he Queen, he thinks, has a perfect right to exercise her
judgment upon the selection of all persons recommended to Her Majesty
for Household appointments, both as to liking, but chiefly as to their
character and as to the character of the husband or wife of the person
selected. He would advise the Queen to adopt the course which King
William did with Lord Melbourne in 1835, viz. desiring Lord Melbourne,
before His Majesty approved of any appointments, to send a list of
those proposed even to the members of every Board, and the King having
them all before him expressed his objections to certain persons, which
Lord Melbourne yielded to.

Told Lord Melbourne that the Prince wished him to impress upon the
Queen's mind not to act upon the approaching crisis without the
Prince, because she would not be able to go through difficulties by
herself, and the Prince would not be able to help her when he was
ignorant of the considerations which had influenced her actions. He
would wish Lord Melbourne when with the Queen to call in the Prince,
in order that they might both be set right upon Lord Melbourne's
opinions, that he might express in the presence of each other his
views, in order that he should not convey different impressions by
speaking to them separately, so that _they_ might act in concert.

The Prince says the Queen always sees what is right at a glance, but
if her feelings run contrary she avoids the Prince's arguments, which
she feels sure agree with her own, and seeks arguments to support her
wishes against her convictions from other people.

[Pageheading: DISSOLUTION OR RESIGNATION]

_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._

SOUTH STREET, _7th May 1841._

Lord Melbourne presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and laments
much the prospect that lies before us, more especially as it is so
repugnant to your Majesty's feelings. Your Majesty has often observed
that these events must come in the course of affairs at some moment or
another, but Lord Melbourne knows not whether it is much consolation
to reflect that what is very disagreeable is also natural and
unavoidable. Lord Melbourne feels certain that your Majesty will
consider the situation calmly and impartially, will do that which
shall appear the best for your own interests and those of the country,
which are identical.

Everything shall be done that can be; the questions which may arise
shall be considered well, and upon as full information as can