upon the Government and Lord Palmerston himself.

_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._

WINDSOR CASTLE, _6th February 1849._

MY DEAREST UNCLE,--We are well. All went off extremely well on
Thursday, but the Government must expect difficulties upon their (very
doubtful) Foreign Policy. I own I do _not_ feel reassured about peace.
_Italy_ and the Pope, etc., are very ticklish subjects.

Everybody says Louis Napoleon has behaved extremely well in the last
crisis--full of courage and energy, and they say that he is decidedly
straightforward, which is not to be despised. I will not admit that
the _Gemuethlichkeit ist fuer immer begraben_ in Germany; it will surely
return when this madness is over, but how soon no one can tell. Ever
your devoted Niece,

VICTORIA R.

_Queen Victoria to the Earl of Dalhousie._

WINDSOR CASTLE, _6th February 1849._

The Queen has not yet thanked Lord Dalhousie for his long and
interesting letter which she received in the summer. Since that period
many important events have taken place in India, and the last news
have naturally made the Queen feel very anxious. She deeply laments
the loss of General Cureton and Colonel Havelock, officers who will
not be easily replaced. The Queen thinks that Lord Dalhousie has
throughout acted most judiciously and has thwarted more mischief
being done. She will abstain from remarking upon the conduct of the
Commander-in-Chief, as she knows that the Duke of Wellington has
written fully to Lord Dalhousie on this painful subject.[3] The Queen
concludes with expressing her hopes that Lord and Lady Dalhousie are
in good health, and with the Prince's kindest remembrances to Lord
Dalhousie.

[Footnote 3: _See_ Introductory Note for the year, _ante_, p.
208.]

[Pageheading: STATE OF EUROPE]

_The King of the Belgians to Queen Victoria._

LAEKEN, _10th February 1849._

MY DEAREST VICTORIA,--I have to offer my most affectionate thanks
for your dear letter of the 6th. The state of the Queen seems better,
though I fear not so solidly as to be beyond mischief; but the
improvement is real, and will act as a moral support. They have been
severely tried, those poor exiles, and Heaven knows what is still in
store for them. I don't think that in Italy there will be war. The
French cannot think of it for some months, probably not before June or
July, and the Italians cannot make it alone without being licked; the
better infor