SPAIN AND PORTUGAL
16th January 1837.
My dearest Uncle,— ... We saw Van de Weyer1on Tuesday, and his conversation was most interesting. He praises our dear Ferdinand most exceedingly, but as for the poor Queen, what he told us does not redound much to her credit; one good quality, however, she has, which is her excessive fondness for and realobedienceto Ferdinand. She is unfortunately surrounded by acamarilla2who poison her ears, and fetter all her actions; poor soul! she ismuchto be pitied. About Lavradio3you will also have, I fear, heard but too much. Honesty and single-heartedness seems to have left Portugal. Van de Weyer is so clear in all that he says, so sensible, so quiet, so clever, and, last but not least, so agreeable; I hope we shall soon see him again. You see, dear Uncle, how much interest I take in Portugal; but I must say that I think every one who knows dear Ferdinand, and particularly who loves him as I do, must feel a very deep interest as to the fate of the unhappy country in which he is destined to play so prominent and difficult a part.
I have been reading to-day a very clever speech of Sir Robert Peel's (not a political one) to the University at Glasgow, on the occasion of his being elected Lord Rector of that college. There is another speech of his at the dinner at Glasgow whichis political, but which I have not yet read....4
Footnote 1: Sylvain Van de Weyer (b. 1802) was, in 1830, Belgian Plenipotentiary at the Conference of London. He returned to his own country and became Foreign Minister. His exertions contributed greatly to render successful the candidature of Prince Leopold for the throne of Belgium. The King appointed him Belgian Minister in London, to which post he returned in 1851, and held it till 1867. He was treated by the Queen until his death in 1874 as a very intimate friend and adviser.
Footnote 2:I.e. a clique.
Footnote 3: The Portuguese Statesman who had gone to Gotha to arrange the Queen's marriage, and was destined to act in a similar manner for her son in 1857.
Footnote 4: Sir R. Peel was installed as Lord Rector of Glasgow on 11th January, and delivered an address on the principles of Education: strong political feeling was manifested, groans being given for Lord Melbourne and the Ministry. At a civic banquet given in Sir R. Peel's honour, he expounded the principles of Conservative Reform.
23rd January 1837.
My dearest Uncle,— ... The affairs of the Peninsula are indeed very distressing,5and what you tell me in your letter of the 20th, as also in the former one, is highly interesting and, alas! but too true. I trust, not withstanding what you say, I may yet live to see Spain and Portugal settled. But I greatly fear that the time is far distant.
Do you know Mendizabal?6I saw him at our house in 1835. Alava7presented him to us; he is a tall, dark, fine, and clever-looking man. I remember his being so much struck with my likeness to Donna Maria, which I was not aware was the case. Pray, dear Uncle, may I ask you a silly question?—is not the Queen of Spain8rather clever? You know her, and what do you think of her? And do you know what sort of people are about poor little Queen Isabel?9Poor, good Donna Maria! I feel much for her; her education was one of the worst that could be. As long as those Ficalhos and Melos remain about her, nothing can be done. Could they not be got rid of in time?
I was sorry to see that the French Chambers were rather stormy.10
I thank you much for the list of the ball of the 18th, which must have been very splendid. The last ballIwas at was our own, and I concluded that very ball at half-past three in the morning with a country dance, Albert being my partner.
Pray, dear Uncle, tell both young gentlemen, with my kindest love, that Ioftenthink of that night and of many other pleasant evenings we passed together. The singing will come all in time. Who is their singing-master? I wish they had my worthy Lablache. I sing regularly every evening, as I think it better to do so every day to keep the voice manageable. Oh, my beloved Uncle, could you join us, how delightful that would be! How I should delight in singing with you all our favourite things fromLa Gazza,Otello,Il Barbiere, etc., etc.
The little Cousin11must be a little love: oh, could I but seehim and play with him! Pray, dear Uncle, does he know such a thing as that he has got an Aunt and Cousin on the other side of the water? ...
Pray, dear Uncle, have you read Sir R. Peel's two speeches? I wish you would, and give me your opinion of them.
Footnote 5: Some interesting observations on these events may be read in Borrow'sBible in Spain.
Footnote 6: Don Juan Alvarez y Mendizabal (1790-1853), Spanish politician and financier.
Footnote 7: Miguel Ricardo di Alava (1771-1843), Spanish General; he acted as the representative of Spain at Paris, at the Court of the Bourbons; he was a great friend of the Duke of Wellington, and was with him at his headquarters during the Peninsular War.
