Volume I Part 28 (1/2)
[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.