Physicians and
Chaplains, which used to be very badly managed formerly, and who were
appointed in a very careless manner; but since the Queen's accession
the Physicians and Chaplains have been appointed only for merit and
abilities, by the Queen herself, which the Queen is certain Sir Robert
Peel will at once see is a far better way, and one which must be of
use in every way. Sir Robert Peel may also tell Lord De la Warr that
it is unnecessary for him to appear in uniform, as the Queen
always dispenses with this in the country. This applies also to the
Ministers, who the Queen does not expect or wish should appear in
uniform at Councils which are held in the country. The Queen concludes
that it will be necessary to hold a Council some time next week to
swear in some of the new Officers who are not Privy Councillors; but
Sir Robert Peel will be able to tell the Queen when he thinks this
will be necessary.

[Footnote 89: See _ante_, p 156.(Ch. VIII, 7th May, 1839)]

[Pageheading: DIPLOMATIC APPOINTMENTS]

_Queen Victoria to Sir Robert Peel._

_8th September 1841._

There is a subject which the Queen wishes to mention to Sir Robert
Peel, as she is at present so little acquainted with Lord Aberdeen;
the Queen is very desirous that, if it were possible, Sir Hamilton
Seymour should not be removed from Brussels. The Queen believes that
his political views are not violent either way, and she knows that he
is peculiarly agreeable to her Uncle, which has, therefore, prompted
her to write this to Sir Robert Peel. The Queen seizes the same
opportunity to say that she is also very anxious that a moderate
and conciliatory person should be sent to Lisbon, as it is of great
importance there.

[Pageheading: THE FRENCH AMBASSADOR]

_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._

CLAREMONT, _8th September 1841._

MY DEAREST UNCLE,--I begin my letter to-day, for fear I should have no
time to write to-morrow. Your kind letter gave me great pleasure, and
I must own your silence on all that was going on distressed me very
much! It has been indeed a sad time for me, and I am still bewildered,
and can't believe that my excellent Lord Melbourne is no longer
my Minister, but he will be, as you say, and has _already_ proved
himself, _very_ useful and _valuable_ as my friend out of office.
He writes to me often, and I write to him, and he gives really the
fairest and most impartial advice possible. But after seeing h