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

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In addition to the despatch from the Council of Bombay, Lord
Fitzgerald humbly ventures to submit to your Majesty a letter
addressed to him by Mr Anderson, the Acting-Governor of that
Presidency, with further details of these melancholy events.

The despatches from the Governor-General of India come down to the
date of the 22nd of January (three days previous to the tragical death
of Sir William Macnaghten). Lord Auckland was then uninformed of the
actual state of the force in Cabul, though not unprepared for severe
reverses.

[Pageheading: THE GARTER]

_Sir Robert Peel to Queen Victoria._

WHITEHALL, _20th March 1842._

Sir Robert Peel presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and will
take an opportunity to-morrow of ascertaining your Majesty's pleasure
with respect to the remaining Garter which still remains undisposed
of, as your Majesty may probably think it advisable that the
Investiture of all the Knights selected for the vacant Garters should
take place at the same time.

Sir Robert Peel humbly represents to your Majesty that those Peers who
may severally be considered from their rank and station candidates
for this high distinction, have behaved very well in respect to it,
as since Sir Robert Peel has had the honour of serving your Majesty he
has never received, excepting in the cases of the Duke of Buckingham
and recently of Lord Cardigan, a direct application on the subject of
the Garter.

Of those who from their position and rank in the Peerage, and from
the Garter having been heretofore conferred on their ancestors or
relations, may be regarded as competitors, the principal appear to Sir
Robert Peel to be the following:--

The Duke of Cleveland
The Duke of Montrose
The Marquis of Hertford
The Marquis of Bute
The Marquis of Abercorn
The Marquis Camden
The Marquis of Londonderry.

Sir Robert Peel names all, without meaning to imply that the
pretensions of all are very valid ones. He would humbly represent for
your Majesty's consideration, whether on account of rank, fortune and
general character and station in the country, the claims of the Duke
of Cleveland do not upon the whole predominate.[18]

His Grace is very much mortified and disappointed at Sir Robert Peel's
having humbly advised your Majesty to apply the general rule against
the son's succeeding the father immediately in the Lieutenancy of a
county to his case in reference to his county of Durham.

Sir Robert Peel thinks it better to write to your Majesty upon
this subject, as your Majesty may wish to have an opportunity of
considering it.

[Footnote 18: The Garter was conferred on the Duke of
Cleveland.]

[Pageheading: THE EARL OF MUNSTER]

[Pageheading: THE QUEEN AND THE INCOME TAX]

_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._

SOUTH STREET, _21st March 1842._

Lord Melbourne presents his humble duty to your Majesty. A letter from
Charles Fox to Lady Holland, and which she has sent to me, informs me
of the shocking end of Munster,[19] which your Majesty will have heard
long before you receive this. Charles Fox attributes it entirely to
the vexatious and uneasy life which he led with Lady Munster, but he
was always, as your Majesty knows, an unhappy and discontented man,
and there is something in that unfortunate condition of illegitimacy
which seems to distort the mind and feelings and render them incapable
of justice or contentment.

It is not impossible that upon this event application may be made to
your Majesty for the continuance of the pension upon the Privy Purse
to his son. As Lord Melbourne advised your Majesty to continue these
pensions upon the late King's death, perhaps it may not be improper
that he should now say that it is his strong opinion that they should
not be continued further. There is no reason for it. They are not
very rich, but neither are they poor, and they have very opulent
connections and relations. It appears to me that the first opportunity
should be taken to show that it is not your Majesty's intention
to charge the Crown with the maintenance and support of all these
families, which will otherwise be the case. Lord Melbourne thinks
it not improper to mention this matter thus early, as otherwise the
[compassionate] feelings naturally raised by such an event might lead
to a different determination.

There is another matter mentioned in your Majesty's letter, relating
to money, which is of considerable importance, and that is the
determination taken by your Majesty to subject your own provision
to the proposed duty on income. When it was put to your Majesty Lord
Melbourne is disposed to think that your Majesty's determination[20]
was right, and it certainly will be very popular, which in the present
circumstances of the country and state of public feelings is a great
advantage.

