aying or doing
anything which may pain or distress him, or of his meeting with any
accident; but he manages it wonderfully well, hardly ever makes a
mistake, and manages so well at dinner. He is very cheerful, kind,
and civil, and would be very good looking if it were not for his poor
eyes. He likes to go everywhere and do everything like anybody else,
and speaks of things _as if he saw_ them....

The Oriental Question is at a standstill. It is the Emperor of
Russia who must enable _us_ to help him out of the difficulty. I feel
convinced that _War will_ be _avoided_, but I don't see _how_ exactly.
Our Troops looked beautiful yesterday. I wish your young people could
see our Camp.[20]

With Albert's love, believe me, ever, your devoted Niece,

VICTORIA R.

[Footnote 19: King George V. of Hanover.]

[Footnote 20: Lord Stratford de Redcliffe had insisted that
the disputed points as to the guardianship of the Holy Places,
and the Russian demand for a Protectorate over the Christian
subjects of the Sultan, should be kept distinct. After the
former had been arranged and the latter had been rejected by
the Porte acting under Lord Stratford's advice, Menschikoff
abruptly quitted Constantinople, and the Russian troops,
crossing the Pruth, invaded the Danubian principalities of
Moldavia and Wallachia (now united as Roumania). In England,
meanwhile, a military encampment had been established at
Chobham.]

[Pageheading: DEATH OF LADY DALHOUSIE]

_The Earl of Dalhousie to Queen Victoria._

_12th July 1853._

Lord Dalhousie presents his humble duty to your Majesty, most
gratefully acknowledging the gracious words which your Majesty has
addressed to him in the time of his great affliction.[21]

Your Majesty has been pleased for many years to honour him with
frequent marks of personal distinction. He is indeed most keenly
sensible of the favour which bestowed them all. But his deep gratitude
must ever be given to the goodness which dictated the touching
assurance he has now received of your Majesty's interest in the
piteous fate of one who for eighteen years has been all the world to
him, whose patient, gentle spirit, and whose brave heart had turned
aside so many perils, and who yet has sunk at last under the very
means on which all had securely reckoned as her certain safety.

Lord Dalhousie ought not perhaps to have uttered even this much of his
sorrow, but your