My dearest Victoria, your devoted Uncle, LEOPOLD R.
[Footnote 43: The Ministerial proposal of a fixed duty instead of a sliding scale.] [Footnote 44: The Thiers Government had resigned in the preceding October, owing to the King objecting to the warlike speech which they wished him to pronounce to the Chambers.

The Soult-Guizot Cabinet was accordingly formed.] [Pageheading: SIR ROBERT PEEL] _Memorandum of Mr Anson's last secret interview with Sir R.Peel._ (No.

4.) _Sunday, 23rd May 1841._ Called upon Sir Robert Peel this morning.

I said I could not feel satisfied without seeing him after the very unexpected course which political affairs had taken.

I wished to know that he felt assured, though I trusted there could be no doubt upon his mind, that there had been perfect honesty of purpose on my part towards him, and more especially upon the part of those with whose knowledge I had been acting.