RECALL OF LORD ELLENBOROUGH
Whitehall,23rd April 1844.
Sir Robert Peel, with his humble duty to your Majesty, begs leave to acquaint your Majesty that he has every reason to believe that the Court of Directors willto-morrow, by an unanimous vote, resolve on the actual recall of Lord Ellenborough.10
Footnote 10: This anomalous privilege was exercised by the Directors in consequence chiefly of what they considered Lord Ellenborough's overbearing demeanour in communication with them, his too aggressive policy, and his theatrical love of display.
Buckingham Palace,23rd April 1844.
The Queen has heard with the greatest regret from Sir R. Peel that the Court of Directors, after all, mean to recall Lord Ellenborough. She cannot but consider thisveryunwise at this critical moment, and a very ungrateful return for the eminent services Lord Ellenborough has rendered to the Company in India. They ought not to forget so soon in what state Lord Ellenborough found affairs in 1842. The Queen would not be sorry if these gentlemen knew that this is her opinion.
Laeken,3rd May 1844.
My Dearest Victoria,—Whenever you wish to make metruly happy, you will have the power of doing so by repeating expressions as kind and affectionate as those contained in your dear little letter of the 30th. I have ever had the care and affection of areal fatherfor you, and it has perhaps even been freer from many drawbacks which occasionally will exist betwixt parents and children, be they ever so well and affectionately together. With me, even from the moment inJanuary 1820, when I was called by a messenger to Sidmouth, my care for you has been unremitting, and never has there been a cloud between us.... A thing which often strikes me, in a very satisfactory manner, is that we never had any bitter words, a thing which happens even with people who are very lovingly together; and the little row which we had in 1838 you remember well, and do not now think thatIwas wrong.11De pareilles relations sont rares; may they ever continue!
I cannot leave this more serious topic without adding that though you were always warm-hearted and right-minded, it must strike yourself how matured every kind and good feeling is in your generous heart.The heart, and not the head, is the safest guide in positions like yours, and this not only for this earthly and very short life, but for that which we must hope for hereafter. When a life draws nearer its close, how many earthly concerns are there that appearstill in the same light? and how clearly the mind is struck that nothing has been and is still ofrealvalue, than the nobler and better feelings of the heart; the only good we can hope to keep as a precious store for the future. What do we keep of youth, beauty, richness, power, and even the greatest extent of earthly possessions?Nothing!... Your truly devoted Uncle,
Leopold R.
Footnote 11:SeeLetters of Queen Victoria and the King of the Belgians,ante,vol. i. pp. 116-120.
HONOURS FOR LORD ELLENBOROUGH
Whitehall,5th May 1844.
Sir Robert Peel, with his humble duty to your Majesty, and believing that he is acting in accordance with your Majesty's own opinion, begs leave to submit to your Majesty that it may be advisable that he should by the present mail inform Lord Ellenborough that it is your Majesty's intention to confer on him, at a very early period, as a mark of your Majesty's approval of Lord Ellenborough's conduct and services in India, the rank of an Earl and the Grand Cross of the Bath.
Lord Ellenborough may be at liberty (should your Majesty approve) to notify this publicly in India—and thus make it known that the general line of policy recently pursued has had the full sanction of your Majesty, and will not be departed from.
These were the honours conferred upon Lord Auckland.
If they were conferredon the instant, it might rather seem arebuke to the East India Company than a deliberate approval of the conduct of Lord Ellenborough, but these honours might shortly follow the conclusion of the affair respecting the selection of Lord Ellenborough's successor, and any discussion that may arise in Parliament.
THE PRINCE DE JOINVILLE'SBROCHURE
Claremont,24th May 1844.
