g: AFFAIRS IN FRANCE]

_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._

BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _9th May 1848._

MY DEAREST UNCLE,--Many thanks for your very kind letter of the 6th.
How delightful it is to hear such good accounts of Belgium! If only
dear Germany gets right and if all our interests (those of the smaller
Sovereigns) are not sacrified! I cannot say _how_ it distresses and
vexes me, and _comme je l'ai a c[oe]ur_. My good and dear Albert is
much worried and works _very_ hard....

I had a curious account of the opening of the _Assemblee_ from Lady
Normanby.[19] No _real_ enthusiasm, dreadful confusion, and the
Blouses taking part in everything, and stopping the Speakers if they
did not please them. The opinion is that it cannot last.

I enclose another letter from Lady Normanby, with an account of the
poor Tuileries, which is very curious and sad; but the respect shown
for poor Chartres is very touching, and might interest poor dear
Louise, if you think fit to show it her. But why show such hatred to
poor Nemours and to the Queen? Montpensier's marriage may cause _his_
unpopularity, possibly. I shall beg to have the letter back.

I must conclude, as we are going to pay a visit at Claremont this
afternoon. Ever your truly devoted Child and Niece,

VICTORIA R.

[Footnote 19: The National Assembly commenced its sittings on
4th May, when the Oath of Allegiance was abolished, and the
Republic proclaimed in the presence of 200,000 citizens.]

_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._

BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _16th May 1848._

MY DEAREST UNCLE,--I have just heard the news of the extraordinary
confusion at Paris, which must end in a _Blutbad_. Lamartine has quite
lost all influence by yielding to and supporting Ledru Rollin![20] It
seems inexplicable! In Germany, too, everything looks most anxious,
and I _tremble_ for the result of the Parliament at Frankfort.[21] I
am _so_ anxious for the fate of the poor smaller Sovereigns, which it
would be infamous to sacrifice. I feel it _much_ more than Albert, as
it would break my heart to see Coburg _reduced_.

Many thanks for your kind and dear letter of the 13th. Thank God! that
with you everything goes on so well. I will take care and let Lord
Normanby know your kind expressions. The visit to old Claremont was a
touching one, and it seemed an incomprehensible dream to see them
all there. They bear up wonderfully. Nothing can be kinder than
the Qu