I am certain you will have guessed the
cause of my silence. How much has taken place since Monday the 7th
to yesterday the 13th. You will have easily imagined how dreadful
the resignation of my Government--and particularly of that truly
inestimable and excellent man, Lord Melbourne--was for me, and you
will have felt for me! What I suffered I cannot describe! To have to
take people whom I should have no confidence in, ... was most painful
and disagreeable; but I felt I must do it, and made up my mind to
it--nobly advised and supported by Lord Melbourne, whose character
seems to me still more perfect and noble since I have gone through all
this.

I sent for the Duke of Wellington, who referred me to Peel, whom I
accordingly saw.

Everything fair and just I assented to, even to having Lord Lyndhurst
as Chancellor, and Sir H. Hardinge and Lord Ellenborough in the
Cabinet; I insisted upon the Duke in the Foreign Office, instead
of Lord Aberdeen.... All this I granted, as also to give up all the
Officers of State and all those of my Household who are in Parliament.

When to my utter astonishment he asked me to change my Ladies--my
principal Ladies!--this I of course refused; and he upon _this
resigned_, saying, as he felt he should be beat the very first night
upon the Speaker, and having to begin with a minority, that unless he
had this demonstration of my confidence he could not go on!

You will easily imagine that I firmly resisted this attack upon my
power, from these people who pride themselves upon upholding the
prerogative! I acted quite alone, but I have been, and shall be,
supported by my country, who are very enthusiastic about it, and
loudly cheered me on going to church on Sunday. My Government have
nobly stood by me, and have resumed their posts, strengthened by the
feelings of the country....

Pray tell my dearest Aunt that I really cannot write to her to-day,
for you have no conception of what I have to do, for there are balls,
concerts, and dinners all going on besides. Adieu! my beloved Uncle.
Ever your devoted Niece,

VICTORIA R.

[Pageheading: APPROVAL OF KING LEOPOLD]

_The King of the Belgians to Queen Victoria._

LAEKEN, _17th May 1839._

MY DEAREST VICTORIA,--I feel deeply grateful for your very kind and
interesting letter, which reached me yesterday, inclusive of the
papers.

You have passed a time of great agitation and difficulty, which will,
however, contribute to enlarge th