Footnote 8: The Queen Regent, Christina.
Footnote 9: Then six years old; she died in 1904.
Footnote 10: This was in reference to the trial at Strasburg of the confederates of Prince Louis Bonaparte (afterwards Napoleon III.) in his abortive attempt to establish a military despotism on 30th October. The Prince was permitted to go to the United States, being conveyed in a French frigate; the other conspirators were acquitted.
Footnote 11: Leopold, born in 1835, afterwards Duke of Brabant, the present King of the Belgians.
PARLIAMENTARY LANGUAGE
Claremont,30th January 1837.
My dearest Uncle,— ... I am very sorry that the Portuguese news are still so very unfavourable; I trust that, in time, things will come right. The Portuguese are, as you say, a most inconceivable set of selfish politicians.
Our friend, Mr Hume,12made a most violent speech at a dinner given to him and old George Byng13at Drury Lane last week.14He called Sir R. Peel and some other Tories "the cloven foot," which I think rather strong. I think thatgreatviolence and striving such a pity, on both sides, don't you, dear Uncle? They irritate one another so uselessly by calling one another fools, blockheads, liars, and so forth for no purpose. I think violence so bad in everything. They should imitate you, and be calm, for you have had, God knows! enough cause for irritation from yourworthyDutch neighbours and others. You will, I fear, laugh at mypolitics, but I like tellingyoumy feelings, for you alone can put me right on such subjects.
Footnote 12: Joseph Hume, leader of the Radical party, was now M.P. for Middlesex.
Footnote 13: George Byng, for many years Member for Middlesex, was great-grandson of William Wentworth, Earl of Strafford, of the 1711 creation. His younger brother, Sir John Byng, the well-known General of the Peninsula and Waterloo, was created Earl of Strafford in 1817.
Footnote 14: This was a dinner given by the Middlesex reformers to their representatives. Grote also spoke and said that the Tories well knew that their dominion rested upon everything that was antiquated and corrupt and anti-popular in the nation—upon oligarchical predominance in the State, and sectarian pride and privileges in the Church.
POLITICAL PASSION
3rd February 1837.
My dear Child,— ... I am sorry to see so much violence in England at this moment; I consider it as the most lamentable circumstance, as it renders matters so very difficult to settle. Besides, the poor Crown is more or less the loser in all this, as it generally ends with the abolition of something or other which might have proved useful for the carrying on of Government. A rule which you may thus early impress onyour mind is, that people are far from acting generally according to the dictates of their interests, but oftener in consequence of their passions, though it may even prove injurious to their interests. If the Tory part of Parliament could have brought themselves to act without passion, much in the reform of Parliament might have been settled much more in conformity with their best interests. I was authorised, in 1831, to speak in this sense to the Duke of Wellington by Lord Grey;15the effect would have been highly beneficial to both parties, but passion made it impossible to succeed. This is a dangerous part of the business, and we must see during the present session of Parliament if parties are grown wiser. I fear they are not. The business of the highest in a State is certainly, in my opinion, to act with great impartiality and a spirit of justice for the good of all, and not of this or that party.16
Footnote 15: This refers to the rejection of the Reform Bill by the House of Lords in 1831; as a consequence, mobs broke the windows of Apsley House, and fired Nottingham Castle.
Footnote 16: On 14th April 1837, Sir Robert Peel wrote to J. W. Croker:— ... "We are, in short, in this state of things. All the convictions and inclinations of the Government are with their Conservative opponents. Half their actions and all their speeches are with the Radicals." (Croker Papers, ii. 306.)
Claremont,6th February 1837.
My beloved Uncle,— ... I do not know quite for certain when we leave this place, but I should think to-day week. You must be pleased, dear Uncle, I think, for we shall have beensix monthsin the country next Thursday, as we left town on the 10th of August last, and I am sure you will stand by me for my having my season fully, as you may understand that myOperaticandTerpsichoreanfeelings are pretty strong, now that the season is returning, and I have been a very good child, not evenwishingto come to town till now. We shall certainly come here for the Easter week.
Dr Clark17arrived here quite happy last night, bringing the news that Van de Weyer had had the best news from Lisbon he had received since his return, that all had gone off quietly, that Ferdinand was daily gaining popularity, and that both he and the Queen had been very well received at the theatre. The man who threw a stone at Ferdinand was a Frenchman, whom, it seems, Ferdinand had relieved with money over and over again. A fine specimen of gratitude!
