impossible that your Majesty should in travelling divest yourself of your character and dignity.
Lord Melbourne has just driven round the Regent’s Park, where there are many almond trees in bloom, and looking beautiful.
Sir Robert Peel to Queen Victoria.
Whitehall, 23rd April 1844.
Sir Robert Peel, with his humble duty to your Majesty, begs leave to acquaint your Majesty that he has every reason to believe that the Court of Directors will to-morrow, by an unanimous vote, resolve on the actual recall of Lord Ellenborough.[1]
Queen Victoria to Sir Robert Peel.
Buckingham Palace, 23rd April 1844.
The Queen has heard with the greatest regret from Sir R. Peel that the Court of Directors, after all, mean to recall Lord Ellenborough. She cannot but consider this very unwise at this critical moment, and a very ungrateful return for the eminent services Lord Ellenborough has rendered to the Company in India. They ought not to forget so soon in what state Lord Ellenborough found affairs in 1842. The Queen would not be sorry if these gentlemen knew that this is her opinion.
The King of the Belgians to Queen Victoria.
Laeken, 3rd May 1844.
My dearest Victoria,—Whenever you wish to make me truly happy, you will have the power of doing so by repeating expressions as kind and affectionate as those contained in your dear little letter of the 30th. I have ever had the care and affection of a real father for you, and it has perhaps even been freer from many drawbacks which occasionally will exist betwixt parents and children, be they ever so well and affectionately together. With me, even from the moment in
- ↑ This anomalous privilege was exercised by the Directors in consequence chiefly of what they considered Lord Ellenborough’s overbearing demeanour in communication with them, his too aggressive policy, and his theatrical love of display.
