Chapter VIII (1)

1839

_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._

PAVILION [BRIGHTON], _1st January 1839._

MY DEAR UNCLE,--... I don't like your _croaking_ so about damp climates; if a niece may venture to say such a thing, I might almost say it is ungrateful to your faithful and attached Belgians.

The Queen-Dowager's letters do tantalize one a good deal, I must own.[1] You will see that old Lord Clarendon[2] is dead, which makes our friend Villiers Earl of Clarendon, but I am afraid not with a large income.

Lord Palmerston has been unwell and obliged to go to Broadlands, where he still is. He had gone through so much grief and labour, that it was absolutely necessary for him to recruit his strength. The Normanbys spent two nights here.[3] Lord Melbourne is the only person staying in the house besides several of my Court and my suite, and, I am sorry to say, is not very well; he has also had, I fear, too much business to do.

Lady Breadalbane[4] is my new Lady of the Bedchamber, and a very nice person. Ever your devoted Niece,

VICTORIA R.

Forgive this short scrawl.

[Footnote 1: Queen Adelaide had described the orange-trees and
tropical fruits in the gardens of the Palace of St Antonio,
Valetta.]

[Footnote 2: John Charles, third Earl, Chief Justice-in-eyre,
North of Trent. His successor, who had been Minister to Spain
since 1833, was afterwards the celebrated Foreign Secretary.]

[Footnote 3: Lord Normanby, at this time Lord-Lieutenant of
Ireland, became successively during the year, Colonial and
Home Secretary. Lady Normanby, who had been a Lady-in-Waiting
since the accession, was a daughter of the first Lord
Ravensworth.]

[Footnote 4: Eliza, daughter of George Baillie of Jerviswood.
Her brother afterwards became tenth Earl of Haddington.]

[Pageheading: MURDER OF LORD NORBURY]

_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._

_6th January 1839._

Lord Melbourne presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and returns his best and warmest thanks for the very kind and gracious communication which he had the honour and pleasure of receiving from your Majesty yesterday evening. Your Majesty will have seen in the newspapers that Lord Norbury was shot at in his own grounds and dangerously wounded.[5] Lord Melbourne learns to-day by a letter from Lord Morpeth that Lord Norbury is since dead. This is a shocking event, and will, of course, create a strong sensation, much stronger than the death in the same manner of several persons of inferior degree. It is almost the first time that an attempt of this kind has been directed against an individual of that rank or station....

Lord Melbourne has seen Sir Henry Halford,[6] who says that his pulse is low and his system languid. He has prescribed some draughts, which Lord Melbourne trusts will be of service, but he feels much depressed to-day. He dined yesterday at Lady Holland's, where he met Mr Ellice,[7] civil and friendly enough in appearance, but Lord Melbourne fears hostile at heart, and a determined partisan of Lord Durham. Lord Durham has not yet made to Lord Glenelg the promised communication of his report and plan, but it is said that he will do so soon....

[Footnote 5: At Kilbeggan Abbey, County Meath. The murderer
escaped.]

[Footnote 6: The celebrated physician: he attended George IV.
and William IV., as well as Queen Victoria.]

[Footnote 7: Son-in-law of Lord Grey, as was also Lord
Durham.]

_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._

BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _11th January 1839._

MY DEAR UNCLE,--The dreadful moment has arrived, and dear Marie[8] is no more to bless her loving relations with her presence on this earth of grief and troubles! It is a heavy dispensation, and one that it is difficult to comprehend, but we must submit.

I thought it best to write to my poor dear Aunt, for whom this will be a sad blow; but I abstained from doing so to the dear Queen of the French just as yet. I have no letters, and only learnt the melancholy event by the papers. Poor wretched Alexander! What a loss, what a change for him, poor fellow!

_You_ will, I am sure, regret that sweet amiable creature, as poor Marie was, very much, having known her so well, and her attachment to you was great.

I will not prolong this letter, but merely repeat _how_ much I feel for you all, and beg you to believe me, your most affectionate Niece,

VICTORIA R.

[Footnote 8: Princess Marie of Orleans, born 1813, sister to
the Queen of the Belgians, had married Prince Alexander of
Würtemberg, in 1837.]

[Pageheading: HOLLAND AND BELGIUM]

_The King of the Belgians to Queen Victoria._

LAEKEN, _18th January 1839._

... Your Aunt as well as myself are very anxious to be of use to poor Alexander. The dispositions of the whole family are extremely kind towards him, but he is shy and a little helpless; his present melancholy situation is of course calculated to increase this. His position puts me in mind of mine in 1817.... He, besides, is surrounded by people who are kind to him. Of George IV., then Regent, it was observed that for years he had not been in such good spirits than by the loss of his daughter. She was more popular than himself--that was, since her mariage, her only crime....

I feel very grateful for Lord Melbourne's kindness on the subject of our sad loss. He is so feeling and kindhearted that he, much more than most men who have lived so much in the _grand monde_, has preserved a certain warmth and freshness of feeling....

Your cousins kiss your hands, and I remain, my dearest Victoria, your devoted Uncle,

LEOPOLD R.

