The Letters of Queen Victoria
Chapter 128 : [Footnote 87: Gray, the poet, who had been appointed by the Duke Professor of Modern H

[Footnote 87: Gray, the poet, who had been appointed by the Duke Professor of Modern History, composed an ode (set to music by Randall) for the latter's installation as Chancellor, on 1st July 1769.]

[Footnote 88: The cultured but indolent Edward, Lord Harley, afterwards Earl of Oxford (son of the great minister), sold Wimpole to Lord Chancellor Hardwicke in 1740 to pay off a debt of 100,000. He had married Lady Henrietta Cavendish Holles, daughter and heiress of John, Duke of Newcastle, who brought him 500,000, most of which he dissipated. Their only child, Margaret, the "n.o.ble lovely little Peggy" of Prior, married William Bentinck, second Duke of Portland. Lady Oxford sold to the nation the "Harleian Collection" of ma.n.u.scripts, now in the British Museum.]

[Footnote 89: Who died there in 1721.]

[Footnote 90: Alluding to the rarely printed poem "Colin's Mistakes," where "Bright Ca'ndish Holles Harley" is seen in the glades of Wimpole by the dreamy youth, and mistaken for Gloriana, Belphebe, etc.]

[Pageheading: PROPOSED VISIT TO PEEL]

_Sir Robert Peel to the Prince Albert._

WHITEHALL, _9th November 1843._

SIR,--I was greatly gratified by learning on my return to London last night from Witley Court that it is not improbable that Her Majesty and your Royal Highness may confer the high honour of a visit to Drayton Manor towards the conclusion of the present month.

I venture to think, from what I saw of Witley Court, that the arrangement proposed by your Royal Highness will be more convenient to Her Majesty than the staying at Witley Court.

I can a.s.sure your Royal Highness that nothing shall be left undone by Lady Peel and me to contribute to the comfort of Her Majesty and your Royal Highness during your occupation of Drayton Manor, and to mark our sense of the kind condescension of Her Majesty and your Royal Highness in making it your abode.

I have the honour to be, Sir, with sincere respect, your Royal Highness's most faithful and humble Servant,

ROBERT PEEL.

[Pageheading: TRAVELLING ARRANGEMENTS]

_Sir Robert Peel to the Prince Albert._

WHITEHALL, _Sunday, 12th November 1843._

SIR,--I send to your Royal Highness a little book which is published every month, giving very useful information as to distances, or at least times, on all the railways. Possibly your Royal Highness has this book regularly sent to you.

I think, before Her Majesty promises a visit to Witley Court, there are one or two points worthy of consideration which are in favour of proposing to the Queen Dowager to meet the Queen at Drayton Manor first. The Queen would have to go and to return in the same day. The Queen Dowager might remain either one night or two nights at Drayton.

Secondly, the Birmingham and Derby line is not on the same level with the line which goes to Droitwich (eleven miles from Witley Court), and there is a little delay in posting a carriage, or in pa.s.sing from the lower line of railway to the upper.

Thirdly, there is the pa.s.sage for Her Majesty, though not through Birmingham as in an ordinary travelling carriage, yet in the immediate outskirts of the town, and this twice in the same day.

The Corporation (which is a completely Radical one) might solicit permission to present an Address to Her Majesty at the station.

There would, I am sure, be nothing but demonstrations of the greatest loyalty and attachment to Her Majesty, but there would probably be a great concourse of people, and some delay, if the Address were received.

Perhaps your Royal Highness will think of these suggestions, which I am induced to offer by the desire to foresee everything which may have a bearing upon the personal comfort of the Queen.

I have the honour to be, Sir, with sincere respect, your Royal Highness's most faithful and humble Servant,

ROBERT PEEL.

[Pageheading: THE d.u.c.h.eSSE DE NEMOURS]

_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._

WINDSOR CASTLE, _14th November 1843._

MY DEAREST, KINDEST UNCLE,--A long and most _interesting_ letter reached me on Sunday, dated 9th and 10th, and I beg to return my warmest thanks for it. The confidence you show me I feel deeply and gratefully, and you may rely on my discretion. Before I touch upon any of the subjects in your letter I will give you news of our visitors.

The dear Nemours arrived safely after a good pa.s.sage on Sat.u.r.day, well but very tired. They are now quite recovered, and we are too happy to have them here. Nemours looks well, and is very kind and amiable, but I think there is a seriousness since poor Chartres' death which used not to be formerly, though he always was _reserved_, and that, I think, he is _not_ now. Dearest Victoire is _amazingly_ improved and _developpee_--really quite wonderfully so. We are all so struck by it, by her good sense and by her conversation; and with that she has kept that innocence and gentleness which she always had--and is _so lovely_, dear sweet child. I must always look at her, and she, dear child, seems so pleased to see me again. I find her _grown_, but grown very thin, and she has not those bright colours she used to have. All that you say of Bordeaux is just what Nemours says, and what Guizot writes, and what _I_ and also Sir Robert Peel _always_ felt and thought. Aberdeen, with the greatest wish to do _all_ that is kind and right, _really thought_ that B. was only come to amuse himself, and had no idea till _now_ that the feeling in France in _all_ the different parties was so strong. You will have heard by this time that we have decided _not_ to receive B. in _any way_ whatever. It is a pleasure to hear how mildly and sensibly Nemours speaks upon all these subjects, and indeed every subject....

I think you did _uncommonly right_ in what you answered the poor King about the _arrete_ in favour of the _Prussians_, and I am very glad you _have_ done so. It will have a good effect here.

Louise will tell you how we celebrated good Bertie's birthday. The children are in great favour with the Nemours.

Pray, dearest Uncle, do not forget to send me the list of Rellstab's works. We think of making another little tour after the dear Nemours'

departure, to Drayton (Sir Robert Peel's), Chatsworth, and Belvoir.

We are very sorry to lose dear Feo and Ernest. They are so good and excellent, and she is so _brav_. Ever, your devoted Niece,

VICTORIA R.

[Pageheading: BIRMINGHAM]

[_Memorandum enclosed from Sir Robert Peel to Prince Albert, about the political condition of Birmingham, which the Prince was intending to visit._]

The Mayor is a hosier--of _extreme_ political opinions--_in fact, a Chartist_.

The contest for the office of Mayor was between him and a man of Radical opinions, but Chartism prevailed.

The Mayor has taken a violent part, before his Mayoralty, against Church Rates, and in reference to the state of Ireland.

The Conservative party took no part whatever in the Munic.i.p.al Elections, and would not vote.

They would, if invited or permitted by the Mayor and Town Council, cordially co-operate with men of opposite opinions in any mark of respect to the Prince.

No probability of any tumult or of any demonstration but one of respect personally towards the Prince, if his visit be clearly and manifestly unconnected with politics.

An immense concourse of people must be expected, not only from Birmingham, but Wolverhampton, Walsall, and all the neighbouring towns, and previous police arrangements must be very carefully made.