His most fervent prayer will always be for your Majesty's welfare and happiness.
[Footnote 83: The retiring Chancellor of the Exchequer.] [Footnote 84: Lord Cottenham.] [Footnote 85: Sir Henry T.de la Beche, an eminent geologist.] [Pageheading: MELBOURNE'S LAST OFFICIAL LETTER] _Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._ SOUTH STREET, _2nd September 1841._ ....Lord Melbourne hopes and trusts that when to-morrow is over your Majesty will recover from that depression of spirits under which your Majesty now labours.

Lord Melbourne never doubted that it would be so, but is glad to learn from your Majesty the support and consolation which your Majesty finds in the advice and affection of the Prince.
This is the last letter which Lord Melbourne will send in a box.

He will to-morrow morning return his keys to the Foreign Office, and after that your Majesty will be good enough to send the letters, with which you may honour Lord Melbourne, through Mr Anson.
Lord Melbourne most anxiously wishes your Majesty every blessing.
[Pageheading: COUNCIL AT CLAREMONT] _Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._ SOUTH STREET, _3rd September 1841._ Lord Melbourne earnestly hopes that your Majesty is well after this trying day.[86] Lord Melbourne has thought and felt for your Majesty all this morning.

But now that the matter is settled it will be necessary that your Majesty should take a calm and composed view of the whole situation, which Lord Melbourne trusts that your Majesty will find by no means unsatisfactory.
And first with respect to public affairs.

In the concerns of a great nation like this there will always be some difficulties and entanglements, but upon the whole the present state is good and the prospect is good for the future.