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

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[Footnote 57: To Lord Dalmeny. _En secondes noces_, she
married the fourth Duke of Cleveland.]

[Footnote 58: Lady Evelyn Leveson Gower, married, on 4th
October, to Charles, Lord Blantyre.]

[Pageheading: VISIT TO THE CHATEAU D'EU]

_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._

CHATEAU D'EU, _4th September 1843._

MY DEAREST UNCLE,--I write to you from this dear place, where we are
in the midst of this admirable and truly amiable family, and where we
feel quite at home, and as if we were one of them. Our reception by
the dear King and Queen has been most kind, and by the people really
gratifying.[59] Everything is very different to England, particularly
the population. Louise has told you all about our doings, and
therefore tell you nothing but that I am highly interested and amused.
Little Chica (Mdme. Hadjy)[60] is a charming, sprightly, lively
creature, with immense brown eyes. We leave this the day after
to-morrow for Brighton, where the children are, who are extremely
well, I hear. Many thanks, dearest Uncle, for your kind letter of the
29th, by which I see that poor Prince Loewenstein[61] came to see you;
he is Mamma's old friend. As I am in a great hurry, and as I hope, God
willing, to see you very soon, I must conclude in haste, and leave all
my remarks for another day. Ever your devoted Niece,

VICTORIA R.

Pray forgive this confused and horrid scrawl.

[Footnote 59: The Queen was enthusiastically received at
Treport. On the 2nd there was a great entertainment in
the banqueting-room of the Chateau, and on the 4th a _fete
champetre_ on the Mont d'Orleans in the forest. On the 5th
there was a review, and on the 7th the Queen returned to
England.]

[Footnote 60: The Princess of Joinville. See _ante_, p. 451.
(Ch. XII, 10th January, 1843).
Hadjy is the Prince of Joinville.]

[Footnote 61: Prince William of Loewenstein (1783-1847).]

[Pageheading: THE FRENCH VISIT]

_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._

MELBOURNE, _6th September 1843._

Lord Melbourne presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and thanks
your Majesty much for your letter of the 27th ult., which he received
here some days ago. We have been quite dismayed and overwhelmed with
the melancholy intelligence of death after death which has followed
us. I was much concerned for poor Charles Howard's loss, but we were
quite struck down by the melancholy event of poor Mrs W. Cowper.[62]
She promised to suit us all well, my sister particularly, and to be a
great source of happiness and comfort.

Your Majesty is quite right in supposing that Lord Melbourne would at
once attribute your Majesty's visit to the Chateau d'Eu to its right
cause--your Majesty's friendship and affection for the French Royal
Family, and not to any political object. The principal motive now
is to take care that it does not get mixed either in reality or in
appearance with politics, and Lord Melbourne cannot conceal from
your Majesty that he should lament it much if the result of the visit
should turn out to be a treaty upon any European matter, unfavourable
to England and favourable to France. Do not let them make any treaty
or agreement there. It can be done elsewhere just as well, and without
any of the suspicion which is sure to attach to any transaction which
takes place there.

[Footnote 62: Mr and Mrs William Cowper had only been married
on 24th June.]

_The King of the Belgians to Queen Victoria._

LAEKEN, _8th September 1843._

MY DEAREST AND MOST BELOVED VICTORIA,--I have been highly gratified
that you found a moment to write me such a dear letter. I am sure that
the personal contact with the family at Eu would interest you, and
at the same time remove some impressions on the subject of the King,
which are really untrue. Particularly the attempt of representing
him like the most astute of men, calculating constantly everything to
deceive people.

His vivacity alone would render such a system extremely difficult,
and if he appears occasionally to speak too much and to seem to hold a
different language to different people, it is a good deal owing to his
vivacity and his anxiety to carry conviction to people's mind.

The impression of your visit will besides do wonders in removing the
silly irritation which had been got up since 1840, and which might
have in the end occasioned serious mischief, and that without being
_in the least_ called for, the passions of nations become very
inconvenient sometimes for their Governors.... Your devoted Uncle,

LEOPOLD R.

My best love to dearest Albert; he seems to have had the greatest
success, and I am very glad of it, as it had some time ago been the
fashion to invent all sorts of nonsense.

I left Stockmar extremely hypochondriacal, but I trust not so unwell
as he fancied. His son accompanies him to Coburg.

[Pageheading: THE QUEEN'S RETURN]

_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._

ON BOARD THE _Victoria and Albert_, IN THE RIVER,[63]

_21st September 1843._

MY DEARLY BELOVED UNCLE,--I seize the first opportunity of informing
you of our excellent passage; we shall be in half-an-hour or
three-quarters at Woolwich; it is now half-past ten A.M. The day and
night were beautiful, and it is again, very fine to-day. We anchored
in Margate Roads at eleven last night, and set off again about five.

