MADAME MA TRÈS CHÈRE S[OE]UR,--Je comptais que votre Majesté et le
Prince Albert s'associeraient à notre immense douleur; que Dieu vous
bénisse pour les tendres expressions de votre lettre. Nous sommes
anéantis par le coup dont Dieu nous a frappés, que sa Sainte Volonté
soit faite! J'ai perdu l'objet de ma plus vive tendresse, celui qui
depuis 32 ans avait été mon amour, mon bonheur, et ma gloire, plein de
vie, d'avenir, ma tête n'y est plus, mon c[oe]ur est flétri, je tâche
de me résigner, je pleure et je prie pour cette Ame qui m'était si
chère et pour que Dieu nous conserve l'infortuné et précieux Roi dont
la douleur est incommensurable; nous tâchons de nous réunir tous
pour faire un faisceau autour de lui. Notre ange de Louise et votre
excellent oncle sont arrivés avant-hier; leur présence nous a fait
du bien. Hélène, anéantie par la douleur, a un courage admirable, sa
santé se soutient. Nemours, dont l'affliction est inexprimable, tâche
de prendre des forces pour nous consoler tous, et les bonnes Victoire
et Clémentine après l'horrible et douleureuse scène à laquelle elles
avaient assisté, ont passé trois nuits pour aller chercher leur
infortunée Belle-S[oe]ur. Enfin, Dieu veut que nous vivions pour nous
soutenir les uns les autres, que ce Dieu Tout Puissant vous bénisse,
Madame, et vous préserve à jamais de pareilles douleurs, c'est le
v[oe]u bien sincère de celle qui se dit de tout son c[oe]ur, Madame,
De votre Majesté la toute dévouée S[oe]ur,
MARIE AMÉLIE.
[Pageheading: LEIGH HUNT]
_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._
SOUTH STREET, _22nd July 1842._
Lord Melbourne presents his humble duty, and ventures to transmit the
copy of Mr Leigh Hunt's poem, which he mentioned to your Majesty in
his last letter. Lord Melbourne also sends the letter which Mr Leigh
Hunt has taken the liberty of addressing to your Majesty, as well as
that which he has addressed to Lord Melbourne. Lord Melbourne will
inform Mr Hunt that he has done this, and it is not at all required
that any further notice should be taken.[50]
It is a very gay and lively work, and has in it some wit and fun.
Lord Melbourne had great pleasure yesterday in seeing your Majesty
well and in good spirits.
[Footnote 50: The poem was no doubt _The Palfrey; a Love-Story
of Old Times_.]
_Mr Leigh Hunt to Viscount Melbourne._
32 EDWARDES SQUARE, KENSINGTON, _15th July 1842._
MY LORD,--I was once speaking to Mr Fonblanque[51] of my unwillingness
to trouble your Lordship, when Prime Minister, with a request to lay
my tragedy of the _Legend of Florence_[52] before Her Majesty; and he
said that he was sure your good-nature would not have been displeased
with it. This is the reason why I now venture to ask whether a similar
kindness might be shown the accompanying little poem, supposing
no etiquette to stand in the way of it. I have no Tory channels of
communication with the Palace, nor wish to seek any; neither can I
trespass upon any friendships of Her Majesty's, unless they can find
my excuse in some previous knowledge of me. On the other hand, I have
no fear of being supposed by your Lordship to approach one who is no
longer Premier with less respect than when he was in power. I would
even venture to say, if the mode of testifying it were not so poor a
one, that it is in a double spirit of respectfulness the application
is made. Should it be of a nature calculated to give your Lordship any
perplexity, I can only blush for having been the occasion of it, and
beg it may be laid to the account of an ignorance which lives very
much out of the world. The same reason will plead my excuse for
not knowing whether a letter to Her Majesty ought, or ought not, to
accompany the book; and for begging your Lordship, after its perusal,
to suppress it or otherwise accordingly, in case you can oblige me
in the other part of my request. Your Lordship will perceive that the
Address prefixed to the poem, not having ventured to ask Her Majesty's
permission, does not presume to call itself a dedication; neither does
it leave the public under any erroneous impression whatsoever as to
the nature of its intentions: and on this account I not only expect,
of course, no acknowledgment of its receipt on the part of any
one about Her Majesty's person, but shall be more than content to
understand by your Lordship's own silence that my book has reached its
destination, and therefore not been considered altogether unworthy of
it.
The bookseller tells me that it is no longer "the mode" for authors to
present their volumes _bound_; but in regard to books intended to go
to Court, he is not quite so certain; and I find it so difficult to
disassociate the idea of dress from any such proceeding, that I trust
my inexperience in this respect also will procure me whatever pardon
it may require.
I have the honour to be, my Lord, your Lordship's ever grateful and
faithful Servant,
LEIGH HUNT.
[Footnote 51: Hunt had founded _The Examiner_ in 1808, and
Albany Fonblanque (1793-1872) had succeeded him on it as
leader writer.]
[Footnote 52: Leigh Hunt's play, _A Legend of Florence_, had
had a great success at Covent Garden in 1840; in 1852 it was
performed at Windsor by the Queen's command.]
[Pageheading: THE AFFLICTED FAMILY]
_The Queen of the Belgians to Queen Victoria._
NEUILLY, _21st July 1842._
MY BELOVED VICTORIA,--I was unable to thank you the other day for your
kind and feeling letter of the 14th, although I was greatly touched
by it, and I trust you will have excused me. I thank you to-day very
sincerely for both your letters, and for the share and sympathy you
and dear Albert take in our _great misfortune_. I know it is very
heart-felt, and we are all very grateful for it. Victoire and my poor
mother have already given you news from the unfortunate Hélène.
She has sustained and outlived the first shock and shows wonderful
courage. She is even well in health, and much better and stronger
in all ways than I had expected. She takes very much upon herself
on account of the poor children, to prevent that any melancholy or
painful feeling should be connected for them with the remembrance of
their beloved and unfortunate father. My parents show great fortitude
and resignation, but their hearts are for ever broke. They are only
sustained by their feeling of duty. My poor mother bears up for my
father, and my father bears up to fulfil his duties of father and of
king. Their health is, thank God! good, and my father retains all his
strength of mind and quickness of judgment; but they are both grown
old in looks, and their hairs are turned quite white.
The first days, my poor father could do nothing but sob, and it was
really heartbreaking to see him. He begins now to have more command
upon his grief, and the presence of your uncle, whom he dearly loves,
seems to do him good. The poor children are well and _merry_ and seem
unconscious of their dreadful loss. From time to time only they jump
round us as if looking for protection. The contrast of their gaiety
with their horrid misfortune is very painful. Paris is looking
remarkably well and strong. Robert[53] is much grown, extremely quick
and lively, and begins to speak. The remainder of the family is,
as you may easily imagine, in the _deepest affliction_. Nemours
especially is quite broken down with grief. Chartres was _more_ than
a _brother_ to him, as he was _more_ than a _second father_ to us all.
He was the _head_ and the _heart_ and _soul_ of the whole family. We
all looked up to him, and we found him on all occasions. A _better_,
or even _such_ a brother was never seen; our loss is as great as
irreparable; but God's will be done! He had surely His motives in
sending on my unfortunate parents the horrid affliction in their
old days, and in removing from us the being who seemed the _most
necessary_ to the hope and happiness of all; we must submit to His
decrees, hard as they are; but it is impossible not to regret that my
poor brother has not at least found the death of a soldier, which
he had always wished for, instead of such a useless, horrid, and
miserable one! It seems, for no one saw him fall, that he did not
jump, as we had thought at first, but that he was thrown from the
barouche, while standing; and I like it in some measure better so, as
God's will is still more manifest in this way. It is equally manifest
in _all_ the circumstances attending the catastrophe. My poor brother
was not even to have come to Neuilly. He had taken leave of my parents
the day before, and would not have gone again if my unfortunate mother
had not asked him, and if my parents, who were to go to Paris, had not
delayed their departure....
I thank you again and again, my beloved Victoria, for all your
interest and sympathy. I was sure you would think of us and of me: you
know how much I loved my brother. I little expected to outlive him, as
I had done my beloved Mary;[54] but once more, _God's will be done_. I
remain now and ever, yours most devotedly,
LOUISE.
I perceive I forgot mentioning Ernest. Pray thank him for his sympathy
also. He knows what a brother is, and may feel for us! We expect on
Saturday poor Joinville. My father will have thus his four remaining
sons round him for the opening of the Session, which takes place on
the 26th, and at which he must preside in person. It is a hard duty
for him.
[Footnote 53: The young Duc de Chartres, born in 1840.]
[Footnote 54: See _ante_, p. 144. (Ch. VIII, Footnote 8)]
[Pageheading: THE CORN LAWS]
_Sir Robert Peel to Queen Victoria._
WHITEHALL, _23rd July 1842._
Sir Robert Peel, with his humble duty to your Majesty, begs leave to
acquaint your Majesty that last night was occupied in the House of
Commons with another debate on the Corn Laws, again impeding any
progress with the Government business. The debate was entirely
confined to those members who act in concert with the Anti-Corn Law
League.[55] It continued until twelve, when Mr Cobden, the Member for
Stockport, moved an adjournment of the House, on the ground that none
of your Majesty's servants had taken a part in the debate....
Several members of the Opposition voted with the Government, and
declared that they would not be parties to such vexatious proceedings.
A division on the main question--a Committee to enquire into the state
of the country with a view to the Repeal of the Corn Laws--then took
place.
The motion was negatived by a majority of 156 to 64--92. The House did
not adjourn until three this morning.
[Footnote 55: The Anti-Corn Law League was rapidly gaining
importance, and fiscal policy occupied a great part of the
session of 1842. Peel was already reducing import duties
on articles other than corn. Cobden had been elected at
Stockport, for the first time, in 1841.]
[Pageheading: FURTHER PARTICULARS OF ACCIDENT]
_The King of the Belgians to Queen Victoria._
NEUILLY, _22nd July 1842._
MY DEAREST VICTORIA,--I was anxious to write to you on the 18th, but
I was so overpowered with all that surrounded me that I could really
not. Yesterday I received your dear letter of the 19th, and I will
answer it, so as to give you a clear view of the sad case. On the
12th, Tuesday, Chartres had taken leave, as he meant to go to St Omer,
the 13th; however, in the family the Queen and others said he ought to
come once more to see them. The King had ordered his carriage to go to
town on the 13th, to a Council; Chartres meant to have called shortly
after ten.
