LANDSEER]

_Sir Robert Peel to Queen Victoria._

WHITEHALL, _27th May 1842._

... Sir Robert Peel humbly submits his opinion to your Majesty that
Mr Landseer's eminence as an artist would fully justify his having
the honour of Knighthood, and would not give any legitimate ground of
complaint to any other artist on account of a similar distinction not
being conferred on him.

Sir Robert Peel proposes therefore to write to Mr Landseer on the
subject, as your Majesty's opinion appears to be in favour of his name
appearing with the others, should he wish for the distinction....

_Queen Victoria to Viscount Melbourne._

BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _28th May 1842._

The Queen is quite vexed at having been quite unable to write to Lord
Melbourne sooner, but we have been so occupied that she could not. She
was so vexed too to have not had her head turned the other way when
she met him yesterday, but she was looking at the Prince, her Uncle,
and Cousins riding, and only turned to see Lord Melbourne's groom whom
she instantly recognised, but too late, alas! The Queen spent a
very merry, happy birthday at dear old Claremont, and we finished by
dancing in the gallery. She was grieved Lord Melbourne could not be
there.

We have got our dear Uncle Mensdorff[33] and his four sons here, which
is a great happiness to us. Dear Uncle (who Lord Melbourne is aware is
a _most_ distinguished officer) is a delightful and amiable old man,
and the sons are all so nice and amiable and kind and good; Lord
Melbourne remembers seeing Alexander here in 1839, and that the
Queen was very partial to him. The two eldest and the youngest--Hugo,
Alphonse, and Arthur--are all amiable, though none near so
good-looking, but so very well brought up and so unassuming. The
second is very clever. And it is quite beautiful to see the love the
father has for his sons, and _vice versa_--and the affection the four
brothers have for one another; this is so rarely seen that it does
one's heart good to witness it. The Queen has appointed the Duchess of
Norfolk in Lady Lyttelton's place, and intends appointing Lady Canning
in Lady Dalhousie's, who has resigned from ill-health.

Lady Lyttelton _is_ established here in her new office, and does
everything admirably.

The Queen must conclude here as she has got so much to do--hoping Lord
Melbourne is well.

[Footnote 33: _See_ p. 97.]

[Pageheading: LANDSEER DECLINES KNIGHTHOOD]

_Sir Robert Pee