e month of November, offered to us in our very Palace of the
Quirinal, in consequence of a nefarious conspiracy of abandoned and
most turbulent men. Hence, in order to avoid more violent commotions
and more serious dangers, as likewise for the purpose of freely
performing the functions of our apostolic Ministry, we, not without
the deepest and most heartfelt sorrow, have been constrained to
depart for a time from our Holy City, and from the whole state of our
pontifical dominions; and in the meanwhile we come as far as Gaeta,
where, as soon as we had arrived, our first care was to declare to
our subjects the sentiments of our mind and will, by a public edict,
a copy of which we transmit to your Royal Majesty, together with
these our letters. Without doubt, through your own wisdom, you will
perfectly understand, Most Serene and Potent Sovereign, that amongst
the other most cruel difficulties by which we are pressed, we must be
chiefly solicitous concerning those subject to our temporal rule and
the rights and possessions of the Roman Church, which, moreover, your
august Uncle and the other Princes of Europe protected with so much
zeal. But we do not in the least doubt that, in conformity with your
exalted magnanimity, your justice, and your known desire to maintain
order in public affairs, you will by no means suffer this same to be
wanting to us at this most lamentable time. Trusting indeed in this
hope, we do not cease, in the humility and affliction of our heart,
from earnestly beseeching God, the All Good and All Great, that He may
heap upon your Royal Majesty and your whole House all true and solid
prosperity, and that He may unite you with us in perfect charity.

Given at Gaeta, the 4th day of December 1848, in the third year of our
Pontificate.

PIUS PP. IX.[50]

[Footnote 49: Official translation.]

[Footnote 50: This letter was suitably acknowledged in general
terms. _See_ p. 210.]

[Pageheading: LOUIS NAPOLEON]

_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._

OSBORNE, _13th December 1848._

MY BELOVED UNCLE,--Pray accept my warmest and _best_ wishes for _many,
many happy_ returns of your birthday--a day so _dear_ to so many, and
which will be hailed with such joy in Belgium. You have indeed reason
to look with satisfaction on all around you, though it is a painful
thing to think how many have been ruined and made miserable since this
day twelvemonths. Let us hope that another year m