It is necessary to tell you all this, as it shows how strangely
circumstances turned fatally. Chartres did not want to return once
more to Neuilly, and the King, if exact, might see him once more
in town. Chartres, however, instead of coming early, set off after
eleven; his Off. d'Ordonnance, M. Bertin de Veaux, his _valet de
chambre_, a German, Holder, begged him not to go quite alone in that
small phaeton through Paris, as he was in uniform, but all this did
not avail; he insisted to go in the phaeton and to go _alone_. He set
out later than he expected, and if the King had set out _exactly_ as
he had named, the parents and the son would probably have met on the
rising avenue of the Champs Elysees, towards the Barrière de l'Étoile
and Arc de Triomphe. However, the King delayed his departure and the
son set off. At the place where from the great avenue one turns off
towards Neuilly, the horses, which were not even young horses, as I am
told that he has had them some years, moved by that stupid longing to
get to Neuilly, where they knew their stables, got rather above
the postillion, and ran _quasi_ away. Chartres got up and asked the
postillion if he could hold his horses no longer; the boy called out
"Non, Monseigneur"; he had looked back when he said this, and saw his
master for the last time _standing_ in the phaeton. People at some
distance saw him come out of his carriage and describe a sort of
semicircle falling down. Nobody knows exactly if he jumped out of the
carriage, or if he lost his position and fell out. I am inclined to
think that, trusting to his lightness and agility, he wanted to jump
out, forgetting the impulse which a quick-going carriage gives, as
there were marks on his knees as if he had first fallen that way. The
principal blow was, however, on the head, the skull being entirely
fractured. He was taken up senseless, that is to say confused, but
not fainting, and carried into a small inn. At first his appearance,
sitting in a chair, was so little altered that people thought it was
nothing of any consequence.
He _knew_ no one, and only spoke a few incoherent words in German. The
accident happened about a quarter before twelve, and at four he was no
more.
I refer for some other details to Albert. Poor Louise looks like a
shadow, and only her great devotion for me supports her. It may serve
as a lesson how fragile all human affairs are. Poor Chartres, it
seems, with the prospect of these camps and altogether, was _never
in better spirits_. But I must end. Ever, my dearest Victoria, your
devoted Uncle,
LEOPOLD R.
[Pageheading: SIR EDWARD DISBROWE]
_Queen Victoria to the Earl of Aberdeen._
WINDSOR CASTLE, _27th July 1842._
The Queen thanks Lord Aberdeen for the letter she has this morning
received.
The Queen thinks that a reprimand would hardly do, as it is not so
much from any particular despatch that she has formed this opinion of
Sir Edward Disbrowe, but more from the general tenor of his conduct
and despatches; therefore she thinks it would be difficult to censure
him, which would probably not have the desired effect.[56] For this
reason the Queen would prefer his being removed without his being told
that it was for his conduct, and without his being able to find this
out, which, the Queen concludes from Lord Aberdeen's letter, could
easily be done.
[Footnote 56: _See_ p. 409. Lord Aberdeen had suggested
sending Sir Edward Disbrowe a private admonition.]
(Ch. XI, 16th July, 1842)
_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._
WINDSOR CASTLE, _2nd August 1842._
DEAREST UNCLE,--I had the pleasure of receiving your kind letter of
the 29th, late on Sunday evening. You know _all_ we have felt, and
do _feel_, for the dear and exemplary French family. Really it is too
dreadful, but God's will be done! Perhaps poor Chartres is saved great
sorrow and grief. _Him_ we must _not_ pity!
God grant all may go off well on these dreadful days, and may He
support the dear afflicted parents, widow, and brothers and sisters!
My dearest Louise! I hope and trust that her dear children will occupy
her and divert her attention; only don't let her swallow and suppress
her grief and keep it to herself; that is dreadful, and very hurtful.
Let her give way to her sorrow, and talk of it to her.
Pray, dearest Uncle, will not and ought not Paris to be Duke of
Orleans now? Hélène is sole guardian, is she not?...
Dear Louise will, I trust, excuse my not answering her kind letter
to-day; pray give her my best love, and believe me, always, your most
devoted Niece,
VICTORIA R.
[Pageheading: THE FATHERLESS CHILDREN]
_The King of the Belgians to Queen Victoria._
LAEKEN, _5th August 1842._
MY DEAREST VICTORIA,--... Little Paris,[57] who has gained much of
late, will keep the name of Paris, at least for the present. Hélène
will be, after the poor King's demise, sole guardian of her children;
till then the King as head of the family will be supreme in all
matters relating to the children.... Your devoted Uncle,
LEOPOLD R.
[Footnote 57: The late Comte de Paris, who bore this title to
the end of his life, father of the present Duc d'Orléans.]
_The Queen of the Belgians to Queen Victoria._
LAEKEN, _5th August 1842._
MY BELOVED VICTORIA,--... Poor little Paris is aware of his misfortune
in the way he can be. Hélène told him that he saw everybody weep
because he would see no more his beloved father. The poor child wept
then very much, and he has done several times since, when the same
thing was repeated to him. He wonders why he does not go any more
in his unfortunate father's room, and why there is no more "_de cher
Papa_," as he says: else he makes no question or observation and is
very quiet and cheerful. He cannot yet feel what he has lost and his
melancholy fate: but Hélène does what she can to keep alive in him the
remembrance of his father.... Yours most affectionately,
LOUISE.
_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._
SOUTH STREET, _8th August 1842._
Lord Melbourne presents his humble duty to your Majesty. He thanks
your Majesty much for the letter of the 4th. It can hardly be expected
that the grief of the French family will, as yet, much diminish, but
Lord Melbourne hopes that they are somewhat more composed. He has
heard this morning that Lord and Lady Beauvale were at Boulogne on
Saturday; they would probably cross yesterday, and will be in London
to-day.
Lord Melbourne understands that Lord Beauvale had an interview of
three hours with the King of the French. Charles Howard was married
this morning, and Lord Melbourne is going to meet Lord and Lady
Carlisle and the rest of the family at Baron Parke's[58] at dinner.
Lord Melbourne thinks that Lord Prudhoe's marriage[59] was to be
expected.[60] Upon looking at the Peerage, he is only fifty years old,
and fifty is young enough to marry anybody. The only fault of fifty is
that it advances too rapidly on to sixty, which, on the other hand, is
too old to marry anybody. It is Lord Melbourne's opinion that if a man
does marry either at fifty or sixty, he had much better take a young
girl than a woman of more age and experience. Youth is more malleable,
more gentle, and has often more respect and compassion for infirmity
than middle-age.
[Footnote 58: Afterwards Lord Wensleydale.]
[Footnote 59: To Lady Eleanor Grosvenor.]
[Footnote 60: Admiral Lord Algernon Percy (1792-1865),
President of the Royal Institution, was created in 1816 Baron
Prudhoe: in 1847, on the death of his brother, he became
fourth Duke of Northumberland.]
[Pageheading: RESIGNATION OF LORD HILL]
_Lord Hill to Queen Victoria._
HARDWICKE GRANGE,[61] _9th August 1842._
Lord Hill presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and craves
your Majesty's gracious permission to lay before your Majesty his
resignation of the Command of your Majesty's Army.
Lord Hill deeply regrets the necessity of taking a step which will
deprive him of a charge that has been so long committed to his hands,
and for his continuance in which he is indebted to your Majesty's
grace and favour; but he has again suffered much from the illness
under which he laboured in the early part of the year, and his health
has in consequence become so indifferent as to render him unequal to
the adequate discharge of the various important duties of his command,
which therefore he feels he could not retain with due regard to the
interests of your Majesty's Service.
Lord Hill had flattered himself that he should have been able to have
laid his application for retirement before your Majesty himself, and
personally to have expressed to your Majesty his deep and lasting
sense of your Majesty's gracious kindness to him on all occasions.
Having, however, left London by the advice of his medical attendants,
and being too unwell to undertake a second journey, Lord Hill avails
himself of this mode of assuring your Majesty of his unabated zeal for
the Service, of his dutiful devotion to your Majesty's person, and
of the pain and sorrow with which he relinquishes an appointment that
afforded him the honour and advantage of executing your Majesty's
commands, and receiving many gracious proofs of your Majesty's support
and confidence.
[Footnote 61: Lord Hill's country house in Shropshire.]
[Pageheading: APPOINTMENT OF COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF]
_Sir Robert Peel to Queen Victoria._
WHITEHALL, _10th August 1842._
Sir Robert Peel presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and begs
leave to acquaint your Majesty that he received at a late hour last
night the accompanying letter to your Majesty from Lord Hill. From the
one which accompanied it, addressed to Sir Robert Peel, he has reason
to believe that it conveys to your Majesty the wish of Lord Hill to be
relieved, on the ground of ill-health and increasing infirmities, from
the Command of your Majesty's Forces.
Sir Robert Peel would humbly submit for your Majesty's consideration
whether it might not be a deserved mark of your Majesty's approbation
to confer upon Lord Hill the rank of Viscount, with remainder to his
nephew Sir Rowland Hill,[62] who will succeed Lord Hill in the Barony.
Lord Beresford[63] and Lord Combermere[64] have the rank of
Viscounts, and perhaps the long, faithful services of Lord Hill as
Commander-in-Chief may appear to your Majesty to entitle him to equal
distinction in the Peerage.
Sir Robert Peel has reason to believe that when Lord Hill's retirement
shall be known there will be many competitors for the office of
Commander-in-Chief.
Sir George Murray,[65] Sir Edward Paget,[66] Lord Londonderry,[67]
Lord Combermere, and perhaps Lord Beresford, will severally urge their
pretensions.
Sir Robert Peel humbly submits to your Majesty that should the Duke of
Wellington be willing to undertake the duties of this important trust,
no claims could stand in competition with his, and no selection from
the candidates whom he has named would be satisfactory to the Army or
public in general.
Sir Robert Peel would therefore humbly recommend to your Majesty
that the offer of this appointment should be made to the Duke of
Wellington, with the signification of a wish on the part of
your Majesty (should your Majesty be pleased to approve of the
arrangement), that His Grace should continue a member of the Cabinet,
and the organ of the Government, as at present, in the House of Lords.
[Footnote 62: Lord Hill died 10th December 1842, and was
succeeded in his peerages by Sir Rowland Hill, who died in
1875.]
[Footnote 63: William Carr Beresford (1768-1854), created
Viscount Beresford in 1823 for the victory of Albuera, 1811.]
[Footnote 64: Sir Stapleton Cotton (1773-1865), created
Viscount Combermere for the capture of Bhurtpore.]
[Footnote 65: Sir George Murray (1772-1846), received a
K.C.B. for his services in the Peninsula, M.P. for Perth, and
afterwards Commander-in-Chief in Ireland.]
[Footnote 66: General Sir Edward Paget, G.C.B. (1775-1849),
brother of the first Marquis of Anglesey.]
[Footnote 67: Prior to being Ambassador at Vienna, Lord
Londonderry had distinguished himself in the Peninsula.]