_Viscount Palmerston to Queen Victoria._

STANHOPE STREET, _27th January 1839._

Viscount Palmerston presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and returns to your Majesty the accompanying papers which he received from Viscount Melbourne. Your Majesty will have seen by Sir Edward Disbrowe's[9] despatches that the concentration of Dutch troops mentioned in these reports was purely defensive, and was the consequence of the military demonstrations previously made by the Belgians; and it appears, moreover, that the Dutch force is inferior in number to the Belgian force opposite to it; and that affords an additional security against the chance of an invasion of Belgium by the Dutch. It is, however, undeniable that when two armies are drawn up in face of each other, separated by a small distance, and animated by mutual hatred, the chances of collision become great and imminent. But it is to be hoped in the present case that the communication made by the Conference to the two parties on Thursday last may avert danger of hostilities between the Dutch and Belgians.[10]

[Footnote 9: Minister at the Hague.]

[Footnote 10: _See_ next letter.]

[Pageheading: BELGIUM AND ENGLAND]

_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._

BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _7th February 1839._

MY DEAR UNCLE,--I am much grieved to learn that poor Philippe[11] has given you such anxiety. My poor Aunt! it really is too much upon her to have these cares added to her recent severe affliction. I hope to God that I shall get news of Philippe's complete recovery to-morrow.

I regret to hear that your Government gives you so much trouble, but trust that you will exert all your influence, as you have so frequently done, to persuade your Ministers to be reasonable, and not to resist the favourable offers made to the Government. _Everybody_ here is exceedingly anxious for the conclusion of these long pending affairs, and hope that the answer from Belgium will soon arrive.[12] You will forgive me, dear Uncle, if I express to you my earnest hope that these expectations may not be disappointed, for I feel that since the Dutch have so instantly accepted the proposition of the Conference, Belgium would suffer in the eyes of this country were she to delay, and, what I am still more fearful of, my beloved Uncle, you might be blamed, and suffer for what your Government may do. You will, I know, forgive this freedom, which is prompted by my great anxiety for your _welfare_ and _happiness_ (which I know you are well aware of), and for the preservation of the inestimable blessings of peace. No one feels more for you than I do at this difficult moment, nor than I have done throughout these trying and embarrassing affairs. That all may be peaceably and amicably settled is my earnest prayer.

Everything went off well yesterday,[13] and we are again launched into a political campaign, which it is impossible not to contemplate with a certain degree of anxiety.

Adieu! my dear Uncle. Give my love to my dear Aunt, and believe me, always, your most devoted Niece,

VICTORIA R.

[Footnote 11: See _ante_, p. 65. (12th April, 1837)]

[Footnote 12: The twenty-four Articles, to which Belgium
had acceded in 1831, had then been rejected by Holland. Now,
however, Holland wished to adopt them. The Belgian Government
vainly proposed different schemes, but at last the Bill for
ratifying the proposal of the Powers (made 23rd January 1839,
and accepted by Holland on 11th February) passed the Belgian
Chambers.]

[Footnote 13: The Queen opened Parliament in person on 6th
February.]

[Pageheading: CABINET DISSENSION]

_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._

_10th February 1839._

Lord Melbourne presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and thinks it right and necessary to acquaint your Majesty that the Cabinet yesterday was very stormy and unpleasant. Lord John Russell brought on the question of the Civil Government of the Army, in a temperate and judicious manner, but Lord Howick made a most violent speech, strongly condemning the whole of the present system and arraigning the conduct of the Treasury and other Departments, saying that he should not throw up his office because no measure was brought forward, but that, when questioned upon the subject by Mr Hume in the House of Commons, as it was certain that he would be, he should say that Government would do nothing upon the subject, until he (Mr Hume) compelled them, and that he should express his entire disapprobation of the present system, and his reasons in detail for that disapprobation. Your Majesty will perceive that nothing could be more violent than this course. It was borne with great patience by the rest of the Cabinet, although Mr. Rice,[14] against whom the greater part of Lord Howick's speech was directed, felt himself most deeply hurt, and so expressed himself in private afterwards to Lord Melbourne. Upon the whole, Lord Melbourne cannot but consider that affairs are in a most precarious state, and that whilst there is so much discontent fermenting within the Cabinet itself, there must be great doubt of Lord Melbourne's being much longer able to hold the Administration together.

[Footnote 14: The Chancellor of the Exchequer.]

_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._

_10th February 1839._

Lord Melbourne presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and is very sorry that his communication has occasioned your Majesty so much alarm and uneasiness. Lord Melbourne hopes that there is nothing imminent and immediate, but this sort of outbreak and contention may so soon become serious, that Lord Melbourne thought it his duty to take an early opportunity of informing your Majesty of what had taken place. Lord Melbourne would wait upon your Majesty without delay, but trusts that this letter will be sufficient to dispel any disquietude which his former communication may have excited.

[Pageheading: THE DUKE OF LUCCA]

_Lord John Russell to Queen Victoria._

WILTON CRESCENT, _20th February 1839._

Lord John Russell presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and has the honour to report that Mr Charles Villiers[15] moved yesterday, after a very able speech, that the petitioners against the Corn Laws should be heard at the Bar of the House.

Sir Robert Peel opposed the Motion on the ground that he meant to resist any change in the Corn Laws. He made a very skilful use of the returns of cotton, etc., exported.

[Footnote 15: M.P. for Wolverhampton 1835-1898, becoming
"Father of the House."]

