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

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Lord Aberdeen also begs humbly to mention to your Majesty that on his
arrival here he found the Duke and Duchess of Buccleuch in expectation
of a visit from the Duc de Bordeaux, on his way from Glasgow
to Carlisle. Lord Aberdeen informed the Duke and Duchess of the
objections which might exist to this visit; but he believes that
communications on the subject had already gone too far to render
it possible to break it off with any degree of propriety. The great
attentions paid by the Duke and his predecessors to the French Royal
Family, both during the former and last emigration, sufficient account
for this desire on the part of the Prince.

[Footnote 78: George Sholto, nineteenth Earl of Morton
(1789-1858).]

[Footnote 79: Dalmahoy, Midlothian.]

[Pageheading: VISIT TO CAMBRIDGE]

[Pageheading: BETROTHAL OF THE DUC D'AUMALE]

_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._

WINDSOR CASTLE, _31st October 1843._

MY DEAREST UNCLE,--I had the pleasure of receiving your dear and kind
letter of the 27th yesterday, by which I learn that you are all well
and going on the 4th. Forgive me, dearest Uncle, if I say that I am
glad that you are _at length_ going back to Belgium, as (though I
fully understand from _personal_ experience how delightful it must be
to be in the midst of that dear and perfect family) I think these long
absences distress your faithful Belgians a little.

We returned on Saturday, highly pleased and interested with our
tour,[80] though a little _done up_. I seldom remember more enthusiasm
than was shown at Cambridge, and in particular by the Undergraduates.
They received my dear Angel, too, with the greatest enthusiasm. This
is useful, as these young people _will all, in time_, have a certain
part to play; they are the rising generation, and an event of this
kind makes a lasting impression on their minds.

You will have heard from Louise that there is no longer any impediment
to the dear Nemours coming, which you may easily conceive gives me the
greatest satisfaction. Since then, I have heard that Bordeaux does not
intend visiting London till he sees by the papers that the Nemours are
gone. I saw a letter from a gentleman, with whom he had been staying,
and who says that he is very pleasing and unaffected, and very easily
amused, and quite pleased "with missing a few pheasants, and dancing
quadrilles in the evening to a pianoforte." Poor fellow! his fate
certainly is a melancholy one. He should renounce, buy some property
in Germany, and marry, and settle there.

I am glad to hear of Montpensier's arrival, and that my favourite
Chica is in your good graces; she is a dear natural child. I am so
impatient to see my dear Victoire and good Nemours--who was always a
great ally of mine--again!

The Grand Duke came here last night, and goes away after luncheon, and
leaves England on Thursday. He is charmed with all he has seen, and I
must say is very amiable and civil. He has got a most charming large
dog, called Dragon, like a Newfoundland, only brown and white, with
the most expressive eyes imaginable and _si bien dresse_. Prince
Alexander of the Netherlands is also coming down to take leave this
week. We never had so many visitors.

I am beyond everything interested with that beautiful novel by
Rellstab,[81] _1812_, which I know you admire so much. The description
of the Russian Campaign is incomparable, and so beautifully written.
You quite _see_ everything before you. Have you read his other, _Paris
und Algier_? By the by, have you read Custine's[82] book on Russia?
They say it is very severe on Russia, and full of hatred to the
English.

We found the children very well, and Bertie quite recovered, but poor
fat Alice (who, I _must_ say, is becoming _very_ pretty) has had the
earache.

Mamma with Feo and Ernest are with the Queen Dowager at Witley Court
since Thursday last, and only return next Thursday (the day after
to-morrow). Clem seems very happy, and writes that she is happiest
when she is _tete-a-tete_ with poor Gusti, which _I_ should _not_
fancy. Ever, dearest Uncle, your devoted Niece,

VICTORIA R.

I open my letter, dearest Uncle, to say that I have _just_ seen in a
confidential despatch from Lord Cowley that Aumale is authorised
to ask for the hand of the daughter of the Prince de Salerno[83] (a
singular coincidence after what I wrote to you in _utter ignorance_
of this report), and that he was also to find out what the opinions of
the Neapolitan Royal Family were respecting an alliance with the Queen
of Spain. But tell me, dearest Uncle, if these reports are true? You
may _rely_ on my discretion, and I shall not breathe a word of what
you may answer me, if you wish the secret to be kept.