[Pageheading: THE DUKE ACCEPTS]
_The Duke of Wellington to Queen Victoria._
LONDON, _12th August 1842._
Field-Marshal the Duke of Wellington presents his humble duty to your
Majesty. He has been informed by Sir Robert Peel that your Majesty had
been graciously pleased to approve of the recommendation submitted
by your Majesty's servants that he should be appointed the
Commander-in-Chief of your Majesty's Forces.
He is sensible of and grateful for this fresh proof of your Majesty's
confidence in him and gracious favour towards him.
He hopes that your Majesty will believe that your Majesty may rely
upon his making every effort in his power to promote your Majesty's
views for the honour and interest of the country in any situation in
which he may be placed.
Which is humbly submitted to your Majesty by your Majesty's most
dutiful and devoted Subject and Servant,
WELLINGTON.
_Queen Victoria to Lord Hill._
WINDSOR CASTLE, _12th August 1842._
The Queen has received Lord Hill's letter of the 9th inst., and is
much concerned to learn that Lord Hill's health is so indifferent that
he thinks it is his duty to resign the important office which he has
so long and so honourably held. The Queen can only reluctantly give
her consent to this determination, as she regrets to lose Lord Hill's
services at the head of her Army. She cannot, however, miss this
opportunity of expressing to Lord Hill her entire approbation of his
conduct throughout the time he served her. The Prince begs to have his
kind regards sent to Lord Hill.
[Pageheading: RIOTS IN MANCHESTER]
_Sir Robert Peel to Queen Victoria._
CABINET ROOM, DOWNING STREET, _13th August 1842._
Sir Robert Peel presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and is sorry
to be under the necessity of troubling your Majesty so suddenly, but
he is sure your Majesty will excuse him for making any proposal to
your Majesty which the public service may render requisite.[68]
The accounts received this morning from Manchester with regard to the
state of the country in that neighbourhood are very unsatisfactory,
and they are confirmed by the personal testimony of magistrates who
have arrived in London for the purpose of making representations to
your Majesty's servants on the subject.
A Cabinet has just been held, and it is proposed to send a battalion
of Guards by the railway this evening. The 16th of August (Tuesday
next) is the anniversary of a conflict which took place in Manchester
in the year 1819[69] between the Yeomanry Cavalry and the populace,
and it is feared that there may be a great assemblage of persons
riotously disposed on that day.
Under these circumstances it appears desirable to your Majesty's
confidential advisers that a proclamation should be immediately
issued, warning all persons against attendance on tumultuous meetings,
and against all acts calculated to disturb the public peace. It
is necessary that a Council should be held for the issue of this
proclamation, and important that it should arrive in Manchester on
Monday.
These considerations have prevented Sir Robert Peel from giving
previous notice to your Majesty, and having your Majesty's sanction
for the holding of a Council. On account of the urgency of the case,
he has requested a sufficient number of Privy Councillors to repair to
Windsor this evening, in order that should your Majesty be graciously
pleased to hold a Council, the proclamation may be forthwith issued.
The members of the Privy Council will be in attendance about half-past
six o'clock, as Sir Robert Peel has considered that from that time
to half-past seven will probably be the least inconvenient to your
Majesty.
He writes this immediately after the breaking up of the Cabinet.
[Footnote 68: The disturbances of this month, which originated
in a strike for wages in Lancashire, were inflamed by
agitators, and rapidly spread through Cheshire, Staffordshire,
Warwickshire, and Yorkshire, eventually extending to the
populous parts of Scotland and Wales. Several conflicts took
place between the populace and the military, and there
was much loss of life and property, as well as aggravated
distress.]
[Footnote 69: On 16th August 1819, a great popular
demonstration in favour of Parliamentary Reform, presided
over by Henry Hunt, the Radical, had taken place in St Peter's
Fields, Manchester. A riot ensued, and the Yeomanry charged
the populace, with some loss of life. The affair was
afterwards known as the Peterloo massacre.]
[Pageheading: CHARTIST DISTURBANCES]
_Sir James Graham to Queen Victoria._
WHITEHALL, _15th August 1842._
Sir James Graham, with humble duty, begs to lay before your Majesty
the enclosed letter from Major-General Sir William Warre[70] in
command of the Northern District.
From this report it is evident that a strong and salutary moral
impression had been produced by the arrival of a reinforcement
of 1,400 men in the disturbed district in the short time of
six-and-thirty hours after the first requisition for assistance had
been sent from Manchester; and the General has now at his disposal a
force quite adequate to cope with the vast assemblage of people who
are expected to meet to-morrow at Manchester.
Some symptoms of this disposition forcibly to suspend labour have
appeared in the West Riding of Yorkshire; but on the whole the
accounts, both from Scotland and the disturbed district, which have
been received this morning, may be considered favourable. The railroad
communications as yet are uninterrupted; no collision has taken place
between the troops and the multitude, except at Preston;[71] and Sir
James Graham is willing to hope that this insurrectionary movement may
be suppressed without recourse to extreme measures. Every precaution,
however, has been taken, and arrangements are made for augmenting
the force under the command of Sir William Warre, if it should become
necessary.
The character of these riots has assumed more decidedly a political
aspect. It is no longer a strike for higher wages, but the Delegates,
who direct the movement, avow that labour shall not be resumed until
the people's Charter be granted.[72]
Sir James Graham will hasten to-morrow to inform your Majesty of the
accounts which he may receive.
The above is humbly submitted by your Majesty's dutiful Subject and
Servant,
J. R. G. GRAHAM.
[Footnote 70: Lieutenant-General Sir William Warre
(1784-1853), a distinguished Peninsular officer.]
[Footnote 71: The mob attacked the military, who fired and
killed three or four persons.]
[Footnote 72: A colossal petition in favour of the Charter had
been presented during the Session by Mr T. Duncombe.]
[Pageheading: SATISFACTORY RESULTS]
_Sir Robert Peel to Queen Victoria._
WHITEHALL, _18th August 1842._ (_Thursday morning._)
Sir Robert Peel presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and begs
leave to acquaint your Majesty that he returned to London last night.
He has this morning gone through all the letters received from the
country, with Sir James Graham, by whom the details of the information
will be forwarded to your Majesty.
It appears to Sir Robert Peel that the general tenor of the reports is
_satisfactory_. From Manchester, from Wigan, from Preston, the reports
are very good.
The movement is not one caused by distress. The demand for employment
has increased, and the price of provisions--and particularly of
potatoes, bread, and bacon--has rapidly fallen within the last
fortnight or three weeks.
People of property and the Magistrates (notwithstanding their
political dissensions) are now acting in harmony, and with more
energy.
Orders have been sent to apprehend the Delegates assembled in
Manchester, _the very moment_ that the law will warrant their
apprehension, and Sir Robert Peel should not be surprised to hear of
their committal to Lancaster Castle in the course of to-day.
Every vigilance will be exerted with reference to _Cooper_[73] (whom
your Majesty names) and all other itinerant agitators.
As might be naturally expected, the movements and disorderly spirit
spreading from the centre (Manchester) are appearing in remote points;
but when peace and confidence are thoroughly restored at Manchester,
the example will quickly tell in the circumjacent districts.
Birmingham is tranquil and well-disposed. The accounts from Scotland
are favourable.
[Footnote 73: A Leicester Chartist, who was afterwards tried
for sedition.]
[Pageheading: PARLIAMENT PROROGUED]
_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._
SOUTH STREET, _17th August 1842._
Lord Melbourne presents his humble duty to your Majesty. He is going
down to-day to Brocket Hall with Lord and Lady Beauvale. Lord and Lady
Palmerston are coming down to-morrow, and Lord and Lady Cowper will
probably come over from Panshanger.
Your Majesty read extremely well in the House of Lords on Friday
last.[74] Lord Melbourne can judge better of this from the body of the
House than he could when he stood close to your Majesty. Nothing can
be more clear and distinct, and at the same time more natural and free
from effort. Perhaps if your Majesty could read a tone louder it would
be as well. Charles Buller, who was amongst the House of Commons, told
Lord Melbourne that, where he stood, the voice, although well heard,
sounded somewhat weak. But this should not be attempted unless it
can be done with perfect ease. Nothing injures reading so much as the
attempt to push the organ beyond its natural powers.
Lord Melbourne hopes that these tumults in the manufacturing districts
are subsiding, but he cannot conceal from your Majesty that he views
them with great alarm--much greater than he generally thinks it
prudent to express. He fears that they may last in the form of strike,
and turn out much longer than is looked for, as they did in 1832 and
1833.
There is a great mass of discontented feeling in the country arising
from the actual state of society. It arises from the distress and
destitution which will fall at times upon a great manufacturing
population, and from the wild and extravagant opinions which are
naturally generated in an advanced and speculative state of society.
This discontent has been aggravated and fermented by the language of
every party in the state. Lord Melbourne can exempt no party from
this blame, nor hardly any individual except himself. The Tories and
Conservatives (not the Leaders, but the larger portion of the party)
have done what they could to inflame the public mind upon that most
inflammable topic of the Poor Laws. The _Times_ newspaper has been the
most forward in this. The Whigs and Radicals have done what they could
in the same direction upon the Corn Laws. Mr Attwood[75] and another
set have worked the question of the Currency, and the whole career of
Mr O'Connell in Ireland has been too manifest to be mistaken. It is
no wonder if working in this manner altogether they have at last
succeeded in driving the country into this which is certainly very
near, if not actually a rebellion.
Lord Melbourne earnestly hopes that your Majesty and the Prince, the
Prince, and Princess are all well.
[Footnote 74: Parliament was prorogued by the Queen in person
on 12th August.]
[Footnote 75: Who represented the Radical views of the
Birmingham school.]
[Pageheading: THE DISTURBED DISTRICTS]
_Sir James Graham to Queen Victoria._
WHITEHALL, _18th August 1842._
Sir James Graham, with humble duty, is happily enabled to state to
your Majesty that the accounts from the disturbed districts received
this morning are more satisfactory.
In Lancashire a disposition to resume work has been partially evinced;
and at Preston, where the most vigorous measures were taken in the
first instance, there has hardly been a cessation of employment.
Sir James Graham encloses a letter from the Chief Constable of the
County of Lancashire detailing a successful resistance to a fresh
attempt on the part of a mob to enter Preston; and he sends also
a report from the Mayor of Manchester and from Mr Forster, the
Stipendiary Magistrate. Decisive measures will be adopted for the
immediate apprehension of the Delegates, not only at Manchester, but
in every other quarter where legal evidence can be obtained which will
justify their arrest. The law, which clearly sanctions resistance to
the entry of these mobs into cities, is now understood by the local
authorities. A bolder and firmer spirit is rising among all classes
possessing property in defence of their rights against these bands
of plunderers, who are the enemies both of law and of property.