Dearest Uncle,—Thoughnotmy day I must write you a line to sayhow vexedwe are at thismost unfortunateandmost imprudent brochureof Joinville's;12it has made avery badeffect here, and will rouse all the envy and hatred between thetwo Naviesagain, which it was our great effort to subdue—and thisallfornothing!I can't tell you how angry people are, and how poor Hadjy will get abused. And thisallafter our having been on such intimate terms with him and havingsailedwith him! If he comes here,whatshall we do? Receive with open arms one who has talked of ravaging our coasts and burning our towns? Indeed it is most lamentable; you know how we like him, and that therefore it must be very annoying to us to see him get himself into such a scrape.Weshall overlook it, but the peopleherewon't! Itwillblow over, but it will do immense harm. We who wish to become more and more closely united with the French family are, of course, much put out by this return. We shall forgive and forget, and feel it wasnotintended to be published—but the publicherewillnotso easily, and will put the worst construction on it all.
Pray, dearest Uncle, tell me whatcouldpossess Joinville to write it, and still more to have it printed? Won't it annoy the King and Nemours very much?Enfin c'est malheureux, c'est indiscret au plus haut degré—and it provokes and vexes us sadly. Tell meallyouknowand think about it; for youcando so with perfect safety by our courier.
I have written dearest Louise an account of myoldbirthday, which will please you, I think. The weather is very fine. Ever yourtrulydevoted Niece and Child,
Victoria R.
Footnote 12: Thebrochurewas entitled,Notes sur les forces navales de la France. The Prince de Joinville wrote as follows to the Queen: "Le malheureux éclat de ma brochure, le tracas que cela donne au Père et à la Reine, me font regretter vivement de l'avoir faite. Comme je l'écris à ton Roi, je ne renvoie que mépris à toutes les interprétations qu'on y donne; ce que peuvent dire ministre et journaux ne me touche en rien, mais il n'y a pas de sacrifices que je ne suis disposé à faire pour l'intérieur de la Famille."
29th May 1844.
If Lord Aberdeen should not have read the Prince de Joinville's pamphlet, the Queen recommends him to do so, as one cannot judge fairly by the extracts in the newspapers. Though it does not lessen the extreme imprudence of the Prince's publishing what must do harm to the various French Governments, it certainly isnotintentionally written to offend England, and on the contrary frankly provesusto be immensely superior to the French Navy in every way.
THE CZAR NICHOLAS
Windsor Castle,4th June 1844.
My beloved Uncle,—I gave Louise a long and detailed description of the Emperor,13etc. The papers are full of the details. A great event and a great complimenthisvisit certainly is, and the peoplehereare extremely flattered at it. He is certainly avery strikingman; still very handsome; his profile isbeautiful, and his mannersmostdignified and graceful; extremely civil—quite alarmingly so, as he is so full of attentions andpolitesses. But the expression of theeyesisformidable, and unlike anything I ever saw before. He gives me and Albert the impression of a man who isnothappy, and on whom the weight of his immense power and position weighs heavily and painfully; he seldom smiles, and when he does the expression isnota happy one. He is very easy to get on with. Really, it seems like a dream when I think that we breakfast and walk out withthisgreatest of all earthly Potentates as quietly as if we walked, etc., with Charles or any one. We took him, with the dear good King of Saxony,14who is a great contrast to theCzar(and with whom I amquiteat my ease), to Adelaide Cottage after breakfast. The grass here is just as if it had been burned with fire.Howmany different Princes have we not gone the same round with!! The children are much admired by theSovereigns—(howgrandthis sounds!) —and Alice allowed the Emperor to take her in his arms, and kissed himde son propre accord. We are always so thankful that they arenotshy. Both the Emperor and the King arequiteenchanted with Windsor. The Emperor said verypoliment: "C'est digne de vous, Madame." I must say the Waterloo Room lit up with that entire service of gold looks splendid; and the Reception Room, beautiful to sit in afterwards. The Emperor praisedmyAngel very much, saying: "C'est impossible de voir un plus joli garçon; il a l'air si noble et si bon"; which I must sayis verytrue. The Emperor amused the King and me by saying he was soembarrasséwhen people were presented to him, and that he felt so "gauche"en frac, which certainly he is quiteunaccustomedto wear. If we can do anything to get him to do what is right by you, we shall be most happy, and Peel and Aberdeen are very anxious for it. I believe he leaves on Sunday again. To-morrow there is to be a great review, and on ThursdayIshall probably go with them to the races;theyare gone there with Albert to-day, but I have remained at home.
