The Queen has heard with the greatest regret from Sir R. Peel that the Court of Directors, after all, mean to recall Lord Ellenborough. She cannot but consider this _very_ unwise at this critical moment, and a very ungrateful return for the eminent services Lord Ellenborough has rendered to the Company in India. They ought not to forget so soon in what state Lord Ellenborough found affairs in 1842. The Queen would not be sorry if these gentlemen knew that this is her opinion. _The King of the Belgians to Queen Victoria._ Laeken, _3rd May 1844._ MY DEAREST VICTORIA,--Whenever you wish to make me _truly happy_, you will have the power of doing so by repeating expressions as kind and affectionate as those contained in your dear little letter of the 30th. I have ever had the care and affection of a _real father_ for you, and it has perhaps even been freer from many drawbacks which occasionally will exist betwixt parents and children, be they ever so well and affectionately together. With me, even from the moment in January 1820, when I was called by a messenger to Sidmouth, my care for you has been unremitting, and never has there been a cloud between us.... A thing which often strikes me, in a very satisfactory manner, is that we never had any bitter words, a thing which happens even with people who are very lovingly together; and the little row which we had in 1838 you remember well, and do not now think that _I_ was wrong.[11] _De pareilles relations sont rares; may they ever continue!_ I cannot leave this more serious topic without adding that though you were always warm-hearted and right-minded, it must strike yourself how matured every kind and good feeling is in your generous heart. _The heart, and not the head, is the safest guide in positions like yours_, and this not only for this earthly and very short life, but for that which we must hope for hereafter. When a life draws nearer its close, how many earthly concerns are there that appear _still in the same light_? and how clearly the mind is struck that nothing has been and is still of _real_ value, than the nobler and better feelings of the heart; the only good we can hope to keep as a precious store for the future. What do we keep of youth, beauty, richness, power, and even the greatest extent of earthly possessions? NOTHING! ... Your truly devoted Uncle, LEOPOLD R. [Footnote 11: _See_ Letters of Queen Victoria and the King of the Belgians, _ante_, vol. i. pp. 116-120.] [Pageheading: HONOURS FOR LORD ELLENBOROUGH] _Sir Robert Peel to Queen Victoria._ WHITEHALL, _5th May 1844._