The prisoners taken in the commission of treasonable felonies are
numerous; warrants are issued against others whose persons are known:
the supremacy of the law will be promptly vindicated, and Sir James
Graham entertains the confident hope that order will be soon restored.
In the Potteries a signal example was made by a handful of your
Majesty's troops opposed to a riotous multitude which had burnt houses
and spread devastation, and Sir James Graham encloses a letter from
Captain Powys giving a description of the occurrence. The effect
of this example has been that yesterday throughout this district no
rioting took place.
[Pageheading: DISTURBANCES IN LONDON]
_Sir James Graham to Queen Victoria._
WHITEHALL, _19th August 1842._
Sir James Graham, with humble duty, begs to announce to your Majesty
that the accounts from the North, on the whole, may be considered
satisfactory....
Five of the principal Delegates at Manchester have been apprehended.
Warrants are out against four others. A very important seizure of
papers has been made which discloses a conspiracy, extensive in its
ramifications, going back as far as July 1841. It is hoped that these
papers, which are still at Manchester, may lead to fresh discoveries.
Sir James Graham will send to Manchester to-night an experienced law
officer, for the purpose of pursuing the investigation on the spot.
There was a meeting last night in the neighbourhood of London, of a
violent character. Sir James Graham had given positive orders to the
police not to allow any mob, as night approached, to enter London.
Notwithstanding these directions, a mob assembled in Lincoln's Inn
Fields about eleven o'clock, and moved through the city to Bethnal
Green. Sir James Graham had the troops on the alert, but the multitude
dispersed without any serious disturbance.
_Sir James Graham to Queen Victoria._
_20th August 1842._
... An attempt to hold a meeting at dusk in the suburbs of London was
resisted by the police yesterday evening in pursuance of orders issued
by the Government in conjunction with the Lord Major, and the peace of
the metropolis was preserved.
The above is humbly submitted by your Majesty's dutiful Subject and
Servant,
J. R. G. GRAHAM.
[Pageheading: TROUBLE AT THE CAPE]
_Lord Stanley to Queen Victoria._
DOWNING STREET, _26th August 1842._
Lord Stanley, with his humble duty, submits for your Majesty's perusal
copies of three despatches, received yesterday from the Governor of
the Cape of Good Hope, detailing the unfortunate result of an attack
made by a small party of your Majesty's troops upon the camp of the
insurgent Boers at Natal; and also the copy of a despatch which Lord
Stanley has sent in consequence to Sir George Napier,[76] which, he
trusts, may meet your Majesty's approbation. Lord Stanley would have
submitted the draft for your Majesty's approval previous to sending
it, had not an opportunity presented itself of sending it off by a
fast-sailing private ship which sailed this morning, the intelligence
having only been received yesterday. The instructions sent to Sir
George Napier, on the 10th of April, but not received when this
unfortunate affair took place, were in substance not to attempt the
subjugation of these people by direct force, but to warn them that
their titles to the land which they occupy would not be recognised by
your Majesty, that they would have no title to claim protection from
the aggression of the neighbouring tribes, to interdict communication
between them and the settled parts of the Colony, and to prevent any
intercourse by sea with foreign or British traders. The unfortunate
event which has now occurred will render it necessary to take steps,
as Sir George Napier has already done, for vindicating the power of
your Majesty's Arms; but when that shall have been effected, Lord
Stanley would still hope that a considerable number of these misguided
men may be induced to return to their allegiance, and to the settled
parts of your Majesty's dominions, and he feels confident that in such
an event he will be fulfilling your Majesty's wishes in directing that
they may be treated with all possible lenity.
All which is humbly submitted by your Majesty's most dutiful Servant
and Subject,
STANLEY.
[Footnote 76: Sir George Napier (1784-1855) governed Cape
Colony for seven years, and the Boers were extruded from Natal
by him.]
_Queen Adelaide to Queen Victoria._
BUSHEY HOUSE, _7th September 1842._
MY DEAREST NIECE,--... Your Mamma's visit gave me great pleasure, and
it has been a great treat to me to hear her sing again, and _so well_,
which put me in mind of former happy days. I regret _much_ that she
leaves me already this afternoon again, but the strong and powerful
_magnet_ which you have left at the Castle draws her back, and I dare
not keep her away from such treasures.
I beg you, my dearest Victoria, to give my affectionate love to dear
Albert, and to believe me ever most devotedly, your very affectionate
Aunt,
ADELAIDE.
[Pageheading: THE QUEEN VISITS SCOTLAND]
_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._
TAYMOUTH,[77] _8th September 1842._
MY DEAREST UNCLE,--I make no excuses for not having written, as I know
that you will understand that when one is travelling about and seeing
so much that is _totally_ new, it is very difficult to find time to
write....
Albert has told you already how successfully everything had gone off
hitherto, and how much pleased we were with Edinburgh, which is an
unique town in its way. We left Dalkeith on Monday, and lunched at
Dupplin, Lord Kinnoul's, a pretty place with quite a new house, and
which poor Lord Kinnoul displayed so well as to fall head over heels
down a steep bank, and was proceeding down another, if Albert had not
caught him; I did not see it, but Albert and I have nearly died with
laughing at the _relation_ of it. From Dalkeith we went through Perth
(which is _most_ beautifully situated on the Tay) to Scone Palace,[78]
Lord Mansfield's, where we slept; fine but rather gloomy. Yesterday
morning (Tuesday) we left Scone and lunched at Dunkeld, the beginning
of the Highlands, in a tent; _all_ the Highlanders in their fine
dress, being encamped there, and with their old shields and swords,
looked very romantic; they were chiefly Lord Glenlyon's[79] men.
_He_, poor man! is suddenly become _totally_ blind, and it was very
melancholy to see him do the _honours_, _not_ seeing _anything_. The
situation of Dunkeld, down in a valley surrounded by wooded hills,
is very, very pretty. From thence we proceeded to this enchanting
and princely place; the whole drive here was beautiful. All Lord
Breadalbane's[80] Highlanders, with himself at their head, and a
battalion of the 92nd Highlanders, were drawn up in front of the
House. In the evening the grounds were splendidly illuminated, and
bonfires burning on the hills; and a number of Highlanders danced
reels by torchlight, to the bagpipes, which was very wild and
pretty....
[Footnote 77: Lord Breadalbane's house. The Queen left London
on 29th August for Scotland by sea, reaching Edinburgh on 1st
September.]
[Footnote 78: Scone Abbey was granted to Sir David Murray
(afterwards Viscount Stormont) by James VI. of Scotland, whose
cup-bearer he was, and whose life he saved.]
[Footnote 79: Afterwards George, sixth Duke of Atholl
(1814-1864).]
[Footnote 80: John, second Marquis of Breadalbane, K.T.
(1796-1862).]
[Pageheading: DRUMMOND CASTLE]
_Queen Victoria to Viscount Melbourne._
TAYMOUTH, _10th September 1842._
It has been long the Queen's intention to write to Lord Melbourne, but
we have seen and done so much, it has been impossible. Everything
has gone off so well at Edinburgh, Perth, and elsewhere. This is a
princely and most beautiful place, and we have been entertained by
Lord Breadalbane in a magnificent way. The Highland Volunteers, two
hundred in number (without the officers), keeping guard, are encamped
in the park; the whole place was twice splendidly illuminated, and the
sport he gave the Prince out shooting was on the largest scale.
The Highlands and the mountains are too beautiful, and we _must_ come
back for longer another time. The Queen will finish this letter at
Drummond Castle,[81] as we leave this in half an hour.
_Drummond Castle, 11th._--We arrived here yesterday evening at seven,
having had a most beautiful journey. We went with Lord Breadalbane
up the Loch Tay (by water) to Ochmore[82] (I don't know _how_ it is
written), a cottage belonging to Lord Breadalbane, close to Killin.
The morning was very fine, and the view indescribably beautiful; the
mountains so high, and so wooded close to Killin. It is impossible to
say how kind and attentive Lord Breadalbane and poor Lady Breadalbane
(who is so wretchedly delicate) were to us. We were so sorry to
go away, and might perhaps have managed to stay two days longer at
Taymouth, were we not fearful of delaying our sea voyage back too
much. However, we mean to visit him for longer another time; the
Highlands are so beautiful, and so new to _me_, that we are most
anxious to return there again.
The journey from Killin to Comrie was _most_ beautiful, and through
such wild scenery--Glen Ogle, which of course Lord Melbourne
knows--and then along Loch Ern. This house is quite a cottage, but
the situation is fine, and the garden very beautiful. We leave this
on Tuesday for Dalkeith[83] where we sleep, and re-embark the next day
for _England_. We greatly admire the extreme beauty of Edinburgh; the
situation as well as the town is most striking; and the Prince, who
has seen so much, says it is the finest town he ever saw. Scone
Palace (where we slept on Tuesday night) is fine, but gloomy; Perth is
beautiful.
The Queen hopes Lord Melbourne is very well. The Prince begs to be
remembered to him.
Dalkeith is a fine good house, and the park and grounds very pretty.
[Footnote 81: The seat of Lord Willoughby d'Eresby.]
[Footnote 82: It should be written Auchmore.]
[Footnote 83: The seat of the Duke of Buccleuch.]
_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._
WINDSOR CASTLE, _20th September 1842._
MY DEAREST UNCLE,--Pray accept my best thanks for your kind letter of
the 15th, which I received on Saturday, the day of our arrival here.
Dearest Louise will have told you what I wrote to her. We had a speedy
and prosperous voyage home of forty-eight hours, on board a fine large
and very fast steamer, the _Trident_, belonging to the General Steam
Navigation Company. We found our dear little Victoria so grown and so
improved, and speaking so plain, and become so independent; I think
really few children are as forward as she is. She is quite a dear
little companion. The Baby is sadly backward, but also grown, and very
strong. I am so distressed about dearest Louise's still coughing,
but she tells me it is decreasing. Only pray let her give way to her
grief; much crying, even if it makes her cough for the moment, can
do her no real harm, but stifling and swallowing _grief_ (which she
_cannot_ repress) gnaws at the very roots of life and undermines
health. Ostend and sea-baths would, I should think, do her good.
I am very glad that you went to see the King of Prussia, and saw so
many old friends; Fritz of Mecklenburg[84] is, you know, Albert's very
dear friend; he is just arrived here.
Alexandrine's brother everybody praises; the whole family are handsome
and well brought up.
The Archduke Frederic[85] comes here to-morrow for a week's visit.
Everybody praises him, and Ferdinand liked him very much; all Archduke
Charles's[86] sons are said to be very well brought up. How I wish
Archduke John[87] had come over here!
