Volume Ii Part 7 (2/2)
I very much regret that the _Morning Chronicle_ inserted that paragraph.
The prominent place a.s.signed to it in the newspaper, and a vague intimation that there was some authority for it, have caused a certain degree of credit to be attached to it. It has been copied into all the country newspapers and has given rise to a good deal of conjecture and speculation, which it is far from desirable to excite without necessity.
It appears to me that the editor of the _Morning Chronicle_ acted most unwarrantably in inserting such a paragraph with a pretence of some sort of authority for it.
It has produced an impression which strongly confirms the observations which I took the liberty of making to your Royal Highness on Sunday evening.
I trust, however, that my decided contradiction of the paragraph will put a stop to further surmise and discussion on the subject.
To Mr Borthwick's note I add one of several letters addressed to me, which shows the p.r.o.neness to speculate upon const.i.tutional novelties.
I have the honour to be, Sir, with sincere respect, your Royal Highness's most faithful and obedient Servant,
ROBERT PEEL.]
_Queen Victoria to Sir Robert Peel._
WINDSOR CASTLE, _24th March 1845._
The Queen has received Sir Robert Peel's box containing his recommendation relative to the filling up of the vacant Bishopric of Ely. The Queen quite approves of the present Dean of Westminster[7]
as the new Bishop. As Sir Robert has asked the Queen whether she would like to see Archdeacon Wilberforce succeed to the Deanery of Westminster in case the Dean should accept the Bishopric, she must say that such an arrangement would be _very satisfactory_ to us, and the Queen believes would highly please the Archdeacon. This would again vacate, the Queen believes, a stall at Winchester, which she would like to see filled by a person decidedly adverse to Puseyism.
The Queen approves of the Bishop of Lichfield[8] being transferred to the See of Ely in case Doctor Turton should decline it.
It would give the Queen much pleasure to stand sponsor to Sir Robert Peel's little grandson, and perhaps Sir Robert would communicate this to Lady Villiers.
[Footnote 7: Dr Thomas Turton (1780-1864), formerly Dean of Peterborough.]
[Footnote 8: John Lonsdale (1788-1867) was Bishop of Lichfield from 1843 till his death.]
[Pageheading: PURCHASE OF OSBORNE]
_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._
WINDSOR CASTLE, _25th March 1845._
... I copied what you wrote me about Peel[9] in a letter I wrote him, which I am sure will please him much, and a Minister in these days _does_ require a little encouragement, for the abuse and difficulties they have to contend with are dreadful. Peel works so hard and has so much to do, that sometimes he says he does not know _how_ he is to get through it all!
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