Let me thank you and my beloved Louise in both our names again for
your _great kindness_ to us, which, believe me, we feel _deeply_. We
were _so happy_ with you, and the stay was _so delightful_, but so
painfully short! It was such a joy for me to be once again under the
roof of one who has ever been a father to me! I was _very_ sad after
you left us; it seems so strange that all should be over--but the
_delightful_ souvenir will _ever_ remain. To leave my dearest Louise
too was so painful--and also poor Aunt Julia,[64] so immediately after
making her acquaintance; pray tell her that, for me. I shall write to
Louise to-morrow. You must forgive my hand being so trembling, but we
are _lighter_ than usual, which causes the tremulous motion to be so
much more felt.

That God may bless and protect you _all always_ is our fervent prayer.
Believe me, always, your devoted and grateful Niece and Child,

VICTORIA R.

[Footnote 63: On the 12th the Queen and Prince Albert sailed
from Brighton on a visit to King Leopold. They visited Ostend,
Bruges, Ghent, Brussels, and Antwerp.]

[Footnote 64: Sister of the Duchess of Kent, married to the
Grand Duke Constantine.]

_Queen Victoria to Sir James Graham._

WINDSOR CASTLE, _22nd September 1843._

The Queen has received Sir James Graham's letter of the 22nd.[65] She
has long seen with deep concern the lamentable state of turbulence in
South Wales, and has repeatedly urged the necessity of its being put
an end to, by _vigorous_ efforts on the part of the Government. The
Queen, therefore, willingly gives her sanction to the issuing of a
special Commission for the trial of the offenders and to the issuing
of a proclamation. Monday, the 2nd, being the earliest day at which,
Sir James says, the necessary Council could be held, will suit the
Queen very well; she begs, therefore, that Sir James will cause the
Council to meet here on that day at three o'clock.

[Footnote 65: The insurrection of the Rebeccaites was assuming
a more dangerous form, and at Hendy Gate they committed a
cold-blooded act of murder.]

[Pageheading: MATRIMONIAL PROJECTS]

_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._

WINDSOR CASTLE, _26th September 1843._

MY DEAREST UNCLE,--I cannot sufficiently thank you for your two _most
kind_ and affectionate letters of the 22nd and 23rd, which gave me the
greatest pleasure. _How often_ we think of our _dear_ and _delightful_
visit it is impossible for me to say; indeed, I fear these _two_
never-to-be-forgotten _voyages_ and _visits_ have made me think
Windsor and its daily occurrences very dull. But this is very
ungrateful for what I have had, which is so much more than I ever
dared to hope for. The weather is become colder, and yesterday and the
day before were horrid, foggy, raw days; to-day it is finer again....

Feodore and Ernest came to us yesterday, and I find them both _very_
well; Feodore is, I think, grown more serious than she was....

You remember that when we were together we talked of who Aumale could
marry; he will only marry a Catholic, and no Spaniard, no Neapolitan,
no Austrian, and also no Brazilian, as Louise tells me. Why should not
Princess Alexandrine of Bavaria do? It would be a good connection, and
you say (though not as pretty as Princess Hildegarde) that she is not
ill-looking. _Qu'en pensez-vous?_ Then for _Tatane_[66]--a Princess of
Saxony would be extremely _passlich_.

How long does Aunt Julia stay with you?

Albert, I suppose, writes to you, and I, dearest Uncle, remain ever
and ever, your _most truly_ devoted and _warmly attached_ Niece,

VICTORIA R.

We find Pussy amazingly advanced in intellect, but alas! also in
naughtiness. I hold up Charlotte as an example of every virtue, which
has its effect; for when she is going to be naughty she says: "Dear
Ma, what does cousin Charlotte do?"

[Footnote 66: Antoine, Duc de Montpensier.]

[Pageheading: ROYAL VISITORS]

_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._

WINDSOR CASTLE, _3rd October 1843._

MY DEAREST UNCLE,--Many, many thanks for your kind letter of the 28th,
received on Sunday, which was written from the Camp of Beverloo, which
Albert recollects with _great pleasure_ and interest, having amused
himself so much there.

I can give you excellent accounts of ourselves. The boy returned from
Brighton yesterday, looking really the picture of health, and
much _embelli_; Pussy is in great force, but not to be compared to
Charlotte in beauty; and Fatima (_alias_ Alice) is as enormous and
flourishing as ever. Dearest Louise seems much pleased with Aunt
Julia, which I am glad of, and I rejoice that poor Aunt has had the
happiness of making my beloved Louise's acquaintance, for it will be a
happy recollection for her in her solitude.

