by Roland Perry
Elphinstone slipped back into London in October 1846 with hardly a notice in the papers. The life he had been leading in his ‘conquering’ of mountains and in countless villages and regions both explored and unexplored by his countrymen had etched itself into his countenance and physique. He was more tanned than ever and it accentuated his handsome features, which were now tinged with lines and ruggedness from his life outdoors. Elphinstone felt stronger, especially in the legs, after constant trekking, than even in his vigorous youth. The fever that had nearly killed him had been kept in check by his improved and impressive condition. No longer did the heat bother him as it did when he had had to retreat to the hills outside Madras. He wore a hat, but had learned to hydrate more and pace himself in the humidity and stifling summer months.
Elphinstone still loved Scotland but more as an idealised memory than somewhere he would live again. He had acclimatised and would seek a warmer clime either in his work in the future or in retirement. He believed that his decade of exile, imposed and later self-imposed, had been a blessing. He had encountered and explored a new, challenging country far beyond the world of English royal courts. The more than three-year trek through remote parts of India had been an exploration of his inner self. It changed him, he felt, into a more thoughtful, caring human being. Life in India had left deep impressions. Elphinstone was more conscious than ever of his privileged existence and work experiences first in the army, then in the royal palaces, as a colonial governor, as an army commander, and finally as an explorer and adventurer. Travelling without the trappings of luxury and power taught him different values. The capacity to share, selflessness, patience and perspective had been woven into his mentality. He had taken his religion for granted but, after being exposed to various sects and belief systems from Hinduism and Islam to Buddhism and Christianity, he had broadened his outlook. Elphinstone’s thinking had been deepened; he had questioned his faith. After experiencing the work of missionaries he was ambivalent about their necessity, effectiveness or impact in a land with such diverse cultures and a multiplicity of religions. In 1846, Elphinstone wrote to Victoria that he felt virtue was not necessarily synonymous with just Christianity. The ancient Hindu books also had maxims about pure and sound morality, he told her, based on the nature of man as a rational and social being.
His own position as such a human being made him uncertain of what lay ahead for him in England. He would return to politics as both a Privy Councillor and as a peer in the Lords. But he was unsure beyond that.
Elphinstone had a private audience with Victoria a week after his return. He found her plumper now yet perhaps more ‘comely’. The initial blushes of pubescent beauty had now slipped away forever. In its place was a less pretty but still sensual woman. With her authority had come the allure of power, which was an aphrodisiac for the holder and the beholder. Elphinstone was devoted in the dutiful sense to her as monarch, yet he still found she had a strong physical appeal. Despite his widened experiences in India with beguiling, fine-featured Indian women, his carnal knowledge of the queen still resonated in a raw, exciting way. But his feelings were far deeper than that. He was in his fortieth year and had never been as passionate about anyone else, except for Husna, whom he had not seen for five years. Because of this, and the prospect of renewed court contact with Victoria, it was doubtful now that he would ever marry and have a family. Elphinstone’s heart belonged still to Victoria. It suited her too. She preferred her male and female courtiers to remain single while they were with her. She was against widowed ladies-in-waiting (or anyone else) marrying again. Victoria desired dedication. She hated anyone leaving her, and dreaded the thought of any of her children departing. She had hung on to Lehzen, even when it harmed her marriage; she was upset when the political system forced Melbourne and later Peel to depart from their daily routines of consultation and advice. Elphinstone being taken from her had caused her prolonged grief and yearning. Even Albert’s short visit to Coburg for his father’s funeral caused Victoria anxiety.
But in 1846, she was buoyed by ‘arrivals’, first of her latest child, Helena, on 26 May and five months later the re-emergence of Elphinstone.
‘I want you in the court,’ she told him, hardly repressing her delight.
‘I hope Albert will be comfortable with it.’
‘Albert is preoccupied with his work. He would not care. In fact, he approves of my friendships with others.’
‘When do you think I might join the court?’
‘In the new year. I will find a good position similar to the one you held with my uncle.’
‘I was his lord of the bedchamber—his close friend, dining companion and even his dresser.’
‘Exactly, my lord.’
Elphinstone had gifts for her.This time a painting of the Himalayas, and a stunning pendant, a miniature dagger with a diamond embedded in its handle. She loved them both, especially the pendant.
‘I love jewels!’ she said, ‘especially from India. This will be a wonderful addition to my collection.’ She examined it and added: ‘The Hanoverians had to adorn their crowns for special occasions, such as coronations, with items hired from commercial jewellers. Much nicer, I say, to build up one’s own collection. My hunger for such adornments, my dear Lord, knows no boundaries!’
‘I discovered it on my trek . . .’ he began.
‘I am unconcerned how it was acquired, just as long as it is presented to me. My Lord, I shall gratefully accept any gift from you! All your letters from India are enough! Those sketches of yours of those wonderful people, their faces, their cities and lands! How I love them!’
Elphinstone smiled.
‘I had no idea of their true impact,’ he said. ‘I just thought your thank-yous were you being your polite and gracious self.’