I think it is time to conclude my long letter.
If the French are angry at this visit, let their dear King and their Princes come;theywill be sure of atruly affectionatereception on our part. The one which Emperor Nicholas has received is cordial and civil,mais ne vient pas du cœur.
I humbly beg that any remarks which maynotbe favourable to our great visitor maynotgobeyondyou and Louise, andnottoParis. Ever your devoted Niece,
Victoria R.
Footnote 13: The Emperor Nicholas of Russia had just arrived on a visit to England.
Footnote 14: Frederick Augustus II.
Buckingham Palace,11th June 1844.
My Dearest Uncle,—I received your very kind and long letter of the 7th on Sunday, and thank you very much for it. I am delighted that my accounts interested you, and I shall try and give you some more to-day, which you will see come from an unbiassed and impartial mind, and which I trust thereforewillbe relied upon. The excitement has ceased as suddenly as it had begun, and I am still confused about it. I will go back to where I last left you.THE REVIEWTheRevue15on the 5th was really very interesting, and our reception as well as that of the Emperormostenthusiastic. Louise tells me you had a review the same day, and that it also was so hot. Our children were there, and charmed. On the 6th we went with the Emperor and King to the races,16and I never saw such a crowd; againherethe reception wasmost brilliant. Every evening a large dinner in the Waterloo Room, and the two last evenings in uniforms, as the Emperor disliked so beingen frac, and was quite embarrassed in it. On the 7th we took him and the King back here, and in the evening had a party of 260 about. On Saturday (8th) my Angel took the Emperor and King to a very elegant breakfast17at Chiswick, which I for prudence' sake didnotgo to, but was very sorry for it. In the evening we went to the Opera (notin State), but they recognised us, and we were most brilliantly received. I had to force the Emperor forward, as he never would come forward when I was there, and I was obliged to take him by the hand and make him appear; it was impossible to be better bred or more respectful than he was towards me. Well, on Sunday afternoon at five, he left us (my Angel accompanied him to Woolwich), and he was much affected at going, and really unaffectedly touched at his reception and stay, the simplicity and quietness of which told upon his love of domestic life, which is very great.THE QUEEN'S IMPRESSIONSI will now (having toldallthat has passed) give youmyopinion and feelings on the subject, which I may say are Albert's also. I was extremely against the visit, fearing thegêne, and bustle, and even at first, I did not feel atallto like it, but by living in the same house together quietly and unrestrainedly (and this Albert, and with great truth, says is the great advantage of these visits, that I not onlyseethese great people butknowthem), I got to know the Emperor and he to know me.THE CZAR NICHOLASThere is much about him which I cannot help liking, and I think his character isonewhich should be understood, and looked upon foronceas it is. He is stern and severe—with fixed principles ofdutywhichnothingon earth will make him change; verycleverI donotthink him, and his mind is an uncivilised one; his education has been neglected; politics and military concerns are the only things he takes great interest in; the arts and all softer occupations he is insensible to, but he is sincere, I am certain,sincereeven in his most despotic acts, from a sense that thatistheonlyway to govern; he is not, I am sure, aware of the dreadful cases of individual misery which he so often causes, for I can see by various instances that he is kept in utter ignorance ofmanythings, which his people carry out in most corrupt ways, while he thinks that he is extremely just. He thinks of general measures, but does not look into detail. And I am suremuchnever reaches his ears, and (as you observed), how can it? He asked fornothingwhatever, has merely expressed his greatanxiety to be upon the best terms with us, butnotto theexclusion of others, only let things remain as they are.... He is I should say, too frank, for he talks so openly before people, which he should not do, and with difficulty restrains himself. His anxietyto be believedisverygreat, and I must say his personal promises Iam inclinedto believe; then his feelings are very strong; hefeelskindness deeply—and his love for his wife and children, and for all children, isverygreat. He has a strong feeling for domestic life, saying to me, when our children were in the room: "Voilà les doux moments de notre vie." He was not only civil, but extremely kindto us both, and spoke in the highest praise of dearest Albert to Sir Robert Peel, saying he wished any Prince in Germany had that ability and sense; he showed Albert great confidence, and Ithinkit will do great good, as ifhepraises him abroad it will have great weight. He isnothappy, and that melancholy