We expect the Grand Duke Michael here this afternoon; he is to stay
till Friday. The Michael Woronzows,[67] with a son and daughter, are
also coming, and we shall be a large party, and are going to dine in
the Waterloo Gallery, which makes a very handsome dining-room, and sit
after dinner in that beautiful grand Reception Room. _How_ I envy
your going to that dear French family! I hope that you will like my
favourite Chica. I trust, however, that you will _not_ stay too long
away for your good people's sake.

Not being quite sure of your going, I shall direct this to Brussels
still.

We went this morning to Kew, visited the old Palace--which is not at
all a bad house--the Botanical Gardens, and then my Aunt's.[68]

The Revolution at Athens[69] looks like _le commencement de la fin_;
it was _very_ unanimous.

Now, dearest Uncle, adieu! Ever, your most affectionate Niece,

VICTORIA R.

[Footnote 67: Prince Michael Woronzow (1782-1856) was a
plenipotentiary at the Congress of Aix-la-Chapelle (1818), and
was in command at the siege of Varna in 1828.]

[Footnote 68: The Duchess of Cambridge.]

[Footnote 69: A bloodless revolution had taken place on
the 14th of September, partly in consequence of King Otho
exercising his patronage in favour of Bavarians rather than
Greeks. He now acceded to the popular demands.]

[Pageheading: THE DUC DE BORDEAUX]

_Queen Victoria to the Earl of Aberdeen._

WINDSOR CASTLE, _9th October 1843._

The Queen has received Lord Aberdeen's two letters. She has been
reflecting upon his proposition that Mr Lytton Bulwer[70] should be
appointed Minister at Madrid, and quite approves it. The Queen trusts
that he will try and keep on the best terms with the French Minister
there, and that without in any way weakening our interests, the
representatives of these two powerful countries will act _together_.
The Queen feels _certain_ that if it is known by _our_ respective
Ministers that _both_ Governments _wish_ to act _together_, and not
_against_ one another, that much irritation will be avoided; and that
our agents, particularly in distant countries, will understand
that they are _not_ fulfilling the wishes of their Sovereign by
representing every little incident in the most unfavourable light....

The Queen hopes that Lord Aberdeen will take some early opportunity of
employing Mr Aston. Who will replace Mr Bulwer at Paris? his successor
ought to be an efficient man, as Lord Cowley[71] is rather infirm. The
Queen regrets to say that the Duc de Bordeaux[72] is coming here; he
really must not be received by the Queen, as she fears his reception
at Berlin has done _no_ good; and altogether, from what she sees in
the papers, she fears there is no good purpose in his coming here.

[Footnote 70: Afterwards Lord Dalling.]

[Footnote 71: Lord Cowley, brother of the Duke of Wellington,
and one of four brothers all either raised in or promoted to
the peerage, was now seventy years of age. In after-years his
son was also Ambassador at Paris.]

[Footnote 72: Afterwards known as Comte de Chambord, and
claiming the French throne as Henri V.: he was grandson of
Charles X., and at this time about twenty-three years of age.]

_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._

WINDSOR CASTLE, _13th October 1843._

MY DEAREST UNCLE,--It is not my day, but my object in writing is to
speak to you about the _dear_ Nemours' visit, which we are so anxious
to see accomplished. Louise writes to me about the Duke of Bordeaux
coming to England making some difficulty, and I wish therefore to
state what we know of the affair. We _understand_ (for of course
we have had no direct communication) that the Duc de Bordeaux has
embarked at Hamburg for _Hull_, and intends travelling in Scotland
_before_ he visits England, and _that_ incognito and under the name of
Comte _tel et tel_; his being in Scotland when Nemours is in
England, and particularly _on a visit to us here_, _could_ make
_no_ difficulty, and even if he were travelling about _incognito_ in
England, it could not signify, I think. Moreover, I feel certain that
if he knew that _I_ had invited the Nemours and that they were coming
over shortly, he would go away, as the Legitimists would not be
pleased at Nemours being _feted_ by me--_while their Henry V._ was
_not_ even noticed or received. I could easily, and indeed have almost
done so, make it known generally that _I_ expect the Nemours, and I
would say _immediately_, and he would be sure to get out of the way.
I cannot tell you _how very_ anxious we are to see the Nemours; I have
been thinking of nothing else, and to lose this great pleasure would
be too mortifying. Moreover, as I really and truly do not think it
need be, it would be _best_ if the Nemours could come _before_ the
10th of November; which is the _latest_ term when they could come? Now
pray, dearest Uncle, do settle this for me; you have no notion _how_
we wish it. I will be sure to let you know what I hear, and if there
is anything you could suggest about this, I need not say but that we
shall attend to it with pleasure. The Grand Duke Michael will be gone
by the end of this month. _Ainsi je mets cette chere visite dans vos
mains._ Ever your devoted Niece,

VICTORIA R.

