his deep sense of your Majesty's goodness
towards him. It is his fervent prayer that your Majesty may enjoy a
long and happy reign.

_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._

SOUTH STREET, _28th August 1841._

... Your Majesty must, of course, consider us as having tendered
our resignations immediately after the vote of last night, and your
Majesty will probably think it right to request us to continue to hold
our offices and transact the current business until our successors are
appointed.

Lord Melbourne will have the honour of writing again to your Majesty
in the course of the day.

[Pageheading: THE RESIGNATION]

_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._

WINDSOR CASTLE, _28th August 1841._

... Albert will not stay for the dinner, and I expect him back at
about eleven to-night. He went at half-past eleven this morning. It is
the first time that we have ever been separated for so long since our
marriage, and I am quite melancholy about it.

You will forgive me if I mention it to you, but I understand that the
Queen Dowager has been somewhat offended at your not taking leave of
her when she came here, and at your not answering her, when she
wrote to you. Perhaps you would write to her and soften and smoothen
matters. She did not the least expect you to come to her. Believe me
always, your most devoted Niece,

VICTORIA R.

_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._

SOUTH STREET, _28th August 1841._

Lord Melbourne presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and begs to
acknowledge gratefully the communication which he has just received
from your Majesty. Lord Melbourne feels certain that your Majesty's
sense and firmness will enable your Majesty to bear up under this
which your Majesty names a severe trial. The kindness of your
Majesty's expressions emboldens Lord Melbourne to say that he also
feels deeply the pain of separation from a service, which has now for
four years and more been no less his pleasure than his pride.

Lord Melbourne would have been anxious to have waited upon your
Majesty to-day, but he feels that his presence is in some degree
material at a meeting, at which not only the present situation of your
Majesty's servants, but also their future conduct and prospects, will
be considered.

Lord Melbourne is sure that your Majesty will at once perceive that
it would not have a good appearance if he were to return to Windsor
immediately after having announced his re