which is visible in the countenance made me sad at times; the sternness of the eyes goes very much off when you know him, and changes according to his being put out (and hecanbe much embarrassed) or not, and also from his being heated, as he suffers with congestions to the head. My Angel thinks that he is a man inclined too much to give way to impulse and feeling, which makes him act wrongly often. His admiration for beauty is very great, and put me much in mind of you, when he drove out with us, looking out for pretty people. But he remains very faithful to those he admiredtwenty-eightyears ago; for instance, Lady Peel, who has hardly any remains left. Respecting Belgium he did not speak tome, but to Albert and the Ministers. As for unkindly feeling towardsyou, he disclaims positively any, saying he knew you well, and that you had served in the Russian Army, etc., but he says thoseunfortunatePoles are theonlyobstacle, and that he positively cannot enter into direct communicationwith Belgiumas long as they areemployed. If you could only somehow or other get rid of them, I am sure the thing would be done at once. We all think heneednot mind this, but I fear he has pledged himself. He admired Charlotte's picture.Pour finir, I must say one more word or two about his personal appearance. He puts us much in mind of his and our cousins the Würtembergs, and has altogether much of the Würtemberg family about him. He is bald now, but in his Chevalier Garde Uniform he ismagnificentstill, and verystriking. I cannot deny that we were in great anxiety when we took him out lest some Pole might make an attempt, and I always felt thankful when we got him safe home again. His poor daughter is very ill, I fear.The good King of Saxony18remains another week with us, and we like him much. He is so unassuming. He is out sight-seeingallday, and enchanted with everything. I hope that you will persuade the King to come all the same in September. Ourmotivesand politics arenotto be exclusive, but to be on good terms withall, and why should we not? We make no secret of it.
Now I must end this very long letter. Ever your devoted Niece,
Victoria R.
You will kindly notspeakof these details, but only inallgemeinsay the visit went off very satisfactorily onboth sides, and that it washighly pacific.
Footnote 15:In honour of the Emperor a Review was held in Windsor Great Park.
Footnote 16:At Ascot.
Footnote 17:Given by the Duke of Devonshire.
Footnote 18: Seeante,p. 12.
A PARLIAMENTARY CRISIS
Buckingham Palace,18th June 1844.
My Dearest Uncle,—I had the happiness of receiving your dear and kind letter of the 13th on Sunday; yourpartiesat Ardenne must have been truly delightful; perhaps some daywemay enjoy them too: that would be delightful! I can write to you with a light heart, thank goodness, to-day, for the Government obtained a majority, whichupto thelastmoment last night we feared they would not have, and we have been in sad trouble for the last four or five days about it.19It is the more marvellous, as, if the Government asked for aVoteof Confidence, they would have aMajorityof 100; but this very strength makes the supporters of the Government act in amostunjustifiable manner by continually acting and voting against them,notlistening to the debates, but coming down and voting against the Government. So that we were really in the greatestpossibledanger of having a resignation of the Governmentwithout knowing to whom to turn, and this from the recklessness of a handful of foolishhalf"Puseyite" half "Young England"20people! I am sure you will agree with me that Peel's resignation would not only be for us (forwe cannothave a better and asaferMinister), but for the whole country, and for the peace of Europe—agreat calamity. Our present people are allsafe, and not led away by impulses andreckless passions. We must, however, take care and not get into another crisis; for I assure you we have been quite miserable andquitealarmed ever since Saturday.
Since I last wrote to you, I spoke to Aberdeen (whom I should be equally sorry to lose, as he is sovery fair, and has servedus personally, so kindly and truly), and he told me that the Emperor haspositively pledgedhimself to send a Minister to Brussels the moment those Poles are no longer employed;21that he is quite aware of the importance of the measure, and would be disposed to make the arrangement easy, and that he spoke very kindly ofyoupersonally. Aberdeen says it is not necessary to disgrace them in any way, but only for the presentde les éloigner. The Emperor has evidently some time ago made some strong declaration on the subject which he feels he cannot get over, and, as I said before, he will not give up what he has once pledged his word to.Then, no oneon earthcanmove him.Au fond, it is a finetrait, but he carries it too far. He wrote me averykind and affectionate letter from the Hague. The Emperor has given Bertie the Grand Cross of St Andrew, which the boy was quite proud of.
