Stockmar communicated to us are most interesting, and do
the writer the greatest credit. Watchful we certainly shall and must
be. We shall try and keep on the best of terms with the President, who
is extremely sensitive and susceptible, but for whom, I must say, I
have never had any _personal_ hostility; on the contrary, I thought
that during 1849 and 1850 we owed him all a good deal, as he certainly
raised the French Government _de la boue_. But I grieve over the
tyranny and oppression practised since the _coup d'etat_, and it makes
everything very uncertain, for though I believe it in every way
his wish and his policy not to go to war, still, _il peut y etre
entraine_.

Your position is a peculiarly delicate one, but still, as I again
repeat, I think there is no reason to be alarmed; particularly, I
would _never_ show it.

The poor Nemours were here from Saturday till yesterday evening with
their dear nice boys, and I think it always does them good. They feel
again as if they were in their own position, and they are diverted
from the melancholy reality and the great sameness of their existence
at Claremont. I found him very quiet and really _not_ bitter, and
disposed to be very prudent,--but seriously alarmed at the possibility
of losing their property, which would be _too_ dreadful and monstrous.
I fear that the candidature and poor Helene's imprudence in talking
are the cause of this cruel persecution. The poor Orleans have really
(and you should write them that) no _truer_ and more faithful friends
than we are--and it is for this reason that I urge and entreat them to
be entirely passive; for _their day_ will come, I feel convinced!

Now good-bye, my dearest, kindest Uncle. Ever your truly devoted
Niece,

VICTORIA R.

_Queen Victoria to Lord John Russell._

WINDSOR CASTLE, _27th January 1852._

The Queen has received Lord John Russell's letter of yesterday with
the draft of Bills, and likewise that of to-day enclosing a Memorandum
on the probable effects of the proposed Measure.[3] She has perused
these papers with great attention, but feels that any opinion upon
the future results of the Measure must rest on surmises; she has that
confidence, however, in Lord John's experience and judgment in these
matters, and so strong a conviction that he will have spared no pains
in forming as correct an opinion as may be formed on so problematical
a matter, that she is prepared to come to the decision of approv