I hope and trust with you that there will be less violence in Parliament this year, but much is to be feared.
You will miss my good cousins Ernest and Albert very much, I am sure; I hope you will instil into them to take enough exercise and not to study too much.
There were two questions in my last letter but one, which you have not answered, dear Uncle. They are: 1st, What you think of the Queen Christina of Spain, what opinionyouhave of her, as one cannot believereports? 2nd, If you know what sort of people are about poor little Queen Isabel, and if she is beingwellorillbrought up?...
Footnote 17: Afterwards Sir James Clark, and Physician-in-Ordinary to the Queen.
A DINNER PARTY
14th March 1837.
... We had a dinner on Saturday which amused me, as I am very fond ofpleasantsociety, and we have been for these last three weeks immured within our old palace, and I longed sadly for some gaiety. After being so very long in the country I was preparing to go out in right earnest, whereas I have only beentwiceto the play since our return, which is marvellous! However, we are to have another dinner to-morrow, and are going to the play and Opera. After Easter I trust I shall make ample amends for all this solitariness. I hope to begin singing with Lablache shortly after Easter. But to return to last Saturday's dinner. We had the Archbishop of Dublin,18a clever but singular man, and his lady; Lord Palmerston, with whom I had much pleasant and amusing conversation after dinner—you know how agreeable he is; then Lady Cadogan,19who enquired much after you and Aunt Louise; Lord and Lady Rosebery,20Mr and Mrs E. Stanley,21Lord Morpeth,22Lord Templetown,23Sir John Cam Hobhouse,24Dr Lushington,25and Mr Woulfe,26the Solicitor-General for Ireland, a RomanCatholic and a very clever man. Lady Cadogan, who is not long come back from Paris, says that the Duke of Orleans has been going out very little and is remarkably well. I saw a report in the papers that he and the Duc de Nemours were coming over here, which I fear is not true; I wish it was....
THE THRONE OF GREECE
There is one thing in your former letter which I must answer, or, rather, more advert to. You said to me, that if it was not for me, you would regret Greece very much. Now, I assure you, dearest Uncle, you ought not to regret it, though there is not a doubt thatGreecewould be much happier were you there. But I have heard from various people who have been staying in Greece that they very soon got to like the Turks much better than the Greeks, who are very untrue, and are quite banditti-like; then, again, the country, though undoubtedly fine in parts, is a rocky and barren country, and also you are constantly exposed to the effects of the Plague, that most dreadful of all evils; and then, lastly, how very, very far you would be, how cut off from all those who are dear to you, and how exposed to dangers of all kinds!
I much grieve that they are quarrelling so much in the French Chambers.27I must now conclude.
Footnote 18: Richard Whateley, formerly Principal of St Alban Hall, and Drummond Professor of Political Economy at Oxford.
Footnote 19: Louisa Honoria, wife of the third Earl, and sister of Joseph, first Lord Wallscourt.
Footnote 20: Archibald, fourth Earl of Rosebery, and Anne Margaret, his second wife, daughter of the first Viscount Anson.
Footnote 21: Edward Stanley, afterwards fourteenth Earl of Derby, thrice Prime Minister.
Footnote 22: Chief Secretary for Ireland.
Footnote 23: John Henry, first Viscount, formerly M.P. for Bury St Edmunds.
Footnote 24: Sir John Cam Hobhouse, a Radical, and a friend of Byron, at whose wedding he acted as best man; he was imprisoned in 1819 for breach of privilege. He was elected M.P. for Westminster in 1820 as Burdett's colleague, and afterwards for Nottingham and Harwich. Commissioner of Woods and Forests (the old Houses of Parliament being burned down during his term of office), and later President of Board of Control. Created Lord Broughton, 1851.
Footnote 25: Stephen Lushington, advocate in the old Ecclesiastical Court, M.P. for Ilchester and the Tower Hamlets, and a Judge in the Ecclesiastical and Admiralty Courts from 1828 to 1867.
Footnote 26: Stephen Woulfe, M.P. for Carlisle, Solicitor-General, and subsequently Attorney-General, for Ireland, becoming Chief Baron in 1838.
Footnote 27: On 10th March a heated debate took place in the French Chamber on the question of the Queen of the Belgians' dowry, a Deputy calling for the production of King Louis Philippe's rent-roll, and a complete statement of his income.
Laeken,31st March 1837.