THE KING OF SAXONY
Our kind and good King of Saxony leaves us to-morrow, after having seen more than anybody has done almost, and having enjoyed it of all things. He is quite at home with us and the children, whom he plays with much. Alice walks quite alone, and looks too funny, as she is soveryfat. Now, ever your devoted Niece,
Victoria R.
Footnote 19: The Ministry had been defeated on Mr P. Miles's motion in favour of giving an increased preference to colonial sugar, but on the 17th this vote was rescinded by a majority of twenty-two, Mr Disraeli taunting the Premier with expecting that "upon every division and at every crisis, his gang should appear, and the whip should sound."
Footnote 20: The name given to the group comprising Disraeli, George Smythe, Lord John Manners, etc. SeeConingsby, which was published about this time.
Footnote 21: Seeante,p. 15.
South Street,19th June 1844.
Lord Melbourne presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and thanks your Majesty much for the letter of the 14th inst. Lord Melbourne was very glad to have the opportunity of seeing the Emperor of Russia at Chiswick. Lord Melbourne humbly believes that the opinion, which your Majesty has formed and expresses of the Emperor's character is just, and he considers it extremely fortunate that a sovereign of such weight and influence in Europe, and with whom it is probable that Great Britain will have such near and intimate relations, should also be a man upon whose honour and veracity strong reliance may be safely and securely placed.
Lord Melbourne is very glad to believe that the late politicalmovements, with which the public mind has been agitated, have subsided, and are entirely terminated by the last vote of the House of Commons, and by the determination evinced to support the Administration.22
This finishes for the present a business which at one moment seemed likely to be troublesome, and out of which there did not appear to present itself any hope or practicable escape.
Lord Melbourne will not make any observation upon what is known and understood to have passed, further than to say that, as far as he is acquainted with the history of public affairs in this country, it is an entire novelty, quite new and unprecedented.23Many a Minister has said to the Crown, "My advice must be taken, and my measures must be adopted," but no Minister has ever yet held this language or advanced this pretension to either House of Parliament. However, it seems to be successful at present, and success will justify much. Whether it will tend to permanent strength or a steady conduct of public affairs, remains to be seen.
Lord Melbourne begs to be respectfully remembered to His Royal Highness.
Footnote 22: Seeante,p. 16.
Footnote 23: Lord Melbourne refers to the House rescinding its own vote.
LORD ELLENBOROUGH
22nd June 1844.
Lord Ellenborough, with his most humble duty to your Majesty, humbly acquaints your Majesty that on the 15th of June he received the announcement of his having been removed from the office of Governor-General of India by the Court of Directors. By Lord Ellenborough's advice, letters were immediately despatched by express to every important native Court to assure the native Princes that this change in the person at the head of the Government would effect no change in its policy, and Lord Ellenborough himself wrote in similar terms to the British Representatives at the several Courts.... Lord Ellenborough has written a letter to the Earl of Ripon with reference to the reasons alleged by the Court of Directors for his removal from office, to which letter he most humbly solicits your Majesty's favourable and attentive consideration. It treats of matters deeply affecting the good government of India.
Amidst all the difficulties with which he has had to contend in India, aggravated as they have been by the constanthostility of the Court of Directors, Lord Ellenborough has ever been sustained by the knowledge that he was serving a most gracious Mistress, who would place the most favourable construction upon his conduct, and he now humbly tenders to your Majesty the expression of his gratitude, not only for those marks of Royal favour with which it has been intimated to him that it is your Majesty's intention to reward his services, but yet more for that constant support which has animated all his exertions, and has mainly enabled him to place India in the hands of his successor in a state of universal peace, the result of two years of victories, and in a condition of prosperity heretofore unknown.
ENGLAND, FRANCE, AND RUSSIA
Laeken,28th June 1844.
