Volume I Part 108 (1/2)
The accounts of poor dear Alexandrine's eyes continue _very bad_; she cannot write at all, or go out, or do anything.
Say everything proper from us to the whole family, and pray believe me, always, your devoted Niece,
VICTORIA R.
[Footnote 93: The Princess Augusta of Cambridge, who was married to Frederic William, afterwards Grand Duke of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, in the following June.]
[Pageheading: HISTORICAL STUDIES]
_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._
BROCKET HALL, _20th October 1842._
Lord Melbourne presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and begs leave respectfully to acknowledge your Majesty's of the 15th inst., which he received here the day before yesterday.
Lord Melbourne is very glad to hear that your Majesty is reading with the Prince. Hallam's work[94] certainly requires much consideration and much explanation, but it is a fair, solid, impartial work, formed upon much thought and much reading. St Simon's[95] is an excellent work; he has some prejudices, but was a good honest man, and his book is full of useful information. If your Majesty wishes for a book relating to what pa.s.sed from one hundred to two hundred years ago, Lord Melbourne would strongly recommend the Private Memoirs of the Lord Chancellor Clarendon (Edward Hyde), not the great work, _The History of the Rebellion_, though that is well worth reading, but the _Memoirs_, and Bishop Burnet's History of his own time. The reigns of Charles II., James II., and the Revolution are very curious in the latter. During Queen Anne's reign the Bishop was not so much consulted, and his work is therefore not so interesting. If your Majesty wishes to turn your attention to more recent events, Professor Smyth's[96] lectures upon Modern History, and particularly upon the French Revolution, seem to Lord Melbourne sound, fair, and comprehensive. Lord Mahon's[97] is also a good work, and gives a good account of the reigns of George I. and George II. He has been thought by some in his last volume to have given too favourable a character of the Chevalier, Charles Edward Stuart.
Lord Melbourne is much touched by what your Majesty says of the Princess Royal, and the delight and comfort which your Majesty finds in her, as well as by the whole picture which your Majesty draws of your domestic happiness. When your Majesty refers to what pa.s.sed three years ago, your Majesty may be a.s.sured that it is with no small pleasure that Lord Melbourne recalls any share which he may have had in that transaction, and congratulates himself as well as your Majesty and the Prince upon results which have been so fortunate both for yourselves and for the country. Lord Melbourne ventures to hope that your Majesty will convey these feelings to the Prince, together with the a.s.surance of his respectful remembrance.
[Footnote 94: The _Const.i.tutional History_, published in 1827.]
[Footnote 95: Louis Rouffroy, Duc de Saint-Simon, author of the celebrated _Memoires_, published 1829-30.]
[Footnote 96: William Smyth (1765-1849), Regius Professor of Modern History at Cambridge.]
[Footnote 97: Afterwards fifth Earl Stanhope: the book referred to is his _History of England from the Peace of Utrecht to the Peace of Versailles_.]
[Pageheading: WALMER CASTLE]
_The Duke of Wellington to Sir Robert Peel._
WALMER CASTLE, _26th October 1842._
MY DEAR PEEL,--Arbuthnot has shown me your letter to him respecting this house.
Nothing can be more convenient to me than to place it at Her Majesty's disposition at any time she pleases....
I am only apprehensive that the accommodation in the Castle would scarcely be sufficient for Her Majesty, the Prince, and the Royal children, and such suite as must attend....
It is the most delightful sea-residence to be found anywhere, particularly for children. They can be out all day, on the ramparts and platforms quite dry, and the beautiful gardens and wood are enclosed and sheltered from the severe gales of wind. There are good lodgings at Walmer village and on Walmer beach at no great distance from the Castle, not above half a mile. Believe me, ever, yours most sincerely,
WELLINGTON.
If the Queen should send anybody here, I beg that he will write me a line, that I may have an apartment prepared for him.