My beloved Child,—Your dear letter of the 28th gave me the greatest pleasure. I was sure from your constant affection for us that you would feel much interested in the event of the 24th. It was a moment of some anxiety, but all passed over very well. Your Aunt is going on very well, and the little cousin28also. He is smaller than his brother was, but promises to be like him; the features are much the same, the shape of the forehead and mouth. The elder Prince was much interested about hisfrère, and anxious to see him; at first, however, he declared after a long contemplation, "pas beau frère!" Now he thinks better of him, but makes a very odd little face when he sees him. The name of the little one will be Philippe Eugène Ferdinand Marie Clément Baudouin (Baldwin)—a name of the old Counts of Flanders—Léopold Georges. My Aunt, who is his godmother, wished he should be called Philippe in honour of his grandfather, and as Philippele Bonwas one of the mostpowerful Princes of this country, I gave him the name with pleasure. Eugène is her own name, Ferdinand that of Chartres, Marie of the Queen and also of Princess Marie, Clément of Princess Clémentine; Léopold your Aunt wished, and George in honour of St George of England and of George IV. Probably I shall hereafter give to Léopold the title of Duke of Brabant, and to Philippe that of Count of Flanders, both fine old titles.
Footnote 28: Philippe, second son of King Leopold, afterwards Count of Flanders. He died in 1905.
PRESS COMMENTS
Laeken,7th April 1837.
My dearest Child,—... You have been the subject of all sorts of newspaper paragraphs; your good and sensible way of looking on these very creditable productionswill be of use to you. If the press says useful things, and makes observations which merit attention, there is no doubt that sometimes, though God knows very rarely, something useful may be gleaned from them. But when you see its present state, when the one side says black and the other white, when the opposite political characters are treated by their respective antagonists as rogues, fools, blockheads, wretches, and all the other names in which the English political dictionary is sovery rich, one stands like the ass, between two bundles of hay, considerably embarrassed which ought to be chosen....
THE PRINCESS'S ESTABLISHMENT
Laeken,11th April 1837.
... As I believe the visit at Windsor is fixed for the 15th, I hope this letter will arrive in time. Perhaps the King will speak to you about the necessity of forming you an establishment.29... Your position, having a Mother with whom you very naturally remain, would render acompleteindependent establishment perhaps matter ofrealinconvenience; still something like that which Charlotte had will become desirable. My idea, if it meets with your approbation, would be this: The Duchess of Northumberland would remain your first Lady, Baroness Lehzen would fill a position similar to that of Mrs Campbell, who had been Charlotte's governess in her younger days, and the Dean30would step into the position which good Dr Short31held. An Equerry, I do not think—as you will notgo out without your Mother—you would require. On the other hand, it may become matter of examination if you will perhaps like to have some young ladies attendants in the style of Lady Catherine Jenkinson;32should this be your wish, it would become necessary to make very good choices, else perhaps you would derive more trouble than comfort from the arrangement;cela va sans dire, that the choice could only be made by yourself, and that nobody should be given youagainstyour wishes. Should the King speak to you on the subject, I would at once express this my wish if you should approve some such arrangement, and beg him to letyou choose. Resist mildly butpositivelyany nomination of a Gentleman other than the Dean; it is highly probable that any other would be put about you as a spy, and turn out at all events a great bore, which is better avoided....
I received a messenger from Coburg. I enclose the letters and also a packet with fans. Ever, my beloved child, your faithfully attached Uncle and Friend,
Leopold R.
Footnote 29: The Princess was to attain her legal majority on 24th May.
Footnote 30: George Davys, the Princess Victoria's instructor, Dean of Chester, and afterwards Bishop of Peterborough.
Footnote 31: Thomas Vowler Short, Rector of St George's, Bloomsbury, appointed in 1841 Bishop of Sodor and Man.
Footnote 32: Lady Catherine Jenkinson, daughter of the Earl of Liverpool, soon after the Queen's accession married Colonel Francis Vernon Harcourt.
12th April 1837.
... What you say about the newspapers is very true and very flattering. They are indeed a curious compound of truth and untruth. I am so used to newspaper nonsense and attacks that I do not mind it in the least....
How happy I am that that beloved Aunt is going on so well and does not suffer from the cold, as also thejeune Philippe. Leopold must be great fun with his Aunt Marie;33does he still say "pas beau frère!" or is he more reconciled to his brother? It is very noble in the Duc de Nemours to have thus given up hisapanage;34I am sorry there were such difficulties about it. There is no Ministry formed yet, I see by the papers.
