Volume I Part 30 (1/2)
MY DEAREST UNCLE,--I was certain you _would_ take interest in and feel for poor Lord John; he is, I hear, still dreadfully shaken, and quite unequal to do any business at present. His chief consolation is in attending to the children.
I felt much for you, and still more for poor dear Aunt Louise, when the sad separation from poor Marie[31] took place; it is so melancholy to see a dear relation depart who is _so ill_.
I have this morning heard from Ferdinand that the good Queen is at last confined, after keeping us for _two months_ and _more dans l'attente_ of the event. It took place on the 3rd, and Ferdinand writes such a funny letter, saying, ”nous sommes tous bien heureux surtout moi qui craignais que ce ne fut une pet.i.te fille ce qui m'eut ete un peu desagreable, car en fait d'enfants j'aime mieux les pet.i.ts garcons, parce qu'ils sont plus gais et plus tapageurs.”[32] Isn't this very good?
I believe the King of the French is to be G.o.dfather....
[Footnote 31: See _post_, p. 144. (Ch. VIII, 11th January, 1839)]
[Footnote 32: The Prince received the t.i.tle of Duke of Oporto.]
_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._
_20th November 1838._
Lord Melbourne presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and transmits a copy of Mr. Macaulay's letter.[33]...
Lord Melbourne fears, from what he hears of the language of Lord Howick and Mr. Monson, that much difficulty will be found in making arrangements and deciding upon questions. But Lord Melbourne will use every effort in his power in order to keep the Administration together and to carry on the public service. Lord Melbourne hears with concern from Mr Fox Maule that Lord John Russell does not return to business as readily as Mr Maule had hoped that he would, and Lord Melbourne fears that he will not do whilst he remains at Ca.s.siobury with the children. Solitude and retirement cherish and encourage grief.
Employment and exertion are the only means of dissipating it.
[Footnote 33: Declining to join the Government. The original is not preserved among the Queen's papers.]
[Pageheading: CANADA AND LORD DURHAM]
_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._
_22nd November 1838._
Lord Melbourne presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and begs to acknowledge your Majesty's gracious communication received yesterday.
Lord Melbourne had nothing particular to lay before your Majesty, but still regrets that he did not write, as your Majesty might have wished to hear from him.
Lord Melbourne returns the King of Portugal's[34] letter, which, as your Majesty observes, is very rough and ill-tempered with reference to Lord Howard.[35] Lord Melbourne read it with much concern, as it shows so much dislike and alienation, as renders it very improbable that they should ever go on together well and in a friendly spirit.
Lord Melbourne fears that the epithets applied to Lord Howard, though very severe and full of resentment, are not entirely ill-chosen and inappropriate.
All the Ministers, except Lord Duncannon[36] and Lord John Russell, dined here yesterday, and they all appeared to be in very good-humour and disposed to co-operate in order to meet the difficulties by which we are surrounded....
With respect to Canada, Lord Melbourne feels that it may be considered somewhat presumptuous in him to undervalue danger, which is considered by those upon the spot to be so great and so imminent, but still he cannot feel the alarm which seems to be felt there. Lord Durham, Lord Melbourne is convinced, exaggerates the peril in order to give greater _eclat_ to his own departure. The worst symptom which Lord Melbourne perceives is the general fear which seems to prevail there, and which makes every danger ten times as great as it really is.
[Footnote 34: The birth of an heir on 16th September 1837 conferred on Prince Ferdinand the right to the t.i.tle of King.]