At the same time it is giving up a principle of the Constitution,
which has hitherto exempted the Sovereign from all direct taxation,
and there are very great doubts entertained whether the announcement
to Parliament of the intention was not in a constitutional point of
view objectionable, inasmuch as it pronounced the opinion of the
Crown upon a tax which was still under discussion. It is also a great
pecuniary sacrifice, and, as your Majesty says, together with the loss
of the Duchy of Cornwall and other revenues, will make a great change
in your Majesty's pecuniary circumstances. These defalcations can only
be repaired by care and economy. Your Majesty has all the most right
feelings and the best judgment about money, and Lord Melbourne has
no doubt that your Majesty will so act as to avoid pecuniary
embarrassment--the only difficulty which Lord Melbourne fears for your
Majesty, and the only contingency which could involve your Majesty in
serious personal inconvenience.

Lord Melbourne thanks your Majesty much for the kindness of your
letter....

Everybody says that the marriage between Miss Stuart and Lord
Waterford[21] is likely to take place. It is said that he would do
almost anything rather than go to St. Petersburg. Lord Melbourne has
not seen Lord Waterford, but he is said to be very good-looking; we
know him to be rich and of high rank, and, after all, that sort of
character is not disliked by all ladies. Perhaps also she counts
upon the effect of her influence to soften, to tranquillise, and to
restrain.

Lord Melbourne hears a very bad account of Lord Anglesey's affairs.
His case is a hard one, for these pecuniary difficulties are owing to
the extravagance of others, and by no means to his own. Lord Melbourne
saw Uxbridge and Ellen at Lady Palmerston's on Saturday evening. The
latter seemed in good spirits, and said that she did not mean to shut
herself up too closely in Hertfordshire.

Lord Melbourne thought that your Majesty would be pleased with
Lambeth. The view from the great window in the drawing-room over the
river, and to the Houses of Parliament and the Abbey, is very fine
indeed, but like all London views can rarely be seen in consequence of
the foggy atmosphere....

No doubt your Majesty and His Royal Highness must be anxious for a
little quiet and repose, which Lord Melbourne hopes that your Majesty
will enjoy. Lord Melbourne had feared that your Majesty's health was
not quite so good as it appeared.... Lord Melbourne concludes this
very long letter with the most fervent expression of his most sincere
wishes for your Majesty's health and happiness.

Lord Melbourne in speaking of poor Lord Munster forgot to mention that
at the Levee on Wednesday last he followed Lord Melbourne down the
long gallery as he was going away, came up to him with great emotion
of manner, pressed his hand warmly, and said that he wished to take
the earliest opportunity of thanking Lord Melbourne for all the
kindness he had shown him whilst he had been in office.

[Footnote 19: The Earl of Munster, son of William IV. and Mrs.
Jordan, shot himself, 20th March. His wife was a daughter of
the Earl of Egremont.]

[Footnote 20: The Queen had decided that she would herself pay
Income Tax.]

[Footnote 21: Henry, third Marquis, and Louisa, second
daughter of Lord Stuart de Rothesay, were married on 8th
June.]

[Pageheading: STRAWBERRY HILL]

[Pageheading: THE ROYAL GOVERNESS]

_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._

PANSHANGER, _31st March 1842._

Lord Melbourne presents his humble duty to your Majesty. He is much
rejoiced to learn that your Majesty has had fine weather and has
enjoyed it. It rained here hard yesterday in the morning, but cleared
up about half-past twelve and was very fine indeed. Lord Melbourne
went over to Brocket Hall and enjoyed it much. He does not intend
to return to London until Monday next, when the House of Lords
reassembles. It is to be hoped that we shall then soon have the Corn
Bill up from the Commons and pass it. The Income Tax will give some
trouble, but that done, and the Poor Law Bill, the end of the Session
may begin to be looked forward to.

The sale of Strawberry Hill[22] naturally excites interest, and things
are not unlikely to be sold high. The collection has after all
been kept together, and the place has remained in the family of his
niece,[23] the Duchess of Gloucester, to whom he bequeathed it, longer
than he himself expected. He says in one of his letters that he would
send a statue down to Linton, Sir Horace Mann's place in Kent, because
there it had a better chance of remaining permanently, "for as to this
poor bauble of a place," he adds, "it will be knocked to pieces in a
very few years after my decease." It has stood, however, and remained
five-and-forty years, a longer period than he had anticipated. Some
of the works, such as the bell by Benvenuto Cellini, and the antique
Eagle, are very fine; others are only curious. Lord Melbourne would
not give much money for a mere curiosity, unless there were also some
intrinsic merits or beauty.

What is the value of Cardinal Wolsey's cap, for instance? It was not
different from that of any other Cardinal, and a Cardinal's cap is no
great wonder.