Now, dearest Uncle, adieu! and pray believe me, always, your most
affectionate Niece,
VICTORIA R.
It would be _very_ kind of you if you would tell me if there is a
chance of Augustus's marrying Clementine.[88] Don't believe I should
say a word _against_ it; but I have heard so much about it that I
should be really and sincerely glad to know a _little_ of the _truth_
from _you_.
[Footnote 84: Frederic William (1819-1904), afterwards Grand
Duke of Mecklenburg-Strelitz. See _post_, p 434. (Ch. XI, Footnote 93)]
[Footnote 85: Son of the Archduke Charles.]
[Footnote 86: (1771-1847), third son of the Emperor Leopold
II. Distinguished in the Napoleonic wars.]
[Footnote 87: (1782-1859), younger son of the Emperor Leopold
II. Commanded on the Rhine, 1815. Administrator of the Empire,
1848.]
[Footnote 88: Prince Augustus of Saxe-Coburg and Princess
Clementine of Orleans were married in the following April.
Prince Ferdinand of Bulgaria is their son.]
[Pageheading: THE QUEEN'S STEAM YACHT]
_Sir Robert Peel to Queen Victoria._
WHITEHALL, _22nd September 1842._
Sir Robert Peel presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and begs
leave, with reference to your Majesty's note of yesterday, to state
to your Majesty that the _first_ act of Sir Robert Peel on his return
from Scotland was to write to Lord Haddington[89] and strongly urge
upon the Admiralty the necessity of providing a steam yacht for your
Majesty's accommodation.
Sir Robert Peel trusts that your Majesty may entirely depend upon
being enabled to make any excursions your Majesty may resolve upon
in the early part of next summer, in a steam vessel belonging to
your Majesty, and suitable in every respect for your Majesty's
accommodation.
Sir Robert Peel has had a personal communication with Sir John
Barrow,[90] one of the Secretaries to the Admiralty, this morning,
upon the subject, and Sir Robert Peel has written by this post to Sir
George Cockburn,[91] who is out of town.
He finds that the Admiralty is now building a large vessel to be
worked by steam power, applied by means of a revolving screw instead
of paddles. It may be doubtful whether the same degree of velocity
can be attained by means of the screw, particularly in a very large
vessel. Of this a full trial will be made.
Sir John Barrow assures Sir Robert Peel that he has been on board a
steam-boat moved by the screw, and that the working of the engine is
scarcely perceptible; that there is none of the tremulous motion which
accompanies the beats of the paddles, and that it will be possible to
apply an apparatus by means of which the smoke can be consumed, and
the disagreeable smell in great measure prevented.
Sir Robert Peel will leave nothing undone to ensure your Majesty's
comfort and safety in any future naval excursions that your Majesty
may be pleased to make.
[Footnote 89: First Lord of the Admiralty.]
[Footnote 90: Barrow had been made second Secretary in 1804
by Dundas; he was a self-made man, and a most indefatigable
traveller, writer, and promoter of Arctic exploration.]
[Footnote 91: Admiral of the Fleet Sir George Cockburn
(1772-1853), First Naval Lord.]
[Pageheading: QUEEN ISABELLA]
_The Earl of Aberdeen to Queen Victoria._
_27th September 1842._
Lord Aberdeen, with his most humble duty, lays before your Majesty a
letter which he has received from Mr Aston, respecting the marriage
of the Queen of Spain, and which, after what has already passed, may
perhaps cause your Majesty some surprise.
Lord Aberdeen is humbly of opinion that the language hitherto employed
by your Majesty's Government upon this subject ought not to undergo
any change, and that it ought to be treated entirely as a Spanish
question.
Great Britain would naturally regard a marriage with a son of the King
of the French as injurious to Spain and menacing to Europe, but would
probably not feel it necessary to give such an opinion respecting any
other alliance. While this might be plainly stated, and the Spanish
Government exhorted to act according to their own independent view
of the real interests of the country and of the Queen, Lord Aberdeen
would humbly propose that the Regent should be explicitly informed by
Mr Aston that he must not expect to receive any assistance from your
Majesty's Government in promoting a marriage with a Prince of the
Netherlands.
Lord Aberdeen believes that the difficulties in the way of such an
alliance will be found to be very great, and especially that the
religion of the Prince will present an obstacle which in Spain must be
nearly insurmountable.
[Pageheading: LORD MELBOURNE ON SCOTLAND]
_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._
BROCKET HALL, _29th September 1842._
Lord Melbourne presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and has to
acknowledge your Majesty's letter of the 25th inst., which he had the
honour and pleasure of receiving here on the 27th. Lord Melbourne is
well aware how much your Majesty's time must have been occupied by the
number of visitors at the Castle. We are much rejoiced here that your
Majesty saw the Prince and Princess Liechtenstein.[92] The latter is a
great favourite of Lady Beauvale's, to whom she was always very kind,
and who describes her exactly as your Majesty does, as being very
"amiable and unassuming," and though one of the first, if not the
first lady at Vienna, as not at all partaking of the insolence and
hauteur which is by some ascribed to the society of that capital. As
a beauty, she is perhaps upon too large a scale, except for those who
admire women of all shapes and sizes; but her eyes and brow are very
fine, and there is a very peculiarly soft and radiant expression about
them. Lord Melbourne had heard of his Sovereignty, but understands
that his territory is extremely limited. His possessions as a subject
of Austria are worth a good deal more than his German principality.
Lord Melbourne greatly congratulates your Majesty upon the happy
progress and termination of the expedition to Scotland. He is very
glad of three things--that your Majesty returned by sea, in the
steamer, and that the passage was a good one....
The country is indeed most interesting, full of real picturesque
beauty and of historical and poetical associations and recollections.
There is nothing to detract from it, except the very high opinion
that the Scotch themselves entertain of it. Edinburgh is
magnificent--situation, buildings, and all--but the boasting of the
articles in the newspapers respecting it almost inclined one to deny
its superiority. It is also, as your Majesty says, most striking to
contemplate in the Clans the remains of feudal times and institutions.
It is quite as well, however, particularly for Monarchy, that they are
but remains, and that no more of them have been left.
Lord Melbourne thanks your Majesty much for your kind enquiries after
his health. He thinks that he is getting better and stronger than he
has been, and has a notion of trying a little shooting in October.
Lord Melbourne begs to be respectfully remembered to the Prince.
[Footnote 92: Prince Aloysius Joseph of Liechtenstein
(1796-1858) and his wife, Princess Françoise-de-Paule,
Countess Kinsky.]
_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._
WINDSOR CASTLE, _18th October 1842._
MY DEAREST UNCLE,--I only received your kind letter yesterday, for
which my best thanks. I am delighted to hear that Louise's cough is
decidedly better, and that upon the whole the dear family are well,
thank God! Certainly where He sees fit to afflict, He gives strength
to bear up!
Louise says Vecto is in great beauty, and the baby magnificent. I wish
you could see Pussy now; she is (_unberufen_) the picture of health,
and has just cut her first eye-tooth, without the slightest suffering.
We are going to Brighton on the 1st of November for a month; it is the
_best_ month _there_ and the _worst here_. I think I _may_ announce
Augusta Cambridge's[93] marriage as certain, as I have just received a
note from the Duke, which is as follows:--
"Being very anxious to communicate to you as soon as possible an event
which concerns deeply my family, I take the liberty of requesting you
to let me know on what day and at what hour I may wait upon you."
I shall see him to-morrow, and report the result to Louise on Friday.
I have just taken leave of poor Esterhazy, who has presented his
letters of recall. He looked wretched, and Lord Aberdeen told me he is
only ill at being obliged to go; he is quite miserable to do so, but
the great gentleman at Johannisberg has most ungraciously refused to
listen to his entreaties to remain, which is very foolish, as they
don't know who to send in his place. I am _very_ sorry to lose him,
he is so amiable and agreeable, and I have known him ever since I can
remember anybody; he is, besides, _equally liked_ and on _equally
good terms_ with _both_ parties _here_, which was of the greatest
importance. It was touching to see him so low and ill and unlike
himself.
The accounts of poor dear Alexandrine's eyes continue _very bad_; she
cannot write at all, or go out, or do anything.
Say everything proper from us to the whole family, and pray believe
me, always, your devoted Niece,
VICTORIA R.
[Footnote 93: The Princess Augusta of Cambridge, who was
married to Frederic William, afterwards Grand Duke of
Mecklenburg-Strelitz, in the following June.]
[Pageheading: HISTORICAL STUDIES]
_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._
BROCKET HALL, _20th October 1842._
Lord Melbourne presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and begs
leave respectfully to acknowledge your Majesty's of the 15th inst.,
which he received here the day before yesterday.
Lord Melbourne is very glad to hear that your Majesty is reading with
the Prince. Hallam's work[94] certainly requires much consideration
and much explanation, but it is a fair, solid, impartial work, formed
upon much thought and much reading. St Simon's[95] is an excellent
work; he has some prejudices, but was a good honest man, and his
book is full of useful information. If your Majesty wishes for a book
relating to what passed from one hundred to two hundred years ago,
Lord Melbourne would strongly recommend the Private Memoirs of the
Lord Chancellor Clarendon (Edward Hyde), not the great work, _The
History of the Rebellion_, though that is well worth reading, but the
_Memoirs_, and Bishop Burnet's History of his own time. The reigns
of Charles II., James II., and the Revolution are very curious in
the latter. During Queen Anne's reign the Bishop was not so much
consulted, and his work is therefore not so interesting. If your
Majesty wishes to turn your attention to more recent events, Professor
Smyth's[96] lectures upon Modern History, and particularly upon
the French Revolution, seem to Lord Melbourne sound, fair, and
comprehensive. Lord Mahon's[97] is also a good work, and gives a good
account of the reigns of George I. and George II. He has been thought
by some in his last volume to have given too favourable a character of
the Chevalier, Charles Edward Stuart.
Lord Melbourne is much touched by what your Majesty says of the
Princess Royal, and the delight and comfort which your Majesty finds
in her, as well as by the whole picture which your Majesty draws of
your domestic happiness. When your Majesty refers to what passed
three years ago, your Majesty may be assured that it is with no small
pleasure that Lord Melbourne recalls any share which he may have had
in that transaction, and congratulates himself as well as your Majesty
and the Prince upon results which have been so fortunate both for
yourselves and for the country. Lord Melbourne ventures to hope that
your Majesty will convey these feelings to the Prince, together with
the assurance of his respectful remembrance.
[Footnote 94: The _Constitutional History_, published in
1827.]
[Footnote 95: Louis Rouffroy, Duc de Saint-Simon, author of
the celebrated _Mémoires_, published 1829-30.]
