ich it is impossible not to contemplate with a
certain degree of anxiety.

Adieu! my dear Uncle. Give my love to my dear Aunt, and believe me,
always, your most devoted Niece,

VICTORIA R.

[Footnote 11: See _ante_, p. 65. (12th April, 1837)]

[Footnote 12: The twenty-four Articles, to which Belgium
had acceded in 1831, had then been rejected by Holland. Now,
however, Holland wished to adopt them. The Belgian Government
vainly proposed different schemes, but at last the Bill for
ratifying the proposal of the Powers (made 23rd January 1839,
and accepted by Holland on 11th February) passed the Belgian
Chambers.]

[Footnote 13: The Queen opened Parliament in person on 6th
February.]

[Pageheading: CABINET DISSENSION]

_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._

_10th February 1839._

Lord Melbourne presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and thinks
it right and necessary to acquaint your Majesty that the Cabinet
yesterday was very stormy and unpleasant. Lord John Russell brought on
the question of the Civil Government of the Army, in a temperate and
judicious manner, but Lord Howick made a most violent speech, strongly
condemning the whole of the present system and arraigning the conduct
of the Treasury and other Departments, saying that he should not throw
up his office because no measure was brought forward, but that, when
questioned upon the subject by Mr Hume in the House of Commons, as it
was certain that he would be, he should say that Government would do
nothing upon the subject, until he (Mr Hume) compelled them, and that
he should express his entire disapprobation of the present system,
and his reasons in detail for that disapprobation. Your Majesty will
perceive that nothing could be more violent than this course. It was
borne with great patience by the rest of the Cabinet, although Mr.
Rice,[14] against whom the greater part of Lord Howick's speech was
directed, felt himself most deeply hurt, and so expressed himself in
private afterwards to Lord Melbourne. Upon the whole, Lord Melbourne
cannot but consider that affairs are in a most precarious state, and
that whilst there is so much discontent fermenting within the Cabinet
itself, there must be great doubt of Lord Melbourne's being much
longer able to hold the Administration together.

[Footnote 14: The Chancellor of the Exchequer.]

_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._

_10th February