Volume Ii Part 80 (1/2)
This time reminds me so much of all our sorrow last year on her dear account.
VICTORIA R.
_Queen Victoria to Lord Palmerston._
WINDSOR CASTLE, _13th October 1851._
The Queen returns Lord Howden's letter, and thinks that the best answer to the Queen of Spain's request will be that the Statutes do not allow the Garter to be bestowed upon a lady; that the Queen herself possesses no order of knighthood from any country.[17]
With reference to the claim for the King arising out of the Prince having received the Fleece, it may be well to say that the offer of the Fleece had in the first instance been declined for fear of establis.h.i.+ng a ground for the necessity of giving the Garter in return, and was at its second offer accepted by the Prince, together with the first orders of almost every country, on the understanding that no return would be expected. It would have been impossible to give the Garter to every Sovereign, and very difficult to make a selection. The Queen of Spain ought to be made aware of the fact that among the reigning Sovereigns, the Emperors of Austria and Brazil, and the Kings of Sweden, Denmark, Bavaria, Holland, Sardinia, Naples, Greece, etc., etc., have not got the Garter, although many of them have expressed a wish for it, and that amongst the Kings Consort, the King of Portugal, the Queen's first cousin, has not received it yet, although the Queen has long been anxious to give it to him.
Anything short of these explanations might offend, or leave the claim open to be repeated from time to time.
[Footnote 17: The Queen of Spain had expressed a desire through Lord Howden to receive the Order of the Garter.]
[Pageheading: EXTENSION OF THE FRANCHISE]
_Lord John Russell to Queen Victoria._
DOWNING STREET, _14th October 1851._
Lord Carlisle, Lord Minto, and Sir Charles Wood are appointed a Committee to consider of the extension of the Suffrage. They meet to-morrow. Lord John Russell expects to see Mr Peel to-morrow. It is proposed that Parliament should meet on the 3rd or 5th of February....
_Queen Victoria to Lord John Russell._
WINDSOR CASTLE, _14th October 1851._
The Queen does not consider the Committee appointed to consider the extension of the Franchise a very strong one. Will Lord Carlisle be up to the peculiar business?
[Pageheading: KOSSUTH IN ENGLAND]
_Queen Victoria to Lord John Russell._[18]
WINDSOR CASTLE, _29th October 1851._
The Queen concludes Lord John Russell has read the accounts of Kossuth's arrival in to-day's papers.
She wishes Lord John could still try to prevent Lord Palmerston from receiving him. The effect it will have abroad will do us immense harm.