[*] The King's eldest daughter; born 1800, married, 1825, Sir Philip Sidney, who was created Lord de Lisle and Dudley in 1835, his father having in 1824 claimed that barony, though without success.
'Mademoiselle d'Esté is here. Lord Hill is coming to-day. We are to leave on Monday.'
The next letter reminds us that, about this time, there were several political crises, more or less acute. The tide of enthusiasm, which had carried many measures of social importance, was beginning to abate, and the first signs of the reaction that was setting in showed themselves in differences among the Ministers. Mr. Stanley (afterwards Lord Derby), Sir J. Graham, and two others disagreed with Lord Grey as to the Act to compensate the Irish clergy, while Lord Althorp opposed Lord Grey on the question of coercion in Ireland. Lord Grey, who was an old man, retired in July, and Lord Melbourne succeeded to his place. These dissensions led the King to believe that there was a Conservative reaction, so he determined to dismiss the Ministry and send for the Duke of Wellington. In the end, on the Duke's advice, Sir Robert Peel became Premier, but only held office till April, 1835, when Lord Melbourne was recalled to power. Again rumour was busy with the Queen's name, and many suspected that the dismissal of the Whigs was due largely to her influence. The following letter deals plainly with this, and incidentally mentions the constitutional practice of the King respecting even the Court appointments:
'BOSTON HOUSE, 'November 23, 1834.
'How do you feel on the sudden change in the political world? I rejoice, but cannot envy the party who have taken the reins in these ungovernable times.
'It is very sad they will not let the dear Queen alone. I believe from my heart she has no more to do with it than you or I. Mrs. Clitherow sat half an hour with her at St. James's, and she, who, is truth itself, declared the first she knew of it was the King coming to her room and telling her the Duke of Wellington was to dine with them, for there was going to be a change of Ministers.
'She has not named a single person for any appointment, and will not, she is determined. Jane expressed her hope that the Duke of Dorset would again be Master of the Horse. The Queen replied: "There never was a better; but, in the present state of the country, favouritism must be quite out of the question." They must select the most influential men in a political point of view. She regretted extremely that the King's children, instead of rallying round the throne, were the first to send in their resignations and to show such strong opposition to their father's wishes. And we do hear from every quarter their conduct is abominable, and the manner in which they speak of the Queen unpardonable. Lord Erroll[*] went on so bad in a public coffee-room that a gentleman cried out: "Shame! shame!" As far as we have ever seen, she has shown them nothing but kindness, and their return is ingratitude. Poor soul! her cough continues to wear her sadly, and she is hardly stout enough to contend with all her annoyances, notwithstanding the support of a clear conscience.
[*] William George, the Seventeenth Earl, had married Lady Elizabeth
Fitz-Clarence, the King's third daughter, and was Master of the Royal
Buckhounds.
'The Bishop of London and Mrs. and Miss Blomfield dine here to-morrow.
I mean to get this franked.
'I hope you are not annoyed with your winter cough, and that your family are all well. Accept a trio of best wishes, and believe me,