The Letters of Queen Victoria Volume Ii Part 4

_The King of the Belgians to Queen Victoria._

LAEKEN, _28th June 1844._

MY BELOVED VICTORIA,--I have again to offer my warmest and best thanks for a very long and kind letter. I am truly and sincerely happy that a Ministerial crisis has been spared you; it is in all const.i.tutional concerns an _awful_ business; but in such a colossal machinery as the British Empire, it shakes the whole globe. For your sake, for the good of England, and for the quiet of the whole earth, we must most devoutly pray that _Sir Robert may remain for many, many years your trusty and faithful Minister._ Parliaments and Chambers are extremely fond of governing, particularly as long as it does not bore themselves. We have had an instance of it recently. I was anxious to keep the Chamber longer, as there are still many important things which it ought to have finished; but they were hot, they got tired, voted twelve _projets de loi_ in one day, and disappeared afterwards, leaving one the trouble of managing the affairs of the State as best one may....

As a general political event, the Emperor's visit in England can only be useful; it is probable that he would _not_ have made the visit if another had not been talked of. His policy is naturally to _separate_ as much as possible the two great Western Powers; he is too weak to resist single-handed their dictates in the Oriental question; _but if they act not in concert_, it is evident that _he is the master_; in all this he acts wisely and in conformity with the great interests of his Empire. England has greater interests at stake at the mercy of Russia than at that of France. With France the questions are sometimes questions of jealousy, but, on the other hand, a tolerable understanding keeps France quiet and secures the peace of Europe, much more in the sense of the European policy of England than of that of France. The only consolation the French can find in it is that they are aware that _together_ with England they have a great position, but they always lament that they can _get nothing by it_. A bad understanding with France opens not only the door to a European war, but also to revolution; and that is perhaps the most serious and most awfully dangerous part of the business. England wants nothing from the Emperor than that he should leave the _status quo_ of Europe and great part of Asia alone. At Paris they are not so much moved at the Emperor's visit as perhaps they ought to be, but they have put the flattering notion into their heads that he had made _fiasco_, which is _not true_; as, in fact, he has so far been rather _successful_, and has convinced people in England that he is a mild and good-natured man, himself and his Empire, without any ambition. Now it is high time I should finish my immense scrawl, for which I claim your forgiveness, remaining ever your devoted Uncle,

LEOPOLD R.

[Pageheading: TAHITI]

_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._

WINDSOR CASTLE, _27th August 1844._

MY DEAREST UNCLE,--Many thanks for your kind long letter, which I received yesterday, dated 23rd. I can report very well of ourselves.

We are all well. The dear day of yesterday[24] we spent very quietly and happily and full of grat.i.tude to Providence for so many blessings.

I can only pray for the continuance of our present happiness.

The impending political cloud, I hope and trust, looks less black and lowering. But I think it very unwise in Guizot not to have at once disavowed D'Aubigny for what you yourself call an "outrage,"[25]

instead of letting it drag on for _four weeks_ and letting our people get excited. The Tangiers Affair[26] is unfortunate, and I hope that in future poor Joinville will not be exposed to such disagreeable affairs. What _can_ be done will be, to get him justified in the eyes of the public here, but I fear that at first they will not be very charitable. Those letters in the _Times_ are outrageous, and all that abuse very bad taste.[27] There is to be an investigation about the three officers, whose conduct is unworthy of Englishmen. Now, dearest Uncle, believe me always, your most affectionate Niece,

VICTORIA R.

[Footnote 24: The Prince Albert's birthday. Prince Alfred was born on 6th August of this year.]

[Footnote 25: The a.s.sumption of French sovereignty over Tahiti.]

[Footnote 26: Hostilities had commenced between France and Morocco, and Tangiers was bombarded.]

[Footnote 27: A series of letters had appeared in the _Times_, written by British naval officers who had witnessed the bombardment of Tangiers, and accused the French Admiral and Navy of being deficient in courage. The _Times_ was much criticised for its publication of these letters.]

[Pageheading: ENGLAND AND FRANCE]

_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._

BLAIR ATHOL, _15th September 1844._

MY DEAREST UNCLE,--I received your kind letter of the 6th the day we arrived here, and thank you very much for it. As I have written an account of our journey to Louise, I will _not_ repeat it here.

The good ending of our difficulties with France is an immense blessing, but it is really and truly necessary that you and those at Paris should know that the danger was _imminent_, and that poor Aberdeen stood _almost alone_ in trying to keep matters peaceable.

We must try and prevent these difficulties for the future. I must, however, clear _Jarnac_[28] of all blame, for Aberdeen does nothing but praise him....

In Greece affairs look very black, and G.o.d knows how it all will end.

[Footnote 28: _Charge d'Affaires_ in the absence of the French Amba.s.sador.]

[Pageheading: VISIT OF KING LOUIS PHILIPPE]

_The Queen of the Belgians to Queen Victoria._

LAEKEN, _5th October 1844._

MY DEARLY BELOVED VICTORIA,--... I have not much to say about my father's _lodging habits_ and _likings_.[29] My father is one of the beings _most easy_ to _please_, _satisfy_, and to _accommodate_.

