The Queen hopes Lord Melbourne is enjoying this fine weather, and here concludes with the Prince's kind remembrance. [Pageheading: THE MAYNOOTH GRANT] [Pageheading: RELIGIOUS BIGOTRY] _Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _15th April 1845._ MY BELOVED UNCLE,--Here we are in a great state of agitation about one of the greatest measures ever proposed;[11] I am sure poor Peel ought to be _blessed by_ all Catholics for the manly and noble way in which he stands forth to protect and do good to poor Ireland. But the bigotry, the wicked and blind passions it brings forth is quite dreadful, and I blush for Protestantism![12] A Presbyterian clergyman said very truly, "_Bigotry_ is more _common than shame_...." [Footnote 11: The Bill to increase the grant to the Roman Catholic College of Maynooth was carried by Peel in the teeth of opposition from half his party: another measure was passed to establish colleges for purely secular teaching ("godless colleges" they were nicknamed) in Cork, Belfast, and Galway, and affiliate them to a new Irish university.] [Footnote 12: As Macaulay had said during the previous night's debate: "The Orangeman raises his war whoop, Exeter Hall sets up its bray, Mr Macneile shudders to see more costly cheer than ever provided for the priests of Baal at the table of the Queen, and the Protestant operatives of Dublin call for impeachments in exceedingly bad English."] _Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _23rd April 1845._ MY DEAREST UNCLE,--Our Maynooth Bill is through the second reading. I think, if you read Sir Robert's admirable speeches, you will see how good his plan is. The _Catholics_ are quite delighted at it--full of gratitude, and behave extremely well; but the Protestants behave shockingly, and display a narrow-mindedness and want of sense on the subject of religion which is quite a disgrace to the nation. The case of Austria, France, etc., cannot be compared to this, as _this_ is a _Protestant_ country, while the others are Catholic; and I think it would never do to support a Roman Catholic Church with money belonging to the Protestant Church. The Protestant Establishment in Ireland must remain untouched, but let the Roman Catholic Clergy be well and handsomely educated. The Duc de Broglie[13] dined with us last night; his _travaux_ are going on satisfactorily; he asked when you were coming, and said you were "_beaucoup Anglais et un peu Francais_," which is true, I think. With Albert's affectionate respects, believe me always, your devoted Niece, VICTORIA R. [Footnote 13: Achille Charles, Duc de Broglie, ex-Minister of Foreign Affairs.] _Mr Goulburn[14] to Queen Victoria._ DOWNING STREET, _30th April 1845._