e the measure, but declared that it
might have been avoided if the course which we had proposed had been
taken. In the debate Lord Melbourne argued as strongly as he could in
favour of the tax, and ended by declaring that if it was imposed, he
could not pledge himself for the future against maintaining and even
extending it. Lord Melbourne is anxious to make this explanation of
his conduct to your Majesty, and hopes therefore that your Majesty
will forgive his writing thus much upon this subject. Lord Melbourne
very much lamented that the business did not terminate as amiably as
it began, and that a contest should have been got into respecting the
third reading of the Bill; but considering that the measure had passed
by accident through its first stages without any debate, and that
there were Lords who were still desirous of speaking upon it, it was
imprudent of the Ministers not at once to give another day for that
purpose, especially as they were sure to be compelled to do so by
repeated motions of adjournment.

The feelings which your Majesty expresses upon the conviction of this
man[41] are natural, and such as must arise in your Majesty's bosom;
but Lord Melbourne knows very well that your Majesty will at once see
the necessity of not yielding to your own feelings, and of leaving the
issue entirely in the hands of your advisers.

Without any reference to personal or particular circumstances, without
adverting to your Majesty's age, sex, qualities mental or personal,
without attending to any sentiments of attachment or affection which
may be felt for your Majesty's person, it must be remembered that your
Majesty's life is, from the position which you occupy and the office
which you fill, the most important life in these realms; it is also
too clear that it is the most exposed life in the country, the life
the most obnoxious[42] to danger; and therefore it is a duty to throw
around it every protection which the law and the execution of the law
can afford.

Lord Melbourne was sure that your Majesty, being fond of speed, would
be delighted with the railway. Lord Melbourne hopes that your Majesty
was not much affected by the heat, which he feared that you would be.

Has your Majesty read the last volume of Madame D'Arblay's (Miss
Burney) Diary, which contains the account of her service in the family
of George III.?[43] It is a curious [work], gives a curious account of
the _interieur_, and shows the King and Queen a