Lord Melbourne returns Lord Munster's letter. It is without date, but
was evidently written in contemplation of the dreadful act which he
afterwards perpetrated. It is very melancholy. Lord Melbourne
was certain that your Majesty would send to Lord Adolphus[24] the
assurance which you have done, and that you would be anxious to assist
his children, and promote their interests by every means in your
power. But both their brothers and they must be made sensible that
they must make some effort for themselves.

Lord Melbourne is very glad to learn that your Majesty intends to
offer the Round Tower[25] to the Duke of Sussex. It is in every
respect kind. It will be of essential service to him, and it will
gratify him most exceedingly.

Lord Melbourne thinks that your Majesty's decision respecting the
Governess[26] is right. It should be a lady of rank; but that she
should be a woman of sense and discretion, and capable of fulfilling
the duties of the office, is of more importance than whether she is a
Duchess, a Marchioness, or a Countess. The selection is difficult, but
if your Majesty can find a person, it would not be well to consider
either high or low rank as a disqualification.

Lord Melbourne intends to take advantage of his freedom from the
restraints of office in order to see a little of the bloom of spring
and summer, which he has missed for so many years. He has got one or
two horses, which he likes well enough, and has begun to ride again a
little. Lord Melbourne wishes your Majesty much of the same enjoyment,
together with all health, happiness, and prosperity.

[Footnote 22: Near Twickenham, formerly the residence of
Horace Walpole, and filled with his collection of pictures and
_objets de vertu_.]

[Footnote 23: The Duke of Gloucester, brother of George
III., married in 1766 Maria, Countess-Dowager Waldegrave,
illegitimate daughter of Sir Edward Walpole, and niece of
Horace Walpole. This, and the Duke of Cumberland's marriage in
1771 to Lady Anne Horton, occasioned the passing of the Royal
Marriages Act.]

[Footnote 24: Lord Adolphus FitzClarence (1802-1856), a
Rear-Admiral, brother of the Earl of Munster.]

[Footnote 25: The Earl of Munster had held the office of
Governor and Constable of Windsor Castle, with a salary of
L1,000 a year.]

[Footnote 26: To the Royal children. Lady Lyttelton was
ultimately appointed.]

[Pageheading: PARTY POLITICS]

[Pageheading: THE GARTER]

_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._

BROCKET HALL, _6th April 1842._

Lord Melbourne presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and has this
morning received your Majesty's very kind and confidential letter, for
which he greatly thanks your Majesty. Your Majesty may depend upon it
that Lord Melbourne will do everything in his power to discourage and
restrain factious and vexatious opposition, not only on account of
your Majesty's wish, but because he disapproves it as much as your
Majesty can possibly do. But everything in his power he fears is but
little. The leaders of a party, or those who are so called, have but
little sway over their followers, particularly when not in Government,
and when they have it not in their power to threaten them with
any very serious consequences, such as the dissolution of the
Administration. Mr Pulteney, afterwards Earl of Bath, is reported to
have said that political parties were like snakes, guided not by their
heads, but by their tails. Lord Melbourne does not know whether this
is true of the snake, but it is certainly so of the party. The conduct
of the Opposition upon the resolution respecting the Income Tax is
rendered peculiarly ridiculous by the result. They forcibly put it off
until after the holidays, and then upon the first day of the meeting
they vote it without a division. What is this but admitting that they
looked to a movement in the country which they have not been able to
create? Moreover, all Oppositions that Lord Melbourne has ever seen
are more or less factious. The Opposition of Mr Fox to Mr Pitt was the
least so, but these were great men, greater than any that exist at
the present day, although Lord Melbourne is by no means inclined to
depreciate his own times. The factiousness of one Opposition naturally
produces the same in the next. They say, "They did so to us; why
should we not do so to them?" Your Majesty may rest assured that
Lord Melbourne will do everything he can to prevent delay, and to
accelerate the transaction of the public business.

Lord Melbourne sends a letter which he has received this morning from
the Duke of Sussex, and which expresses very right and proper feeling.
Lord Melbourne has written in reply that, "Your Majesty was no doubt
influenced principally by your natural affection for him, and by your
sense of the generosity of his conduct towards Lord Munster, but that
if any thought of Lord Melbourne intervened, your Majesty could not
have given a higher or a more acceptable proof of your approbation and
regard."