_Viscount Palmerston to Queen Victoria._

STANHOPE STREET, _5th March 1839._

Viscount Palmerston presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and requests to be honoured with your Majesty's commands upon the accompanying letter from Count Pollon.[16] Viscount Palmerston at the same time begs to state that he has reason to believe, from what Count Pollon said to him in conversation two days ago, that the Duke of Lucca[17] has a notion that Sovereign Princes who have had the honour of dining with your Majesty, have been invited by note and not by card. If that should be so, and if your Majesty should invite the Duke of Lucca to dine at the Palace before his departure, perhaps the invitation might be made by note, instead of by card, as it was when the Duke last dined at the Palace. Your Majesty may think this a small matter, but the Duke is a small Sovereign.

[Footnote 16: For many years Sardinian Minister in England.]

[Footnote 17: Lucca was an independent Italian State.]

[Pageheading: PORTUGAL]

_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._

_9th March 1839._

Lord Melbourne presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and feels very deeply the very kind and gracious concern which your Majesty expresses for his health, as well as your Majesty's solicitude and interest upon all occasions. Lord Melbourne will take your Majesty's advice, but his experience teaches him that illness is not so easily put off, and that it will have its course in spite of precaution....

Lord Melbourne thinks, upon the whole, that your Majesty had perhaps better write by messenger a few lines of kindness and recollection. It can be no descent on your Majesty's part to do so, and as we may be obliged to take very strong measures with respect to Portugal, it is as well that there should be no appearance of any deficiency of affection or attention. Lord Melbourne [thinks] that, for the reason given by your Majesty, your Majesty may perhaps as well not go to the play this evening, but is very sorry to hear that your Majesty is low and out of spirits.

_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._

BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _14th March 1839._

MY DEAR UNCLE,--Many thanks for two letters, one which I received last Sunday, and the other enclosing a letter from Stockmar this morning. I am glad you agree with me about Victoire.[18] Since I wrote to you, I got these two letters from the Portuguese children--as I disrespectfully but very deservedly call them--which I send you, in order that you may see how they wish Victoire to come to them, which I fear and think is totally impracticable, for it would never do for Victoire to go so far without her mother. Nevertheless, I thought it but right by them to send you these letters, and I have written to them giving them little hope.

The French Ministry are gone, and I am sure the poor King will be much vexed by it. They talk of Broglie as Minister for Foreign Affairs,[19] but I am afraid Thiers is inevitable. We are rather in fear of Thiers here, but it is a pity that Louis Philippe should show so much dislike to a man he must take, for it will have the effect of a defeat.

I have no time to add more, but to beg you to believe me, always, your most affectionate Niece,

VICTORIA R.

[Footnote 18: Daughter of Prince Ferdinand of Saxe-Coburg, and
married in April 1840 to the Duc de Nemours.]

[Footnote 19: After a provisional Cabinet, in which the Duc de
Montebello was Foreign Minister, the King appointed a Ministry
with Soult as Premier and Foreign Minister.]

[Pageheading: DIFFICULTIES OF THE MINISTRY]

_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._

_22nd March 1839._

Lord Melbourne presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and begs to acquaint your Majesty that the Cabinet have decided--

1. That it is impossible to acquiesce in the vote of last night in the House of Lords.[20]

2. That it would not be justifiable to resign in the face of the declaration which I made in the year 1836, in the House of Lords, that I would maintain my post as long as I possessed the confidence of the Crown and of the House of Commons, particularly as there is no reason to suppose that we have lost the confidence of the House.

3. That the course to be pursued is to give notice in the House of Commons to-night, that the sense of that House will be taken immediately after the Easter Holidays, upon a vote of approbation of the principles of Lord Normanby's government of Ireland.

If we lose that question, or carry it by a small majority, we must resign. If we carry it, we may go on.

This is a plain statement of the case, and this course will at least give your Majesty time to consider what is to be done.

[Footnote 20: By 63 to 58 Lord Roden carried a motion for a
Select Committee to enquire into the state of Ireland; the
Ministry replied by obtaining a vote of the House of Commons
in their favour by 318 to 296.]

_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._

BROCKET HALL,[21] _1st April 1839._

Lord Melbourne presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and has just received your Majesty's letters, for which he returns many and warm thanks. Nothing could be more prosperous than his journey down, although it rained hard the greater part of the way. Lord Melbourne slept well, and has walked out this morning, although it was still showery. Nothing is so fatiguing as the first exposure to the air of the country, and Lord Melbourne feels the influence of it.

Lord Melbourne returns the letters of the King of the Belgians. He accounts very naturally for the conduct of the poor Duchess,[22] but she should have recollected the extreme disadvantage and discredit which attaches to a change of religion. _Un gentilhomme ne change jamais la religion_, was the saying of Napoleon, and is very just. It is difficult to understand the movements and motives of parties in a foreign country, and therefore Lord Melbourne does not feel able to pronounce any opinion upon the transactions in France. Lord Melbourne had seen G----'s letters, a pert jackanapes, who always takes the worst view of every subject, and does as much mischief as he can....

Lord Melbourne is just starting for Panshanger.[23] The evening is better than the morning was, but cold.

[Footnote 21: Lord Melbourne's house on the Lea, about three
miles north of Hatfield. Its construction was begun by Sir
Matthew Lamb, and completed by his son, Sir Peniston, the
first Lord Melbourne.]

[Footnote 22: Princess Alexander of Würtemberg. On her
death-bed, she had expressed a wish to her husband that he
should join the Roman Catholic Church.]

[Footnote 23: Panshanger, not far distant from Brocket, the
house of Lord Melbourne's brother-in-law, Lord Cowper, and
celebrated for its pictures, was bought by Lord Chancellor
Cowper, _temp._ Queen Anne.]