His eventful life has used him to everything, and makes any kind of arrangements acceptable to him; there is only _one thing_ which he _cannot easily do_, it is to be _ready very early_. He means notwithstanding to try to come to your breakfast, but you _must insist upon his not doing it_. It would disturb him in all his habits, and be bad for him, as he would certainly eat, a thing he is not used to do in the morning. He generally takes hardly what may be called a _breakfast_, and eats _only twice_ in the day. It would be also _much better_ for him if he only appeared to luncheon and dinner, and if you kindly dispensed him altogether of the breakfast. You must not tell him that I wrote you _this_, but you must manage it with Montpensier, and kindly order for him a bowl of _chicken broth_. It is the only thing he takes generally in the morning, and between his meals. I have also no observation to make, but I have told Montpensier to speak openly to Albert whenever he thought something ought to be done for my father, or might hurt and inconvenience him, and you may consult him when you are in doubt. He is entrusted with all the recommendations of my mother, for my father is naturally _so imprudent_ and _so little accustomed_ to _caution and care_, that he must in some measure be _watched_ to prevent his catching cold or doing what may be injurious to him. About his _rooms_, a hard bed and a large table for his papers are the only things he requires. He generally sleeps on a horse-hair mattress with a plank of wood under it: but _any kind_ of bed will do, if it is not _too soft_. His liking will be to be entirely at _your commands_ and to do _all you like_. You know he can take a great deal of exercise, and _everything_ will _interest_ and _delight_ him, to see, as to do: this is not a compliment, but a _mere fact_. His only wish is, that you should not go out of your way for him, and change your habits on his account. Lord Aberdeen will be, of course, at Windsor, and I suppose you will ask, as you told me, the Royal Family.

My father hopes to see also Sir Robert Peel, Lord Stanley, and your other Ministers. You will probably ask most of them during his stay.

He wishes very much to see again those he already knows, and to make the acquaintance of those he does not know yet. In writing all this I think I _dream_, I _cannot believe_ yet that in a few days my dear father will have, G.o.d willing, the _unspeakable happiness_ to see you again and at _Windsor_, a thing he had _so much wished_ for and which for a _long time_ seemed so _improbable_. You have _no notion_ of the _satisfaction_ it gives him, and _how delighted_ he will be to see you again, and to be once more in England. G.o.d grant he may have a good pa.s.sage, and arrive to you _safely_ and _well_. _Unberufen_, as you will soon, I trust, be able to see, he is, notwithstanding the usual talk of the papers, _perfectly well_.... Yours most devotedly,

LOUISE.

[Footnote 29: The difficulty with France as to Tahiti having been satisfactorily disposed of, King Louis Philippe was enabled to visit England, the first French King to come on a visit to the Sovereign of England. The King was enthusiastically received in England, visited Claremont (which he was destined to occupy in exile), was installed as a Knight of the Garter at Windsor with great magnificence, and visited Eton College and Woolwich a.r.s.enal.]

[Pageheading: SOLICITUDE OF QUEEN LOUISE]

_The Queen of the Belgians to Queen Victoria._

LAEKEN, _7th October 1844._

MY DEARLY BELOVED VICTORIA,--... I wrote to my mother, to quiet her, all you kindly tell me about my dear father. We are _quite sure_, I a.s.sure you, that you and Albert will _take care of him_, and that he is with you _in safe hand_. And what makes my mother _uneasy_ is the fear that, being at liberty without control, he will make _too much_, as she says, _le jeune homme_, ride, go about, and do everything as if he was still twenty years old. If I must tell you _all the truth_, she is afraid also he will _eat too much_. I am sure he will tell it to you himself, as he was so much amused with _this fear_; but to do her pleasure, being well a.s.sured by me that you would allow it, and that it was even _customary_, he has given up, of himself, all thought of attending your early breakfast: but I perceive I write as if _he was not already_ under _your_ roof. I will also only say, that though he has sent over his horses in case they should be wanted, my mother begs you to _prevent, if possible, his riding at all_. I wrote to her already that I supposed there would be _no occasion_ for riding, and that your _promenades_ would be either on foot or in carriage.

I entrusted Montpensier with all my messages for you, my beloved Victoria and your dear children. He hopes you will permit him, during his stay at Windsor, to make _two_ excursions--one to London, and one to Woolwich--he is very curious to see, as an artillery officer. I mention it as he would be, perhaps, _too shy_ or _too discreet_ to mention it himself. He might very well do those two trips by the railroad and be back for dinner-time, and I am sure you will have no objection to them.... Yours most devotedly,

LOUISE.

I am very glad that Lord Charles Wellesley is one of those who will attend my father. Montpensier and him will have surely capital fun together, and he was, you know, a great favourite with every one at Eu. If by chance Lord Hardwicke was in waiting during my father's stay, you must kindly put my father in mind to thank him for the _famous cheese_, which arrived safely, and was found very good....

[Pageheading: THE KING'S ARRIVAL]