had so much to do and so many people to see, that I feel quite
confused, and have written shockingly, which you must forgive. Ever
your devoted Niece,

VICTORIA R.

[Footnote 55: On 27th August.]

[Pageheading: THE QUEEN'S SPEECH]

_Queen Victoria to Viscount Melbourne._

BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _26 August 1839._ (_10 minutes to 12._)

The Queen has received both Lord Melbourne's notes; she was a good
deal vexed at his not coming, as she had begged him herself to do so,
and as he wrote to say he would, and also as she thinks it right and
of importance that Lord Melbourne should be here at large dinners; the
Queen _insists_ upon his coming to dinner to-morrow, and also begs him
to do so on Wednesday, her two last nights in town, and as she will
probably not see him at all for two days when she goes on Friday;
the Queen would wish to see Lord Melbourne _after_ the Prorogation
to-morrow at any hour _before_ five he likes best.

The Queen has been a good deal annoyed this evening at Normanby's
telling her that John Russell was coming to town next Monday in order
to _change_ with _him_.[56] Lord Melbourne _never_ told the Queen that
this was definitely settled; on the contrary, he said it would "remain
in our hands," to use Lord Melbourne's own words, and only be settled
during the Vacation; considering all that the Queen has said on the
subject to Lord Melbourne, and considering the great confidence the
Queen has in Lord Melbourne, she thinks and feels he ought to have
told her that this was _settled_, and not let the Queen be the
last person to hear what is settled and done in her own name; Lord
Melbourne will excuse the Queen's being a little eager about this, but
it has happened once before that she learnt from other people what had
been decided on.

The Queen has such unlimited confidence in Lord Melbourne that she
knows all that he does is right, but she cannot help being a little
vexed at not being told things, when she is accustomed to great
confidence on Lord Melbourne's part.

Lord Melbourne may rely on the Queen's secrecy respecting Howick; he
knows the Queen always keeps things to herself; Normanby hinted at his
wish to get rid of Howick.

The Speech is safely arrived, has been read over twice, and shall not
be forgotten to-morrow; the Queen wishes they would not use such thin
and slippery paper--for it is difficult to hold with nervous, and, as
Lord Melbourne knows, _shaking_ hands. The Quee