[Pageheading: ENGLAND AND BELGIUM]

_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._

BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _9th April 1839._

MY DEAR UNCLE,--... I regret to learn you are still not easy about your own affairs, but trust all will now be speedily adjusted. You always allow me, dear Uncle, to speak frankly to you; you will, therefore, I hope, not be displeased if I venture to make a few observations on one or two parts of your letter.

You say that the anger of the Belgians is principally directed against England.[24] Now, I must say you are very unjust towards us, and (if I could) I might be even a little angry with you, dear Uncle. We only _pressed_ Belgium for her _own_ good, and _not_ for ours. It may seem hard at first, but the time will come when you will see that we were right in urging you not to delay any longer the signature of the treaty.

I think that you will see in this frank expression of my sentiments no wish to annoy or hurt you, but only an anxious desire to prove to you that England is Belgium's sincere friend, and that my Government are ever desirous of doing what is in their power for the welfare, security, and prosperity of yourself and your kingdom.

I regret much the state of affairs in France,[25] which cannot but make us all somewhat anxious; you will, I hope tell me what news you hear from Paris.

Pray, dearest Uncle, receive my best, my very warmest, wishes for many happy returns of dear Leopold's birthday, and also, though somewhat late, for Philippe's birthday.

Give my love to my dear Aunt, and believe me, always, your most devoted Niece,

VICTORIA R.

[Footnote 24: He had written on 5th April:--"The feeling is
strongest against England, in which the people expected to
see a support, and only found a strong determination to decide
_everything against them_ and at _their expense_. If there was
a great explosion in France, it would not be astonishing to
see the people here join it; it would rather be astonishing to
see it otherwise, after the kind treatment they received from
the Powers."]

[Footnote 25: The King was for a time without any Ministry,
and the meeting of the Chambers had to be postponed.]

[Pageheading: PRINCE ALBERT IN ITALY]

_Baron Stockmar to Queen Victoria._

NAPLES, _16th April 1839._

MADAM,--As it is some time that I had the honour to address your Majesty, I hope that a further account of our crusades will meet with a favourable reception.

It is now somewhat better than a month that we left Florence, I may say with regret, for we were there very comfortably in every respect. On our route to Rome we enjoyed the beautiful sight of the cataract at Terni, the place where Queen Caroline sojourned for some time. We were particularly fortunate that day, as the brightest sunshine heightened its picturesque effects beyond description. We found old Rome very full, and to see it and its ecclesiastic governors to advantage, the Holy Week is certainly the properest time. From morning to noon the Prince was at seeing sights, and he made so good a use of his time, that I don't think that something really remarkable was left unseen. Upon this very principle, we paid our respects to the Holy Father,[26] of which interview the Prince made so admirable a sketch, so very worthy of H.B.,[27] that I am very much tempted to send it for the inspection of your Majesty. We assisted at the Church ceremonies of the Holy Week from the beginning to the end. The music of the Sistine Chapel, which is only vocal, may be well considered as unique, and has not failed to make a lasting impression upon a mind so musical as the Prince's....

I never think of your Majesty--and I take the liberty of thinking very frequently of you--without praying for health, serenity of mind, comfort and success for you, and I can well say that I am from my heart, your Majesty's sincerely attached and devoted Servant,

STOCKMAR.

[Footnote 26: Gregory XVI.]

[Footnote 27: Initials adopted by Mr Doyle, father of Richard
Doyle, in his _Reform Caricatures_.]

[Pageheading: BELGIUM]

_The King of the Belgians to Queen Victoria._

_19th April 1839._

... I am glad I extracted some spark of politics from your dear Majesty, very _kindly_ and _nicely_ expressed. I know that your generous little heart would not have wished at any time but what was good for a country in which you were _much beloved_. But the fact is, that certainly your Government have taken the lead in maintaining a condition which time had rendered difficult to comply with. Physicians will tell you that often an operation, which might have been performed at one time, could not, without great danger for the patient, be undertaken some years later. We have not been listened to, and arrangements _are forced_ on us, in themselves full of seeds of danger, when by consulting the _real interests_ of Holland and Belgium, both countries might have been placed on a footing of _sincere peace_ and good neighbourhood. This country feels now humbled and _désenchanté_ with its _soi-disant_ political independence as it pleased the Conference to settle it. They will take a dislike to a political state which _wounds their vanity_, and will, in consequence of this, _not wish it to continue_. Two things will happen, therefore, on the very first opportunity, either that this country will be involved in war to better a position which it thinks _too humiliating_, or that it will voluntarily throw up a nominal independence in which it is now hemmed in between France and Holland, which begins on the North Sea, and ends, of all the things in this world, on _the Moselle_!

I think old Pirson, who said in the Chamber that if the treaty was carried into execution I was likely to be the first and last King of the country, was not wrong. Whenever this will happen, it will be _very awkward_ for England, and _deservedly so_. To see, after eight years of hard work, blooming and thriving political plantations cut and maimed, and that by those who have a real interest to protect them, is very melancholy. I do not say these things with the most distant idea of bringing about any change, but only because in the high and very responsible position in which Providence has placed you, it is good to tell you the truth, as you ought to have weight and influence on the affairs of Europe; and England, not being in the possibility of making territorial acquisition, has a real and permanent interest in the proper maintenance of a balance of political power in Europe. Now I will leave you to enjoy the beginning of Spring, which a mild rain seems to push on prodigiously. Believe me ever, my dear Victoria, your very attached Uncle,

LEOPOLD R.

