een Victoria to the King of the Belgians._

WINDSOR CASTLE, _10th April 1849._

MY DEAREST UNCLE,--You will, I am sure, share our joy at Ernest's
_wonderful_ success at Eckerforde.[7] It is a marvellous piece of good
fortune _pour son bapteme de feu_, but it alarmed and agitated us all
to think that he might have been wounded, _to say the least_, for he
had his horse killed under him. At all events, he has done honour to
the poor race to which he belongs, and it makes us both very happy.
I think it will tend decidedly to shorten the war. Poor dear
Alexandrine! in what anxiety she will have been.

The victory of Novara[8] seems to have been one of the hardest fought
and most brilliant battles known for years and years, and old Radetzky
says that he must name every individual if he was to do justice to
officers and men. But the loss was very severe. The regiment of Kinsky
lost _twenty-four_ officers! The Archduke Albert distinguished himself
exceedingly, which is worthy of his noble father. I could work myself
up to a great excitement about these exploits, for there is nothing I
admire more than great military exploits and daring.

[Footnote 7: In this engagement with the Danes, arising out
of the Schleswig-Holstein dispute, Prince Ernest greatly
distinguished himself.]

[Footnote 8: In which Marshal Radetzky defeated the
Piedmontese.]

[Pageheading: THE DUKE OF WELLINGTON]

_Queen Victoria to the Duke of Wellington._

_1st May 1849._

The Queen cannot let this day pass without offering to the Duke of
Wellington her warmest and sincerest wishes for many happy returns of
this day. She hopes the Duke will place the accompanying trifle on
his table, and that it will recall to his mind _one_ who ever reflects
with gratitude on the services he has rendered and always does render
to his Sovereign and his country.

_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._

BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _8th May 1849._

MY DEAREST UNCLE,--Alas! poor Germany, I am wretched about her;
those news from Dresden are very distressing.[9] Really with such an
excellent man as the poor King, it is too wicked to do what they
have done. If only _some sort_ of arrangement could be made; then
afterwards there might be modifications, both in the Constitution,
etc., for that Constitution never will work well.

Our Navigation Laws debate in the House of Lords began last night, and
is to be concluded to-night. There see