The break between the life of Princess Victoria and that of the young Queen was now complete. Changes came innumerable and fast. Her Household was formed, and it reflected the complexion of Lord Melbourne’s Ministry, which had been established in power after the General Election by a majority of thirty-eight. The Queen left the home of her childhood for ever. She was the first Sovereign to occupy Buckingham Palace. The building had been begun by George IV., and although finished by William IV., had never been prepared for occupation. It remained an inconvenient house until it was added to in after-years by Prince Albert. Although Baron Stockmar, the old medical attendant of King Leopold, who had been domiciled in England by command of his master, was reputed to be acting as the Queen’s Private Secretary, that post was in reality occupied by Lord Melbourne himself. He was both Private Secretary and Tutor to the young Queen at this stage of her career. Her political education proceeded fast, and she learned with avidity. Her good sense and composure were indeed remarkable. It was noted by all that she was considerate and thoughtful to her elderly relatives, and to the friends and servants of her predecessor. Her girlish charm was attractive to those who were privileged to be about her, and its influence over her subjects was soon widespread. When within a month of her accession she appeared in the House of Lords to dissolve Parliament in accordance with the Law, she read her Speech, said Fanny Kemble, who was present, with splendid effect. This well-qualified judge observed that the Queen’s voice was exquisite, that her enunciation was as perfect as the intonation was melodious, and that it was impossible to hear more excellent utterance than that of the Queen’s English by the English Queen.
It is difficult always to remember that the writer of these Journals was at this epoch little more than a child, that she had been educated almost exclusively by women, and that she had lived on the whole a very solitary life, hampered by the unhappy conditions attached to a girl who possesses no brothers and sisters, and is in addition heir to a Throne. She was now suddenly thrown almost entirely among men, grave and old, all of whom were engaged in administering the complicated affairs of that Kingdom of which she was Queen. It is difficult to imagine a greater contrast. How rapidly the youthful Princess became a woman under the pressure of these extraordinary circumstances becomes clear from her Journals. They indicate a curious maturity, through which, however, there peeps occasionally the face and figure of a child.
CHAPTER VII
1837
Friday, 14th July.—Got up after 8. At ½ p. 9 I, Mamma, Lehzen, and Lady Flora breakfasted upstairs. Wrote, signed, &c. Saw Sir F. Watson, Col. Cavendish, Sir H. Wheatley, Stockmar. At a little after 11 saw Sir John Hobhouse[317] for a little while. He is a very clever and agreeable man. I saw him (where I shall see all the Ministers &c.) in the small room[318] which opens into my sitting-room. Wrote my journal. Dressed. At a few minutes to 2 I went with Mamma and the Duchess of Sutherland (in my carriage), Lady Charlemont and Lord Albemarle (in the next carriage), and Charles, Mary, and Lady Flora (in the other) to St. James’s. I was in full dress and wore the blue ribbon and star of the Garter, and the Garter round my arm. I was received in the same way as before. I went into the Throne Room, sat on the Throne, and received three Addresses in the same way as on Friday. Two of the Addresses were very fully attended and the room became intensely hot. I then put on the Mantle and Collar of the Garter (of dark blue velvet lined with white silk). Gave a few minutes audience to Lord Melbourne. I then went into the Throne Room (did not sit on the Throne), held a Chapter of the Garter and conferred that Order on Charles. Mamma, Charles and Mary went away immediately after this, but I remained and gave a long audience to Lord Melbourne, who read to me the Speech which I am to deliver when I prorogue Parliament. He reads so well and with so much good feeling. I am sorry to see him still looking ill. I then saw the Duke of Devonshire.[319] Came home with my two Ladies at ½ p. 4.
Saturday, 15th July.—At a few minutes p. 2 I went into one of the large drawing-rooms and held a Cabinet Council, at which were present all the Ministers. The Council lasted but a very short while. I then went into my Closet and received Lord Melbourne there. He stayed with me till 20 minutes to 4. He seemed and said he was better. He has such an honest, frank, and yet gentle manner. He talks so quietly. I always feel peculiarly satisfied when I have talked with him. I have great confidence in him. Saw the Duke of Argyll[320] and Lord Albemarle. At 10 minutes to 4 came Lord Palmerston and stayed about 20 minutes. He is a very clever and agreeable man. I then saw Lord Glenelg for a short while. Played and sang. Wrote my journal. At a ¼ to 8 I dined. Mamma being unwell did not come to dinner. Besides the people in the House which made with me 6,—Charles, Mary, the Duke of Sussex, Princess Sophia, the Duke of Norfolk, the Earl and Countess of Mulgrave, the Earl and Countess of Durham, the Earl of Liverpool and the Ladies Jenkinson, the Lord and the Equerry in Waiting, and Lord John Churchill[321] dined here. I sat between Uncle Sussex and the Duke of Norfolk. After dinner, at 10 o’clock came Thalberg,[322] the most famous pianist in the world! He played four things, all by heart. They were all Fantasias by him; (1) on The Preghiera of Mosé, (2) on “God save the King” and “Rule Britannia,” (3) on Norma, (4) on Les Huguenots. Never, never did I hear anything at all like him! He combines the most exquisite, delicate and touching feeling with the most wonderful and powerful execution! He is unique and I am quite in ecstasies and raptures with him. I sat quite near the piano and it is quite extraordinary to watch his hands, which are large, but fine and graceful. He draws tones and sounds from the piano which no one else can do. He is unique. He is quite young, about 25, small, delicate-looking, a very pleasing countenance, and extremely gentlemanlike. He is modest to a degree and very agreeable to talk to. J’étais en extase!...
