barrassed. Strange faces are apt to give the
idea of ill humour....

Lord Melbourne anxiously hopes that your Majesty is well and happy
to-day.

_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._

SOUTH STREET, _5th September 1841._

Lord Melbourne presents his humble duty to your Majesty. Your Majesty
may depend upon it, that if Lord Melbourne hears anything respecting
your Majesty, which it appears to him to be important or advantageous,
that your Majesty should know, Lord Melbourne will not fail to convey
it to your Majesty.

Lord Melbourne encloses the exact names of the two gentlemen to whom
Knighthood has been promised by your Majesty....

Your Majesty is very good, very good indeed, to think of doing what
your Majesty mentions for Fanny; but Lord Melbourne fears that it
would hardly suit with their present situation, or with the comfort of
their domestic life. But Lord Melbourne mentioned the matter yesterday
to his sister, and he encloses the letter which she has written to him
this morning, after reflecting upon the subject. By that letter your
Majesty will perceive that Jocelyn is not so much in debt, as Lord
Melbourne's letter had led your Majesty to suppose....

Lord B---- is a very old friend of Lord Melbourne's. They were at Eton
together, and intimate there. He is a gentlemanly man and a good man,
but not very agreeable. Few of the P----s are, and very bitter in
politics; but still Lord Melbourne is glad, for old acquaintance'
sake, that your Majesty has taken him. Lord Melbourne must again
repeat that when he writes with so much freedom about individual
characters, it is only to put your Majesty in possession of what he
knows respecting them, and not with a view of inducing your Majesty to
object to their being appointed....

Might not Fanny have the Bedchamber Woman's place? It would be a help
to her, and would not take her away from home. This only strikes Lord
Melbourne as he is writing.

[Pageheading: MELBOURNE ON PEEL]

_6th September 1841._

Lord Melbourne wrote the above yesterday, but had no opportunity of
sending it, as there was no post. Lord Melbourne has since seen Lady
Palmerston, and finds that his last suggestion about Fanny will not
do.

Lord Melbourne encloses Lady Palmerston's two notes upon the subject,
which will explain to your Majesty what she wishes. But if Jocelyn is
himself to get a place, this will be a better arrangement, and puts an
end to all the others.