uctions and _tried_ to get the _lowest_
terms he could.... The attack and storming of the Chorempee Forts on
the 7th of January was very gallantly done by the Marines, and immense
destruction of the Chinese took place.[10] The accounts of the cruelty
of the Chinese to one another are horrible. Albert is so much amused
at my having got the Island of Hong Kong, and we think Victoria ought
to be called Princess of Hong Kong in addition to Princess Royal.

She drives out every day in a close carriage with the window open,
since she has been here, which does her worlds of good, and she is to
have a _walk_ to-day.

Stockmar writes me word that Charlotte[11] is quite beautiful. _I_ am
very jealous.

I think Vecto quite right not to travel without Nemours; for it would
look just as if she was unhappy, and ran to her parents for help. I
am sure _if_ Albert ever should be away (which, however, _will_ and
_shall never_ happen, for I would go with him even if he was to go
to the _North Pole_), I should never think of travelling; but I can't
make mamma understand this. Now farewell. Ever your devoted Niece,

VICTORIA R.

[Footnote 9: They were both cousins of Lord Minto, the First
Lord of the Admiralty.]

[Footnote 10: Commodore Bremer very speedily reduced some of
the forts, but his further operations were stopped.]

[Footnote 11: Daughter of King Leopold, who married in
1857 the Archduke Ferdinand of Austria (afterwards Emperor
Maximilian of Mexico).]

[Pageheading: LORD CARDIGAN]

[Pageheading: ARMY DISCIPLINE]

_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._

_24th April 1841._

Lord Melbourne presents his humble duty to your Majesty. Mr
Labouchere[12] has desired that the five-pound piece which is about
to be issued from the Mint should be submitted for your Majesty's
inspection and approbation.

We have had under our consideration at the Cabinet the unfortunate
subject of the conduct of Lord Cardigan.[13] The public feeling upon
it is very strong, and it is almost certain that a Motion will be made
in the House of Commons for an Address praying your Majesty to remove
him from the command of his regiment. Such a Motion, if made, there is
very little chance of resisting with success, and nothing is more to
be apprehended and deprecated than such an interference of the House
of Commons with the interior discipline and government of the Army.
It was also felt that the general order iss