d with Melbourne, and that I wished that in this sense
you should communicate with him (Peel). He said that he saw the matter
exactly as I did, that he wished to communicate with you, and felt the
greatest anxiety to do everything to meet the wishes of the Queen and
Prince in all matters within his power, and as far as consistent
with his known and avowed political principles; that in all matters
respecting the Household and their private feelings that the smallest
hint sufficed to guide him, as he would not give way to any party
feeling or job which should in any way militate against Her Majesty
or His Royal Highness's comfort; that he wished particularly that it
should be known that he never had a thought of riding _roughshod_ over
Her Majesty's wishes; that if you would come to him at any time, and
be candid and explicit with him, you might depend upon his frankness
and discretion; that above all, if you had said anything to him, and
expressed a wish that it might not be communicated even to the Duke of
Wellington, (that was his expression), that he wished me to assure you
that your wishes should be strictly attended to. Pray give me a line
to say that you do not disapprove of what I have done. We had a great
deal more conversation, but with this I will not now load my letter,
being ever sincerely yours,

LIVERPOOL.

Direct your answer to this house.

[Footnote 118: This letter was submitted to the Queen.]

[Pageheading: AUDIENCES OF PEERS]

_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._

SOUTH STREET, _8th October 1841._

Lord Melbourne presents his humble duty to your Majesty. He has this
morning received your Majesty's letter of yesterday. There can be no
doubt that your Majesty is right about the Audiences which have been
requested....

Sir Robert Peel is probably right in supposing that the claim of a
Peer to an Audience of the Sovereign originated in early times, and
before the present course of government by responsible advisers was
fully and decidedly established, which it hardly can be said to have
been until after the accession of the House of Hanover, but the custom
of asking for such Audiences, and of their being in general granted,
was well known, and has for the most part been observed and adhered
to. Lord Melbourne remembers that during the part of the French War,
when considerable alarm began to prevail respecting its duration, and
the serious aspect which it was assuming, George III. g