dge are here, and the Queen is very
sorry to say, that from what she _sees_ and _hears_, she has reason to
fear all is _not_ as it _should_ be; _her_ mother is most _markedly_
civil and affectionate towards both the Duke and Duchess, and spoke
Politics with the former. The Queen will tell Lord Melbourne more
about this when she sees him.

The weather was beautiful yesterday, and the Queen had a _long_ drive
and _walk_, which have done her great good; it is still finer to-day.

[Footnote 82: Commissioner of Woods and Forests and Lord Privy
Seal.]

[Footnote 83: Sir J. Conroy, who had been Comptroller to
the Duchess of Kent, made certain claims which it was not
considered expedient to grant. He received a pension and a
baronetcy.]

[Pageheading: CANADA]

_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._

_30th December 1837._

... Lord Melbourne will do his utmost to compose these differences
respecting Canada and the Army,[84] but your Majesty must contemplate
the possibility, not to say the probability, of his not being able
to succeed. It will not do for the sake of temporary accommodation to
sacrifice the honour of your Majesty's Crown or the interests of your
Majesty's subjects.

[Footnote 84: _See_ Introductory Notes for 1837 and 1838, pp.
56 and 102. (to Ch. VI and Ch. VII)]

[Pageheading: STATE DEPARTMENTS]

_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._

_31st December 1837._

... Lord Melbourne has not yet been able to leave London. In order to
have a chance of arranging these troublesome affairs it is necessary
continually to see those who are principally engaged in them. From
a conversation which he has had this evening with Lord Howick, Lord
Melbourne has better hopes of producing a general agreement upon
Canadian affairs, but the question of the administration of the Army,
which is of less immediate importance, is of more difficulty. Your
Majesty knows the importance attached by the King of the Belgians to
this matter. The opinion of the Duke of Wellington is also strongly
against the projected alteration. On the other hand, five Cabinet
Ministers have pledged themselves to it by signing the report, and
consider themselves as having publicly undertaken to the House of
Commons that some such measure shall be proposed. Lord Melbourne has
asked for the opinions of Lord Hill[85] and Sir Hussey Vivian[86] in
writing. When Lord Melbourne receives them he must submit