hia. See _post_, p. 461. (Ch. XII, Footnote 10)]

[Pageheading: CHRISTMAS]

_Memorandum by Mr Anson._

WINDSOR CASTLE, _26th December 1841._

Christmas has brought its usual routine of festivity and its agreeable
accompaniment of Christmas presents. The Queen was not at all well
again yesterday, being again troubled with lowness. The Melbourne
correspondence still is carried on, but I think not in its
pristine vigour by any means. He has taken no notice of the Baron's
remonstrance to him, and we are in the dark in what manner, if at all,
he means to deal with it.

I have sat by Her Majesty at dinner several times lately. I should say
that Her Majesty interests herself less and less about politics, and
that her dislike is less than it was to her present Ministers, though
she would not be prepared to acknowledge it. Her Majesty is a good
deal occupied with the little Princess Royal, who begins to assume
companionable qualities. In the evening, instead of her usual
conversation with her old Prime Minister, some round game at cards is
substituted, which always terminates at eleven. The Prince, to
amuse the Queen at this, has nearly left off his chess; his
amusements--shooting or hunting--always commence and terminate between
eleven and two, not to interfere with Her Majesty's arrangements, in
which he is included as her companion.

_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._

MELBOURNE, _29th December 1841._

Lord Melbourne presents his humble duty to your Majesty. He received
here yesterday your Majesty's letter of the 25th inst., upon a paper
adorned with many quaint and humorous Christmas devices, and Lord
Melbourne begs to offer to your Majesty, most sincerely and most
fervently, the good wishes of the Season. Lord Melbourne will be in
town on Friday evening next, and after that day will wait upon your
Majesty, whenever your Majesty is pleased to command....

Lord Melbourne is very glad to hear that the King of the Belgians is
reassured by his journey to Mons and his reception upon it. He need
not mind the King of Holland, if he can keep all right at Paris.

The railway smash[163] is awful and tremendous, as all railway mishaps
are, and Lord Melbourne fears must always be. These slips and falls
of earth from the banks are the greatest danger that now impends over
them, and if they take place suddenly and in the dark, Lord Melbourne
does not see how the fatal consequences of them are to be effectual