Pray, dearest Uncle, let me have an answer by the next post about
this, as I am all in a _fidget_ about it.

[Pageheading: ARREST OF O'CONNELL]

_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._

WINDSOR CASTLE, _17th October 1843._

MY DEAREST UNCLE,--Your kind letter of the 13th I received yesterday,
and return you my warmest thanks for it....

By your letter, and by one I received from Victoire yesterday morning,
I see every reason to hope that we shall see the dear Nemours,
for there will be no difficulty to prevent that poor stupid Duc de
Bordeaux from being _in London_ at the time. He is to be informed
indirectly that the Nemours are coming at the beginning of next month
on a visit to us, in consequence of a pressing invitation of ours;
this alone will keep him off, as the contrast would be disagreeable to
the Legitimists. Independent of this, his disembarkation at Hull, and
proceeding at once to Scotland, seems to indicate his wish to be in
private.

The great event of the day is O'Connell's arrest;[73] they have found
bail, but the trial will shortly commence. The case against him is
_very_ strong, the lawyers say.

Everything is perfectly quiet at Dublin. You will have seen how
O'Connell has abused the King; it is all because our visit to Eu
has put an end to _any_ hopes of assistance from France, which
he pretended there would be, and he now declares for the Duc de
Bordeaux!...

You must encourage the dear King and Queen to send over some of the
dear family often to us; _ils seront recus a bras ouverts_....

We intend to take advantage of Feodore and Ernest's going to the Queen
Dowager's to pay a visit to Cambridge, where we have never been; we
mean to set off to-morrow week, to sleep at Trinity Lodge that night,
and the two following nights at Lord Hardwicke's,[74] which is close
to Cambridge. These journeys are very popular, and please and interest
Albert very much.... Believe me, always, my dearest Uncle, your very
affectionate Niece,

VICTORIA R.

[Footnote 73: After the official prohibition on 7th October
of the intended Clontarf meeting, O'Connell and others
were arrested in Dublin for conspiracy. After giving bail,
O'Connell issued an address to the Irish people. The trial was
postponed till the following year.]

[Footnote 74: Wimpole, near Royston, nine miles from
Cambridge.]

[Pageheading: THE DUC DE BORDEAUX]

_Sir Robert Peel to the Prince Albert._

DRAYTON MANOR, _20th October 1843._

SIR,--The enclosed letter[75] from Sir James Graham to me (which
as your Royal Highness will perceive is _entirely of a private
character_) contains details of a conversation with Baron Neumann
which will, I think, be interesting to Her Majesty and to your
Royal Highness; and knowing your Royal Highness will consider the
communication a confidential one, I prefer sending the letter _in
extenso_ to the making of any extracts from it.

I am afraid there is more in the Duc de Bordeaux's visit than the mere
gratification of a desire on his part to see again places with which
he was familiar in his youth.

If, however, he should be so ill-advised as to make any political
demonstration, or to ally himself with any particular party in this
country, he would, in my opinion, derive little from it, and there
would be the opportunity of giving to the King of the French a new
proof of our fidelity to our engagements, and of the steadiness of our
friendship towards him and his dynasty.

The great body of the French people would comprehend the object of any
such demonstrations on the part of the Duc de Bordeaux, and would, it
is to be hoped, see in them an additional motive for union in support
of the King, and confidence in the honour and integrity of this
country.

I will not fail to inform the Grand Duke of Her Majesty's intended
visit to Cambridge, and to suggest to him that it will not be
convenient to the Queen to receive him at Windsor before Saturday at
the earliest, and probably Monday.

On the day after I spoke to your Royal Highness I gave instructions
for enquiries to be made respecting the two properties in the Isle of
Wight.[76] It is necessary to make such enquiries through some very
confidential channel, as a suspicion of the object of them would
probably greatly enhance the price.

The party on whom I could entirely rely was out of town, but will
return to-morrow, and will immediately find out what he can respecting
the properties.

The result shall be made known to the Queen and your Royal Highness
without delay.

Will your Royal Highness have the goodness to mention this to Her
Majesty?...

I have the honour to be, Sir, with sincere respect, your Royal
Highness's most faithful and humble Servant,

ROBERT PEEL.

[Footnote 75: Referring to the visit of the Duc de Bordeaux.]

