H.R.H. The Duchess of Kent
from a portrait by Stone
INTRODUCTORY NOTE TO CHAPTER IX
The early months of the year 1838 found Lord Melbourne’s Government in considerable difficulties. For legislative purposes the Parliamentary majority was impotent. It was just able to keep the Ministry afloat. “The Queen,” wrote Lord Palmerston, “is as steady to us as ever, and was in the depth of despair when she thought we were in danger of being turned out.”
This was a year of grave trouble in Canada, but, as it turned out, a year full of promise for the subsequent welfare of that great Dominion, and for her connection with the Mother-country. The Queen was undoubtedly attracted by Lord Durham, the Governor-General, who, although impulsive and impatient of restraint, possessed charms of manner and appearance, together with intellectual gifts, which rendered his personality agreeable to those with whom he was brought in contact. The Queen showed great kindness to him and Lady Durham before their departure for Canada. She regretted his return, and was grieved by the quarrel between him and her Ministers.
Although during this year the Queen was in the habit of taking long rides into the country, which were found to be very beneficial to her health, she worked hard, and she laboriously read, under Lord Melbourne’s guidance, masses of despatches and correspondence. At no time during her reign was she more persistent in following the course of public business.
She was now brought a good deal into contact with Lord Palmerston, and was undoubtedly attracted by his great gifts, although at a later period of her reign his administrative methods and high-handed independence occasioned her much anxiety and led to strong remonstrance.
In the month of April, King Leopold was engaged in suggesting to the Queen the possibility of a union between her and Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg. He wrote constantly to her upon this topic, laying stress upon the young Prince’s goodness and distinction, and upon his great anxiety to see his intellectual and moral training perfected under the auspices of Baron Stockmar.
In the course of the spring the preparations for the Queen’s Coronation were commenced, and she took keen interest in the detail of that ceremonial. It was a somewhat delicate matter to avoid having to invite her Uncle King Leopold and Queen Louise, but a hint having been dropped to the King of the Belgians, he speedily realised that the custom of not including crowned heads in the invitations to a Coronation was sound and worth preserving. “On mature reflection,” he wrote, “I think that a King and Queen at your dear Coronation might perhaps be a hors d’œuvre.” To this view the Queen graciously assented.
CHAPTER IX
1838
Tuesday, 6th March.—It was Mr. Bulwer’s play of The Lady of Lyons; and we came in very soon after the beginning. I think the play acts well, and I like it. Macready acted well as Claude Melnotte, Bartley[406] was very good as Damas; and Meadows[407] as Glavis. Mr. Elton[408] acted fairly enough as the wicked Beauséant.
Wednesday, 7th March.—Dressed for riding. At a few m. p. 12 I rode out with Lord Conyngham, Lord Uxbridge, dear Lehzen, Miss Cavendish, Col. Cavendish, and Sir G. Quentin and Mr. Fozard. I mounted in the garden just under the terrace in order that nobody should know I was going to ride out. I rode my dear favourite Tartar who went perfectly and most delightfully, never shying, never starting through all the very noisy streets, rattling omnibuses—carts—carriages, &c., &c. I quite love him. We rode out through the garden, through the gate on Constitution Hill; round the park by the water, out at the new gate, by Lord Hill’s former villa, a good way on the Harrow Road, I should say within 4 or 5 miles of Harrow—then down a pretty narrow lane where one could fancy oneself 2 or 300 miles from London, out by Willesden Field (where I had never been), and Kilburn, down the Edgware Road—Connaught Place, through omnibuses, carts, &c., &c., in at Cumberland Gate, galloped up to Hyde Park Corner—and in at the same garden gate at Constitution Hill, and safely to the Palace at 10 m. to 3. It was a lovely day, a beautiful and delicious ride, and I have come home quite charmed and delighted. I rode between Lord Conyngham and Col. Cavendish the whole way. Dearest Lehzen rode Rosa and felt all the better for the ride. Wrote my journal. Signed. Walked about. At ½ p. 4 came my kind and excellent Lord Melbourne and stayed with me till 20 m. p. 5. He spoke to me about my ride; said he had just come from the Cabinet, which was about these Canadian prisoners[409]; viz. what is to be done with them; the revolt being put down they cannot be tried by Martial Law, and there is great difficulty as to what is to be done with them. I said to Lord Melbourne I hoped he was not tired from last night; he said not at all. He said: “I am not quite so sure of to-night; I think we shall carry it, but you must not be surprised if it should be the other way.” I coloured very much at this honest, frank avowal of our fears, from this best and kindest of friends; and tears were nearer than words to me at that moment....
Tuesday, 13th March.—I asked Lord Melbourne what was to take place concerning Slavery to-night.[410] Lord Melbourne then pulled out of his pocket the Bill or Act which is to be read to-night; he read to me the principal Heads of it explaining to me each part in the most clear and agreeable manner possible. I shall not have time or space to explain or name each head here, but before I do any, I must just observe that the necessity of this Act shows how shockingly cruel and cheating the Masters of the Slaves are, attempting to evade in every possible way what they are told to do, and what, as the Laws cannot be enforced on the spot, must be done by an Act of Parliament here.
Wednesday, 14th March.— ... I asked Lord Melbourne how he liked my dress. He said he thought it “very pretty” and that “it did very well.” He is so natural and funny and nice about toilette and has a very good taste I think....
Saturday, 17th March.—Spoke of the Cabinet, which was just over; he said that they had been speaking about the Coronation in the Cabinet; and they all thought that it would be best to have it about the 25th or 26th of June, as it would end the Parliament well and make a good break; that it would be best to have it like William IV.’s, which would be less long. I of course agreed to this....
Wednesday, 21st March.—Heard from Lord Melbourne that “the House sat till ½ past eleven last night. Lord Stanhope made a long declamatory speech, very violent, but having in it nothing defined or specific, and was answered by Lord Brougham in a most able and triumphant defence and maintenance of the late Act for amending the laws for the relief of the Poor. Lord Melbourne was very sorry to be prevented from waiting upon Your Majesty. He is very grateful for Your Majesty’s enquiries and feels very well this morning....” Spoke of Portugal; Lord Melbourne was very much pleased with the good news, and with the Queen’s conduct.[411] I then saw Lord Palmerston, who was in high spirits at the good news from Portugal. The Levée was over at 3. I then went for a moment to the dressing-room to ease my head, as my diadem (which Lord Melbourne thought “very handsome”) hurt me so dreadfully. After this I invested (in the Closet) the Marquis of Breadalbane[412] with the Order of the Thistle; Sir Thomas Bradford[413] with the Grand Cross of the Bath; and Lord Burghersh[414] and General Donald McLeod were made Knights Commanders of the Order of the Bath. My Ladies, my whole Household and all the Ministers were present at this ceremony.