firmness, courage, and determination--which he had
shown in those critical days a fortnight or three weeks ago--and that
in these two months he had acquired "une grande aptitude pour
les affaires; tout le monde est etonne, parce que personne ne s'y
attendait." He spoke with great delight of Belgium--and how it had
stood the shock of the events in France--and also of England. Italy,
he considered, was by far the greatest object of danger.

VICTORIA R.

[Pageheading: GAELIC AND WELSH]

_Queen Victoria to the Marquis of Lansdowne._

OSBORNE, _3rd March 1849._

The Queen sends Lord Lansdowne the book[4] she mentioned to him. It
is an extraordinary production for people of the working classes, and
there are a great many sound and good observations in it on education;
the observations on the deficiency in the religious instruction and
in the _preaching_ the Queen thinks are particularly true. It
likewise shows a lofty and enlarged _view_ of education which is often
overlooked.

The Queen takes this occasion of repeating her hope that _Gaelic_ will
be taught in future in the Highland schools, as well as English, as
it is really a great mistake that the people should be constantly
_talking_ a language which they often cannot read and generally not
write. Being very partial to her loyal and good Highlanders, the Queen
takes much interest in what she thinks will tend more than anything
to keep up their simplicity of character, which she considers a great
merit in these days.

The Queen thinks equally that Welsh should be taught in Wales as well
as English.[5]

[Footnote 4: This book was probably _Popular Education, as
regards Juvenile Delinquency_, by Thos. Bullock, 1849.]

[Footnote 5: Lord Lansdowne, in his reply, undertook "to
combine instruction in the Gaelic with the English language in
the Highland as well as the Welsh schools, and to have a view
to it in the choice of Inspectors."]

_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._

OSBORNE, _6th March 1849._

MY DEAREST UNCLE,--Your dear letter reached me yesterday, and I thank
you warmly for it. I wish you could be here, for I never remember
finer weather than we have had since we came here; perfect summer, and
so sweet, so enjoyable, and then with all the pleasures and beauties
of Spring you have that beautiful sea--so blue and smooth as it has
been these three days. If we have no mountains to boast of, we have
the _se