blic service on the part of his
Sovereign.

Sir Robert Peel humbly hopes that your Majesty will not disapprove of
the use which he made of a confidential note from your Majesty.

As your Majesty kindly permitted Sir Robert Peel to send occasionally
letters to your Majesty of a private rather than a public character,
he ventures to enclose one from the Duke of Wellington on the subject
of the appointment of Governor-General.

Sir Robert Peel had observed to the Duke of Wellington that he
had great confidence in Lord Ellenborough's integrity, unremitting
industry, and intimate knowledge of Indian affairs; that his only
fear was that Lord Ellenborough might err from _over-activity_ and
eagerness--but that he hoped his tendency to hasty decisions would be
checked by the experience and mature judgment of Indian advisers on
the spot.

The Duke of Wellington's comments have reference to these observations
of Sir Robert Peel. Your Majesty will nevertheless perceive that the
Duke considers, upon the whole, "that Lord Ellenborough is better
qualified than any man in England for the office of Governor-General."

[Footnote 122: He was Joint Chief Clerk of the Pleas in the
Queen's Bench, a sinecure conferred on him by his father, who
was Lord Chief Justice of the King's Bench, 1802-1818.]

[Pageheading: AFFAIRS IN SPAIN]

_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._

WINDSOR CASTLE, _12th October 1841._

MY DEAREST UNCLE,--- ... Respecting the Spanish affairs,[123] I can
give you perfectly satisfactory intelligence concerning the Infants'
return. Espartero sees them return with the greatest regret, but said
he felt he could not prevent them from doing so. If, however, they
should be found to intrigue at all, they will not be allowed to
remain. Respecting a marriage with the eldest son of Dona Carlotta, I
know _positively_ that Espartero _never_ would _hear_ of it; but, on
the other hand, he is equally strongly opposed to poor little Isabel
marrying any French Prince, and I must add that _we_ could _never
allow that_. You will see that I have given you a frank and fair
account....

[Footnote 123: The Queen-mother, who was living in Paris, had
been deprived by a vote of the Cortes of the guardianship of
the young Queen, Isabella II., and risings in her interest now
took place at Pampeluna and Vittoria. On the 7th October, a
bold attempt was made at Madrid to storm the Palace and ge