[Footnote 96: William Smyth (1765-1849), Regius Professor of
Modern History at Cambridge.]
[Footnote 97: Afterwards fifth Earl Stanhope: the book
referred to is his _History of England from the Peace of
Utrecht to the Peace of Versailles_.]
[Pageheading: WALMER CASTLE]
_The Duke of Wellington to Sir Robert Peel._
WALMER CASTLE, _26th October 1842._
MY DEAR PEEL,--Arbuthnot has shown me your letter to him respecting
this house.
Nothing can be more convenient to me than to place it at Her Majesty's
disposition at any time she pleases....
I am only apprehensive that the accommodation in the Castle would
scarcely be sufficient for Her Majesty, the Prince, and the Royal
children, and such suite as must attend....
It is the most delightful sea-residence to be found anywhere,
particularly for children. They can be out all day, on the ramparts
and platforms quite dry, and the beautiful gardens and wood are
enclosed and sheltered from the severe gales of wind. There are good
lodgings at Walmer village and on Walmer beach at no great distance
from the Castle, not above half a mile. Believe me, ever, yours most
sincerely,
WELLINGTON.
If the Queen should send anybody here, I beg that he will write me a
line, that I may have an apartment prepared for him.
[Pageheading: LETTER FROM QUEEN ADELAIDE]
_Queen Adelaide to Queen Victoria._
CANFORD HOUSE, _31st October 1842._
MY DEAREST NIECE,--A thousand thanks for your very kind dear letter
of yesterday with its enclosures, which I have just received. Your
opinion respecting George of Hanover's[98] marriage is quite my own,
and I regret that the King does not seem to be inclined to settle it
and fix a day for the celebration of it. I do not know his reasons
against it, for I have not heard from him for a long, long time. I am
so sorry to find that the accounts of his health are so indifferent,
and fear he is not careful enough.
I am happy to hear that you thought the Cambridge visit went off well,
and that the affianced[99] looked and seemed happy. I hope it will
always be the same, and that the marriage will not be delayed too
long. I always had imagined that the Duke of Cambridge was rich and
would give a fortune to his daughters, but I have lately heard that it
is not the case. I do not know what is the usual marriage portion of
an English Princess given by the country. In Germany those portions
are called _die Prinzessin Teuer_.
We received 25,000 Fl. each when we married, and 10,000 Fl. for our
_trousseaux_ each.
If the young couple are to live in future with the Grand Duke they
will not want any Plate, but if they are to have a separate _ménage_,
then they will want it. I shall find it out by and by. I wonder that
the Duchess likes to part with her fine sapphires. I thought the
turquoises had been intended for Augusta.
I wish you could see the Convent to which I went the other day. The
nuns belong to the Order of the Cistercian _Trappists_. They are not
allowed to speak amongst themselves--what a relief my visit must
have been to them!--and they neither eat meat, nor butter, nor
eggs--nothing but milk, vegetables and rice. They look healthy, and
there were several young rather pretty ones amongst them. One, the
best-looking of them all, Sister Marie Josepha, took me affectionately
by the hand and said, "I hope the air agrees with you here and that
you feel better?" and then she added, "Come again--will you, before
you leave this country again?" She told me that she was born in
Ireland and had a German grandfather. She seemed to be the favourite
amongst them all, for when I bought of their works and asked them to
make up my bill, they called Marie Josepha to summon it up, and she
said to me, "Do not stay for that; we will send you your things with
the bill." Two hours after my visit to them I received my things, with
a wreath of flowers besides as their gift to me; on the paper attached
to it was written, "To the Queen-Dowager, from the Reverend Mother and
her Community."
This old Reverend Mother, the Abbess, was very infirm, and could not
get up from her chair, but she spoke very politely and ladylike to me
in French. She has been forty years in her present _situation_,
and comes from Bretagne. The chaplain of the Convent is also an old
Frenchman, and there are several other French nuns amongst them--one
who had been condemned to be guillotined in the Revolution, and was
set at liberty just at the moment the execution was to have taken
place. I should like to know whether these good nuns resumed again at
once their silence when I left them, or whether they were permitted to
talk over the events of that day.... Your most affectionately devoted
Aunt,
ADELAIDE.
[Footnote 98: Afterwards King George V. of Hanover. He married
Princess Marie of Saxe-Altenburg, 18th February 1843.]
[Footnote 99: Princess Augusta of Cambridge. _See_ p. 434.
(Ch. XI, Footnote 93)]
[Pageheading: LORD MELBOURNE'S ILLNESS]
_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._
_1st November 1842._
... Many thanks for your most kind and amiable letter of the 28th,
which I received yesterday. The prospect of the possibility of dearest
Louise's spending some time with us _quite enchants_ us, and I hope
and trust that you will carry your plan into execution. Our plans,
which we only settled last night, are as follows:--the scarlet fever
is on the decrease at Brighton, but not sufficiently so to justify our
going there immediately; so we therefore intend going to Walmer with
the children, but a very reduced suite (as the house is considerably
smaller than Claremont), on the 10th, and to stay there till the 22nd
inst., when we shall go to Brighton and remain there till the 13th of
December. Now if dearest Louise would meet us there then, and
perhaps come back with us here for a little while _then_? Windsor is
_beautiful_ in December.
The news of Lord Melbourne, I am thankful to say, are _excellent_, and
he improves rapidly under Dr Holland's care, but his first seizure was
very alarming.[100] I shall not fail to convey your kind message to
this worthy friend of ours.
I am so pleased at your account of Nemours and poor Hélène.
Tatane[101] is not your favourite, is he?
Lord Douglas's[102] marriage with Princess M. of Baden _is_ settled;
_I_ shall of course treat her as a Princess of Baden--I can't do
otherwise (it is like Aunt Sophie,[103] and Princess M. of Würtemberg
who married Count Neipperg[104])--and him as Lord Douglas, which won't
please him.
I wish Clem's marriage was no longer a secret, now that it _is
settled_, as it is (forgive my saying it) really a fashion in our
family to have these _secrets de la comédie_, when one is almost
forced to tell a lie about what is true. I _own_ I dislike these
secrets; it was so with poor Marie and with Vecto. Now _adieu!_
dearest, kindest Uncle, and believe me, always, your most affectionate
Niece,
VICTORIA R.
[Footnote 100: He had a paralytic seizure, and never regained
his former health or spirits.]
[Footnote 101: Duc de Montpensier.]
[Footnote 102: Afterwards eleventh Duke of Hamilton: he was
married to Princess Mary on 23rd February following.]
[Footnote 103: Sister of the Duchess of Kent and of the King
of the Belgians, and the wife of Count Mensdorff.]
[Footnote 104: Alfred, Count Neipperg, who died in 1865.]
[Pageheading: THE CROWN JEWELS]
[Pageheading: PROVISION FOR PRINCESS AUGUSTA]
_Sir Robert Peel to Queen Victoria._
WHITEHALL, _11th November 1842._
Sir Robert Peel presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and begs
leave to acquaint your Majesty that he brought under the consideration
of your Majesty's servants the questions relating to certain of
the Crown Jewels, and the claim upon them preferred by the King of
Hanover.[105]
In the course of the discussion it appeared to Sir Robert Peel that
there were still some points in respect to this very embarrassing
question which required the grave consideration of legal authorities,
and that it would not be prudent to take any step, even that of
submitting the case to arbitration, without the highest legal
authority.
The submission to arbitration might avoid the evil (and a very great
one it would be) of public controversy in a Court of Justice, and of
public examination of members of the Royal Family on a matter partly
of a domestic nature; but on the other hand, great care must be taken
that by submitting the case to the award of arbitrators, even should
they be nominated altogether by your Majesty, we do not relinquish any
_fair_ advantage for the Crown of England which would have accompanied
an appeal to the regularly constituted tribunals of the country.
Your Majesty's Solicitor-General was employed as Counsel for the King
of Hanover, and it has been thought therefore advisable to make the
reference to the Attorney-General and to the Queen's Advocate.
Sir Robert Peel has attempted to bring every questionable point in the
case submitted to them under the consideration of your Majesty's law
advisers, and when their report shall be received he will not fail to
lay it before your Majesty.
Sir Robert Peel had a personal interview a few days since with His
Royal Highness the Duke of Cambridge, on the subject of a
public provision for the Princess Augusta on the occasion of her
marriage.[106]
Sir Robert Peel thought it advisable to enquire from the Duke of
Cambridge, as the impression of the public (of which His Royal
Highness is quite aware) is that he has a considerable fortune of his
own, independently of his annual allowance from Parliament.
The Duke of Cambridge seemed entirely to share the impressions of
Sir Robert Peel that in the present state of the country, and of the
public revenue, great caution is requisite in respect to the proposal
of a grant of public money as a marriage portion to the Princess
Augusta, and that it would be important that in any proposal to be
made there should be a general acquiescence on the part of the House
of Commons.
As the marriage is not to take place for some time it appears to Sir
Robert Peel that it might be advisable to postpone a decision, at
least in respect to the particular amount of any provision to be made,
till a period nearer to the meeting of Parliament.
A public intimation, or the public notoriety long beforehand of the
intention to propose a grant of public money might, in the present
temper of the times, interpose additional obstacles in the way of it.
Sir Robert Peel proposes to return to Drayton Manor for a short time,
and to leave London to-morrow morning.
[Footnote 105: The King claimed them on the ground that part
belonged to the Crown of Hanover, and part had been bequeathed
to him by Queen Charlotte. The matter was referred to a
Commission consisting of Lords Lyndhurst and Langdale, and
Chief Justice Tindal. The two former were divided in opinion,
and the Chief Justice died before the award was made. It was
not till 1857 that a final decision, substantially in favour
of Hanover, was given.]
[Footnote 106: See _ante_, p. 437.
(Ch XI, Footnote 99, 31st October, 1842)]
[Pageheading: SUCCESSES IN CHINA]
_Lord Stanley to Queen Victoria._
DOWNING STREET, _23rd November 1842._
Lord Stanley, with his humble duty, has the honour of submitting to
your Majesty an original despatch from Lieutenant-General Sir Hugh
Gough, received this morning, detailing the triumphant successes which
had crowned the exertions of your Majesty's Naval and Military forces
in China,[107] and of the completely satisfactory result in the
execution of a Treaty of Peace with the Emperor of China, upon terms
highly honourable to your Majesty and advantageous to this country.
Lord Stanley learns from Lord Fitzgerald that he is also forwarding to
your Majesty, by this messenger, the details which the same mail
has brought of the complete and triumphant issue of the campaign in
Afghanistan.