[Pageheading: JAMAICA]

_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._

_26th April 1839._

Lord Melbourne presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and begs to inform your Majesty that the result of the Cabinet has been a decision to stand by the Bill as we have introduced it, and not to accede to Sir Robert Peel's proposal. The Bill is for suspending the functions of the Legislative Assembly of Jamaica, and governing that island for five years by a Governor and Council.[28] If Sir Robert Peel should persist in his proposal, and a majority of the House of Commons should concur with him, it will be such a mark of want of confidence as it will be impossible for your Majesty's Government to submit to.

[Footnote 28: _See_ Introductory Note, _ante_, p. 141. ( to Ch. VIII)]

_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._

BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _30th April 1839._

MY DEAR UNCLE,--I have to thank you for your last letter, which I received on Sunday. Though you seem not to dislike my political sparks, I think it is better not to increase them, as they might finally take fire, particularly as I see with regret that upon this one subject we cannot agree. I shall therefore limit myself to my expressions of very sincere wishes for the welfare and prosperity of Belgium.

The Grand Duke,[29] after a long delay, is at length to arrive on Friday night; I shall put myself out of my way in order to be very civil to such a great personage. I am already thinking how I shall lodge all my relations; you must prepare Uncle Ferdinand for its not being _very ample_, but this Palace, though large, is not calculated to hold many visitors....

Believe me, always, your very affectionate Niece,

VICTORIA R.

[Footnote 29: The Hereditary Grand Duke of Russia, afterwards
the Emperor Alexander II.]

[Pageheading: MINISTERIAL CRISIS]

_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._

_7th May 1839._

Lord Melbourne presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and has to acquaint your Majesty that the division upon the Jamaica Bill, which took place about two this morning, was two hundred and ninety-nine against the measure, and three hundred and four in favour of it.[30] Lord Melbourne has not heard from Lord John Russell since this event, but a Cabinet will of course be summoned early this morning, and Lord Melbourne cannot conceal from your Majesty that in his opinion the determination of the Cabinet must be that the relative numbers upon this vote, joined to the consideration of no less than nine members of those who have hitherto invariably supported the Government having gone against it now, leave your Majesty's confidential servants no alternative but to resign their offices into your Majesty's hands. They cannot give up the Bill either with honour or satisfaction to their own consciences, and in the face of such an opposition they cannot persevere in it with any hope of success. Lord Melbourne is certain that your Majesty will not deem him too presuming if he expresses his fear that this decision will be both painful and embarrassing to your Majesty, but your Majesty will meet this crisis with that firmness which belongs to your character, and with that rectitude and sincerity which will carry your Majesty through all difficulties. It will also be greatly painful to Lord Melbourne to quit the service of a Mistress who has treated him with such unvarying kindness and unlimited confidence; but in whatever station he may be placed, he will always feel the deepest anxiety for your Majesty's interests and happiness, and will do the utmost in his power to promote and secure them.

[Footnote 30: The numbers are apparently incorrectly stated.
The division was 294 to 289.]

[Pageheading: RESIGNATION IMMINENT]

_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._

_7th May 1839._

The present circumstances have been for some time so probable, or rather so certain, that Lord Melbourne has naturally been led to weigh and consider maturely the advice which, if called upon, he should tender to your Majesty when they did arrive. That advice is, at once to send for the Duke of Wellington. Your Majesty appears to Lord Melbourne to have no other alternative. The Radicals have neither ability, honesty, nor numbers. They have no leaders of any character. Lord Durham was raised, one hardly knows how, into something of a factitious importance by his own extreme opinions, by the panegyrics of those who thought he would serve them as an instrument, and by the management of the Press, but any little public reputation which he might once have acquired has been entirely dissipated and destroyed by the continued folly of his conduct in his Canadian Government. There is no party in the State to which your Majesty can now resort, except that great party which calls itself Conservative, and of that party, his rank, station, reputation, and experience point out the Duke of Wellington as the person to whom your Majesty should apply.

Lord Melbourne therefore advises that your Majesty should send for the Duke of Wellington, and should acquaint him, provided your Majesty so feels, that you were entirely satisfied with your late Government, and that you part from them with reluctance; but that as he and the party of which he is the head have been the means of removing them from office, you naturally look to him to advise you as to the means of supplying their places and carrying on the business of the country.

If the Duke should be unwilling to form the Government himself, and should desire to devolve the task upon Sir Robert Peel, Lord Melbourne would advise your Majesty to accede to that suggestion; but Lord Melbourne would counsel your Majesty to be very unwilling to suffer the Government to be formed by Sir Robert Peel, without the active assistance in office of the Duke of Wellington.

With respect both to measures and appointments, your Majesty should place the fullest confidence in those to whom you entrust the management of affairs, exercising at the same time, and fully expressing, your own judgment upon both.

Your Majesty will do well to be from the beginning very vigilant that all measures and all appointments are stated to your Majesty in the first instance, and your Majesty's pleasure taken thereon previously to any instruments being drawn out for carrying them into effect, and submitted to your Majesty's signature. It is the more necessary to be watchful and active in this respect, as the extreme confidence which your Majesty has reposed in me may have led to some omission at times of these most necessary preliminaries.

