved Victoria,
ever and ever your most affectionate

LOUISE.

[Pageheading: THE ANNOUNCEMENT]

_Queen Victoria to the Duke of Sussex._

WINDSOR CASTLE, _11th November 1839._

MY DEAR UNCLE,--The affection which you have shown me makes me feel
certain that you will take interest in an event which so nearly
concerns the future happiness of my life; I cannot, therefore, delay
any longer to inform you of my intended marriage with my Cousin
Albert, the merits of whose character are so well known by all who
are acquainted with him, that I need say no more than that I feel as
assured of my own happiness as I can be of anything in this world.

As it is not to be publicly known, I beg you not to mention it except
to our own Family.

I hope you are well and enjoying yourself. Believe me, always, your
affectionate Niece,

VICTORIA R.[64]

[Footnote 64: Similar letters with slight variations were
written to the Duke of Cambridge, the Princess Augusta, the
Princess Sophia, the Duchess of Gloucester, the Princess
Sophia Matilda, the King of Hanover, and the Princess
Elizabeth (Landgravine of Hesse-Homburg).]

_Queen Victoria to Queen Adelaide._

WINDSOR CASTLE, _14th November 1839._

MY DEAR AUNT,--Your constant kindness and the affection you have ever
shown me make me certain that you will take much interest in an event
which so nearly concerns the future happiness of my life; I cannot,
therefore, any longer delay to inform you of my intended marriage with
my Cousin Albert. The merits of his character are so well known to all
who are acquainted with him, that I need say no more than that I feel
as assured of my own happiness as I can be of anything here below, and
only hope that I may be able to make him as happy as he deserves to
be. It was both my duty and my inclination to tell you of this as
soon as it was determined upon; but, as it is not to be yet publicly
announced I beg you not to mention it except to our own Family. I
thank you much for your kind letter, and rejoice to hear you have
enjoyed yourself so much. Believe me, always, your very affectionate
Niece,

VICTORIA R.

_Queen Victoria to Viscount Melbourne._

WINDSOR CASTLE, _18th November 1839._

The Queen just writes two lines to send Lord Melbourne the
accompanying civil letter from the Queen Dowager, and to give him an
account of the visit of the Cambridges. They were all very kind and
civil, George grown but not embellished, and much less reserved with
the Queen, and evidently happy to be _clear_ of me. He gave a very
indifferent account of the King of Greece, but a favourable one of the
Queen.

The Duchess said she had expected the Queen would marry Albert, and
was not surprised at the event. They were very discreet and asked no
questions, but described the Duchess of Gloucester to be _suffering_
much from the necessity of keeping the secret.

The weather cleared up, and the Queen has just returned from a walk.
She hopes Lord Melbourne got safe to London in spite of the wet
and the water on the road; and she hopes he will take great care of
himself. She would be thankful if he would let her know to-morrow if
he will dine with her also on Thursday or not.

[Pageheading: LETTERS TO PRINCE ALBERT]

_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._

WINDSOR CASTLE, _19th November 1839_.

MY DEAR UNCLE,--Many thanks for your kind letter of the 5th, received
last week. I am in a great hurry, and therefore have only time to
write to you a line to tell you, first, that on the 15th I wrote
to all the Royal Family announcing the event to them, and that they
answered all very kindly and civilly; the Duchess of Cambridge
and Augusta, with the Duke and George, came over on purpose to
congratulate me yesterday; secondly, that the marriage is to be
_publicly announced_ in an Open Council on the 23rd, at Buckingham
Palace, where I am going to-morrow. I return here _after_ the Council
on the 23rd. I am so happy to think I need not then conceal my
feelings any longer. I have also written to the King of Hanover and
the Landgravine,[65] and to all our relations abroad. I hope, dear
Uncle, you will not have _ill-treated_ my dearest Albert! I am very
anxious to hear from him from Wiesbaden. Ever your devoted Niece,

VICTORIA R.

[Footnote 65: Princess Elizabeth (1770-1840), daughter of
George III. and widow of the Landgrave Frederick Joseph Louis
of Hesse-Homburg.]

[The following extracts of letters from the Queen to Prince Albert
were written partly in English and partly in German. The English
portions are printed in italics, the German, translated, in ordinary
type. These letters are all written in terms of profound affection,
which deepened very shortly into complete and absolute devotion to the
Prince.]

_Queen Victoria to Prince Albert._

BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _21st November 1839._

... It is desired here that the matter should be declared at Coburg
as soon as possible, and immediately after that I shall send you the
Order.[66]

_Your rank will be settled just before you come over, as also your_
_rank in the Army._ Everything will be very easily arranged. Lord
Melbourne showed me yesterday the _Declaration_, which is very simple
and nice. I will send it you as soon as possible....