‘Oh, no! You created a fascinating realism. Because of you, India has become one’s obsession.’
‘You must travel there. It is the most beautiful country in the empire.’ Victoria reversed Elphinstone’s banishment from the royal court. She informed the diminutive 54-year-old prime minister John Russell, who succeeded Peel, of her ‘request’. It was a little over a decade since those dreaded days when she was a helpless princess and young queen, who had no power. Prime ministers and cabinets had officially to approve all such appointments, but every so often the young monarch would assert her prerogative. Elphinstone was made lord-in-waiting, a different role from the one he had occupied in the court of William IV. This time, in line with his experience and maturity, he would be the whip in the House of Lords, which would give him responsibility for organising responses to legislation passed to it from the Commons. Elphinstone would also report on the Lords’ initiatives, reviews and decisions on appeals to it. He would be Victoria’s official link to the upper chamber. In this era, the House of Lords was more vital to government operations than the Commons, and he paid attention to its machinations. Elphinstone would be taking up some elements of the job he had as lord of the bedchamber to William IV, such as escorting and looking after political and state leaders on British visits. Again, he would serve as a confidant, close friend and protector of the monarch.
Elphinstone began work early in January 1847. Late in June 1847, when summer was settling with warm promise on a sceptical England after a particularly cold winter and spring, Victoria decided on a last-minute visit to the Isle of Wight. She was keen to visit her house there for sentimental reasons before another of Albert’s designs was implemented. He wished to create a grand Italian Renaissance palazzo, which meant tearing down the existing three-level Georgian structure. Victoria also wished to avoid the noise of builder Tommy Cubbitt, who was putting up a new facade at Buckingham Palace before he moved to the Isle of Wight to make more noise. Albert would not be there. He was visiting Cambridge.Victoria did not wish to be lonely, despite her entourage, so she invited Elphinstone.
He accepted the offer and travelled alone by train, boat and carriage to the Isle of Wight, much to the surprise of
Victoria.
‘What, no valet?’ she said, greeting Elphinstone when he arrived at the house in the evening carrying his own bags.They did not embrace. He shook hands with her.
‘Your majesty,’ he said, as servants flitted in and out of the drawing room,‘I have become used to carrying at least some of my own luggage here and there on those long Indian treks.’
Victoria clapped hands. A servant appeared. He hustled away with Elphinstone’s suitcases to a room set aside on the second floor of the house. Victoria had the top level to herself. Guests stayed on the first two floors and courtiers and servants in the basement and a cottage in the grounds. She offered Elphinstone a drink. He asked for a whisky and water.
‘Come,’ she said, ‘I want to show you this beautiful place, which my husband and his wreckers are going to smash down in a few weeks.’
On the top level, which held her five-room private quarters, Victoria led him to a window in a library and asked him to look down. She pointed to a rickety outside stair.
‘This place is so old there has always been a risk of fire,’ she said, ‘and we’ve had a couple of nasty episodes in the kitchen. Have to show all the guests the fire escape. It goes from the roof to the ground.’
Elphinstone nodded absentmindedly. He followed her down the sweeping inside staircase to a front portico, to watch the fine sunset. It was warm. Victoria waved a hand at the excavations that ran from in front of the portico for about 200 metres.
‘Ugly, isn’t it?’ Victoria observed. ‘I know Albert has a wonderful vision and it will all be special and impressive. But I have loved the ordinariness and seclusion of it.’ She sipped her drink. ‘Sometimes I hate change.’
‘I am sure the prince will make it a change for the good and you’ll love it.’
‘It is in part my vision too,’ she said, ‘but I could have waited for a year or two.’
‘That water is enticing,’ Elphinstone said, squinting into the distance above the trees to the clear blue Solent, the strait that separated the Isle of Wight from the British mainland.‘I want to swim. Need the exercise. Is the beach good?’
‘What? Now?’
‘Won’t be in long.’
‘You Scots are all the same, utterly uninhibited.’ She reflected a moment and smiled.‘That’s why I adore the Highlanders.They say and do what comes naturally.’
A maid hovered, wanting to know if they needed more drink or food.
‘No, Jennifer,’ Victoria said,‘just a robe for the Lord.You’ll find one in his room. He wants to go swimming. Silly, isn’t he?’
Victoria and Elphinstone strolled to the beach. Two young ladies-in-waiting followed at a discreet distance.
The sun seemed to be drowning in a rippling dark pool as they passed a quaint stone alcove about 50 metres from the beach.
‘That’s where I thought you might like to sketch,’ she said, pointing. ‘I do it every time I visit. Love it! The view is exquisite.’
Elphinstone nodded.
‘You said you had good stables on the island . . .?’
‘Oh, we have!’ Victoria said. ‘I was hoping to ride the beach and the fields.’
They glanced at each other and smiled. They were both thinking of the past when they could escape the confines of the palaces on long, private rides. After walking about 300 metres, Elphinstone turned his back and took off his robe. He walked into the water and began to swim.
After about ten minutes, he waded back to the rough sand-pebble beach.
‘You’ve looked after yourself,’ she said, watching as he towelled down.
