The Letters of Queen Victoria Volume I Part 73

[Pageheading: A DREADED MOMENT]

_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._

SOUTH STREET, _15th August 1841._

... Lord Melbourne well knows the feeling which your Majesty describes. The expectation of an event which is dreaded and deprecated, and yet felt to be certain and imminent, presents itself continually to the mind and recurs at every moment, and particularly in moments of satisfaction and enjoyment. It is perhaps no consolation to be told that events of this nature are necessary and incidental to your Majesty's high situation, but Lord Melbourne anxiously hopes that the change, when it does take place, will not be found so grievous as your Majesty antic.i.p.ates, and your Majesty may rely that Lord Melbourne will do everything in his power to reconcile it to your Majesty's feelings.

_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._

WINDSOR CASTLE, _17th August 1841._

Lord Melbourne is very glad to hear of the Princess's tooth.

Lord Melbourne is much obliged to your Majesty for informing him about the mourning.

He is quite well and will be ready when your Majesty sends.

_Memorandum by Mr Anson._

WINDSOR CASTLE, _23rd August 1841._

Lord John Russell was staying at the Castle, and asked to-day for an audience of Her Majesty, and was closeted for a long time. The Prince asked Her Majesty what Lord John came for. The Queen said he came about several things, but particularly he wished to impress upon the Queen that Her Majesty should not allow Sir Robert Peel to propose any new Grants in Parliament, as they (the Whigs) could not well oppose it, and this being felt, the whole unpopularity would fall upon the Queen's person. An idea existed that the Tories were always jobbing with money, and the grant for the building the new stables at Windsor had shown how suspicious people were.

Lord John did not speak clearly out, but on consultation with Lord Melbourne the Queen thought Lord John must have alluded to Peel having spoken equivocally at the end of his speech relative to the Prince's annuity, and would now probably propose a further grant, and would say the time was now come in order to stand well with the Queen. The Queen replied that she would never allow such a thing to be proposed and that it would be a disgrace to owe any favour to that Party.

The only answer the Prince gave was that these views were _very agreeable_ for him.

[Pageheading: A CARRIAGE ACCIDENT]

_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._

WINDSOR CASTLE, _24th August 1841._

... Our accident[65] was not so very bad, and considering that it is the _very first_ that had happened in the course of _five summers_, with _so many_ carriages and horses, one cannot be surprised. I beg leave also to say that I _can_ get out _very_ quick. I am very thankful that you agree to the couriers. I am a little sorry that you have put poor Mamma off _so_ late, as she is _very_ much hurt at it, I fear, by what I hear, and accuses me of it. But that will, I trust, be forgiven. You don't say that _you_ sympathise with me in my present heavy trial,[66] the heaviest I have ever had to endure, and which will be a sad heartbreaking to me--but I know you do feel for me. I am quiet and prepared, but still I fell very _sad_, and G.o.d knows! very wretched at times, for myself and my country, that _such_ a change must take place. But G.o.d in His mercy will support and guide me through all. Yet I feel that my constant headaches are caused by annoyance and vexation!

Adieu, dearest Uncle! G.o.d bless you! Ever your devoted Niece,

VICTORIA R.

[Footnote 65: The Queen had driven to Virginia Water to see Prince Albert's beagles hunting, when owing to the hounds running between the horses' legs and frightening them, a pony phaeton and four containing Lord Erroll, Lady Ida Hay, and Miss Cavendish was upset. One of the postillions was (not dangerously) hurt.]

[Footnote 66: _I.e._, Lord Melbourne being succeeded by Sir Robert Peel as Prime Minister.]

[Pageheading: DEBATE ON THE ADDRESS]

_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._

SOUTH STREET, _24th August 1841._

Lord Melbourne presents his humble duty to your Majesty. We have just delivered the Speech in the House of Lords, and the debate will commence at five o'clock. We understand that the amendment is to be a repet.i.tion of the motion of want of confidence, which Sir Robert Peel made in the House of Commons before the dissolution, and nearly in the same terms. It is to be moved by Lord Ripon[67] in the House of Lords, and by Mr. Stuart Wortley[68] in the House of Commons. It is understood to be their intention to avoid, as much as possible, debate upon the Corn Laws, and upon the other topics in the Speech, and to place the question entirely upon the result of the General Election and the proof which that affords that the Ministry does not possess the confidence of the country. Lord Melbourne thinks that it will not be found easy to repress debate in the House of Commons, but would not be surprised if the course which it is intended to pursue should much shorten it in the House of Lords. Lord Melbourne will write again to your Majesty after the debate, and will certainly come down to-morrow, unless anything unexpected should occur to prevent him.

It will be necessary to receive the address of the Convocation in some manner or another. Lord Melbourne will write confidentially to the Archbishop[69] to learn how it may be received in the quietest manner and with the least trouble. Lord Melbourne has little doubt that the Lords and Commons will send their addresses by the officers of the Household.

Lord Melbourne entreats your Majesty to pick up your spirits.

[Footnote 67: The first Earl (1782-1859) who had, as Lord G.o.derich, been Premier in 1827-1828.]

[Footnote 68: J. Stuart Wortley (1801-1855), M.P. for the West Riding, afterwards the second Lord Wharncliffe.]

[Footnote 69: Dr Howley.]

[Pageheading: COBDEN'S SPEECH]

_Lord John Russell to Queen Victoria._

WILTON CRESCENT, _26th August 1841._

Lord John Russell presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and has the honour to report that nothing remarkable occurred in the debate of yesterday, except a powerful speech from Mr Cobden, a manufacturer.[70]

The debate will probably close this evening. No one of the Tory leaders, except Sir Robert Peel, appears disposed to speak.

Should the Address be voted to-night, and reported to-morrow, it may be presented to your Majesty by Lord Marcus Hill[71] on Sat.u.r.day.

But should the debate be continued over this night, the report of the Address can hardly take place till Monday. This, however, is not very likely.

[Footnote 70: Cobden had just been elected for the first time for Stockport.]

[Footnote 71: Son of Lord Downs.h.i.+re, and M.P. for Evesham; afterwards (under a special remainder) the third Lord Sandys.]