The Letters of Queen Victoria Volume I Part 100

_The Earl of Aberdeen to Queen Victoria._

FOREIGN OFFICE, _28th June 1842._

Lord Aberdeen, with his humble duty, begs to enclose for your Majesty's information a list of the presents brought by the Envoy of the Imam of Muscat for your Majesty.

Lord Aberdeen will attend to-morrow with the Envoy, at the hour your Majesty has been pleased to command; and he will suggest that the presents should be sent previously to the Palace, in order to be laid before your Majesty.

[List of Articles sent for Her Most Gracious Majesty, The Mighty Queen, a trifling Gift scarce worth being mentioned.]

Two Pearl Necklaces, Two Emeralds, An Ornament made like a Crown, Ten Cashmere Shawls, One Box containing four Bottles Otto of Roses.

Four Horses, before mentioned in a former letter, but for the transmission of which no opportunity offered in Bombay, but now sent in my own s.h.i.+p. Through your kindness have those things taken[44] from Ali bin Na.s.sur, and make an excuse for me to Her Most Gracious Majesty, and peace be on you!

[Footnote 44: _I.e._ accept.]

_Lord Fitzgerald and Vesci to Queen Victoria._

INDIA BOARD, _4th July 1842._

... From the seat of war, the intelligence is most satisfactory. The conduct of the army, its perseverance and its courage, have not been surpa.s.sed in the military history of British India.

Recent events have not, however, changed the views of Lord Ellenborough as to the general policy which he recommends to be pursued.

He regards as the best result of that success which has attended the Arms of your Majesty, that it admits of withdrawing, without dishonour, the British force to positions of safety, having certain and uninterrupted communications with the British territory.

From other quarters the reports are equally favourable. The successful advance of a division commanded by Brigadier-General England may be regarded as ensuring the safety of the force at Candahar.

In the Indian Dominions and in the native Army the best spirit prevails.

All of which is most humbly submitted to your Majesty, by your Majesty's most dutiful Subject and Servant,

FITZGERALD AND VESCI.

[Pageheading: BEAN'S ATTEMPT ON THE QUEEN]

_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._

SOUTH STREET, _4th July 1842._

Lord Melbourne presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and is anxious to express his earnest hope that your Majesty is well and not disturbed by the event[45] which took place yesterday, and which, although it appears not to have been dangerous in itself, is formidable as affording additional evidence of the ease with which persons of the lower orders can incite themselves, or be incited by others, to the contemplation and commission of such acts. The only observation that can be made upon these attempts is, that hitherto they appear to have been made by those who have not the means of executing their own wicked designs, and that they are not marked by the same determination and the same long and ferocious preparation which characterised in France the conduct of Fieschi and Alibaud.[46]

Lord Melbourne is not of opinion that the extension of mercy to Francis--which from what Lord Melbourne hears of the opinion of the judges he apprehends to have been unavoidable--could have had any effect in encouraging this man to a similar act; at the same time it is impossible to say what may have had an effect upon the mind, and we can only collect the intentions of men from the deeds which they perform.

Lord Melbourne thanks your Majesty much for your letter of the 26th ult. Lord Melbourne again expresses his fervent wishes for your Majesty's health, safety, and tranquillity of mind.

[Footnote 45: Bean, a deformed lad, presented a pistol at the Queen in the Mall.]

[Footnote 46: The perpetrators of attempts on King Louis Philippe.]

[Pageheading: DEATH OF THE DUKE OF ORLEANS]

_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._

CLAREMONT, _14th July 1842._

MY DEAREST UNCLE,--These two horrible news of poor dear Chartres'[47]

fatal accident have quite overcome us. It is the most dreadful misfortune I ever remember, and will be felt everywhere. I can't say _how_ I feel it; I liked and admired him, and know how he was adored by all of you, and by poor wretched Helene, whom this will kill. Those poor helpless little children! it is _too_ melancholy. After escaping from so many dangers, to be cut off in this way is _too_ dreadful!

G.o.d knows what is for our best, but this does seem difficult to understand. I pray and hope that you will all be mercifully supported under this heavy bereavement. I think it is so dreadful that poor Helene could not be with him in his last moments! G.o.d be with you all, and believe me, ever your devoted Niece,

VICTORIA R.

I had begun a letter to poor _Chartres_ this morning.

[Footnote 47: On 13th July the Duke of Orleans (formerly Duc de Chartres), eldest son of Louis Philippe, was thrown from his phaeton near the Porte Maillot, Paris, and died shortly afterwards. He was the father of the Comte de Paris and the Duc de Chartres.]

[Pageheading: ACCOUNT OF THE ACCIDENT]

_The Queen of the Belgians to Queen Victoria._

LAEKEN, _15th July 1842._

MY BELOVED VICTORIA,--You have surely already heard of the heavy visitation G.o.d has sent us. My beloved brother was unexpectedly taken away from us before yesterday evening. Before yesterday morning he went to Neuilly to take leave of my parents, previous to his departure for St Omer. The horses ran away: he had the unfortunate idea to jump out from his barouche--a thing I cannot understand, as he had on all occasions an uncommon presence of mind--fell upon his head, and expired a few hours afterwards, in presence of my too unfortunate parents, without having recovered his consciousness. It is the greatest misfortune that could happen to us.

We are quite stunned by the sudden and horrid blow, and I cannot believe it yet, although I have before me the letter of my poor parents. They are full of courage and resignation to the will of Providence; but I do not understand what will become of them, particularly of my mother, who loved so fondly, and with so much reason, my brother, and of the too unfortunate Helene. May G.o.d help them and have mercy on them! Clementine and Victoire are gone to Plombieres to give to Helene the fatal news, and bring her back: it will most probably be her death. My parents wished to see us immediately, and we go to-morrow to Paris.

I am sure, my beloved Victoria, of the share you will take in the misfortune, the greatest which could befall us, and I thank you beforehand for it. G.o.d's will be done! May He at least always bless you, and preserve those you love from all evil and danger! In affliction as in joy, I am, ever, my beloved Victoria, yours most devotedly,

LOUISE.

_Queen Victoria to Sir Robert Peel._