ms to be almost a certainty that
there will be a majority, though a very small one, and the danger of
course exists that any accident may turn it the other way.

Knowing your esteem for our worthy friend, Sir Robert Peel, you will,
I am sure, be glad to hear that his second son, Frederick,[10] made
such a beautiful speech--his maiden speech--in the House of Commons
last night; he was complimented by every one, and Sir Robert was
delighted. I am so glad for him, and also rejoice to see that there is
a young man who promises to be of use hereafter to his country.

Albert is again gone to lay a first stone. It is a delight to hear
people speak of the good he does by always saying and doing the right
thing....

[Footnote 9: The King of Prussia, finding Saxony, Bavaria,
Wuertemberg, and Hanover opposed to the ascendency of Prussia
in the Confederation, declined the Imperial Crown of Germany;
fresh disturbances thereupon ensued, and at Dresden, the King
of Saxony had to take refuge in a fortress.]

[Footnote 10: Afterwards the Right Hon. Sir Frederick Peel,
who died in 1906.]

_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._

BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _22nd May 1849._

MY DEAREST UNCLE,--I could not write to you yesterday, my time having
been so entirely taken up by kind visitors, etc., and I trust you
will forgive these hurried lines written just before our departure for
Osborne.[11] I hope that you will not have been alarmed by the account
of the occurrence which took place on Saturday, and which I can assure
you did _not_ alarm _me_ at all. _This_ time it is quite clear that
it was a wanton and wicked wish merely to _frighten_, which is very
wrong, and will be tried and punished as a _misdemeanour_. The
account in the _Times_ is quite correct. The indignation, loyalty, and
affection this act has called forth is very gratifying and touching.

Alice gives a very good account of it, and Lenchen[12] even says, "Man
shot, tried to shoot dear Mamma, must be punished." They, Affie, and
Miss Macdonald were with me. Albert was riding, and had just returned
before me. Augustus and Clem had left us just two hours before....

Many thanks for your kind letter of the 19th. _What_ a state Germany
is in!--I mean _Baden_, but I hope that this violent crisis may lead
to good.

I must conclude. Ever your truly devoted Niece,

VICTORIA R.

[Footnote 11: The Queen, while driving down Constitution Hill