The Letters of Queen Victoria Volume I Part 28

[Pageheading: PAGES OF HONOUR]

I said to Lord Melbourne when I first sat down that I felt a little tired on my feet; "You must be very tired," he said. Spoke of the weight of the Robes, etc., etc., the Coronets; and he turned round to me with the tears in his eyes, and said _so_ kindly: "And you did it beautifully--every part of it, with so much taste; it's a thing that you can't give a person advice upon; it must be left to a person."

To hear this, from this kind impartial friend, gave me great and real pleasure. Mamma and Feodore came back just after he said this. Spoke of the Bishops' Copes, about which he was very funny; of the Pages who were such a nice set of boys, and who were so handy, Lord Melbourne said, that they kept them the whole time. Little Lord Stafford and Slane (Lord Mountcharles) were pages to their fathers and looked lovely; Lord Paget (not a fine boy) was Lord Melbourne's page and remarkably handy, he said. Spoke again of the young ladies' dresses, about which he was very amusing; he waited for his carriage with Lady Mary Talbot and Lady Wilhelmina; he thinks Lady f.a.n.n.y does not make as much show as other girls, which I would not allow. He set off for the Abbey from his house at half-past eight, and was there long before anybody else; he only got home at half-past six and had to go round by Kensington. He said there was a large breakfast in the Jerusalem Chamber where they met _before_ all began; he said, laughing, that whenever the Clergy, or a Dean and Chapter, had anything to do with anything, there's sure to be plen'y to eat.

Spoke of my intending to go to bed, etc.; he said, "You may depend upon it, you are more tired than you think you are." I said I had slept badly the night before; he said that was my mind, that nothing kept people more awake than any consciousness of a great event going to take place, and being agitated. He was not sure if he was not going to the Duke of Wellington's.

Stayed in the dining room till twenty minutes past eleven, but remained on Mamma's balcony looking at the fireworks in Green Park, which were quite beautiful.

Uncle Ernest, Charles, Feodore, and the Ladies and Gentlemen (like Lehzen, etc.) saw me leave the Palace, arrive at the Abbey, leave the Abbey, and return to the Palace. Got a long letter from Aunt Louise.

[Pageheading: EXTRA HOLIDAYS FOR SCHOOLS]

_Queen Victoria to Viscount Melbourne._

BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _29th June 1838._

The Queen is very anxious to hear if Lord Melbourne got home safe, and if he is not tired, and quite well this morning.

Lord Melbourne will be glad to hear that the Queen had an excellent night, is not the least tired, and is perfectly well this morning; indeed she feels much better than she has done for some days.

The Queen hears that it is usual to ask for an additional week's holiday for the boys at the various Public Schools, on the occasion of the Coronation. Perhaps Lord Melbourne will enquire about this, in order that there may be no neglect on my part.

_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._

BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _2nd July 1838._

MY DEAREST UNCLE,--_Many_ thanks for _two_ kind letters, one which I got last Monday and one this morning. The kind interest you take in me and my country (of which, and of the nation, I'm more proud than I ever was, since I've witnessed their excessive affection and loyalty to me) makes me certain that you will be glad to hear how _beautifully_ everything went off. It was a memorable and glorious day for me. The millions a.s.sembled to witness the progress to and from the Abbey was _beyond_ belief, and _all_ in the highest good-humour. It is a fine ceremony, and a scene I shall _ever_ remember, and with pleasure. I likewise venture to add that people thought I did my part very well.

The amiable Duc de Nemours dined with me on Friday, comes to _my_ ball to-night, and dines again with me on Wednesday. Pray tell dearest Aunt Louise that I thank her much for her very kind letter, and will avail myself of her kindness and _not_ write to her this mail.

Feodore is writing in my room, well and happy. Uncle Ernest still very lame, and Charles well. There's an account of the family. Ever and ever your most devoted Niece,

VICTORIA R.

_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._

_8th July 1838._

Lord Melbourne presents his humble duty to your Majesty. As your Majesty does not ride, the question is between driving down the line or not going down it at all,[23] and it appears to Lord Melbourne that the first is the best, namely, to drive down; but if your Majesty feels a strong repugnance, there is no more to be said.

Lord Melbourne thinks it safer and more prudent that your Majesty should not ride; but still it might have been done, and if Lord Melbourne had thought that your Majesty wished it much, he would not have dissuaded it.

[Footnote 23: Referring to the Hyde Park review on the next day.]

[Pageheading: LOYAL DEMONSTRATIONS]

_The King of the Belgians to Queen Victoria._

NEUILLY, _12th July 1838._

MY DEAREST VICTORIA,--I am very grateful for your kind letter; it is extremely _meritorious_, amidst such fatigues and festivities and occupations of every kind, to find a moment to write. I expressed already the _great satisfaction_ with which I read and heard all the accounts of the Coronation, and I believe that there _never_ was anything like it. The only one which in point of loyal demonstration may approach it is that of George III., but I think it fell short of yours.

I am happy to see that it has _increased_, if possible, your affection and attachment to your country, and this is in every respect a great blessing. You will remember that I have never varied on that subject, the great thing is to be the _National_ Sovereign of your _own_ country, and to love its very faults. This strengthens the _mutual attachment_, and that can _never be too strong_....

Believe me, ever, my dearest Victoria, your very devoted Uncle,

LEOPOLD R.

The whole of the family here offer their best _hommages_.

_The King of the Belgians to Queen Victoria._

NEUILLY, _20th July 1838._

I feel most grateful for your dear kind letter of the 10th inst., which I received a few days ago. I hear that the review was something _most splendid_, and I feel always some regret at having been deprived of the happiness of seeing you _en fonction_, which you do in a degree of rare perfection. May the remembrance of all this long remain in your mind, to cheer and strengthen you when occasionally there will be a darker sky....

[Pageheading: LORD DURHAM]

_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._

_10th August 1838._

Lord Melbourne presents his humble duty to your Majesty. The very difficult and embarra.s.sing situation in which Lord Durham and the Canadas and the Ministry are left by the vote of the House of Lords of last night, requires that a Cabinet should be held to-day, and Lord Melbourne has directed one to be summoned at two. Lord Melbourne will wait upon your Majesty either before that hour or after, about four o'clock. The vote of last night and the Bill of Lord Brougham[24] is a direct censure upon Lord Durham. Lord Durham's conduct has been most rash and indiscreet, and, as far as we can see, unaccountable. But to censure him now would either be to cause his resignation, which would produce great embarra.s.sment, and might produce great evil, or to weaken his authority, which is evidently most undesirable....

[Footnote 24: This Bill (which emphasised the illegality of Lord Durham's ordinance) was read a second time by 54 to 36.

On the following day Lord Melbourne announced to the Peers that Ministers had resolved to advise that the ordinance should be disallowed.]