My beloved Victoria,—I have again to offer my warmest and best thanks for a very long and kind letter. I am truly and sincerely happy that a Ministerial crisis has been spared you; it is in all constitutional concerns anawfulbusiness; but in such a colossal machinery as the British Empire, it shakes the whole globe. For your sake, for the good of England, and for the quiet of the whole earth, we must most devoutly pray thatSir Robert may remain for many, many years your trusty and faithful Minister.Parliaments and Chambers are extremely fond of governing, particularly as long as it does not bore themselves. We have had an instance of it recently. I was anxious to keep the Chamber longer, as there are still many important things which it ought to have finished; but they were hot, they got tired, voted twelveprojets de loiin one day, and disappeared afterwards, leaving one the trouble of managing the affairs of the State as best one may....
As a general political event, the Emperor's visit in England can only be useful; it is probable that he wouldnothave made the visit if another had not been talked of. His policy is naturally toseparateas much as possible the two great Western Powers; he is too weak to resist single-handed their dictates in the Oriental question;but if they act not in concert, it is evident thathe is the master; in all this he acts wisely and in conformity with the great interests of his Empire. England has greater interests at stake at the mercy of Russia than at that of France. With France the questions are sometimes questions of jealousy, but, on the other hand, a tolerable understanding keeps France quiet and secures the peace of Europe,much more in the sense of the European policy of England than of that of France. The only consolation the French can find in it is that they are aware thattogetherwith England they have a great position, but they always lament that they canget nothing by it. A bad understanding with France opens not only the door to a European war, but also to revolution; and that is perhaps the most serious and most awfully dangerous part of the business. England wants nothing from the Emperor than that he should leave thestatus quoof Europe and great part of Asia alone. At Paris they are not so much moved at the Emperor's visit as perhaps they ought to be, but they have put the flattering notion into their heads that he had madefiasco, which isnot true; as, in fact, he has so far been rathersuccessful, and has convinced people in England that he is a mild and good-natured man, himself and his Empire, without any ambition. Now it is high time I should finish my immense scrawl, for which I claim your forgiveness, remaining ever your devoted Uncle,
Leopold R.
TAHITI
Windsor Castle,27th August 1844.
My dearest Uncle,—Many thanks for your kind long letter, which I received yesterday, dated 23rd. I can report very well of ourselves. We are all well. The dear day of yesterday24we spent very quietly and happily and full of gratitude to Providence for so many blessings. I can only pray for the continuance of our present happiness.
The impending political cloud, I hope and trust, looks less black and lowering. But I think it very unwise in Guizot not to have at once disavowed D'Aubigny for what you yourself call an "outrage,"25instead of letting it drag on forfour weeksand letting our people get excited. The Tangiers Affair26is unfortunate, and I hope that in future poor Joinville will not be exposed to such disagreeable affairs. Whatcanbe done will be, to get him justified in the eyes of the public here, but I fear that at first they will not be very charitable. Those letters in theTimesare outrageous, and all that abuse very bad taste.27There is to be an investigation about the threeofficers, whose conduct is unworthy of Englishmen. Now, dearest Uncle, believe me always, your most affectionate Niece,
Victoria R.
Footnote 24: The Prince Albert's birthday. Prince Alfred was born on 6th August of this year.
Footnote 25: The assumption of French sovereignty over Tahiti.
Footnote 26: Hostilities had commenced between France and Morocco, and Tangiers was bombarded.
Footnote 27: A series of letters had appeared in theTimes, written by British naval officers who had witnessed the bombardment of Tangiers, and accused the French Admiral and Navy of being deficient in courage. TheTimeswas much criticised for its publication of these letters.
ENGLAND AND FRANCE
Blair Athol,15th September 1844.
My Dearest Uncle,—I received your kind letter of the 6th the day we arrived here, and thank you very much for it. As I have written an account of our journey to Louise, I willnotrepeat it here.
The good ending of our difficulties with France is an immense blessing, but it is really and truly necessary that you and those at Paris should know that the danger wasimminent, and that poor Aberdeen stoodalmost alonein trying to keep matters peaceable. We must try and prevent these difficulties for the future. I must, however, clearJarnac28of all blame, for Aberdeen does nothing but praise him....