Lord Stanley trusts that he may be permitted to offer to your Majesty
his humble congratulations upon intelligence so glorious to British
Arms, and so important to British interests. It is difficult to
estimate the moral effect which these victories may produce, not
on Asia merely, but throughout Europe also. At the same moment your
Majesty has brought to a triumphant issue two gigantic operations,
one in the centre of Asia, the other in the heart of the hitherto
unapproachable Chinese Empire. In the former, past disasters have
been retrieved; a signal victory has been achieved on the very spot
memorable for former failure and massacre; the honour of the British
Arms has been signally vindicated; the interests of humanity have been
consulted by the rescue of the whole of the prisoners; and, after a
series of victories, the Governor-General of India is free, without
discredit, to enter upon measures of internal improvement, and having
established the supremacy of British power, to carry on henceforth a
more pacific policy.
In China a termination has been put to the effusion of blood by the
signature of a treaty which has placed your Majesty's dominions on a
footing never recognised in favour of any foreign Power--a footing
of perfect equality with the Chinese Empire; which has obtained large
indemnity for the past, and ample security for the future, and which
has opened to British enterprise the commerce of China to an extent
which it is almost impossible to anticipate. It may interest your
Majesty to hear that already enquiries are made in the City for
superintendents of ships to trade to _Ningpo direct_.
Lord Stanley has taken upon himself to give orders in your Majesty's
name for firing the Park and Tower guns in honour of these glorious
successes. A _Gazette_ extraordinary will be published to-morrow, the
voluminous nature of the despatches rendering it necessary to take
some time lest an important despatch should be omitted.
All which is humbly submitted by your Majesty's most dutiful Servant
and Subject,
STANLEY.
[Footnote 107: Chapoo was taken by Sir Hugh Gough in May: in
June the squadron, under Admiral William Parker, entered the
waters of the Yang-tze, captured Chin-kiang-fu, and were about
to attack Nanking, when the treaty was concluded, embracing
among other things a payment by the Chinese of 21,000,000
dollars, the cession of Hong Kong, and the opening of the
ports of Canton, Amoy, Foochow, Ningpo, and Shanghai.]
[Pageheading: VICTORIES IN AFGHANISTAN]
_Lord Fitzgerald and Vesci to Queen Victoria._
INDIA BOARD, _23rd November 1842._[108]
Lord Fitzgerald, with his most humble duty to your Majesty, begs leave
most humbly to inform your Majesty that the despatches received from
the Governor-General of India announce the results of a series of most
brilliant exploits by the armies under Major-General Nott and General
Pollock in Afghanistan.
Each of those armies has achieved a glorious victory over superior
numbers of the enemy.
The city of Ghuznee has been captured, and its formidable fortress
utterly razed and destroyed.
The survivors of the British garrison, which had capitulated in the
spring of the year, and who had been reduced to slavery, have been
redeemed from bondage.
The splendid victory of General Pollock has been obtained over the
army commanded by Akbar Khan in person, on the very spot where the
greatest disaster had befallen the British Army on their retreat, and
where the last gun had been lost.
On the 16th of September, General Pollock entered Cabul with his
victorious troops and planted the Colours of your Majesty in the Bala
Hissar, on the spot most conspicuous from the city.
An extract from a letter from General Pollock to Lord Ellenborough,
dated at Cabul the 21st of September, gives the most gratifying
intelligence that _all_ the British prisoners, with the exception of
Captain Bygrave, have been rescued from Akbar Khan, and were expected
in the British camp on the 22nd of September.
An extract from a letter from General Pollock announcing the
redemption of the prisoners is also most humbly submitted to your
Majesty, by your Majesty's most dutiful Subject and Servant,
FITZGERALD AND VESCI.
[Footnote 108: The mail, which informed Ministers of the Chinese
success, also brought the news of the capture of Cabul. General
Nott (see _ante_, p. 402 (Ch XI, 'Sale and Pollock')) had by the
end of July completed his preparations, and marched upon Ghuznee,
having arranged to meet Pollock at Cabul, and having transferred
the Scinde command to General England. Nott was before Ghuznee
on 5th September, but at daylight on the 6th found it evacuated;
the citadel was destroyed by him and the Gates of Somnauth
removed, as directed by Lord Ellenborough. Pollock, to whose
discretion Ellenborough had entrusted the policy of advancing on
Cabul, secured supplies at Gundamuck, and on his advance met the
enemy in a strong position in the Jugdulluck Pass and dispersed
them; then at Tezeen, on 12th September, he was attacked by Akbar
Khan with 20,000 men. The Pass was forced, and the Afghans
retired to the Haft Kotal, where they were utterly defeated,
close to the scene of Elphinstone's disaster. Nott arrived at
Cabul on the day after Pollock.]
[Pageheading: AFFAIRS OF PORTUGAL]
_The King of the Belgians to Queen Victoria._
ARDENNE, _24th November 1842._
MY DEAREST VICTORIA,--... I do not think, or I may say I am pretty
certain, because I have often seen Donna Maria's letters, they hardly
ever speak of politics, except just saying that they are surrounded by
such very sad people without honour or honesty. I am sure they are
not French at Lisbon beyond the kindly feelings which result from the
recollection of Donna Maria's stay at Paris. My constant advice has
been to look exclusively to the closest alliance with England, and
Ferdinand is now _well aware_ of it; but you know that the Liberal
party tried to even harm him by representing him as a _mere_ creature
of England. We live in odd times when really one very often thinks
people mad; their _uncontrouled_ passions do not develop
amiable feelings, but on the contrary everything that is bad and
unreasonable....
You are a very affectionate and kind Mamma, which is very
praiseworthy; may Heaven preserve your dear little children! Victoria
is very clever, and it will give you great pleasure to see the
development which takes place with children just at that time of life.
What you say of Ernest is unfortunately but too true; that trick of
exaggeration is one of the worst I almost know, and particularly in
people in high stations, as one finally knows not what to believe,
and it generally ends with people disbelieving all such individuals do
say.... Your devoted Uncle,
LEOPOLD R.
_Queen Victoria to Sir Robert Peel._
WALMER CASTLE, _25th November 1842._
The Queen wishes Sir Robert to consider, and at an _early_ period to
submit to her, his propositions as to how to recompense and how
to mark her high approbation of the admirable conduct of all those
meritorious persons who have by their strenuous endeavour, brought
about the recent brilliant successes in China and Afghanistan.
[Pageheading: MILITARY HONOURS]
_Queen Victoria to Sir Robert Peel._
WALMER CASTLE, _29th November 1842._
Approve of the G.C.B. given to--
Sir H. POTTINGER.
Sir W. PARKER.
GENERAL NOTT.
GENERAL POLLOCK.
Likewise of the proposed pension to Sir R. Sale, and the Baronetcy to
Sir Hugh Gough.
Thinks the latter very fit to succeed Sir Jasper Nicols[109] as
Commander-in-Chief in India.
Grants with pleasure the permission _to her troops_ engaged
in Afghanistan to accept and wear the four medals which the
Governor-General has had struck for the Indian Army, and hopes that
besides gratifying the troops, it will have the beneficial effect of
still further strengthening the good feeling existing between the two
armies. Were it not for this impression, the Queen would have thought
it more becoming that she herself should have rewarded her troops with
a medal than leaving it to the Governor-General.
[Footnote 109: Lieut.-General Sir Jasper Nicols (1778-1849),
created a K.C.B. for his services at Bhurtpore.]
[Pageheading: THE GATES OF SOMNAUTH]
_Lord Ellenborough to Queen Victoria._
SIMLA, _18th October 1842._
Lord Ellenborough, with his most humble duty to your Majesty, humbly
offers to your Majesty his congratulation on the entire success which
has attended the operations of the Fleet and Army under your Majesty's
direction in the Yantze-Kiang,[110] and submits to your Majesty
the general order which, on the receipt of the intelligence of that
success and of the peace concluded with the Emperor of China upon the
terms dictated by your Majesty, he issued to the Army of India.
Your Majesty will have observed that in the letter of the 4th of July
to Major-General Nott, that officer was instructed to bring away the
gates of the Temple of Somnauth, from the tomb of Mahmood of Ghuznee,
and the club of Mahmood also.
The club was no longer upon the tomb, and it seems to be doubtful
whether it was taken away by some person of Lord Keane's Army in 1839,
or by Shah Sooja, or whether it was hidden in order to prevent its
being taken away at that time.
The gates of the Temple of Somnauth have been brought away by
Major-General Nott.
These gates were taken to Ghuznee by Sultan Mahmood in the year 1024.
The tradition of the Invasion of India by Sultan Mahmood in that year,
and of the carrying away of the gates after the destruction of the
Temple, is still current in every part of India, and known to every
one. So earnest is the desire of the Hindoos and of all who are not
Mussulmans to recover the gates of the Temple, that when ten or twelve
years ago Runjeet Singh was making arrangements with Shah Sooja for
assisting him in the endeavour to recover his throne,[111] he wished
to make a stipulation that when Shah Sooja recovered his power he
should restore the gates to India, and Shah Sooja refused.
Lord Ellenborough transmits for your Majesty's information a copy of
the Address he intends to publish on announcing that the gates of the
Temple will be restored.[112]
The progress of the gates from Ferozepore to Somnauth will be one
great national triumph, and their restoration to India will endear the
Government to the whole people.[113]
[Footnote 110: See _ante_, p. 441, note 107.
(Ch. XI, 'Successes in China')]
[Footnote 111: See _ante_, p. 142. (Intro Note to Ch. VIII)]
[Footnote 112: "The insult of 800 years," he wrote in this
rather theatrical proclamation, "is at last avenged. The
gates of the temple of Somnauth, so long the memorial of your
humiliation, are become the proudest record of your national
glory.... You will yourselves, with all honour, transmit the
gates of sandal-wood, through your respective territories, to
the restored Temple of Somnauth."]
[Footnote 113: See _post_, pp. 463, 468, and 477.
(Ch. XII, Footnote 13; 10th March, 1843; 19th February, 1843)]
[Pageheading: FRANCE AND SPAIN]
_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._
WINDSOR CASTLE, _13th December 1842._
DEAREST UNCLE,--I have to thank you for two most kind letters of the
5th and 8th. I can report very favourably of the healths of young and
old; we are all very flourishing, and have since yesterday perfectly
_May_ weather. Clear, dry frost would be wholesome.
Victoire gave me yesterday a much better account of poor little
Robert.[114]
In Portugal affairs seem quieted down, but Ferdinand is imprudent
enough to say to Mamma that he would be wretched to lose Dietz (very
naturally), and _would not be at all sorry to go away_. Now, this is
_folly_, and a most dangerous language to hold, as if he entertains
this, I fear the Portuguese will _some beau matin_ indulge him in his
wishes.
