ictoria to the King of the Belgians._

WINDSOR CASTLE, _24th September 1841._

MY DEAREST UNCLE,--I have already thanked you for your two kind
letters, but I did not wish to answer them but by a Messenger. I feel
thankful for your praise of my conduct; all is going on well, but it
would be needless to attempt to deny that I _feel_ the _change_, and
I own I am much happier when I need _not_ see the Ministers; luckily
they do not want to see me often. I feel much the King's kindness
about Ste Aulaire;[101] I shall see him here on Tuesday next.

I return you our excellent friend Melbourne's letter, which I had
already seen, as he sent it me to read, and then seal and send. I miss
him much, but I often hear from him, which is a great pleasure to me.
It is a great satisfaction to us to have Stockmar here; he is a great
resource, and is now in excellent spirits.

Mamma is, I suppose, with you now, and we may expect her here either
next Thursday or Friday. How much she will have to tell us! I am very
grateful for what you say of Claremont, which could so easily be
made perfect; and I must say we enjoy ourselves there always
_particulierement_.... Albert begs me to make you his excuses for not
writing, but I can bear testimony that he really has not time to-day.
And now _addio!_ dearest Uncle, and pray believe me, always, your
devoted Niece,

VICTORIA R.

[Footnote 101: See _post_, p. 334. (Ch. X, 1st October, 1841)]

[Pageheading: FINE ARTS COMMISSION]

_Sir Robert Peel to Queen Victoria._

_26th September 1841._

Sir Robert Peel presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and begs to
be permitted to submit for your Majesty's consideration a suggestion
which has occurred to Sir Robert Peel, and which has reference to
the communication which he recently addressed to your Majesty on
the subject of the promotion of the Fine Arts in connection with the
building of the new Houses of Parliament.

Sir Robert Peel would humbly enquire from your Majesty whether (in
the event of your Majesty's being graciously pleased to approve of the
appointment of a Royal Commission for the further investigation and
consideration of a subject of such deep importance and interest to
the encouragement of art in this country) your Majesty would deem
it desirable that the Prince should be invited in the name of your
Majesty to place himself at the head of this Commission, and to give
to it the authority and influence of his high n