Monday, 17th July.—Got up at 8. At ½ p. 9 we breakfasted. Saw Sir F. Watson and Col. Cavendish. Saw Stockmar. At ½ p. 1 I went in state to the House of Lords, with the Duchess of Sutherland and the Master of the Horse in my carriage, and Lady Lansdowne and Lady Mulgrave in another. Had I time I would give a very minute account of the whole, but as I have very little, I will only say what I feel I wish particularly to name. I went first to the Robing-room, but as there were so many people there I went to a Dressing-room where I put on the Robe which is enormously heavy. After this I entered the House of Lords preceded by all the Officers of State and Lord Melbourne bearing the Sword of State walking just before me. He stood quite close to me on the left-hand of the Throne, and I feel always a satisfaction to have him near me on such occasions, as he is such an honest, good, kind-hearted man and is my friend, I know it. The Lord Chancellor stood on my left. The house was very full and I felt somewhat (but very little) nervous before I read my speech, but it did very well, and I was happy to hear people were satisfied. I then unrobed in the Library and came home as I went, at 20 minutes p. 3....
Wednesday, 19th July.—Got up at ½ p. 8. At ½ p. 9 we breakfasted. Saw Sir F. Watson, Col. Cavendish, and Stockmar. At 20 minutes p. 11 came Lord Melbourne till a ¼ p. 12. Talked over many things. Dressed. At a ¼ p. 1 I went with the Duchess of Sutherland and Lady Portman in my carriage, to St. James’s. I received two addresses on the Throne and read answers to them. After that Col. Buckley[323] and Col. Wemyss kissed hands on being appointed Equerries, as also the Hon. William Cowper (nephew to Lord Melbourne) as Groom in Waiting. Also many others. I gave audiences to various foreign Ambassadors, amongst which were Count Orloff,[324] sent by the Emperor of Russia to compliment me. He presented me with a letter from the Empress of Russia accompanied by the Order of St. Catherine all set in diamonds. (I, of course, as I generally do every evening, wore the Garter.) The Levee began immediately after this and lasted till ½ p. 4 without one minute’s interruption. I had my hand kissed nearly 3000 times! I then held a Council, at which were present almost all the Ministers. After this I saw Lord Melbourne for a little while, and then Lord Palmerston....
Wednesday, 2nd August.— ... After dinner I sat on the sofa with the pretty amiable little Countess C. Pozzo di Borgo and Lady Salisbury,[325] and Count Pozzo di Borgo and Prince Auersperg[326] sat near us. Prince Auersperg is a very nice, good-looking young man, very quiet, good-humoured and retiring. Lady Seymour is certainly exceedingly beautiful; she has not the splendid eyes and fine expression of her sister Mrs. Norton, but altogether she is handsomest, and there is a sweetness and gentleness about her which neither Mrs. Norton nor Mrs. Blackwood have.[327] Stayed up till ½ p. 10....
Wednesday, 9th August.—Got up at a little after 8 and breakfasted at ½ p. 9. Saw Sir Frederic Watson and Col. Buckley. Began a letter to dear Uncle Leopold. Saw Stockmar. Finished my letter to Uncle Leopold and wrote my journal. At 7 minutes to 12 came Lord Melbourne and stayed till a ¼ to 2. Talked over many serious subjects. I’m somewhat anxious about the Elections but I trust in Heaven that we shall have a Majority for us, and that the present Government may remain firm for long. Lord Melbourne spoke so candidly, so disinterestedly, and so calmly about all this. Wrote my journal. Drew. At 3 came the Queen Adelaide’s sister, Ida, Duchess of Saxe-Weimar,[328] with 3 of her children. Her 2nd son, Edward, 14 years old, who was born here[329] and consequently is my subject, and her little girls, Anna and Amalie, 9 and 7 years old. Edward is a very nice boy. I stayed some time with them and then went down and drew in my room while Mamma took them into the garden....
Tuesday, 15th August.—Got up at ½ p. 8, and breakfasted in my own room at a ¼ to 10. Put on my habit and went with dear Lehzen, Miss Cavendish,[330] Lord Albemarle, Col. Cavendish, Col. Buckley and Stockmar, to the Mews, which are in the garden. The Riding-house is very large. Sir George Quentin and Mr. Fozard (who has a situation in my Stables) &c., were there. I had not ridden for 2 years! I first rode a bay horse, a delightful one called Ottoman, and cantered about a good while. I then tried for a minute another horse which I did not like so well. I then remounted Ottoman. After him I mounted a beautiful and very powerful but delightful grey horse, a Hanoverian, called Fearon. Miss Cavendish rode also the whole time; she rides very nicely. Came home at 20 minutes to 12. Mamma came into the School when I had been riding a little while....
Wednesday, 16th August.—Got up at ½ p. 8, and breakfasted before 10 in my own room. At ½ p. 10 I went to the Riding House with Mamma, Miss Cocks,[331] Miss Cavendish, dearest Lehzen, Col. Cavendish, and Col. Buckley. I rode 1st a horse called Rosa (not my poor little Rosa), then Monarch, rather a nice horse, then Emma, not a bad horse, then Fearon, my favourite, and lastly Emperor, a very nice chestnut horse. Mamma and my Maids of Honour also rode. Came home at 12. At 7 minutes past 1 came Lord Melbourne and stayed till a ¼ to 3....