[Footnote 80: The Royal party went by road from Paddington
to Cambridge, and stayed at the Lodge at Trinity; on the
following day Prince Albert was made LL.D. The party then went
to Wimpole, and visited Bourn (Lord Delawarr's). At the ball
which was given at Wimpole, there was a sofa, covered with a
piece of drapery given by Louis XIV. to the poet Prior and by
him to Lord Oxford, the owner of Wimpole, before its purchase
by Lord Chancellor Hardwicke. _See_ Lord Melbourne's letter of
7th November, _post_, p. 503. (Ch. XII, 7th November, 1843)]

[Footnote 81: Louis Rellstab (1799-1860), a prolific German
writer of novels, whose thinly-veiled attacks on public men
earned him at one time a sentence of imprisonment.]

[Footnote 82: The Marquis Astolphe de Custine (1790-1857),
author of _La Russie en 1839_, at this time recently
published.]

[Footnote 83: The Due d'Aumale married in November 1844,
Caroline, daughter of the Prince and Princess of Salerno.]

[Pageheading: INDIAN AFFAIRS]

_Sir Robert Peel to Queen Victoria._

DRAYTON MANOR, _31st October 1843._

Sir Robert Peel presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and begs
leave to return to your Majesty the accompanying communication from
Lord Ellenborough, and a letter which your Majesty proposes to send to
Lord Ellenborough.

In compliance with your Majesty's desire that Sir Robert Peel should
inform your Majesty whether he sees anything objectionable in that
letter, Sir Robert Peel humbly represents to your Majesty that he does
not think it would be advisable for your Majesty personally to express
to the Governor-General of India your Majesty's opinion with regard
either to the policy of retaining Scinde,[84] as being of the
greatest importance to the security of the Indian Empire, or as to the
completeness of the defence of Sir Charles Napier from the accusations
brought against him.

He humbly and most respectfully takes the liberty of submitting to
your Majesty, that these being matters of important public concern,
the regular and constitutional channel for conveying the opinion of
your Majesty with respect to them would be through your Majesty's
servants.

In the particular case, indeed, of India, instructions do not proceed
from your Majesty's servants, directly signifying your Majesty's
pleasure, but are conveyed in despatches to the Governor-General,
signed by the three members of the Secret Committee of the Court of
Directors.

The Secret Court of Directors--that is, the whole Court acting in
secret--have come to a Resolution (in Sir Robert Peel's opinion very
unwisely and precipitately) expressing the gravest doubt, on their
part, as to the policy and justice of the recent transactions in
Scinde.[85]

The Court is aware that your Majesty's servants disapprove of this
proceeding on their part, and that they have declined to transmit
officially to Lord Ellenborough, through the Secret Committee, the
condemnatory Resolution of the Court. One of the grounds on which they
deprecated the Resolution was the passing of it in the absence of full
and complete information from India, in respect to the policy and to
the events which led to the occupation of Scinde.

Under these circumstances, as well on the general Constitutional
ground, as with reference to the present state of the public
correspondence in regard to Scinde, and the particular relation of
the Governor-General to the East India Company, and the Court of
Directors, Sir Robert Peel humbly advises your Majesty to forbear
from expressing an opinion, in a private communication to the
Governor-General, with regard to events in Scinde or to the policy
hereafter to be pursued in respect to that country. Sir Robert Peel
begs to add that in a private letter by the last mail to Lord Ripon,
Lord Ellenborough observes that he is going on very harmoniously with
the Members of Council at Calcutta.

[Footnote 84: Earlier in the year Lord Ellenborough had
appointed Sir Charles Napier Governor of Scinde, and had by
Proclamation applied the Slave Trade and Slavery Abolition
Acts to Scinde.]

[Footnote 85: See Parker's _Sir Robert Peel_, vol. iii. chap. 1.]

_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._

MELBOURNE, _7th November 1843._

Lord Melbourne presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and thanks
your Majesty much for the letter of the 4th inst., which he has
received this morning with great satisfaction. Lord Melbourne hears
with great pleasure of the gratification which your Majesty and the
Prince received in your visit to Cambridge. Lord Melbourne collects
from all the accounts that the proceedings in the Senate House
were not only full of loyalty, enthusiasm, and gratitude, but also
perfectly decorous, respectful, academic, and free from all those
political cries which have recently prevailed so much in the theatre
at Oxford on similar occasions.[86] Lord Melbourne hopes he is within
[the mark]; if he is it forms a remarkable and advantageous contrast.
Lord Melbourne does not know anywhere a better account of Cambridge,
its foundations, and the historical recollections of its founders,
than is given in Mr. Gray's ode on the installation of the Duke
of Grafton, which it would not be amiss to read with the large
explanatory notes that are given in the editions of Mason and
Mathias.[87]

Lord Melbourne is very partial to Lord Hardwicke, who always is and
has been very civil and good-natured to Lord Melbourne, and these are
qualities to which Lord Melbourne is not at all indifferent. Wimpole
is a curious place. Lord Melbourne is not exactly aware how the Yorkes
got hold of it.[88] There is much history and more poetry connected
with it. Prior[89] mentions it repeatedly, and always calls the first
Lady Harley, the daughter of the Duke of Newcastle, Belphebe.[90] If
Hardwicke should have a daughter, he should christen her Belphebe. The
Lady Belphebe Yorke would not sound ill....