The patronage of the Lord Chamberlain's Department is of the greatest importance, and may be made to conduce at once to the beneficial influence of the Crown, and to the elevation and encouragement of the professions of the Church and of Medicine. This patronage, by being left to the uncontrolled exercise of successive Lord Chamberlains, has been administered not only wastefully but perniciously. The physicians to the late King were many of them men of little eminence; the chaplains are still a sorry set. Your Majesty should insist with the new Ministers that this patronage should be disposed of, not by the Lord Chamberlain, but, as it has hitherto been during your Majesty's reign, by your Majesty upon consultation with your Prime Minister.

[Pageheading: DISTRESS OF THE QUEEN]

_Queen Victoria to Viscount Melbourne._

BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _9th May 1839._

The Queen thinks Lord Melbourne may possibly wish to know how she is this morning; the Queen is somewhat calmer; she was in a wretched state till nine o'clock last night, when she tried to occupy herself and try to think less gloomily of this dreadful change, and she succeeded in calming herself till she went to bed at twelve, and she slept well; but on waking this morning, all--all that had happened in one short eventful day came most forcibly to her mind, and brought back her grief; the Queen, however, feels better now; but she couldn't touch a morsel of food last night, nor can she this morning. The Queen trusts Lord Melbourne slept well, and is well this morning; and that he will come precisely at eleven o'clock. The Queen has received no answer from the Duke, which is very odd, for she knows he got her letter. The Queen hopes Lord Melbourne received her letter last night.

_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._

_8th May 1839._

Lord Melbourne presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and is much grieved that he did not answer your Majesty's letter yesterday evening, as your Majesty desired, but he did not get it till late, and he felt much tired and harassed by all that had passed during the day. The situation is very painful, but it is necessary for your Majesty to be prudent and firm. It is of all things necessary not to be suspected of any unfair dealing. Whilst Lord Melbourne holds his office, everything of course may be written to him as usual; but still the resolutions for the formation of the new Government will now commence, and it will never do, whilst they are going on, either for appearance or in reality, that Lord Melbourne should dine with your Majesty, as he did before this disturbance. It would create feeling, possibly lead to remonstrance, and throw a doubt upon the fairness and integrity of your Majesty's conduct. All this is very painful both to do and to say, but it is unavoidable; it must be said, and it must be done. Lord Melbourne will wait upon your Majesty at eleven.[31]

[Footnote 31: Lord Melbourne had made the not unnatural
mistake of recommending to the Queen, as members of her first
Household, ladies who were nearly related to himself and his
Whig colleagues. No doubt these were the ladies whom he knew
best, and in whom he had entire confidence; but he ought to
have had sufficient prescience to see that the Queen would
probably form strong attachments to the ladies who first
served her: and that if the appointments had not in the first
instance a political complexion, yet that the Whig tendencies
which these Ladies represented were likely to affect the
Queen, in the direction of allying her closely with a
particular party in the State.]

[Pageheading: THE DUKE OF WELLINGTON]

[Pageheading: SIR ROBERT PEEL]

_Queen Victoria to Viscount Melbourne._

_8th May 1839._

The Queen told Lord Melbourne she would give him an account of what passed, which she is _very_ anxious to do. She saw the Duke for about twenty minutes; the Queen said she supposed he knew why she sent for him, upon which the Duke said, No, he had no idea. The Queen then said that she had had the greatest confidence in her late Ministry, and had parted with them with the greatest reluctance; upon which the Duke observed that he could assure me no one felt more pain in hearing the announcement of their resignation than he did, and that he was deeply grieved at it. The Queen then continued, that as his party had been instrumental in removing them, that she must look to him to form a new Government. The Duke answered that he had no power whatever in the House of Commons, "that if he was to say black was white,[32] they would say it was not," and that he advised me to send for Sir Robert Peel, in whom I could place confidence, and who was a gentleman and a man of honour and integrity. The Queen then said she hoped he would at all events have a place in the new Cabinet. The Duke at first rather refused, and said he was so deaf, and so old and unfit for any discussion, that if he were to consult his own feelings he would rather not do it, and remain quite aloof; but that as he was very anxious to do anything that would tend to the Queen's comfort, and would do everything and at all times that could be of use to the Queen, and therefore if she and her Prime Minister urged his accepting office, he would. The Queen said she had more confidence in him than in any of the others of his party. The Queen then mentioned the subject of the Household, and of those who were not in Parliament. The Duke did not give any decisive answer about it, but advised the Queen not to begin with conditions of this sort, and wait till the matter was proposed. The Queen then said that she felt certain he would understand the great friendship she had for Lord Melbourne, who had been to her quite a parent, and the Duke said _no one felt and knew that better than he did, and that no one could still be of greater use to the Queen than Lord Melbourne_. The Duke spoke of his personal friendship for Lord Melbourne, and that he hoped I knew that he had often done all he could to help your (Lord Melbourne's) Government. The Queen then mentioned her intention to prove her great _fairness_ to her new Government in telling them, that they might know there was no unfair dealing, that I meant to see you often as a friend, as I owed _so_ much to you. The Duke said he quite understood it, and knew I would not exercise this to weaken the Government, and that he would take my part about it, and felt for me. He was very kind, and said he called it "a misfortune" that you had all left me.

