The Letters of Queen Victoria Volume Ii Part 39

MADAME MA S[OE]UR,--Veuillez me permettre, Madame, d'offrir a votre Majeste mes sinceres felicitations de son heureuse delivrance.[10]

Puisse le bon Dieu conserver votre Majeste et toute son auguste famille, c'est mon v[oe]u de tous les jours. Plus que jamais, Madame, au milieu des desastres qui renversent l'ordre social, l'on eprouve le besoin de relier les liens d'amitie que l'on a ete heureux de former dans de meilleurs temps; ceux-la au moins nous restent, car ils sont hors de la portee des hommes, et je suis fier et heureux de ce que votre n.o.ble c[oe]ur me comprendra. En jettant les yeux sur ce qui se pa.s.se, peut-etre votre Majeste accordera-t-elle un souvenir a ce que j'eus l'honneur de lui predire, a.s.sis a table pres d'elle: depuis, 4 annees a peine se sont ecoulees, et que reste-t-il encore debout en Europe? La Grande-Bretagne et la Russie!

Ne serait-il pas naturel d'en conclure que notre union intime est appelee peut-etre a sauver le monde? Excusez, Madame, cet epanchement d'un c[oe]ur qui vous est devoue et qui a pris l'habitude de souvenir a vous.

J'ose avec une entiere confiance compter sur l'amitie de votre Majeste, et la prie de recevoir l'a.s.surance de l'inviolable attachement avec lequel je suis, Madame, de votre Majeste, le tout devoue et fidele bon Frere et Ami,

NICOLAS.

Veuillez, Madame, me rappeler au souvenir de son Altesse Royale Monsieur le Prince Albert.

[Footnote 10: The Princess Louise was born on 18th March.]

_The King of the Belgians to Queen Victoria._

BRUSSELS, _25th March 1848._

MY DEAREST VICTORIA,--... England seems quiet, and even the attempt in Ireland seems to have pa.s.sed over. But Germany is in an awful state, beyond what I ever should have thought possible in that country, and with such a good nation. For years, however, all sorts of people had been stirring them up, and half measures, seeming dishonest, of the Sovereigns have done harm. Curious enough that I, who in fact was desirous of retiring from politics, should be on the Continent the only Sovereign who stood the storm, though I am at ten hours' distance from Paris. I trust we shall be able to go on with our money matters to enable us to keep up; our working cla.s.ses are at this moment what occupies us most, and much has been done, and our Banks, which were much threatened, are now safe.

We work hard, and with these few days I suffered a little, but I am better to-day. Louise is tolerably well; the poor children are attentive and amiable. Poor things! _their existence_ is a good deal on the cards, and fortunes, private and public, are in equal danger.

Now I will leave you that you should not be tired. Ever, my beloved child, your devoted Uncle,

LEOPOLD R.

[Pageheading: THE CHARTIST DEMONSTRATION]

_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._

BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _4th April 1848._

MY DEAREST UNCLE,--I have to thank you for three most kind letters, of the 18th and 25th March, and of the 1st. Thank G.o.d, I am _particularly strong_ and _well_ in _every possible respect_, which is a blessing in these _awful, sad, heart-breaking_ times. From the first I heard all that pa.s.sed, and my only thoughts and talk were--Politics; but I never was calmer and quieter or less nervous. _Great_ events make me quiet and calm, and little trifles fidget me and irritate my nerves. But _I feel_ grown old and serious, and the future is very dark. G.o.d, however, will come to help and protect us, and we must keep up our spirits. _Germany_ makes me so sad; on the other hand, Belgium is a real pride and happiness.

We saw your poor father and mother-in-law with the Nemours, Joinville, and Aumale yesterday. Still a dream to see them _thus, here!_They are well in health, and the young people's conduct most praiseworthy; really the three Princesses are astonishing, and a beautiful lesson to every one. They are so much admired and respected for it. My beloved Vic, with her lovely face, is perfection, and so cheerful. She often comes to see me, and this is a great pleasure to me, if only it was not caused by such misfortunes!

Now good-bye. With fervent prayers for the continuation of your present most flourishing position, ever your devoted Niece,

VICTORIA R.

_Lord John Russell to the Prince Albert._

CHESHAM PLACE, _9th April 1848._

SIR,--The Cabinet have had the a.s.sistance of the Duke of Wellington in framing their plans for to-morrow.

Colonel Rowan[11] advised that the procession should be formed, and allowed to come as far as the bridge they may choose to pa.s.s, and should there be stopped. He thinks this is the only way to avoid a fight. If, however, the Chartists fire and draw their swords and use their daggers, the Military are to be called out.

I have no doubt of their easy triumph over a London mob.

But any loss of life will cause a deep and rankling resentment. I trust, for this and every reason, that all may pa.s.s off quietly. I have the honour to be, your Royal Highness's most obedient Servant,

J. RUSSELL.

[Footnote 11: Chief Commissioner of Police, afterwards Sir C. Rowan, K.C.B. The Chartist meeting had been fixed for the 10th.]

[Pageheading: THE UNEMPLOYED]

_The Prince Albert to Lord John Russell._

OSBORNE, _10th April 1848._

MY DEAR LORD JOHN,--To-day the strength of the Chartists and all evil-disposed people in the country will be brought to the test against the force of the law, the Government, and the good sense of the country. I don't feel doubtful for a moment who will be found the stronger, but should be exceedingly mortified if anything like a commotion was to take place, as it would shake _that_ confidence which the whole of Europe reposes in our stability at this moment, and upon which will depend the prosperity of the country. I have enquired a good deal into the state of employment about London, and I find, to my great regret, that the number of workmen of all trades out of employment is _very_ large, and that it has been increased by the reduction of all the works under Government, owing to the clamour for economy in the House of Commons. Several hundred workmen have been discharged at Westminster Palace; at Buckingham Palace much fewer hands are employed than are really wanted; the formation of Battersea Park has been suspended, etc., etc. Surely this is not the moment for the tax-payers to economise upon the working cla.s.ses! And though I don't wish our Government to follow Louis Blanc in his system of _organisation du travail_,[12] I think the Government is bound to do what it can to help the working cla.s.ses over the present moment of distress. It may do this consistently with real economy in its own works, whilst the reductions on the part of the Government are followed by all private individuals as a sign of the times. I have before this spoken to Lord Morpeth[13] upon this subject, but I wish to bring it specially under your consideration at the present moment.

Ever yours truly,

ALBERT.

[Footnote 12: Alluding to the _Ateliers Nationaux_, to be established under the guidance of a Council of Administration.]

[Footnote 13: Chief Commissioner of Woods and Forests.]

[Pageheading: FEARGUS O'CONNOR]

_Lord John Russell to Queen Victoria._

DOWNING STREET, _10th April 1848._ (2 P.M.)

Lord John Russell presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and has the honour to state that the Kennington Common Meeting has proved a complete failure.

About 12,000 or 15,000 persons met in good order. Feargus O'Connor, upon arriving upon the ground in a car, was ordered by Mr Mayne[14] to come and speak to him. He immediately left the car and came, looking pale and frightened, to Mr Mayne. Upon being told that the meeting would not be prevented, but that no procession would be allowed to pa.s.s the bridges, he expressed the utmost thanks, and begged to shake Mr Mayne by the hand. He then addressed the crowd, advising them to disperse, and after rebuking them for their folly he went off in a cab to the Home Office, where he repeated to Sir George Grey his thanks, his fears, and his a.s.surances that the crowd should disperse quietly.