[Footnote 86: See _ante_, p. 292. (Ch. X, 17th June, 1841)]

[Footnote 87: Gray, the poet, who had been appointed by the
Duke Professor of Modern History, composed an ode (set to
music by Randall) for the latter's installation as Chancellor,
on 1st July 1769.]

[Footnote 88: The cultured but indolent Edward, Lord Harley,
afterwards Earl of Oxford (son of the great minister), sold
Wimpole to Lord Chancellor Hardwicke in 1740 to pay off a debt
of L100,000. He had married Lady Henrietta Cavendish Holles,
daughter and heiress of John, Duke of Newcastle, who brought
him L500,000, most of which he dissipated. Their only child,
Margaret, the "noble lovely little Peggy" of Prior, married
William Bentinck, second Duke of Portland. Lady Oxford sold
to the nation the "Harleian Collection" of manuscripts, now in
the British Museum.]

[Footnote 89: Who died there in 1721.]

[Footnote 90: Alluding to the rarely printed poem "Colin's
Mistakes," where "Bright Ca'ndish Holles Harley" is seen in
the glades of Wimpole by the dreamy youth, and mistaken for
Gloriana, Belphebe, etc.]

[Pageheading: PROPOSED VISIT TO PEEL]

_Sir Robert Peel to the Prince Albert._

WHITEHALL, _9th November 1843._

SIR,--I was greatly gratified by learning on my return to London last
night from Witley Court that it is not improbable that Her Majesty and
your Royal Highness may confer the high honour of a visit to Drayton
Manor towards the conclusion of the present month.

I venture to think, from what I saw of Witley Court, that the
arrangement proposed by your Royal Highness will be more convenient to
Her Majesty than the staying at Witley Court.

I can assure your Royal Highness that nothing shall be left undone by
Lady Peel and me to contribute to the comfort of Her Majesty and your
Royal Highness during your occupation of Drayton Manor, and to mark
our sense of the kind condescension of Her Majesty and your Royal
Highness in making it your abode.

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

ROBERT PEEL.

[Pageheading: TRAVELLING ARRANGEMENTS]

_Sir Robert Peel to the Prince Albert._

WHITEHALL, _Sunday, 12th November 1843._

SIR,--I send to your Royal Highness a little book which is published
every month, giving very useful information as to distances, or at
least times, on all the railways. Possibly your Royal Highness has
this book regularly sent to you.

I think, before Her Majesty promises a visit to Witley Court, there
are one or two points worthy of consideration which are in favour
of proposing to the Queen Dowager to meet the Queen at Drayton Manor
first. The Queen would have to go and to return in the same day. The
Queen Dowager might remain either one night or two nights at Drayton.
Secondly, the Birmingham and Derby line is not on the same level with
the line which goes to Droitwich (eleven miles from Witley Court), and
there is a little delay in posting a carriage, or in passing from the
lower line of railway to the upper.

Thirdly, there is the passage for Her Majesty, though not through
Birmingham as in an ordinary travelling carriage, yet in the immediate
outskirts of the town, and this twice in the same day.

The Corporation (which is a completely Radical one) might solicit
permission to present an Address to Her Majesty at the station.

There would, I am sure, be nothing but demonstrations of the greatest
loyalty and attachment to Her Majesty, but there would probably be
a great concourse of people, and some delay, if the Address were
received.

Perhaps your Royal Highness will think of these suggestions, which I
am induced to offer by the desire to foresee everything which may have
a bearing upon the personal comfort of the Queen.

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

ROBERT PEEL.

