and embark that same
day. We have the children here. We went to the Undercliff--Ventnor,
Bonchurch, etc.--on Monday, and were much delighted with all we saw.
We had a visit from the King of Holland last week, who is grown old,
but otherwise just the same as he used to be.

The Queen joins with Lord Melbourne in unfeigned satisfaction at the
success of the Irish measures, after so much factious opposition. Lord
Grey's death[20] will have shocked Lord Melbourne, as it has us. Poor
Lord Dunmore's death is a very shocking event. The Prince wishes to be
most kindly remembered to Lord Melbourne.

[Footnote 20: Charles, second Earl Grey, had been Prime
Minister, 1830-1834.]

[Pageheading: THE SOVEREIGN'S ABSENCE]

_Sir Robert Peel to Queen Victoria._

WHITEHALL, _6th August 1845._

Sir Robert Peel presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and begs
leave to acquaint your Majesty that in the course of a long speech
made by Lord John Russell last night, reviewing the policy of the
Government and the proceedings of the Session, Lord John expressed
himself strongly on the subject of your Majesty's absence from
the country, without provision made for the exercise of the Royal
authority by the appointment of Lords Justices.

Sir Robert Peel thinks it very probable that a motion will be made
upon the subject in the course of the next Session--particularly in
the event of any occurrence during your Majesty's absence, which might
cause public inconvenience from the want of immediate access to the
Royal authority, or compel any assumption of power on the part of your
Majesty's servants of a questionable character.

The present Law Officers of the Crown were rather startled at the
intention of departing from the precedent of George IV.'s reign, on
seeing the legal opinions of their predecessors; they did not differ
from the _legal_ doctrines laid down by them, but were not very well
satisfied on the point of discretion and policy.

Sir Robert Peel feels it to be his duty to state to your Majesty
what has passed on this subject, and to apprize your Majesty of the
possibility of a question being hereafter raised in Parliament upon
it.

Sir Robert Peel thinks that in the case of a short absence, and
a distance not precluding easy and rapid communication with your
Majesty, the appointment of Lords Justices may be dispensed with; but
he is humbly of opinion that were the distance greater or the period
of absence l