ions with the British territory.

From other quarters the reports are equally favourable. The successful
advance of a division commanded by Brigadier-General England may be
regarded as ensuring the safety of the force at Candahar.

In the Indian Dominions and in the native Army the best spirit
prevails.

All of which is most humbly submitted to your Majesty, by your
Majesty's most dutiful Subject and Servant,

FITZGERALD AND VESCI.

[Pageheading: BEAN'S ATTEMPT ON THE QUEEN]

_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._

SOUTH STREET, _4th July 1842._

Lord Melbourne presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and is
anxious to express his earnest hope that your Majesty is well and
not disturbed by the event[45] which took place yesterday, and
which, although it appears not to have been dangerous in itself, is
formidable as affording additional evidence of the ease with which
persons of the lower orders can incite themselves, or be incited by
others, to the contemplation and commission of such acts. The only
observation that can be made upon these attempts is, that hitherto
they appear to have been made by those who have not the means of
executing their own wicked designs, and that they are not marked by
the same determination and the same long and ferocious preparation
which characterised in France the conduct of Fieschi and Alibaud.[46]
Lord Melbourne is not of opinion that the extension of mercy to
Francis--which from what Lord Melbourne hears of the opinion of the
judges he apprehends to have been unavoidable--could have had any
effect in encouraging this man to a similar act; at the same time it
is impossible to say what may have had an effect upon the mind, and
we can only collect the intentions of men from the deeds which they
perform.

Lord Melbourne thanks your Majesty much for your letter of the 26th
ult. Lord Melbourne again expresses his fervent wishes for your
Majesty's health, safety, and tranquillity of mind.

[Footnote 45: Bean, a deformed lad, presented a pistol at the
Queen in the Mall.]

[Footnote 46: The perpetrators of attempts on King Louis
Philippe.]

[Pageheading: DEATH OF THE DUKE OF ORLEANS]

_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._

CLAREMONT, _14th July 1842._

MY DEAREST UNCLE,--These two horrible news of poor dear Chartres'[47]
fatal accident have quite overcome us. It is the most dreadful
misfortune I ever remember, and will be felt everyw