Footnote 33: Princess Marie of Orleans, born 1813, daughter of King Louis Philippe, and thus sister to the Queen of the Belgians.
Footnote 34: This grant was surrendered in order that due provision might be made by the Legislature for the elder brother, the Duke of Orleans, on the occasion of his marriage with the Princess Hélène of Mecklenburg-Schwerin.
THE IRISH MUNICIPAL BILL
28th April 1837.
My most beloved Uncle,—.... Sir Henry Hardinge's35motion was quite lost, I am happy to say, and don't you think, dearest Uncle, that it has almost done good, as it proves that the Tories have lost all chance of getting in? It was a trial of strength, and the Ministry have triumphed. I have been reading in the papers, what I suppose you already know, that it is believed that the Lordswillpass the Irish Corporation Bill;36and also that Ministers mean to drop for the present the question about Church Rates,37as the Radicals, being angry with Ministers relative to the Canada business, would not support them well.
Footnote 35: On a motion for going into supply, Sir H. Hardinge proposed an amendment censuring the Government for the authorisation of the raising of a force of Volunteers to assist the Spanish Government, and for the method in which that force had been organised. The amendment was lost by a majority of 36, on 19th April.
Footnote 36: The Irish Municipal Bill, to convert Corporations of Municipalities into Electoral Councils, was introduced in the House of Commons on the 15th of February. The Bill was opposed by the Conservatives, but passed the House of Commons. In the Lords an amendment of Lyndhurst's struck out the constructive clauses, and the Act became, on the 18th of May, an Act for the Abolition of Municipalities in Ireland. Lord John Russell brought forward a motion to reconstruct the Bill. But the Peers declined to pass it, and it was postponed.
Footnote 37: As Ministers only obtained a majority of 5 in a house of 569, the measure was dropped.
Laeken,28th April 1837.
... I hope you occupy yourself with the several great questions which agitate parties. I think a good mode will be to talk concerning them sometimes with the Dean. He is a good moderate man, and still well able to give you sufficient information. From conversation with clever people, such as dine sometimes with you, much may be very usefully gathered, and you will do well to attend to this. I am no enemy to this way of instruction, and have seen people who were sharp enough to profit wonderfully by it. You hear in this way the opinions of a variety of persons, and it rests with your own good sense to classify and appreciate them....
MINISTERIAL ANXIETY
2nd May 1837.
... You may depend upon it that I shall profit by your excellent advice respecting Politics. Pray, dear Uncle, have you read Lord Palmerston's speech concerning the Spanish affairs,38which he delivered the night of the division on Sir Henry Hardinge's motion? It is much admired. The Irish Tithes question came on last night in the House of Commons,39and I am very anxious for the morning papers, to see what has been done. Lord Melbourne looks remarkably well, Lord Palmerston not very well, and as for poor little Lord John Russell, he is only a shadow of himself. It must be dreadfully fagging work for them; they sit so very late too, for when the Spanish question came on, the division only took place at four o'clock in the morning, and I saw them at the Drawing-Room the same day afterwards....
Footnote 38: Lord Palmerston indignantly asked whether England should continue to fulfil her nengagement with the Queen of Spain, or disgracefully abandon an ally whom she had pledged herself to succour.
Footnote 39: The Irish Tithe Bill, a measure to facilitate the collection of tithes, was abandoned because the Tories would not consent to any secular appropriation of Church revenues, and the Whigs would not consent to the withdrawal of their amendments. A remarkable feature in the Bill was a proposal that a portion of every clergyman's income should be applied to education, as was already prescribed by a former Act.
9th May 1837.
My dearest Uncle,—It was very kind of you to write to me from your new château; I hardly ventured to hope for my usual letter, and yet I should have been much disappointed had I not received it. I am sorry that the house is so bad, but hope you will have found a good position for a new one....
Pray, dearest Uncle, may I ask such an indiscreet question as, if Major Stroekens is a clever man; he was so nervous and embarrassed when he came here, that I could not make him out. He brought me a very nice letter from Donna Maria.
I am anxiously waiting to hear the issue of the battle between the Carlists and Christinos, which is, they say, to decide a great deal.40
Now farewell, dearest Uncle. I beg my affectionate love to my dear Aunt, and my most respectfulhommagesto the Members of the Family with you. Believe me, always, your affectionate Niece,
Victoria.
