in Europe. Now I will leave you to enjoy the beginning of
Spring, which a mild rain seems to push on prodigiously. Believe me
ever, my dear Victoria, your very attached Uncle,

LEOPOLD R.

[Pageheading: JAMAICA]

_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._

_26th April 1839._

Lord Melbourne presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and begs to
inform your Majesty that the result of the Cabinet has been a decision
to stand by the Bill as we have introduced it, and not to accede to
Sir Robert Peel's proposal. The Bill is for suspending the functions
of the Legislative Assembly of Jamaica, and governing that island for
five years by a Governor and Council.[28] If Sir Robert Peel should
persist in his proposal, and a majority of the House of Commons should
concur with him, it will be such a mark of want of confidence as it
will be impossible for your Majesty's Government to submit to.

[Footnote 28: _See_ Introductory Note, _ante_, p. 141. ( to Ch. VIII)]

_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._

BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _30th April 1839._

MY DEAR UNCLE,--I have to thank you for your last letter, which
I received on Sunday. Though you seem not to dislike my political
sparks, I think it is better not to increase them, as they might
finally take fire, particularly as I see with regret that upon this
one subject we cannot agree. I shall therefore limit myself to my
expressions of very sincere wishes for the welfare and prosperity of
Belgium.

The Grand Duke,[29] after a long delay, is at length to arrive on
Friday night; I shall put myself out of my way in order to be very
civil to such a great personage. I am already thinking how I shall
lodge all my relations; you must prepare Uncle Ferdinand for its not
being _very ample_, but this Palace, though large, is not calculated
to hold many visitors....

Believe me, always, your very affectionate Niece,

VICTORIA R.

[Footnote 29: The Hereditary Grand Duke of Russia, afterwards
the Emperor Alexander II.]

[Pageheading: MINISTERIAL CRISIS]

_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._

_7th May 1839._

Lord Melbourne presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and has to
acquaint your Majesty that the division upon the Jamaica Bill, which
took place about two this morning, was two hundred and ninety-nine
against the measure, and three hundred and four in favour of it.[30]
Lord Melbourne has not heard from Lord John Russell since this