[Footnote 76: The Queen and the Prince were at this time
making enquiries about a suitable residence in the Isle of
Wight. The purchase of Osborne resulted.]

[Pageheading: THE QUEEN'S DECISION]

_The Prince Albert to Sir Robert Peel._

WINDSOR CASTLE, _21st October 1843._

MY DEAR SIR ROBERT,--I return you Sir James Graham's letter. There
is a pretty general impression of the Duc de Bordeaux's visit being
a got-up thing for various political intrigues. I confess I do not
understand the link with Ireland, or at least the importance of his
being well received by the Roman Catholics, but am strongly impressed
that his presence whether in Scotland, England, or Ireland is for
no good, and therefore think it our duty that we should render it
difficult for him to protract it. The Queen and myself think that the
uncertainty of his being received at Court or not is doing harm, and
would _much_ wish, therefore, that it was _decidedly_ stated _that
the Queen will not receive him_. His coming here without ever asking
(indeed knowing that it was disliked), as well as the part which
Austria and Prussia seem to have taken in the matter, do not
strengthen his claim for such a favour. No good can come from the
reception, and the King of the French must prefer its not taking
place. Let us, therefore, settle that point, and show that we are
neither afraid of him nor prepared to be made dupes of.

The Queen is desirous that no official person should treat the Duke
with a distinction which is likely to attract unnecessary attention.
Believe me, always yours truly,

ALBERT.

[Pageheading: THE DUC DE NEMOURS]

_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._

WINDSOR CASTLE, _24th October 1843._

MY DEAREST UNCLE,--I had the happiness of receiving your most kind
letter of the 20th yesterday, for which I thank you very much. The
good news of the dear Nemours coming is a great happiness to us, and
I fervently hope and trust that the Duc de Bordeaux will be kept off,
which I _fully_ expect he will. Suppose, however, he could _not_ be,
and the Nemours could not come _then_, would the King not kindly allow
them to come later? Even if the Chambers were to be sitting--such
a little _Ausflug_ of ten days only could really not be a great
inconvenience? Surely if you were to mention this to the dear King,
with my affectionate respects, he would grant it. It is besides only
in _case_ Bordeaux should come to London, which I _really_ think he
will _not_, if he once knows that the Nemours are coming. And I must
add that I think Nemours not coming at _all_ this year, after it had
been announced, would have a bad effect, particularly as people
here think that some great Powers have instigated Bordeaux's coming
here,--and even think that the Roman Catholics and Repealers in
Ireland mean to make use of him. Consequently Nemours _not_ coming _at
all_, should he be prevented from coming at the beginning of November,
would not be a good thing _politically_, independent of the _extreme
disappointment_ it would cause us....

The accounts both you and Louise gave me of good Hadjy and Chica give
me great pleasure, as I take a lively interest in both, and am very
fond of them. We found amongst some very curious old miniatures
several of Catherine of Braganza when young (Charles II.'s wife),
which are so like Chica;[77] it is curious how sometimes you can trace
likenesses many generations back....

Pray offer our respects to _all_. How long do you stay? Ever your
devoted niece,

VICTORIA R.

[Footnote 77: The Princess de Joinville was a sister of Queen
Maria II. of Portugal, and Queen Catherine of Braganza was
daughter of King John IV.]

[Pageheading: THE DUC DE BORDEAUX]

_The Earl of Aberdeen to Queen Victoria._

DRUMLANRIG, _27th October 1843._

Lord Aberdeen, with his humble duty, begs to lay before your Majesty
another letter received last night from Lord Morton,[78] which gives
an account of the visit of the Duc de Bordeaux, and of his further
communication with the Duc de Levis on the projects and views of His
Royal Highness.

Lord Aberdeen has ventured to submit this letter to your Majesty,
although not intended for your Majesty's perusal, as it gives a
pleasing and satisfactory description of the conduct and sentiments of
this unfortunate Prince.

In order to explain to your Majesty how Lord Morton, who lives in
a very retired manner, should have received a visit from the Duc
de Bordeaux, Lord Aberdeen begs to mention that when the family of
Charles X. resided at Edinburgh, after the Revolution of July 1830,
they received information more than once, from the present Royal
Family of France, that certain desperate characters had left Paris for
Edinburgh, with the intention of assassinating the Duc de Bordeaux, in
order to prevent all possibility of a Restoration. In consequence of
this information, it was thought to be dangerous for the Prince to
walk or to expose himself in the neighbourhood of Holyrood House. He
was frequently driven in a carriage to Lord Morton's,[79] where he
remained for a few hours, taking exercise in the park, and playing
with Lord Morton's children. It is the recollection of this which has
led the Prince to make his acknowledgments on the present occasion.