But there was much opposition to the new law; it was considered a grievance that old couples were refused relief at home, and that the sexes must be separated at the workhouse, to which the name of "Bastille" began to be attached.

In Devonshire it was even believed that the bread distributed by the relieving officers was mixed with poisonous ingredients.] [Footnote 8: The First Lord of the Admiralty.] [Footnote 9: A son of the eighth Duke of St Albans.] [Pageheading: PRESSURE OF BUSINESS] _Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _4th April 1838._ MY DEAREST UNCLE,--_Vous ne m'en voudrez pas_, I sincerely hope, for not having written to you sooner to thank you for your kind letter, which I received last week, but I really could not do so.

As _honesty is the best policy_, I will tell you the simple fact.

I have been out riding every day for about three hours, which quite renovates me, and when I come home I have consequently a good deal to do, what with seeing people, reading despatches, writing, etc.

You will, I trust, now quite forgive your poor niece, whom you so often call "the little Queen," which is, I fear, true; but her _feelings_ of affection are not so small as her _body_ is, I can assure you.
The Prince de Ligne[10] will be received with every possible attention, I can promise; it would have been so _without_ his being recommended; his rank, and, above all, his being one of your subjects, would of course entitle him to a good reception from me....
There is another _sujet_ which I wish to mention to you, _et que j'ai bien a c[oe]ur_, which is, if you would consult Stockmar with respect to the finishing of Albert's education; he knows best my feelings and wishes on that subject....
[Footnote 10: He was appointed to attend the Coronation as Minister Extraordinary from King Leopold.] _Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._ _5th April 1838._ Lord Melbourne presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and is much distressed that, being in the House of Lords, he was unable to answer your Majesty's letter as soon as he received it.