MY DEAREST CHILD,--... I hear that the Levee went off very well, and I have no doubt that the Drawing-Room did the same. Your _spirit_ in all these new and trying proceedings makes me _happy beyond expression_.
Believe me, with _courage_ and _honesty_, you will get on beautifully and successfully. The firmness you displayed at the beginning of your reign will be for your quiet of the utmost importance. People must come to the opinion _it is of no use intriguing, because when her mind is once made up, and she thinks a thing right_, no earthly power will make her change. To these qualities must be added one which is of great importance, this is _discretion_; humble as it seems, it has often brought about successes in which talent failed and genius did not succeed. Discretion in the great affairs of the world does wonders, and safety depends frequently and is chiefly derived from it....
Now I must quickly conclude, with the prayer that you will _not permit_ anybody, be it even your Prime Minister, to speak to you on matters that concern you _personally_, without _your_ having expressed the wish of its being done. You have no idea of the importance of this for your peace and comfort and safety. I always act on this principle, and I can say with great success.
Believe me ever, my dearest Victoria, your devoted Uncle,
LEOPOLD R.
_The King of the Belgians to Queen Victoria._
LAEKEN, _29th July 1837._
MY DEAREST CHILD,--Your dear letter of the 24th inst. is, amongst _so many kind letters_, _almost the kindest I yet received_ from your dear hands. My happiness and my greatest pride will always be, to be a _tender and devoted father to you, my beloved child_, and to watch over you and stand by you with _heart_ and _soul as long_ as the heart which _loves_ you so sincerely will beat.
I have no doubt that Lord Melbourne will always do everything in his power to be useful to you. His position is become extremely happy; after having been, under the late King at least, in an awkward position, he is now sure of enjoying your confidence and sincere support. If the elections turn out favourably to the Ministry, it will, I hope, give them the means of trying to _conciliate_ the great ma.s.s of the _moderate_ Tories, who from their nature and in consequence of their opinions are safe and desirable supporters of the Crown. The two extremes will give them trouble, and the ultra-Tories appear to me to be even the _more unreasonable_ of the two.
I am most happy to see you on your guard against Princess Lieven and such-like people. Your life amongst intriguers and tormented with intrigues has given you an experience on this important subject which you will do well not to lose sight of, as it will unfortunately often _reproduce itself_, though the names and manner of carrying on the thing may not be the same.
I also think Windsor a little melancholy, but I believe that one likes it more and more, as the Park in particular is uncommonly beautiful.
We shall try our best to enliven it by our presence, and probably soon after your arrival. I am most happy to see you so spirited and happy in your new position; it will go a great way to ensure your success, and your spirit and courage will never be _de trop_.
Now I will conclude for the day, not to bore you, and beg you always to believe me, my dear and beloved Victoria, your devoted Uncle and Friend,
LEOPOLD R.
[Pageheading: PRINCESS HOHENLOHE]
_The Princess Hohenlohe to Queen Victoria._
LANGENBURG, _31st July 1837._
MY DEAREST VICTORIA,--On arriving here, I found your dear letter of the 9th of this month; and some days ago I received the one of the 16th. Many, many thanks for them both; it is indeed kind of you to write to me now when you have so much to do. You have no idea what a feeling it is, to hear and read of you, and to think that it is _you_, _my own dear sister_, who are the object of general observation, and, I may say, admiration; it is sometimes like a dream. For those who are near you it is quite different than for me, who have not seen you yet in your new position, but must represent to myself all through the report of others. The description in the papers of your proroguing Parliament I read with great interest; it must have been an imposing moment for you, your standing for the first time in your life in the middle of that a.s.sembly where the interests and welfare of your country are discussed and decided upon. It is with pride, pleasure, and anxiety I think of you at the description of such scenes and occurrences. I saw too by the papers that your _incognito_ at the Opera was not quite kept as you wished it....
[Pageheading: THE ELECTIONS]
_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._
BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _1st August 1837._
MY DEAREST UNCLE,--... I should be _most_ happy to "peep once" into your country, and wish that it _could_ be.
With respect to Politics, Lord Melbourne told me this morning that he thinks the Lords will be more moderate and reasonable next Session.
The Duke of Wellington made a speech shortly before the Dissolution of Parliament, in which he said that _he wished as much as the Government did to pa.s.s the questions now pending_.
You do not think Alexander[63] _near_ handsome enough in my opinion; you know, ladies are much better judges. He is somewhat colossal, I own, but very proportionate and good-looking, I think. I am all impatience to hear more about all this, and when you imagine the marriage will take place.
I have resumed my singing lessons with Lablache[64] twice a week, which form an agreeable recreation in the midst of all the business I have to do. He is such a good old soul, and greatly pleased that I go on with him. I admire the music of the _Huguenots_ very much, but do not sing it, as I prefer Italian to French for singing greatly. I have been learning in the beginning of the season many of your old favourites, which I hope to sing with you when we meet. I wish I could keep Lablache to sing with us, but he will be gone by that time, I greatly fear.
Now farewell, my beloved Uncle. Give my affectionate love to my dear Aunt, and believe me always, your devoted Niece,
VICTORIA R.
_J"embra.s.se Leopold et Philippe._
[Footnote 63: Prince Alexander of Wurtemberg, betrothed to Princess Marie of Orleans, daughter of Louis Philippe. She died 10th January 1839. See Letter of Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians, 11th January 1839.]
[Footnote 64: See _ante_, p. 50. (Ch. V, Footnote 7)]
[Pageheading: THE ELECTIONS]
_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._
_9th August 1837._
MY BELOVED UNCLE,--... With respect to the Elections, they are, I"m thankful to say, rather favourable, though not quite so much so as we could wish. But upon the whole we shall have as good a House as we had, and, _I_ hope (as Lord Melbourne does also), a more moderate one than the last one. The Irish Elections are very favourable to us; we have gained six in the English boroughs, and lost, I grieve to say, several in the counties.
The country is very quiet, and I have good reason to believe all will do very well.
The King of Wurtemberg is to arrive to-night, under the name of Count Teck, and wishes to be in strict _incognito_. He comes on purpose to see me; you know he is my second cousin--his mother[65] was sister to Queen Caroline and daughter to my grand-aunt.[66] I shall give the King a large dinner on Friday and a little concert after it....
[Footnote 65: Queen Augusta of Wurtemberg.]
[Footnote 66: Augusta, d.u.c.h.ess of Brunswick, sister of George III.]
_Lord John Russell to Queen Victoria._
ENDSLEIGH, _15th August 1837._
Lord John Russell presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and has the honour to lay before your Majesty a general statement of the result of the elections, which, with the exception of one or two doubtful counties in Ireland, may be said to be completed....
It is not to be denied that this near balance of parties makes the task of conducting the government difficult for any Ministry. On the other hand, the circ.u.mstances of the country do not present any extraordinary difficulty, and were any such to arise, the general composition of the new House of Commons affords a security that the maintenance of the Const.i.tution and the welfare of the country would be permanent objects to the majority of its Members.[67]