It is certainly, as your Majesty says, wrong to
be impatient and to repine at everything, but still it is difficult
not to be so. Lady Uxbridge's death[9] is a shocking event, a
dreadful loss to him and to all. Lord Melbourne always liked her. Lord
Melbourne is going down to Brocket Hall to-morrow, and will try to get
Uxbridge and the girls to come over and dine.

Lord Melbourne has felt very much for the grief which your Majesty
must feel at a separation, even short and temporary, from the Prince,
and it is extremely amiable to feel comforted by the recollection
of the extreme pleasure which his visit will give to his and your
Majesty's relations. It is, of course, 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.

[Footnote 9: Henrietta Maria, daughter of Sir Charles Bagot,
G.C.B.]

[Pageheading: RECALL OF LORD ELLENBOROUGH]

_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.[10]

[Footnote 10: 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.]

_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