The Letters of Queen Victoria Volume Ii Part 58

I must now quickly conclude. Remaining ever, my beloved Victoria, your devoted Uncle,

LEOPOLD R.

[Footnote 7: _I.e._ "only."]

[Footnote 8: He was President in 1848.]

[Footnote 9: At the Mansion House banquet to the Commissioners for the Exhibition of 1851. See quotation from it in Sir T.

Martin's _Life_, vol. ii, p. 247.]

_Queen Victoria to Viscount Palmerston._

BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _25th March 1850._

The Queen approves these drafts, but thinks that in the part alluding to M. Pacifico, should be added a direction to Mr Wyse to satisfy himself of the _truth_ of M. Pacifico's statements of losses before he grounds his demands upon them.[10] The draft merely allows a sub-division of the claims, but takes their validity for granted.

[Footnote 10: Don Pacifico claimed 31,500--4,900 being for effects destroyed, and 26,600 in respect of certain claims against the Portuguese Government, the vouchers for which he stated had been destroyed by the mob which pillaged his house.

His valuation of the various items was of the most extravagant description.]

[Pageheading: SPEECH BY PRINCE ALBERT]

_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._

WINDSOR CASTLE, _26th March 1850._

MY DEAREST UNCLE,--Albert made a really beautiful speech the other day, and it has given the greatest satisfaction and done great good.

He is indeed _looked up to and beloved_, as _I_ could _wish_ he should be; and the _more_ his _rare qualities_ of mind and heart are _known_, the _more_ he will be understood and appreciated. People are much struck at his great powers and energy; his great self-denial, and constant wish to work for others, is so striking in his character; but it is the _happiest_ life; pining for what one cannot have, and trying to run after what is pleasantest, _invariably_ ends in disappointment.

I must now conclude. Ever your devoted Niece,

VICTORIA R.

_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._

WINDSOR CASTLE, _29th March 1850._

MY DEAREST UNCLE,--I write only a few lines to-day, begging you to give the accompanying drawing of her little _namesake_ to dearest Louise _on_ her birthday.

I shall duly answer your dear letter of the 25th on Tuesday, but am anxious to correct the impression that Albert read his fine speech.

He _never_ has done so with any of his fine speeches, but speaks them, having first prepared them and written them down,--and does so _so well_, that no one believes that he is ever nervous, which _he is_.

This last he is said to have spoken in so particularly English a way.

We have still sadly cold winds. Ever your devoted Niece,

VICTORIA R.

_Queen Victoria to Lord John Russell._

BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _14th April 1850._

The Queen has received Lord John Russell's letter with the drafts, which he mentioned last night to her, and she has sent his letter with them to Lord Palmerston.

Lord Palmerston's conduct in this Spanish question[11] in not communicating her letter to Lord John, as she had directed, is really too bad, and most disrespectful to the Queen; she can really hardly communicate with him any more; indeed it would be better she should not.

[Footnote 11: The question was the selection of a Minister for Madrid.]

[Pageheading: LORD HOWDEN]

_Queen Victoria to Lord John Russell._

BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _27th April 1850._

In order to save the Government embarra.s.sments, the Queen has sanctioned the appointment of Lord Howden[12] to Madrid, although she does not consider him to be quite the stamp of person in whom she could feel entire confidence that he will be proof against all spirit of intrigue, which at all times and now particularly is so much required in Spain. But she must once more ask Lord John to watch that the Queen may be quite openly and considerately dealt by. She knows that Lord Howden has long been made acquainted with his appointment, and has been corresponding upon it with General Narvaez; the correspondent of the _Times_ has announced his appointment from Madrid already three weeks ago, and all that time Lord Palmerston remained silent upon the matter to the Queen, not even answering her upon her letter expressing her wish to see Lord Westmorland[13] appointed. Lord John must see the impropriety of this course, and if it were not for the Queen's anxiety to smooth all difficulties, the Government might be exposed to most awkward embarra.s.sments. She expects, however, and has the right to claim, equal consideration on the part of her Ministers. She addresses herself in this matter to Lord John as the head of the Government.

[Footnote 12: Lord Howden had been recently Minister at Rio Janeiro.]

[Footnote 13: Minister at Berlin, 1841-51.]

_Lord John Russell to Queen Victoria._

PEMBROKE LODGE, _28th April 1850._

... Lord John Russell cannot but a.s.sent to your Majesty's right to claim every consideration on the part of your Majesty's Ministers.

He will take care to attend to this subject, and is much concerned to find that your Majesty has so frequently occasion to complain of Lord Palmerston's want of attention.

[Pageheading: THE KOH-I-NOOR]