The Letters of Queen Victoria Volume Ii Part 51

_Lord John Russell to Queen Victoria._

CHESHAM PLACE, _22nd January 1849._

Lord John Russell presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and would now wish to consult Lord Lansdowne on the propriety of offering to Lord Palmerston to exchange the Foreign Office for the Lord-Lieutenancy of Ireland.[2]

As Lord John Russell has always approved in the main of the foreign policy of Lord Palmerston, he could only make this offering in a mode honourable to Lord Palmerston--that is to say, for instance, by offering him at the same time an English Earldom, or an English Barony with the Garter. Nor could he proceed in the matter without Lord Lansdowne's concurrence.

[Footnote 2: Hostilities were in progress between the Sicilian insurgents and their Sovereign. An agent for the former came to England to purchase arms, but was informed by the contractor to whom he applied that the whole of his stock had been pledged to the Ordnance Office. Lord Palmerston, without consulting the Cabinet, allowed this stock to be transferred to the insurgents. The matter became public property, and the Premier brought it before the Cabinet on the 23rd of January, when, somewhat unexpectedly, the Foreign Secretary consented to make an apology to the Neapolitan Government; so that the crisis terminated for the time.]

_Queen Victoria to Lord John Russell._

WINDSOR CASTLE, _22nd January 1849._

The Queen has just received Lord John Russell's letter and enclosures, the contents of which have deeply grieved her, as the honour of her Government has always been nearest to her heart. She feels deeply the humiliation to have to make an apology to the Government of Naples, which stands so very low in public estimation, and she naturally dreads the effect this disclosure about the guns will have in the world, when she considers how many accusations have been brought against the good faith of this country latterly by many different Governments. Of course they will all consider their suspicions and accusations, however absurd they may have been, as justified and proved.

The Queen supposes that the proposition Lord John makes to her about moving Lord Palmerston to Ireland is the result of his conviction that after this disclosure it will be no longer to the advantage of the public service to leave the direction of the Foreign Affairs in these critical times in Lord Palmerston's hands. The Queen will be anxious to see Lord John upon this subject. All she wishes for is, that matters may be so managed as to reflect the least possible discredit upon the Government and Lord Palmerston himself.

_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._

WINDSOR CASTLE, _6th February 1849._

MY DEAREST UNCLE,--We are well. All went off extremely well on Thursday, but the Government must expect difficulties upon their (very doubtful) Foreign Policy. I own I do _not_ feel rea.s.sured about peace.

_Italy_ and the Pope, etc., are very ticklish subjects.

Everybody says Louis Napoleon has behaved extremely well in the last crisis--full of courage and energy, and they say that he is decidedly straightforward, which is not to be despised. I will not admit that the _Gemuthlichkeit ist fur immer begraben_ in Germany; it will surely return when this madness is over, but how soon no one can tell. Ever your devoted Niece,

VICTORIA R.

_Queen Victoria to the Earl of Dalhousie._

WINDSOR CASTLE, _6th February 1849._

The Queen has not yet thanked Lord Dalhousie for his long and interesting letter which she received in the summer. Since that period many important events have taken place in India, and the last news have naturally made the Queen feel very anxious. She deeply laments the loss of General Cureton and Colonel Havelock, officers who will not be easily replaced. The Queen thinks that Lord Dalhousie has throughout acted most judiciously and has thwarted more mischief being done. She will abstain from remarking upon the conduct of the Commander-in-Chief, as she knows that the Duke of Wellington has written fully to Lord Dalhousie on this painful subject.[3] The Queen concludes with expressing her hopes that Lord and Lady Dalhousie are in good health, and with the Prince's kindest remembrances to Lord Dalhousie.

[Footnote 3: _See_ Introductory Note for the year, _ante_, p.

208.]

[Pageheading: STATE OF EUROPE]

_The King of the Belgians to Queen Victoria._

LAEKEN, _10th February 1849._

MY DEAREST VICTORIA,--I have to offer my most affectionate thanks for your dear letter of the 6th. The state of the Queen seems better, though I fear not so solidly as to be beyond mischief; but the improvement is real, and will act as a moral support. They have been severely tried, those poor exiles, and Heaven knows what is still in store for them. I don't think that in Italy there will be war. The French cannot think of it for some months, probably not before June or July, and the Italians cannot make it alone without being licked; the better informed know that. The Pope ought to be replaced on his seat for the sake of every one; and his ultra-Liberal policy ent.i.tles him to be supported by all Governments and by all right-minded people.

Louis Bonaparte has not ill-behaved, it seems; negatively he might have done much harm. The position continues to be abominable. There is for every one an _absence d'avenir_ which ruins everything and everybody--that is the real difficulty.

_Die Gemuthlichkeit_ in Germany was the consequence of its political existence these last thousand years; that is now all going to ruin, and the _Gemuthlichkeit_ will be as little found again _que l'urbanite Francaise_ so much talked of formerly and now unknown.

This part of February puts me always in mind of my dear little _sejour_ with you in 1841. How far that period is now, though but eight years from us; the very features of everything changed, I fear for ever, and _not_ for the better.... Now I must conclude, and remain ever, my dearest Victoria, your truly devoted Uncle,

LEOPOLD R.

[Pageheading: LOUIS NAPOLEON.]

_Memorandum by Queen Victoria._

BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _19th February 1849._

Admiral Cecile, who dined here for the first time after the presentation of his credentials as Amba.s.sador from the French Republic, with whom I spoke for some time after dinner, said: "Nous en avons fait de tristes experiences en France," but that he hoped "que les choses s'amelioraient"; that the Government was very firm and decided, and determined not to allow order to be disturbed; "Paris a maintenant fait quatre Revolutions que la France a subies; votre Majeste sait qui a proclame la Republique au mois de Fevrier? Une centaine de coquins! Personne s'en doutait, et cependant la France s'y est soumise!" That the Government was however determined, and so were all the Departments, that this should never happen again; no doubt the danger from the Socialists was great, all over the world; that _that_ was the _real danger_, and that they would readily make another attempt like the fearful one in June (the result of which for three days was uncertain), but that they had not the power; that he was continually impressing upon all his friends in France the necessity of supporting _whatever_ form of Government there was _whose object_ was the _maintenance of order_, and to unite "contre cet ennemi commun."

The President, he continued, had risen amazingly in the opinion of every one by his firmness, courage, and determination--which he had shown in those critical days a fortnight or three weeks ago--and that in these two months he had acquired "une grande apt.i.tude pour les affaires; tout le monde est etonne, parce que personne ne s'y attendait." He spoke with great delight of Belgium--and how it had stood the shock of the events in France--and also of England. Italy, he considered, was by far the greatest object of danger.

VICTORIA R.

[Pageheading: GAELIC AND WELSH]

_Queen Victoria to the Marquis of Lansdowne._

OSBORNE, _3rd March 1849._

The Queen sends Lord Lansdowne the book[4] she mentioned to him. It is an extraordinary production for people of the working cla.s.ses, and there are a great many sound and good observations in it on education; the observations on the deficiency in the religious instruction and in the _preaching_ the Queen thinks are particularly true. It likewise shows a lofty and enlarged _view_ of education which is often overlooked.

The Queen takes this occasion of repeating her hope that _Gaelic_ will be taught in future in the Highland schools, as well as English, as it is really a great mistake that the people should be constantly _talking_ a language which they often cannot read and generally not write. Being very partial to her loyal and good Highlanders, the Queen takes much interest in what she thinks will tend more than anything to keep up their simplicity of character, which she considers a great merit in these days.

The Queen thinks equally that Welsh should be taught in Wales as well as English.[5]