_Lord Melbourne told me yesterday, that the whole Cabinet are strongly
of opinion that you should NOT be made a Peer._ I will write that to
Uncle....

[Footnote 66: The Garter.]

[Pageheading: THE RELIGIOUS QUESTION]

_22nd November 1839._

... Lord Melbourne has just been with me, and greatly wishes the
Declaration to be made at Coburg as soon as possible. _He also desired
me to ask you to see if you can ... a short History of the House of
Saxe-Coburg, who our direct ancestors were, and what part they took in
the Protestant, or rather Lutheran, religion; he wishes to hear this
in order to make people here know exactly who your ancestors are, for
a few stupid people_ here _try_ to say you are a _Catholic, but nobody
will believe it._ Send (it) as soon as possible; perhaps good Mr.
Schenk would write it out in English....

_As there is nothing to be settled for me, we require no treaty of
marriage; but if you should require anything to be settled, the best
will be to send it here. Respecting the succession, in case Ernest
should die without children, it would not do to stipulate now, but
your second son, if you had one, should reside at Coburg. That can
easily be arranged if the thing should happen hereafter, and the
English would not like it to be arranged now...._

[Pageheading: THE DECLARATION]

_Queen Victoria to the Prince Albert._

WINDSOR CASTLE, _23rd November 1839._

... Just arrived here, 5.30. Everything has gone off very well. The
Council[67] was held at two o'clock; more than a hundred persons were
present, and _there_ I had to read the Declaration. _It was rather an
awful moment, to be obliged to announce this to so many people, many
of whom were quite strangers, but they told me I did it very well, and
I felt so happy to do it._

Good Lord Melbourne was deeply moved about it, and Uxbridge likewise;
it lasted only two or three minutes. _Everybody, they tell me, is very
much pleased, and I wish you could have seen the crowds of people who
cheered me loudly as I left the Palace for Windsor._ I am so happy
to-day! oh, if only _you_ could be here! I wish that you were able
to participate in all the kindness which is shown to me. To-day I can
only send you the Declaration.[68] _The description of the whole_ I
will send after this....

Send me as soon as possible the report of the announcement at Coburg.
I wear your dear picture mornings and evenings, and wore it also at
the meeting of the _Conseil._

[Footnote 67: A Special Meeting of the Privy Council was held
on the 23rd November, to receive the Queen's intimation of her
engagement. The Queen wrote in her Journal:--

"I went in; the room was full, but I hardly knew who was
there. Lord M. I saw, looking at me with tears in his eyes,
but he was not near me. I then read my short Declaration. I
felt my hands shook, but I did not make one mistake. I felt
more happy and thankful when it was over."]

[Footnote 68: J. W. Croker wrote to Lady Hardwicke:--

"_24th November 1839._

"... She then unfolded a paper and read her Declaration,
which you will, before this can reach you, have seen in the
newspapers. I cannot describe to you with what a mixture of
self-possession and feminine delicacy she read the paper. Her
voice, which is naturally beautiful, was clear and untroubled;
and her eye was bright and calm, neither bold nor downcast,
but firm and soft. There was a blush on her cheek which made
her look both handsomer and more interesting; and certainly
she _did_ look as interesting and as handsome as any young
lady I ever saw.

"I happened to stand behind the Duke of Wellington's chair,
and caught her eye twice as she directed it towards him, which
I fancy she did with a good-natured interest. ...The crowd,
which was not great but very decent, I might almost say
respectable, expressed their approbation of the Duke of
Wellington and Sir R. Peel, and their disapprobation of the
Ministers very loudly. Lord John and Lord Normanby, they tell
me, were positively hooted.... Lord Melbourne ... seemed to me
to look _careworn_, and on the whole the meeting had a sombre
air."--_Croker Papers_, ii. 359.]

[Pageheading: THE PEERAGE QUESTION]

_The King of the Belgians to Queen Victoria._

WIESBADEN, _22nd November 1839._

MY DEAREST VICTORIA,--I was delighted with your dear little letter.
You write these kind of letters with a very great facility, and they
are generally so natural and clever, that it makes one very happy
to receive them. I had written less of late, because I thought you
occupied more agreeably than to read my letters. I have on purpose
kept back a courier, to be able to send you the latest news from here
of M. Albert. The young people arrived here only on the 20th, in the
morning, having very kindly stopped at Bonn. I find them looking well,
particularly Albert; it proves that happiness is an excellent remedy,
and keeps people in better health than any other. He is much attached
to you, and moved when he speaks of you. He is, besides, in great
spirits and gaiety, and full of fun; he is a very amiable companion.