ajesty's present
Servants, and thus to enable them to surmount those difficulties,
which have recently compelled them humbly to tender their resignations
to Her Majesty, and which he fears will be found not to have been
diminished by the course it has now been determined to pursue.

In humbly submitting this opinion to Her Majesty, Viscount Howick begs
permission to add that he nevertheless acquiesces in the determination
of his colleagues, and will render them the best assistance in his
power in their endeavour to carry on Her Majesty's service.

[Pageheading: MELBOURNE RESUMES OFFICE]

_Queen Victoria to Viscount Melbourne._

BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _11th May 1839._

The Queen is very anxious to hear that Lord Melbourne has not suffered
from the ball last night, as it was very hot at first. The beginning
was rather dull and heavy, but after supper it got very animated, and
we kept it up till a quarter past three; the Queen enjoyed herself
very much and isn't at all tired; she felt much the kindness of many
of her kind friends, who are her _only real_ friends. Lady Cowper and
Lord and Lady Minto, the Duchess of Somerset, and Lord Anglesey were
particularly kind. On the other hand, there were some gloomy faces to
be seen, and the Duchess of Gloucester was very cross.

The Queen is ashamed to say it, but she has forgotten _when_ she
appointed the Judge Advocate; when will the Cabinet be over?

The Queen danced the first and the last dance with the Grand Duke,[42]
made him sit near her, and tried to be very civil to him, and I
think we are great friends already and get on very well; I like him
exceedingly.

[Footnote 42: The Hereditary Grand Duke of Russia, afterwards
the Emperor Alexander II.]

_Queen Victoria to Viscount Melbourne._

BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _12th May 1839._

The Queen anxiously hopes Lord Melbourne is quite well this morning,
and has _not_ suffered from the dinner at Pozzo's.

The Queen wishes to know if she ought to say anything to the Duchess,
of the noble manner in which her Government mean to stand by her? The
account in the _Observer_ of the whole proceeding is the most correct
both as to details and facts, that the Queen has yet seen; were they
told what to put in? There was considerable applause when the Queen
entered the Theatre, which she, however, thought best and most
delicate not to encourage, and she was cheered when she drove up to
the Theatre and got out, which