[Pageheading: THE DUCHESSE DE NEMOURS]

_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._

WINDSOR CASTLE, _14th November 1843._

MY DEAREST, KINDEST UNCLE,--A long and most _interesting_ letter
reached me on Sunday, dated 9th and 10th, and I beg to return my
warmest thanks for it. The confidence you show me I feel deeply and
gratefully, and you may rely on my discretion. Before I touch upon any
of the subjects in your letter I will give you news of our visitors.
The dear Nemours arrived safely after a good passage on Saturday, well
but very tired. They are now quite recovered, and we are too happy to
have them here. Nemours looks well, and is very kind and amiable, but
I think there is a seriousness since poor Chartres' death which used
not to be formerly, though he always was _reserved_, and that, I
think, he is _not_ now. Dearest Victoire is _amazingly_ improved and
_developpee_--really quite wonderfully so. We are all so struck by it,
by her good sense and by her conversation; and with that she has
kept that innocence and gentleness which she always had--and is _so
lovely_, dear sweet child. I must always look at her, and she, dear
child, seems so pleased to see me again. I find her _grown_, but grown
very thin, and she has not those bright colours she used to have. All
that you say of Bordeaux is just what Nemours says, and what Guizot
writes, and what _I_ and also Sir Robert Peel _always_ felt and
thought. Aberdeen, with the greatest wish to do _all_ that is kind and
right, _really thought_ that B. was only come to amuse himself,
and had no idea till _now_ that the feeling in France in _all_ the
different parties was so strong. You will have heard by this time that
we have decided _not_ to receive B. in _any way_ whatever. It is a
pleasure to hear how mildly and sensibly Nemours speaks upon all these
subjects, and indeed every subject....

I think you did _uncommonly right_ in what you answered the poor King
about the _arrete_ in favour of the _Prussians_, and I am very glad
you _have_ done so. It will have a good effect here.

Louise will tell you how we celebrated good Bertie's birthday. The
children are in great favour with the Nemours.

Pray, dearest Uncle, do not forget to send me the list of Rellstab's
works. We think of making another little tour after the dear Nemours'
departure, to Drayton (Sir Robert Peel's), Chatsworth, and Belvoir.

We are very sorry to lose dear Feo and Ernest. They are so good and
excellent, and she is so _brav_. Ever, your devoted Niece,

VICTORIA R.

[Pageheading: BIRMINGHAM]

[_Memorandum enclosed from Sir Robert Peel to Prince Albert,
about the political condition of Birmingham, which the
Prince was intending to visit._]

The Mayor is a hosier--of _extreme_ political opinions--_in fact, a
Chartist_.

The contest for the office of Mayor was between him and a man of
Radical opinions, but Chartism prevailed.

The Mayor has taken a violent part, before his Mayoralty, against
Church Rates, and in reference to the state of Ireland.

The Conservative party took no part whatever in the Municipal
Elections, and would not vote.

They would, if invited or permitted by the Mayor and Town Council,
cordially co-operate with men of opposite opinions in any mark of
respect to the Prince.

No probability of any tumult or of any demonstration but one of
respect personally towards the Prince, if his visit be clearly and
manifestly unconnected with politics.

An immense concourse of people must be expected, not only from
Birmingham, but Wolverhampton, Walsall, and all the neighbouring
towns, and previous police arrangements must be very carefully made.

There may be a proposal of a collation and of an Address, to be
received in the Town Hall.

Should not the Lord Lieutenant (Lord Warwick) have notice?

Is the Mayor to accompany the Prince in the same carriage?[91]

The Mayor has no carriage.

No communication should be made to any party in Birmingham, except to
the municipal authorities, notwithstanding their political bias and
_extreme_ opinions.

The late Mayor, Mr James, though a Radical, would have summoned the
leading men of different parties.

Doubts as to whether the present Mayor would, or whether he would not,
place the whole arrangement in the hands of the party with which he is
connected.

This risk must be incurred, as communications to other parties would
not be advisable.

[Footnote 91: This was the course adopted.]

[Pageheading: THE DUC DE BORDEAUX]

_The Earl of Aberdeen to Queen Victoria._

FOREIGN OFFICE, _1st December 1843._

Lord Aberdeen presents his humble duty to your Majesty. He has not yet
received any communication from the Duc de Levis, notwithstanding he
had been led to expect it, from a notice repeatedly conveyed to him to
that effect. It seems probable that in consequence of what the Duc
de Levis may have heard, as well as from the course pursued by the
friends of the Duc de Bordeaux, Lord Aberdeen may not now see him
at all. Should this be the case, Lord Aberdeen is rather inclined
to regret it; as although he would formerly have seen him with some
reluctance, he would now be glad to have an opportunity of expressing
his sentiments very plainly respecting the proceedings of the Prince
and his adherents in this country.