The Garters[27] seem to Lord Melbourne to be given well enough. Your
Majesty's feelings upon the subject are most kind and amiable. But
these things cannot be helped, and it is upon the whole advantageous
that each party should have their portion of patronage and honours.
If there is very distinguished service, the Garter should be bestowed
upon it. Otherwise, in Lord Melbourne's opinion, it is better given
to noblemen of high rank and great property. The chapter in
Ecclesiasticus, read in St George's Chapel on Obiit Sunday, well
describes those who ought to have it, with the exception of those "who
find out musical tunes." Lord Melbourne does not think it well given
to Ministers. It is always then subject to the imputation of their
giving it to themselves, and pronouncing an approbation of their own
conduct.

Lord Melbourne hopes that the Pope's standing sponsor for the young
Prince of Portugal is a sign of complete reconciliation with the See
of Rome. It is a very awkward thing for a Roman Catholic Government to
be at variance with the Pope. He is still a very ugly customer.

Lord Melbourne is very much concerned to hear of the Baron's[28]
illness--very much indeed; he is an excellent and most valuable man,
with one of the soundest and coolest judgments that Lord Melbourne has
ever met with. Your Majesty knows that Lord Melbourne has never had
a favourable opinion of his health. There seems to be about him a
settled weakness of the stomach, which is in fact the seat of health,
strength, thought and life. Lord Melbourne sees that a great physician
says that Napoleon lost the battle of Leipsic in consequence of some
very greasy soup which he ate the day before, and which clouded his
judgment and obscured his perceptions.

Lord Melbourne is very glad to hear that your Majesty has amused
yourself so well in the country, and is not surprised that you are
unwilling to quit it. He means himself to see a little of the coming
in of the spring, which he has not done for many years.

[Footnote 27: The recipients had been the King of Saxony,
the Duke of Beaufort, the Duke of Buckingham, the Marquess of
Salisbury, the Duke of Cleveland.]

[Footnote 28: Baron Stockmar.]

[Pageheading: A BRILLIANT BALL]

_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._

BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _19th April 1842._

DEAREST UNCLE,--I am so sorry to see by your kind letter of the
15th that you are all so _enrhumes_, but hear to-day from Vecto that
Charlotte is quite well again. I am quite bewildered with all the
arrangements for our _bal costume_, which I wish you could see; we are
to be Edward III. and Queen Philippa, and a great number of our Court
to be dressed like the people in those times, and very correctly, so
as to make a grand _Aufzug_; but there is such asking, and so many
silks and drawings and crowns, and God knows what, to look at, that I,
who hate being troubled about dress, am quite _confuse_.

To get a little rest we mean to run down to Claremont with the
children from Friday to Monday. My last ball was very splendid, and I
have a concert on Monday next....

I hope Ernest and dear Alexandrine will come in June, and stay some
time _quietly_ with us in the country. I saw another beautiful letter
of hers, so well and sensibly and religiously written, it would have
pleased you. Now adieu! Ever your devoted Niece,

VICTORIA R.

_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._

SOUTH STREET, _20th April 1842._

Lord Melbourne presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and thanks
your Majesty much for your letter of the 17th inst. Lord Melbourne has
been so much occupied with the debates in the House of Lords during
the last two days, that he has ventured to put off replying to your
Majesty's letters, which he trusts that your Majesty will excuse.

Lord Melbourne did not leave the ball until ten minutes after one, and
as there were so many persons there, which Lord Melbourne thinks quite
right and was very glad to see, Lord Melbourne had little hope of
seeing your Majesty again, and therefore ventured to take advantage of
having ordered his carriage at half-past twelve and of its having
come at the time that it was ordered. It was a very brilliant and very
beautiful and a very gay ball.

Lord Melbourne is very sorry to be obliged to express his fear that
your Majesty will prove more in the right than he was about the
duration of Parliament. There will be much debate in the Committee
upon the details of the Income Tax, and the discussions upon the
Tariff of duties, which affects so many interests, are likely to be
very long indeed. There is one good thing in the House of Lords, and
that is that it never much delays or obstructs public business....

As Lord Melbourne drove down the Park on Saturday evening last to dine
with his sister, he could see clearly into your Majesty's room, so
as to be able to distinguish the pictures, tables, etc., the candles
being lighted and the curtains not drawn. Your Majesty was just
setting off for the Opera.