He shook his hair, wrapped the towel around him and sat beside her on the beach.
‘Tell me Elphi, truly. Did you fall in love with anyone after that French-Indian woman?’
He considered her for a moment.
‘Does it matter?’ he asked.
‘I just want you to be happy.After what happened to both of us we both should have rewards.’
They began to make their way back, with the ladies falling in behind them once more.
‘I must say, my lord John, it is very pleasing for me in so many ways to have you in my court, where you always belonged.’
Elphinstone bowed low.
‘My sentiments entirely, your majesty.’
‘Seeing you this way is a sweet triumph for me. Now, I can have your company whenever I choose.Whereas before . . .’
He nodded his agreement.
‘I must tell you,’ she said, looking around at the ladies, who were closer, and lowering her voice, ‘it gives me a modest sense of power. I just told Russell what I wanted. In politics, as you know, my influence is circumscribed by parliament, my ministers and councillors.’ She paused to glance at him, ‘Councillors like your good self.’
‘I’ve observed your struggle, majesty,’ Elphinstone remarked. ‘It is much tougher for you than for your predecessor.’
‘Quite. But it is deeper than simply my powers as opposed to that of the political system. From the beginning the duchess, Conroy and Stockmar contrived with Melbourne to thwart and steer my relationships with almost everyone.’Victoria glanced at him. ‘Now no-one can tell me whom to see or not to see. My only boundaries are discretion, common sense and the necessity to keep up the appearance of having a strong, working marriage—which it is.’
‘May I observe, your majesty, that if it had not been for you, the monarchy as an institution would have been in danger, even ended. You are so admired and respected.The monarchy is safe while you and Prince Albert present the image you have.’
Victoria beamed and after a short while said: ‘The Battenbergs are coming this evening. They’ll dine and stay the night.They’ll be in the guest suite on the ground floor.’
‘Don’t think I’ve had the pleasure.’
‘Oh, they’re great fun.You’ll like them: witty, well-informed and fine conversationalists—Prince Alexander of Hesse, and Julia, the sister-in-law of Grand Duke Louis. She is ravishing! You won’t take your eyes of her.’
19
BERTIE BELEAGUERED
Albert was doing everything right for the monarchy. He was elected chancellor of Cambridge University in 1847. Predictably, he did not take it as an honorary role by letting others do the thinking and planning. He was soon working on a study program that would progress the ancient institution faster than at any time since its inception in 1226. Showing exceptional perspicacity for a 27-year-old, he suggested that too much emphasis was being placed on the classics and mathematics. He urged more application to political economy, psychology, geography, chemistry and astronomy. He was opposed by a vice chancellor who did not believe that new scientific discoveries should be introduced to the university for a century. The thinking was that innovations had to be tested over time before they were accepted. Albert disagreed. He invited the backward-thinking vice chancellor to Windsor for a discussion in which Albert put his case with conviction. The academic went away considering the prince’s suggestions seriously. Later, Albert’s ideas became part of a reform at Cambridge that saw extended fields of studies and opportunities for a wide range of degrees. The vice chancellor admitted that Albert’s chancellery had brought ‘a new and glorious era’ in academic history. Considering Cambridge was then 621 years old, this was quite an accolade. Even The Times, which had been stinting in its praise of Albert, was effusive. It editorialised that the nation owed him a debt of gratitude because he had been the first to suggest, and then the most determined, to carry out the changes.
Albert was becoming an outstanding facilitator and conciliator. He had been working on a rapprochement between his wife and mother-in-law. After more than seven years he had resolved many of their differences and misunderstandings.They could never be very close again but thanks to his efforts they were at ease with each other and looked forward to being in each other’s company, more or less like any similar relationship that had had its periods of estrangement. He may have struggled for empathy with women, but he knew
aspects of the psychology of human beings, instinctively and in his assessment of people. He put it into practice to positive effect.
Albert was not quite as successful in handling young Bertie, the Prince of Wales, and his education. The boy suffered from not being as bright as his older sister. Tutors struggled to illicit a willingness to learn, although he had an amiable character. It was tough early for Bertie, who turned six in 1847. Expectations were far too high for one so young. It did not help that Stockmar informed his parents that their position ‘was a more difficult one than that [faced by] any other parents in the kingdom’. Stockmar, it seemed, was not taking into account the difficulties for the child. His remarks put pressure on Victoria and Albert to urge Bertie to do better. The boy had a good demeanour and he wanted to please. Tutors were arranged for Bertie. But they pushed him too much, believing that he must learn and perform in all subjects. At Albert’s instigation, he was to be punished if he did not study hard and progress.Victoria objected to this, especially over Bertie’s indifference to learning the Bible. The first tutor had the unfortunate name in the circumstances of Mr Birch. Bertie become emotionally attached to him but Birch was dismissed mysteriously, paid off with an income and sent to Lancashire. His replacement, Fred Gibbs, was more concerned with pleasing the father than the boy. Bertie was upset that the first tutor had been taken from him. He didn’t like Gibbs and, if riled by him, pelted him with sticks and stones.