Old Pozzo41dined here last Wednesday, and he gave me a long, I must say clever, dissertation about the state of France, during dinner-time.
Footnote 40: After an obstinate investment by the Carlists, Espartero had relieved Bilbao on Christmas Day, 1836. The Christino commanders then began to concert a combined movement on the Carlist lines, which stretched from Irun to Villafranca.
Footnote 41: Count Pozzo di Borgo (1764-1842), Russian Ambassador. By birth a Corsican and a devoted patriot, he was a life-long opponent of Napoleon and his designs. He entered the Russian diplomatic service in 1803, and after Waterloo became Russian Ambassador in Paris. He was Ambassador in London for two years, when his health gave way.
THE PRINCESS'S ESTABLISHMENT
Laeken,25th May 1837.
My dearest Child,—You have had some battles and difficulties of which I am completely in the dark. The thing I am most curious to learn is what the King proposed to you concerningyour establishment.... I shall reserve my opinion till I am better informed, but by what I heard I did not approve of it, because I thought it ill-timed. Stockmar will be able to do much. Two things seem necessary; not to be fettered by any establishment other than what will becomfortable to you, and then to avoid any breach with your mother. I have fully instructed Stockmar, and I must say he left me in such good disposition that I think he will be able to be of great use to you. The great thing is to act without precipitation and with caution. The King seems better again. I am very curious to know what he proposed; you will have it in your power to modify his proposition, as it is difficult yourapprobationshould be dispensed with; it would be a great fault in your situation tosubmitto this.... They seemed to think the King dying, which does not appear to be the case. Be steady, my good child, andnotput out byanything; as long as I liveyou will not want a faithful friend and supporter....
Here your somewhat curious little soul has at least the outlines of things....
26th.—I received yesterday the whole of the papers concerning the King's propositions.42I approve your letter to the King, as it is amiable and generous, and this in your position will always tell favourably. I think that ifheis well advised he will chiefly consultyour wishes. This is the footing on which you must place matters. It is not worth while to be told that one is in some sort of age when the consequence is that you are not consulted in what concerns you most personally. Avoid in future to say much about your greatyouthandinexperience. Who made the letter? Was it yourself, or came it from your Mother? You have now the Baron at your elbow, and even your Mother was most anxious for his arrival.Speak sometimes with him; it is necessary to accustom you to the thing.
About the King's health.43I am doubtful what to think. We have foreseen the case and treated it formerly. The great thing would be to make no change, to keep Ministers and everything as it is, and to gain time; in this wayno one is hurt and no amour-propre blessé. For this reason I lean to your keeping, to begin with, Sir Herbert Taylor44for yourofficialsecretary, though I am not quitedecidedon the subject. He knows the manner in which thedaily businessis carried on; this is important. I believe him, and have found him to be an honestman, that would do for State matters; it would not be required that he should be yourconfidentialadviser. Now I conclude, and send you this letter through Stockmar. My best regards to Lehzen. Ever your faithful Uncle and Friend,
Leopold R.
Footnote 42: The King had offered the Princess an establishment of £10,000 a year, independent of her mother. This was accepted, to the great vexation of the Duchess of Kent, but the arrangement was not carried into effect.
Footnote 43: King William's health was at this time causing much anxiety.
Footnote 44: Private Secretary to King William IV.
BIRTHDAY REJOICINGS
26th May 1837.
... The demonstrations of affection and kindness from all sides towards me on my birthday, were most gratifying. The parks and streets were crowded all day as though something very extraordinary had happened. Yesterday I received twenty-two Addresses from various places, all very pretty and loyal; one in particular was very well written which was presented by Mr. Attwood45from the Political Union at Birmingham.
I am delighted to hear Stockmar is at length arrived; he reached London on Wednesday, and we shall see him to-day.
How distressed I am that poor dear Ernest46has been so ill! Thank God! that he is now better.
The Spanish affairs have turned out better than you had expected; the triumphant capture of Irun47was a great thing for the Christinos.
The King is much better.
Footnote 45: Thomas Attwood founded in 1829 the Birmingham Political Union, which helped to pass the Reform Act. Previously he had been known for his opposition to the Orders in Council, and the resumption of cash payments. Birmingham elected him without opposition in 1832, and he sat till 1840.
Footnote 46: Prince Ernest of Saxe-Coburg.
Footnote 47: The frontier town of Spain, near St Sebastian, captured, 16th May, by the Christinos, supported by British troops.