In Greece affairs look very black, and God knows how it all will end.
Footnote 28:Chargé d'Affairesin the absence of the French Ambassador.
VISIT OF KING LOUIS PHILIPPE
Laeken,5th October 1844.
My Dearly Beloved Victoria,—... I have not much to say about my father'slodging habitsandlikings.29My father is one of the beingsmost easytoplease,satisfy, and toaccommodate. His eventful life has used him to everything, and makes any kind of arrangements acceptable to him; there is onlyone thingwhich hecannot easily do, it is to beready very early. He means notwithstanding to try to come to your breakfast, but youmust insist upon his not doing it. It would disturb him in all his habits, and be bad for him, as he would certainly eat, a thing he is not used to do in the morning. He generally takes hardly what may be called abreakfast, and eatsonly twicein the day. It would be alsomuch betterfor him if he only appeared to luncheon and dinner, and if you kindlydispensed him altogether of the breakfast. You must not tell him that I wrote youthis, but you must manage it with Montpensier, and kindly order for him a bowl ofchicken broth. It is the only thing he takes generally in the morning, and between his meals. I have also no observation to make, but I have told Montpensier to speak openly to Albert whenever he thought something ought to be done for my father, or might hurt and inconvenience him, and you may consult him when you are in doubt. He is entrusted with all the recommendations of my mother, for my father is naturallyso imprudentandso little accustomedtocaution and care, that he must in some measure bewatchedto prevent his catching cold or doing what may be injurious to him. About hisrooms, a hard bed and a large table for his papers are the only things he requires. He generally sleeps on a horse-hair mattress with a plank of wood under it: butany kindof bed will do, if it is nottoo soft. His liking will be to be entirely atyour commandsand to doall you like. You know he can take a great deal of exercise, andeverythingwillinterestanddelighthim, to see, as to do: this is not a compliment, but amere fact. His only wish is, that you should not go out of your way for him, and change your habits on his account. Lord Aberdeen will be, of course, at Windsor, and I suppose you will ask, as you told me, the Royal Family. My father hopes to see also Sir Robert Peel, Lord Stanley, and your other Ministers. You will probably ask most of them during his stay. He wishes very much to see again those he already knows, and to make the acquaintance of those he does not know yet. In writing all this I think Idream, Icannot believeyet that in a few days my dear father will have, God willing, theunspeakable happinessto see you again and atWindsor, a thing he hadso much wishedfor and which for along timeseemed soimprobable. You haveno notionof thesatisfactionit gives him, andhow delightedhe will be to see you again, and to be once more in England. God grant he may have a good passage, and arrive to yousafelyandwell.Unberufen, as you will soon, I trust, be able to see, he is, notwithstanding the usual talk of the papers,perfectly well.... Yours most devotedly,
Louise.
Footnote 29: The difficulty with France as to Tahiti having been satisfactorily disposed of, King Louis Philippe was enabled to visit England, the first French King to come on a visit to the Sovereign of England. The King was enthusiastically received in England, visited Claremont (which he was destined to occupy in exile), was installed as a Knight of the Garter at Windsor with great magnificence, and visited Eton College and Woolwich Arsenal.
SOLICITUDE OF QUEEN LOUISE
Laeken,7th October 1844.
My Dearly beloved Victoria,—... I wrote to my mother, to quiet her, all you kindly tell me about my dearfather. We arequite sure, I assure you, that you and Albert willtake care of him, and that he is with youin safe hand. And what makes my motheruneasyis the fear that, being at liberty without control, he will maketoo much, as she says,le jeune homme, ride, go about, and do everything as if he was still twenty years old. If I must tell youall the truth, she is afraid also he willeat too much. I am sure he will tell it to you himself, as he was so much amused withthis fear; but to do her pleasure, being well assured by me that you would allow it, and that it was evencustomary, he has given up, of himself, all thought of attending your early breakfast: but I perceive I write as ifhe was not alreadyunderyourroof. I will also only say, that though he has sent over his horses in case they should be wanted, my mother begs you toprevent, if possible, his riding at all. I wrote to her already that I supposed there would beno occasionfor riding, and that yourpromenadeswould be either on foot or in carriage. I entrusted Montpensier with all my messages for you, my beloved Victoria and your dear children. He hopes you will permit him, during his stay at Windsor, to maketwoexcursions—one to London, and one to Woolwich—he is very curious to see, as an artillery officer. I mention it as he would be, perhaps,too shyortoo discreetto mention it himself. He might very well do those two trips by the railroad and be back for dinner-time, and I am sure you will have no objection to them.... Yours most devotedly,
Louise.
