The Letters of Queen Victoria Volume I Part 45

Ever, my dearest Uncle, your devoted Niece,

VICTORIA R.

[Footnote 59: Ulick John, first Marquis of Clanricarde (1802-1874), Amba.s.sador at St Petersburg, afterwards Lord Privy Seal.]

[Footnote 60: Certain rights and privileges of the Basques.]

[Pageheading: A MOMENTOUS DECISION]

_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._

WINDSOR CASTLE, _15th October 1839._

MY DEAREST UNCLE,--This letter will, I am sure, give you pleasure, for you have always shown and taken so warm an interest in all that concerns me. My mind is quite made up--and I told Albert this morning of it; the warm affection he showed me on learning this gave me _great_ pleasure. He seems _perfection_, and I think that I have the prospect of very great happiness before me. I _love_ him _more_ than I can say, and I shall do everything in my power to render the sacrifice he has made (for a _sacrifice_ in my opinion it is) as small as I can. He seems to have a very great tact--a very necessary thing in his position. These last few days have pa.s.sed like a dream to me, and I am so much bewildered by it all that I know hardly how to write; but I _do_ feel _very_, _very_ happy.

It is absolutely necessary that this determination of mine should be known to _no one_ but yourself, and Uncle Ernest--till the meeting of Parliament--as it would be considered otherwise neglectful on my part not to have a.s.sembled Parliament at once to have informed them of it.... Lord Melbourne, whom I of course have consulted about the whole affair, quite approves my choice, and expresses great satisfaction at the event, which he thinks in every way highly desirable. Lord Melbourne has acted in this business, as he has always done towards me, with the greatest kindness and affection.

We also think it better, and Albert quite approves of it, that we should be married very soon after Parliament meets, about the beginning of February; and indeed, loving Albert as I do, I cannot wish it should be delayed. My feelings are a _little_ changed, I must say, since last Spring, when I said I couldn't _think_ of marrying for _three or four years_; but seeing Albert has changed all this.

Pray, dearest Uncle, forward these two letters to Uncle Ernest (to whom I beg you will enjoin _strict_ secrecy, and explain these details, which I have not time to do) and to faithful Stockmar.

I think you might tell Louise of it, but none of her family. I should wish to keep the dear young gentlemen here till the end of next month.

Ernest's sincere pleasure gave me great delight. He does so adore dearest Albert. Ever, dearest Uncle, your devoted Niece,

VICTORIA R.

_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._

WINDSOR CASTLE, _16th October 1839._

Lord Melbourne will be ready to wait upon your Majesty at a little before one.

Lord Melbourne reads with great satisfaction your Majesty's expression of feeling, as your Majesty's happiness must ever be one of Lord Melbourne's first objects and strongest interests.

[Pageheading: KING LEOPOLD'S SATISFACTION]

[Pageheading: AUSTRIA AND THE PORTE]

_The King of the Belgians to Queen Victoria._

WIESBADEN, _24th October 1839._

MY DEAREST VICTORIA,--Nothing could have given me greater pleasure than your dear letter. I had, when I saw your decision, almost the feeling of old Zacharias[61]--"Now lettest Thou Thy servant depart in peace"! Your choice had been for these last years my conviction of what might and would be _best_ for your happiness; and just because I was convinced of it, and knowing how _strangely_ fate often _deranges_ what one tries to bring about as being the best plan one could fix upon, _the maximum of a good arrangement_, I feared that it would _not_ happen. In your position, which may and will, perhaps, become in future even more difficult in a political point of view, _you could not exist_ without having a _happy_ and an _agreeable interieur_.

And I am much deceived--which I think I am not--or you will find in Albert just the very qualities and dispositions which are indispensable for your happiness, and _which will suit your own character, temper, and mode of life_. You say most amiably that you consider it a sacrifice on the part of Albert. This is true in many points, because his position will be a difficult one; but much, I may say _all_, will depend on your affection for him. If _you love him, and are kind to him_, he will easily bear the burthen of the position; and there is a steadiness and at the same time cheerfulness in his character which will facilitate this. I think your plans excellent.

If Parliament had been called at an unusual time it would make them uncomfortable, and if, therefore, they receive the communication at the opening of the Session, it will be best. The marriage, as you say, might then follow as closely as possible.

Lord Melbourne has shown himself the _amiable_ and _excellent_ man I always took him for. Another man in his position, instead of _your_ happiness, might have merely looked to his own personal views and imaginary interests. Not so our good friend; he saw what was best _for you_, and I feel it deeply to his praise.

Your keeping the cousins next month with you strikes me as a very good plan. It will even show that you had sufficient opportunity of judging of Albert's character....

On the 22nd, Prince Metternich came to see me. He was very kind, and talked most confidentially about political affairs, particularly the Oriental concerns.[62] M. de Brunnow had been with him. The short of his views is this: he wishes that the Powers could be _unanimous_, as he sees in this the best chance of avoiding measures of violence against the Pasha of Egypt, which he considers _dangerous_, either as _not_ sufficiently effective, or of a nature to bring on complications most earnestly to be avoided, such as making use of Russian troops.

Austria naturally would like to bring about the best possible arrangement for the Porte, but it will adhere to any arrangement or proposition which can be agreed upon by England and France. He is, however, positive that Candia must be given back to the Porte, its position being too threatening, and therefore constantly alarming the Porte. He made me write the import of our conversation to King Louis Philippe, which I did send after him to Frankfort, where he was to forward it to Paris. Perhaps you will have the goodness to communicate this political sc.r.a.p to good Lord Melbourne with my best regards. He spoke in praise of Lord Beauvale.[63] The Prince is better, but grown very old and looking tired. It gave me great pleasure to see him again.

I drink the waters now four days, and can therefore not yet judge of their good or bad effects. My palpitations are rather increased here; if my stupid heart will get diseased I shall soon be departing for some other world. I would it could be soon then.

Till further orders I shall say nothing to your Mother, Charles, or Feodore.

Now I will conclude with my best blessings, and remain, my dearest and most beloved Victoria, your devoted Uncle,

LEOPOLD R.

[Footnote 61: An obvious slip for Simeon.]

[Footnote 62: _See_ Introductory Notes for 1839 and 1840.

(to Ch. VIII and Ch. IX)]

[Footnote 63: Frederick Lamb, younger brother of Lord Melbourne, Amba.s.sador Extraordinary at Vienna, who had recently been made a Peer.]

[Pageheading: THE QUEEN'S HAPPINESS]

_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._

WINDSOR CASTLE, _29th October 1839._

MY DEAREST UNCLE,--Your most kind and most welcome letter of the 24th arrived yesterday, and gave me very, very great pleasure. I was sure you would be satisfied and pleased with our proceedings.

Before I proceed further, I wish just to mention one or two alterations in the plan of announcing the event.

As Parliament has _nothing_ whatever to say respecting the marriage, can neither approve nor disapprove it (I mean in a manner which might _affect_ it), it is now proposed that, as soon as the cousins are gone (which they now intend to do on the 12th or 14th of November, as time presses), I should a.s.semble all the Privy Councillors and announce to them my intention....

Oh! dear Uncle, I _do_ feel so happy! I do so adore Albert! he is quite an angel, and so very, very kind to me, and seems so fond of me, which touches me much. I trust and hope I shall be able to make him as happy as he _ought_ to be! I cannot bear to part from him, for we spend such happy, delightful hours together.