The Queen wrote to Peel, who came after two, embarrassed and put out. The Queen repeated what she had said to the Duke about her former Government, and asked Sir Robert to form a new Ministry. He does not seem sanguine; says entering the Government in a minority is very difficult; he felt unequal to the task, and far from exulting in what had happened, as he knew what pain it must give me; he quite approved that the Duke should take office, and saw the importance of it; meant to offer him the post of Secretary for Foreign Affairs, and if he refused, Lord Aberdeen; Lord Lyndhurst, Chancellor; hoped to secure Stanley and Graham; Goulburn to be the candidate for the Speaker's Chair; he expects a severe conflict then, and if he should be beat must either resign or dissolve Parliament. Before this the Queen said she was against a dissolution, in which he quite agreed, but of course wished no conditions should be made; he felt the task arduous, and that he would require me to demonstrate (_a certain_ degree, if _any_ I can only feel) confidence in the Government, and that my Household would be one of the marks of that. The Queen mentioned the same thing about her Household, to which he at present would give no answer, and said nothing should be done without my knowledge or approbation. He repeated his surprise at the course you had all taken in resigning, which he did not expect. The Queen talked of her great friendship for, and gratitude to Lord Melbourne, and repeated what she had said to the Duke, in which Peel agreed; but he is such a cold, odd man she can't make out what he means. He said he couldn't expect me to have the confidence in him I had in you (and which he never can have) as he has not deserved it. My impression is, he is not _happy_ and sanguine. He comes to me to-morrow at one to report progress in his formation of the new Government. The Queen don't like his manner after--oh! how different, how dreadfully different, to that frank, open, natural and most kind, warm manner of Lord Melbourne.[33] The Duke I like by far better to Peel. The Queen trusts Lord Melbourne will excuse this long letter, but she was so very anxious he should know all. The Queen was very much collected, and betrayed no agitation during these two trying Audiences. But afterwards again _all_ gave way. She feels Lord Melbourne will understand it, amongst enemies to those she most relied on and esteemed, and people who seem to have no heart; but what is worst of all is the being deprived of seeing Lord Melbourne as she used to do.

[Footnote 32: _Sic_: an obvious mistake for "black was
black."]

[Footnote 33: Lady de Grey had written to Peel on 7th
May:--"The Queen has always expressed herself much impressed
with Lord Melbourne's open manner, and his truth. The latter
quality you possess, the former not.

"Now, dear Peel, the first impression on so young a girl's
mind is of immense consequence, accustomed as she has been
to the open and affectionate manner of Lord Melbourne, who,
_entre nous_, treats her as a father, and, with all his
faults, feels for her as such."--_Sir Robert Peel_, Parker,
vol. ii. p. 389.]

[Pageheading: LORD MELBOURNE'S ADVICE]

_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._

_9th May 1839._

Lord Melbourne presents his humble duty to your Majesty. He has read with the greatest attention the very clear and distinct account which your Majesty has written of that which passed at the Audiences which your Majesty has given to the Duke of Wellington and Sir Robert Peel. Nothing could have been more proper and judicious than your Majesty's conduct, and they appear to have acted upon their part with propriety and sincerity. Lord Melbourne has no doubt that both with respect to him (Lord Melbourne) and to themselves and their own feelings and position, they expressed what they really think. The Duke was right in saying that in general, in affairs of this nature, it is best not to begin with conditions; but this matter of the Household is so personal to yourself, that it was best to give an intimation of your feelings upon it in the first instance. Lord Melbourne has little doubt that if they could have acted from themselves, they would have acceded to your Majesty's wish at once; but your Majesty must recollect that they have others to satisfy, and must not attribute entirely to them anything that is harsh and unreasonable. Lord Melbourne advises your Majesty to urge this question of the Household strongly as a matter due to yourself and your own wishes; but if Sir Robert is unable to concede it, it will not do to refuse and to put off the negotiation upon it. Lord Melbourne would strongly advise your Majesty to do everything to facilitate the formation of the Government. Everything is to be done and to be endured rather than run the risk of getting into the situation in which they are in France, of no party being able to form a Government and conduct the affairs of the country.[34]

The Dissolution of Parliament is a matter of still more importance, and if this should be again pressed upon your Majesty, Lord Melbourne would advise your Majesty to reserve your opinion, not to give a promise that you will dissolve, nor to say positively that you will not. You may say that you do not think it right to fetter the Prerogative of the Crown by previous engagements, that a dissolution of Parliament is to be decided according to the circumstances at the time, that you mean to give full confidence to the Government that shall be formed, and to do everything in your power to support them, and that you will consider whether Parliament shall be dissolved, when you are advised to dissolve it, and have before you the reasons for such a measure.

Lord Melbourne earnestly entreats your Majesty not to suffer yourself to be affected by any faultiness of manner which you may observe. Depend upon it, there is no personal hostility to Lord Melbourne nor any bitter feelings against him. Sir Robert is the most cautious and reserved of mankind. Nobody seems to Lord Melbourne to know him, but he is not therefore deceitful or dishonest. Many a very false man has a very open sincere manner, and _vice versâ_....

Lord Melbourne earnestly hopes that your Majesty is better this morning.

[Footnote 34: Alluding to the successive failures of Soult,
Thiers, and Broglie.]

_Queen Victoria to Viscount Melbourne._

BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _9th May 1839._

The Queen cannot sufficiently thank Lord Melbourne for his most kind letter, and for his excellent advice, which is at once the greatest comfort and of the greatest use to her; the Queen will follow it in every respect, and nothing of importance shall be done without due reflection; and she trusts Lord Melbourne will help her and be to her what she told him he was, and begged him still ever to be--a father to one who never wanted support more than she does now.

Lord Melbourne shall hear again after she sees Peel this morning....

The Queen has just now heard Lord Liverpool is not in town.