The news from Spain are better, but I must own frankly to you, that
_we are all disgusted_ at the _French intrigues_ which have _without
a doubt_ been at the bottom of it all, and can, I fear, be traced
very close to the Tuileries. Why attempt to ruin a country (which they
luckily _cannot succeed_ in) merely out of personal dislike to a man
who certainly has proved himself capable of keeping the country quiet,
and certainly is by far the _most honest_ Spaniard in existence,
whatever crimes or faults the French may choose to bring against him.
And what will be the effect of all this? A total dislike and mistrust
of France, and a still closer alliance with England. I have spoken
thus freely, as a repetition of last year's scenes is _too much_ to
remain silent, and as I have ever been privileged to tell you, dearest
Uncle, my feelings, and the truth.
Poor Lord Hill's death, though fully expected, will grieve you, as it
has grieved us.
I am much amused at what you say about Charles, and shall tell it him,
when I write to him. Believe me, always, your most affectionate Niece,
VICTORIA R.
[Footnote 114: The infant Duc de Chartres.]
_Queen Victoria to Sir Robert Peel._
WINDSOR CASTLE, _19th December 1842._
The Queen is very desirous that something should be done for Major
Malcolm[115] (who was the bearer of "the news of Victory and Peace"),
either by promotion in the Army or by any other distinction. He is a
very intelligent and well-informed officer, and has been employed
in China both in a Civil and Military capacity, and has made, and is
going to make again, a long journey at a very bad time of the year,
though suffering severely at this moment from ague.
[Footnote 115: In such cases it has been usual to confer some
distinction.]
_Queen Victoria to Sir Robert Peel._
WINDSOR CASTLE, _26th December 1842._
The Queen thanks Sir Robert for his letter of the 23rd. She thinks
that Major Malcolm's going back to China the bearer of verbal
instructions as well as written ones will greatly facilitate the
matter and prevent misunderstandings, which at such a great distance
are mostly fatal. The Queen joins in Sir Robert's opinion, that before
coming to a final arrangement it will be most valuable to have Sir H.
Pottinger's opinion upon your present message, and thinks it much
the best that Sir H. should in the meantime be entrusted with
the _extraordinary_ full powers for concluding any provisional
arrangements, as she believes that very great confidence may be placed
in him. Lord Stanley's suggestions strike the Queen as very judicious
and calculated to facilitate the future Government of Hong-Kong.
The Queen hopes to hear more from Sir Robert when she sees him here,
which she hopes to do from Monday the 2nd to Wednesday the 4th.
[Pageheading: THE SCOTCH CHURCH]
_Sir Robert Peel to Queen Victoria._
DRAYTON MANOR, _26th December 1842._
Sir Robert Peel presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and with
reference to enquiries made by your Majesty when Sir Robert Peel
was last at Windsor, on the subject of the Scotch Church and the
proceedings of the last General Assembly, begs leave to acquaint your
Majesty that the Moderator of the Assembly has recently addressed a
letter to Sir Robert Peel, requiring an answer to the demands urged by
the General Assembly in a document entitled a Protest and Declaration
of Right.[116]
The demands of the General Assembly amount to a reversal by Law of the
recent decisions of the Court of Session and of the House of Lords,
and to a repeal of the Act of Queen Anne, which establishes the Right
of Patronage in respect to Livings in the Church of Scotland.
That Act by no means gives any such absolute right of appointment
to the Crown or other patrons of Livings, as exists in England. It
enables those legally entitled to the patronage to present a clergyman
to the Living, but the Church Courts have the power, on valid
objections being made and duly sustained by the parishioners, to set
aside the presentation of the patron, and to require from him a new
nomination.
The Church, however, requires the absolute repeal of the Act of Anne.
An answer to the demands of the Church will now become requisite.
Sir James Graham has been in communication with the law advisers of
your Majesty in Scotland upon the legal questions involved in this
matter, and will shortly send for your Majesty's consideration the
draft of a proposed answer to the General Assembly.[117]
[Footnote 116: The famous Auchterarder case had decided that,
notwithstanding the vetoing by the congregation of the nominee
of the patron, the Presbytery must take him on trial if
qualified by life, learning, and doctrine,--in other words,
that the Act of Anne, subjecting the power of the Presbytery
to the control of the law courts, was not superseded by the
Veto Act, a declaration made by the General Assembly. In the
Strathbogie case, a minister had been nominated to Marnock,
and 261 out of 300 heads of families had objected to him. The
General Assembly having directed the Presbytery to reject him,
the civil court held that he must be taken on trial. Seven
members of the Presbytery obeyed the civil power, and the
General Assembly, on the motion of Dr Chalmers, deposed them
and declared their parishes vacant.]
[Footnote 117: Sir James Graham's letter is printed in the
Annual Register for 1843. A petition in answer was drawn by
the Assembly and presented to Parliament by Mr Fox Maule.
After the debate on it in the Commons, preparations were
made throughout Scotland for the secession of the
non-intrusionists, as they were called, which event took
place on 18th May 1843, when about 500 Ministers, headed by
Chalmers, seceded from the Old Kirk, and founded the Free
Church.]
[Pageheading: A SERIOUS CRISIS]
_Sir Robert Peel to Queen Victoria._
DRAYTON MANOR, _30th December 1842._
Sir Robert Peel presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and rejoices
to hear that your Majesty approved of the letter which, with your
Majesty's sanction, James Graham proposes to write to the Moderator of
the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland.
Sir Robert Peel fears that there is too much ground for the
apprehensions expressed by your Majesty in respect to future
embarrassment arising out of the position of the Church Question in
Scotland.
Sir Robert Peel saw yesterday a letter addressed by Dr
Abercrombie,[118] the eminent physician in Edinburgh, to Sir George
Sinclair,[119] declaring his conviction that the Secession of
Ministers from their Livings would take place to _a very great
extent_--would comprise very many of the Ministers most distinguished
for learning and professional character, and would meet with very
general support among their congregations.
Sir Robert Peel has little doubt that a serious crisis in the History
of the Church of Scotland is at hand, and that the result of it will
be greatly to be lamented; but still he could not advise your Majesty
to seek to avert it by the acquiescence in demands amounting to the
abrogation of important civil rights and to the establishment
in Scotland of an ecclesiastical domination independent of all
control....
He is very confident that your Majesty will feel that in the present
state of the controversy with the Church of Scotland, there is
peculiar reason for taking the greatest care that every minister
presented to a Crown Living should be not only above exception, but
should, if possible, be pre-eminently distinguished for his fitness
for a pastoral charge.
[Footnote 118: John Abercrombie (1780-1844), one of the chief
consulting physicians in Scotland, and a great medical writer.
He left the Established Church.]
[Footnote 119: Sir George Sinclair (1790-1868), M.P. for
Caithness-shire, was a supporter of the Anti-Patronage
Society, and joined the Free Church.]
[Pageheading: HISTORICAL READING]
_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._
BROCKET HALL, _30th December 1842._
Lord Melbourne presents his humble duty to your Majesty. He has been
much delighted this morning by receiving your Majesty's letter of
the 28th. He was the more gratified, as he had begun to be a little
annoyed at being such a very long time without hearing from your
Majesty.
Lord Mahon has sent Lord Melbourne his book.[120] Lord Melbourne has
not yet read it, but he has read the review of it in the _Quarterly_,
which seems to be a sort of abstract or abridgment of the book.
The effect of writing it in French has naturally been to direct all
attention and criticism from the merits of the work to the faults of
the French. People who have read the work speak of it as entertaining,
and the times are curious and interesting. The characters engaged in
them, striking and remarkable. Lord Melbourne is very glad to hear
that Pottinger's conduct is so universally approved. He always
appeared to Lord Melbourne to be a man of great ability, resolution
and discretion, and Lord Melbourne much rejoices that he has turned
out so.
Hallam's opinions Lord Melbourne believes to be in general sound,
and such as have been held and approved by the most able and
constitutional statesmen in this country.
Lord Melbourne is much rejoiced to hear of the Princess and the Prince
of Wales, and also that your Majesty is pursuing your studies quietly,
cheerfully, and happily.
Lord Melbourne is very sensible of the interest which the Baron takes
in his health and which he warmly reciprocates. There is no man whom
he esteems more, nor of whose head and heart he has a better opinion.
We expect here to-morrow the Duchess of Sutherland[121] and Lady
Elizabeth Gower,[122] who have been kind enough to propose to pay Lord
Melbourne a visit.
[Footnote 120: _Essai sur la vie du grand Condé_, afterwards
published in English.]
[Footnote 121: Formerly Mistress of the Robes.]
[Footnote 122: Afterwards Duchess of Argyll.]
INTRODUCTORY NOTE
TO CHAPTER XII
Repeated debates took place during the year (1843) on the Corn Laws,
the agitation against them steadily growing, Mr Cobden coming on one
occasion into violent conflict with the Premier. The events of
the previous year in Afghanistan were also the subject of constant
discussion in Parliament. A movement of some importance took place in
Wales in opposition to the increasing number of toll-bars, bands
of rioters dressed in women's clothes and known as "Rebecca and her
daughters," demolishing the gates and committing acts of greater or
less violence. A verse in Genesis (xxiv. 60) fancifully applied gave
rise to this name and disguise.
In Scotland the system of private patronage in the Established Kirk
had become very unpopular, the Act of Anne in favour of the nomination
by lay patrons, and the control given to the Law Courts over the
revising action of the Presbytery being ultimately modified by a
declaration of the General Assembly known as the Veto Act. But it
was decided in what was called the Strathbogie case that the veto was
illusory, the disruption of the old Kirk followed, and on 18th May Dr
Chalmers and five hundred other ministers seceded from it in order to
form the Free Church.
In Ireland the agitation for Repeal was at its height. O'Connell,
supported by the _Nation_ newspaper, founded a Repeal Association in
Dublin, and monster meetings were held on Sundays on some conspicuous
spot of free and historic associations to claim the re-establishment
of a Parliament on College Green. It was believed that a quarter of
a million people were present on one occasion, and the Government,
alarmed at the absolute power wielded by O'Connell over these huge
bodies of men, resolved to prohibit the meetings, and somewhat tardily
issued a Proclamation against that announced for Clontarf on 8th
October. O'Connell accordingly disbanded the meeting, but his action
did not please his more zealous supporters, and his ascendency came
to an end. The agitation collapsed and the principal actors were
arrested.
A military duel fought in the summer of this year, in which a colonel
in the Army was shot by his brother-in-law, made the code of honour
existing on the subject a burning question, the criminal law of
homicide being the same then as now. On Prince Albert's suggestion,
the question was taken up by the heads of the Army and Navy, and the
Articles of War were in the following year amended so as to admit of
an apology and a tender of redress.
The better feeling existing between this country and France enabled
the Queen and Prince to visit Louis Philippe at the Château d'Eu.