I am very glad that Lord Charles Wellesley is one of those who will attend my father. Montpensier and him will have surely capital fun together, and he was, you know, a great favourite with every one at Eu. If by chance Lord Hardwicke was in waiting during my father's stay, you must kindly put my father in mind to thank him for thefamous cheese, which arrived safely, and was found very good....
THE KING'S ARRIVAL
Windsor Castle,8th October 1844.
Dearest Uncle,—You will, I am sure, forgive my writing but a few lines as I am all alone in the agitation of the dear King's arrival, and I will leave my letter open to announce it to you. Mydearestmaster is gone to Portsmouth to receive him. The excitement and curiosity to see the dear King, and the desire to give him a most hearty reception, isvery great indeed.
Many thanks for your kind letters of the 28th and 4th. I can't think who could have said that Peel, etc., wouldnothave been here; for he, Aberdeen, and the old Duke are to be here the whole time, and all the other Ministers will comeduringhis stay.
I am very glad Joinville is arrived, and avoided hisentrées triomphales. I hope he will take great care of himself.
You will have heard from dear Louise of our voyage, etc. I cannot reconcile myself to behereagain, and pine for mydearHighlands, the hills, the pure air, the quiet, the retirement, the liberty—all—more than is right. The children are well. I am sorry to hear that you are not quite so yet.
3.30.—The King and Montpensier arrived quite safely at two, and are both looking extremely well. We have just lunched with them. It seems like a dream to me, and a very pleasant one.
Albert sends his affectionate love. Ever your devoted Niece,
Victoria R.
Bertie has immediately taken a passion for Montpensier.
Brocket Hall,9th October 1844.
Lord Melbourne presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and thanks your Majesty much for the letter of the 7th inst., which he has just received, and with very great satisfaction, as he had begun to think your Majesty's silence rather long. But he perfectly understands the reasons which prevented your Majesty from writing during your stay in the Highlands. Lord Melbourne is very glad to find that your Majesty enjoyed that country so much, and is so enthusiastically fond of it. Lord Melbourne believes that he was at the places which your Majesty mentions. In the year 1802 he stayed some months in Perthshire with the late Lord Kinnaird, and enjoyed it much. It annoys him sometimes to think how altered he is in strength since that time. Lord Melbourne has never yet thanked your Majesty for the pretty etchings of poor Islay and Eos, which your Majesty sent to Lord Melbourne when he was last at Windsor. Lord Melbourne has ordered them both to be framed, and will hang them up in his room here. They will afford Lord Melbourne most agreeable and pleasing souvenirs of the happiest period of his life, for he cannot say otherwise than that he continually misses and regrets the time when he had daily confidential communication with yourMajesty. Lord Glenlyon30has one merit in Lord Melbourne's eyes, which is that he was a steady and firm supporter to the last of Lord Melbourne's Government. Lord Melbourne hopes and trusts that he feels no animosity against those who opposed him. But he does and always shall entertain a kindly and grateful recollection of those who supported him.
Lord Melbourne begs to be remembered to His Royal Highness.
Footnote 30:Seevol. i. p. 429.
Laeken,12th October 1844.
My dearly beloved Victoria,—... I thank you very much for attending to all my recommendations aboutmyfather: I only fear that they will lead you to believe that we consider him as agreat childand treat him like one: but he is sopreciousanddeartous allthat I am sure you willunderstandandexcuseour beingover anxious.... Yours most devotedly,
Louise.