The letters of Queen Victoria, vol. 1, 1837-1843

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

20023

Title

The letters of Queen Victoria, vol. 1, 1837-1843

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

A selection of Queen Victoria's correspondence from 1837 to 1843, edited by Arthur Christopher Benson and Viscount Esher. This volume reveals the development of her character, her early struggles with the loss of Lord Melbourne, and her navigation of political crises alongside Prince Albert and King Leopold.

Summary up to 500 words

Published by authority of King Edward VII, this volume presents a curated selection of letters written by Queen Victoria between her accession in 1837 and 1843. The editors, Arthur Christopher Benson and Viscount Esher, selected these documents not to provide an exhaustive political history, but to illustrate the Queen's character and the inner workings of the British constitution. The correspondence begins with her early years, highlighting the profound influence of her uncle, King Leopold of the Belgians, and her governess, Baroness Lehzen. These early letters reveal a young princess navigating her education and the complex political landscape of her time. A pivotal moment captured in the collection is the painful transition of 1841, when Victoria dismisses her long-serving Prime Minister, Lord Melbourne. The letters vividly detail her personal distress during this separation, her reliance on Prince Albert for comfort and advice, and her determined efforts to maintain dignity and composure. The text includes correspondence from the outgoing ministers, such as Lord Melbourne's final official letters, expressing his devoted attachment and offering counsel on the new ministry under Sir Robert Peel. Through these intimate documents, readers observe the evolution of Victoria from a young princess into a sovereign of immense responsibility, balancing personal affection with the duties of state. The volume covers major historical events, including the Queen's coronation, the death of Lord Lynedoch, and diplomatic tensions regarding the Spanish marriage and the French succession. The correspondence also touches on domestic issues like the New Poor Law and the administration of Canada. Through these papers, the development of the Queen's character is clearly indicated: she appears as a figure of vigorous temperament and strong affections, schooled by experience into patience and sagacity. The collection reveals the laborious patience with which she kept herself informed of minutest details of political and social movements, displaying a life of simple, vivid, and laborious duty amidst magnificent surroundings. Ultimately, these letters offer a unique glimpse into the development of the unwritten constitution and the delicate equipoise of the monarchy's executive machinery.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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Categories

• Biography
• History
• Politics