The Queen hopes Lord Melbourne is able to read her letters; if ever there is anything he cannot read, he must send them back, and mark what he can't read.

[Pageheading: LORD PALMERSTON'S GRATITUDE]

_Viscount Palmerston to Queen Victoria._

STANHOPE STREET, _9th May 1839._

Viscount Palmerston presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and begs to return your Majesty his grateful thanks for your Majesty's gracious communication of this morning. It affords Viscount Palmerston the most heart-felt satisfaction to know that his humble but zealous endeavours to promote the interests of his country and to uphold the honour of your Majesty's Crown, have had the good fortune to meet with your Majesty's approbation; and he begs most respectfully to assure your Majesty that the deep impression produced by the condescending kindness which he has upon all occasions experienced from your Majesty can never be effaced from his mind.

[Pageheading: THE HOUSEHOLD]

_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._

_9th May 1839._

Lord Melbourne presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and begs to suggest that if Sir Robert Peel presses for the dismissal of those of your Household who are not in Parliament, you may observe that in so doing he is pressing your Majesty more hardly than any Minister ever pressed a Sovereign before.

When the Government was changed in 1830, the principal posts of the Household were placed at the disposal of Lord Grey, but the Grooms and Equerries were not removed.

When Sir Robert Peel himself became Minister in 1834, no part of the Household were removed except those who were in Parliament.

When I became Prime Minister again in 1835, none of the Grooms or Equerries were removed because none of them were in Parliament.

They press upon your Majesty, whose personal feelings ought from your circumstances to be more consulted, a measure which no Minister before ever pressed upon a Sovereign.

If this is put to him by your Majesty, Lord Melbourne does not see how he can resist it.

_Queen Victoria to Viscount Melbourne._

BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _9th May 1839._

The Queen writes one line to prepare Lord Melbourne for what _may_ happen in a very few hours. Sir Robert Peel has behaved very ill, and has insisted on my giving up my Ladies, to which I replied that I never would consent, and I never saw a man so frightened. He said he must go to the Duke of Wellington and consult with him, when both would return, and he said this must suspend all further proceedings, and he asked whether I should be ready to receive a decision, which I said I should; he was quite perturbed--but this is _infamous_. I said, besides many other things, that if he or the Duke of Wellington had been at the head of the Government when I came to the Throne, perhaps there might have been a few more Tory Ladies, but that then if you had come into Office you would never have _dreamt_ of changing them. I was calm but very decided, and I think you would have been pleased to see my composure and great firmness; the Queen of England will not submit to such trickery. Keep yourself in readiness, for you may soon be wanted.

[Pageheading: PROPOSED NEW CABINET]

_Extract from the Queen's Journal._

_Thursday, 9th May 1839._

_At half-past two_ I saw the Duke of Wellington. I remained firm, and he told Sir Robert that I remained firm. I then saw Sir Robert Peel, who stopped a few minutes with me; he must consult those (of whom I annex the List) whom he had named:

THE DUKE OF WELLINGTON _Secretary for Foreign Affairs_
SIR JAMES GRAHAM _Secretary for the Home Department_
LORD STANLEY _Secretary for the Colonies_
LORD LYNDHURST _Lord Chancellor_
LORD ELLENBOROUGH _President of the Board of Control_
SIR H. HARDINGE _Secretary at War_

and he said he would return in two or three hours with the result, which I said I should await.[35]

[Footnote 35: It was a curious circumstance, much commented
on at the time, that in the _Globe_ of 9th May, a Ministerial
evening paper, which would probably have gone to press at two
o'clock in the afternoon, the following paragraph appeared:
"The determination which it is well known Her Majesty has
taken, not to allow the change in the Government to interfere
with the ladies of her Court, has given great offence to the
Tories."]

_Queen Victoria to Viscount Melbourne._

BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _9th May 1839._

The Queen has received Lord Melbourne's letter. Lord Melbourne will since have heard what has taken place. Lord Melbourne must not think the Queen rash in her conduct; she saw both the Duke and Sir Robert again, and declared to them she could not change her opinion. The Ladies are not (as the Duke imagined was stated in the Civil List Bill) in the _place_ of the Lords; and the Queen felt this was an attempt to see whether she could be led and managed like a child; if it should lead to Sir Robert Peel's refusing to undertake the formation of the Government, which would be absurd, the Queen will feel satisfied that she has only been defending her own rights, on a point which so nearly concerned her person, and which, if they had succeeded in, would have led to every sort of unfair attempt at power; the Queen maintains _all_ her ladies,--and thinks her Prime Minister will cut a sorry figure indeed if he resigns on this. Sir Robert is gone to consult with his friends, and will return in two or three hours with his decision. The Queen also maintained the Mistress of the Robes, for as he said _only_ those who are _in Parliament_ shall be removed, I should like to know if they mean to give the _Ladies_ seats in Parliament?

We shall see what will be done. The Queen would not have _stood so firmly_ on the Grooms and Equerries, but her _Ladies_ are _entirely_ her own affair, and _not_ the Ministers'.

[Pageheading: THE CRISIS]

_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._

_9th May 1839._

Lord Melbourne presents his humble duty to your Majesty. Lord Melbourne had certainly never expected that this demand would be urged, and therefore had never advised your Majesty as to what was to be done in such a case. Lord Melbourne strongly advises your Majesty to hear what the Duke of Wellington and Sir Robert Peel urge, but to take time before you come to a peremptory and final decision.

_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._

_9th May 1839._