[Pageheading: PRINCE ALBERT AND THE ARMY]

_Queen Victoria to Sir Robert Peel._

BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _20th April 1842._

The Queen encloses the Prince's letter to Sir Robert Peel, containing
his acceptance of the Guards. At the same time, both the Prince and
Queen feel much regret at the Prince's leaving the 11th, which is,
if possible, enhanced by seeing the Regiment out to-day, which is
in beautiful order. It was, besides, the Regiment which escorted the
Prince from Dover to Canterbury on his arrival in England in February
'40. The Queen fears, indeed knows, that Lord Cardigan will be deeply
mortified at the Prince's leaving the Regiment, and that it will have
the effect of appearing like another slight to him; therefore, the
Queen much wishes that at some fit opportunity[29] a mark of favour
should be bestowed upon him....

The Queen hopes Sir Robert will think of this.

[Footnote 29: Lord Cardigan was promoted Major-General in
1847. He became Inspector-General of Cavalry, and received the
K.C.B. in 1855.]

_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._

SOUTH STREET, _26th April 1842._

Lord Melbourne presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and
acknowledges with many thanks your Majesty's letter of the 24th inst.,
which he received yesterday morning. Lord Melbourne learns with the
greatest satisfaction that Lady Lyttelton has undertaken the important
and interesting charge, for which she is so well fitted. Lord
Melbourne is most sincerely of opinion that no other person so well
qualified could have been selected. Lord Melbourne will keep the
matter strictly secret; he has not yet mentioned it to any one, nor
has he heard it mentioned by any other person, which, as it must be
known to some, rather surprises him. Unreserved approbation cannot
be expected for anything, but when it is known, Lord Melbourne
anticipates that it will meet with as general an assent as could be
anticipated for a choice in which all the community will take, and
indeed have, so deep an interest.

[Pageheading: GOETHE AND SCHILLER]

_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._

BROCKET HALL, _15th May 1842._

Lord Melbourne presents his humble duty to your Majesty. He is
very sorry indeed, and entreats your Majesty's pardon for his great
omission on Monday evening. He was never told that he was to pass
before your Majesty at the beginning; at the same time he admits
that it was a blundering piece of stupidity not to find this out of
himself. After this he never saw the glimmer of a chance of being able
to get near to your Majesty.

Lord Melbourne wonders much who could have whispered to your Majesty
that he felt or expressed anything but the most unqualified admiration
of the ball, which was the most magnificent and beautiful spectacle
that he ever beheld. Lord Melbourne also believes it to be very
popular, for the reasons which your Majesty mentions.

Your Majesty having generally chosen handsome and attractive girls for
the Maids of Honour, which is very right, must expect to lose them in
this way. Lord Melbourne is very glad of the marriage. Lord Emlyn[30]
always seemed to him a very pleasing young man, and well calculated to
make a woman happy.

Lord Melbourne felt quite sure that there had been a mistake about Ben
Stanley, which was the reason that he mentioned his name. He is sorry
that he has made a fool of himself by writing. Having had so much to
do with invitations during the two last years, he was not altogether
unnaturally mortified to find himself not invited there.[31] Stanley
is not a man to whom Lord Melbourne is very partial, but we must give
every one his due. Lord Melbourne always discourages to the utmost of
his power the notion of any one's having a right or claim to be asked,
which notion, however, has a strong possession of the minds of people
in general.

Lord Melbourne is come down here again, being determined to see this
spring thoroughly and completely. His feelings are like those, so
beautifully described by Schiller, of Max Piccolomini,[32] when, after
a youth passed entirely in war, he for the first time sees a country
which has enjoyed the blessings of peace. The Germans seem to Lord
Melbourne generally to prefer Goethe to Schiller, a decision which
surprises him, although he feels that he has no right to dictate to
a people, of whose language he does not understand a word, their
judgment upon their own authors. But the one, Schiller, seems to him
to be all truth, clearness, nature and beauty; the other, principally
mysticism, obscurity, and unintelligibility.

Lord Melbourne intends to return on Wednesday, and will have the
honour and pleasure of waiting upon your Majesty on Thursday.

[Footnote 30: The second Earl Cawdor, who married Miss Sarah
Mary Cavendish.]

[Footnote 31: Edward John, afterwards second Lord Stanley of
Alderley, was nicknamed Ben, after "Sir Benjamin Backbite."
He had mentioned to Lord Melbourne that he was disappointed at
not receiving an invitation to the Royal Ball.]