ADVICE AND ENCOURAGEMENT
Tuileries,7th June 1837.
... Theentrée48last Sunday was something remarkably splendid; we saw it from the Tuileries, as we had nothing to do with the business itself, and your Aunt's rank would have clashed with that of the Duchess of Orleans. The effect of all this on the people of this great town has beenvery great, and evidently much ground has been solidly regained. The King, getting out of that sort of confinement in which it was necessary to keep, has gained much in personal comfort, and also in apolitical point of view; because to have a King who cannot show himself without being shot at, is a state of society which lowers his authority....
For the present the best plan is to continue to act as you have done hitherto; to avoid quarrels, but also to stickfirmly to your resolution when oncetaken. The violence which is sometimes shown is so well known to you, you know also so well that you have nothing to fear from these people, thatyou must keep up your usual cool spirit, whatever may be tried in the House toteaze you out of it. I mean to wait some more detailed accounts of what is going on in England before I give my opinion on what ought to be done in the case that the King's disease should take a more fatal turn.
As I told you before, however, when we treated this subject verbally and in writing, I believe it to be your interest to act very mildly,to begin by taking everything as the King leaves it. By this system you avoid disappointing those whose hopes may remain unchanged, as your own choices, as it were, are not yet made. Parties, which at present are so nearly balanced, remainin statu quo, and you gain time.
I must conclude now this letter. My winding up is, keep your mindcoolandeasy; benot alarmedat the prospect of becoming perhaps sooner than you expected Queen; aid will not be wanting, and the great thing is that you should have some honest people about you who have your welfarereally at heart. Stockmar will be in this respect all we can wish, and we must hope thatusefuloccupation will prevent his health from suffering. Now once more God bless you. Ever, my dear child, your faithful Uncle and Friend,
Leopold R.
Footnote 48: The entry into Paris of the Duke and Duchess of Orleans, who had been married at Fontainebleau on May 30th.
THE ACCESSION IMMINENT
Laeken,15th June 1837.
My beloved Child,—I hope that to-day will not pass over without bringing me a letter from you. In the meantime I will begin this epistle, which will go by a messenger of my own to-morrow. In every letter I shall write to you I mean to repeat to you, as afundamental rule,to be courageous, firm and honest, as you have been till now. You may count upon my faithful good offices in all difficulties, and you have at your command Stockmar, whosejudgment,heart, andcharacteroffer all the guarantees we can wish for. I wish nothing but to see youhappy and prosperous, and by Sunday I shall probably write you a long letter, which will enter into details about most things.
My object is that you should be no one'stool, and though young, and naturally not yet experienced, your good natural sense and thetruthof your character will, with faithful and proper advice, get you very well through the difficulties of your future position, should it be the will of Providence to take the King from this earthly life. Of his real position I am still not quite able to judge, there being so much contradictory in the reports. Be this as it may, the great thing for you is, not to be hurried into important measures, and togain time. A new reign is always a time of hope; everybody is disposed to see something for his own wishes and prospects. The policy of a new Sovereign must therefore be to act in such a manner as to hurt as little as possible theamour-propreof people, to let circumstances and the force of things bring about the disappointments which no human power could prevent coming sooner or later: that they should come aslateas possible is in your interest. Should anything happen to the King before I can enter more fully into the necessary details, limit yourself totaking kindlyand in afriendlymanner the present Administration into your service. They arenaturally friendly to your interests,as you are in fact the only possible Sovereign of the whole family, with the exception of the Duke of Sussex, they canservewithsincerityandattachment. This is of great importance to you, as it is by no means the same thing to have people who aid and assist you with feelings of real attachment, or merely from cold and calculating motives of political expediency and self-interest. This being done, no other step should be taken without consulting seriously. The very time which is necessary to attain this end is favourable to you, as it is your greatest interest for thepresent momentto act most cautiously and to gain as muchtimeas possible. In high positions it is excessively difficult toretracea false move to get out of a mistake; and there exists very rarely, except in time of war and civil feuds, a necessity for animmediatedecision. Your part must be, to resume once more what I said before, to remain as long as possibleagreeableto all parties, and after the formation of the Ministry, to be most careful how you take any measure of importance....
H.M. King William IV.H.M. King William IV.From a miniature at Windsor CastleTo face p.72,Vol. I
H.M. King William IV.
From a miniature at Windsor Castle
To face p.72,Vol. I