timely preparations for the campaign of 1842.[111]

Your Majesty's Ministers are of opinion that the War with China should
be conducted on an enlarged scale, and the Indian Government will
be directed to have all their disposable military and naval force
at Singapore in April, so that the operations may commence at the
earliest period which the season allows.

Lord Ellenborough cannot but entertain a sanguine expectation that
that force so commencing its operations, and directed upon a point
where it will intercept the principal internal communication of the
Chinese Empire, will finally compel the Chinese Government to accede
to terms of Peace honourable to your Majesty, and affording future
security to the trade of your Majesty's subjects.

[Footnote 111: Ningpo was taken by Sir Hugh Gough on 13th
October 1841, and no further operations took place till the
spring of the following year. _See_ Introductory Note, _ante_,
p. 254. (Intro Note to Ch. X)]

_Memorandum by Mr Anson._

WINDSOR CASTLE, _3rd October 1841._

Sat by the Queen last night at dinner. Her Majesty alluded to Sir
Robert Peel's awkward manner, which she felt she could not get over.
I asked if Her Majesty had yet made any effort, which I was
good-humouredly assured Her Majesty "thought she really had done."

Sir Robert's ignorance of character was most striking and
unaccountable; feeling this, made it difficult for Her Majesty to
place reliance upon his judgment in recommendations.

[Pageheading: ENGLISH AND FOREIGN ARTISTS]

[Pageheading: SIR FRANCIS CHANTREY]

_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._

SOUTH STREET, _4th October 1811._

Lord Melbourne presents his humble duty to your Majesty. He had the
honour of receiving your Majesty's letter of the 2nd inst. yesterday,
at Wimbledon. If Lord Melbourne should hear of anything of what your
Majesty asks respecting the impression made upon Sir Robert and Lady
Peel, he will take care and inform your Majesty, but, of course,
they will speak very favourably, and if they feel otherwise will not
breathe it except in the most secret and confidential manner.

Lord Melbourne is very much rejoiced to hear that the Duchess of Kent
arrived safe and well and in good spirits.

Lord Melbourne sat to Sir F. Chantrey on Saturday last. He will, Lord
Melbourne believes, require only one more sitting, which he wishes to
be at the distance of a week from the last, in order that he