Lord Aberdeen understands from Sir Robert Peel that your Majesty would
like to be informed of any particulars connected with the Levee lately
held by the Duc de Bordeaux. Lord Aberdeen would willingly communicate
these particulars, but in reality there is very little to be added
to the official accounts contained in the _Morning Post_, which it
is obvious are inserted by authority. He saw M. de Ste Aulaire this
morning, who was a good deal excited by what has taken place, and has
written very fully to Paris; but he knew nothing more than he had seen
in the newspapers.

It may perhaps be worth mentioning to your Majesty that at the
presentation of the Address by M. Chateaubriand[92] on Friday, the
cries of "Vive le Roi!" and "Vive Henri V.!" were so loud as to be
distinctly audible in the Square. Lord Aberdeen understands that this
enthusiasm has been the cause of serious differences amongst many of
those who had come to pay their respects to the Duc de Bordeaux, a
large portion of whom are by no means disposed to recognise him as
King during the life of the Duc d'Angouleme.[93]

Lord Aberdeen cannot learn that any other member of the Diplomatic
Body has been presented to the Duc de Bordeaux, and does not believe
that any such presentation has taken place. Indeed, there appears to
be a general disinclination that such should be the case; although
some of them feel considerable difficulty in consequence of the
relationship existing between their Sovereigns and the Prince.

[Footnote 92: Francois, Vicomte de Chateaubriand (1768-1848),
a great supporter of the Bourbons, and made a Peer in 1815. He
was Ambassador in London in 1822.]

[Footnote 93: Eldest son of Charles X.]

_Queen Victoria to Lord Stanley._

CHATSWORTH, _3rd December 1843._

The Queen approves of Lord Stanley's proposed Draft to Sir Charles
Metcalfe.[94] This question can in no way be settled without giving
offence to one part of the country; the Queen, however, hopes that
the fixing upon Montreal as the seat of Government will hereafter be
considered as fair by impartial minds. Sir Charles continues to show
great discretion and firmness in his most arduous and unsatisfactory
situation, and deserves much praise and encouragement.

[Footnote 94: Governor-General of Canada.]

[Pageheading: VISIT TO CHATSWORTH]

_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._

BELVOIR CASTLE, _4th December 1843._

MY DEAREST UNCLE,--Being much hurried, I can only write you a few
lines to thank you for your kind letter of the 29th, received this
morning. You will have heard from Louise the account of our stay
at Drayton (which is a very nice house), and of Albert's brilliant
reception at Birmingham. We arrived at Chatsworth on Friday, and left
it at nine this morning, quite charmed and delighted with everything
there. Splendour and comfort are so admirably combined, and the Duke
does everything so well. I found many improvements since I was there
eleven years ago. The conservatory is out and out the finest thing
imaginable of its kind. It is one mass of glass, 64 feet high, 300
long, and 134 wide.[95] The grounds, with all the woods and cascades
and fountains, are so beautiful too. The first evening there was a
ball, and the next the cascades and fountains were illuminated, which
had a beautiful effect. There was a large party there, including
many of the Duke's family, the Bedfords, Buccleuchs, the Duke of
Wellington, the Normanbys, Lord Melbourne (who is much better),
and the Beauvales. We arrived here at half-past two, we perform our
journey so delightfully on the railroad, so quickly and easily. It
puts me in mind of our dear stay in Belgium, when we stop at the
various stations.

Albert is going out hunting to-morrow, which I wish was _over_, but I
am assured that the country is much better than the Windsor country.

The Duc de Bordeaux's proceedings in London are most highly improper.

The Queen Dowager is also here.

We leave this place on Thursday for home, which, I own, I shall be
glad of at last. Ever your devoted Niece,

VICTORIA R.

[Footnote 95: It was built by Mr Joseph Paxton, then
Superintendent of the Gardens, whose intelligence had
attracted the Duke of Devonshire's attention. In 1850 he was
the successful competitor for the Great Exhibition building,
and was knighted on its completion. He superintended its
re-erection at Sydenham, and afterwards became M.P. for
Coventry.]

_The Princess Hohenhohe to Queen Victoria._

LANGENBURG, _10th December 1843._

MY DEAREST VICTORIA,--... You ask in your letter about the manner in
which my children say their prayers? They say it when in their beds,
but not kneeling; how absurd to find _that_ necessary, as if it could
have anything to do with making our prayers more acceptable to the
Almighty or more holy. How really clever people can have those notions
I don't understand. I am sorry it is the case there, where there is
so much good and, I am certain, real piety. Dear Pussy learning her
letters I should like to see and hear; I am sure she will learn them
very quick. Has Bertie not learned some more words and sentences
during your absence?...