ade by Lord John in the House, in
reference to the securities to be given for the neutrality
and independence of Switzerland, such as would pacify the
Emperor.]

[Pageheading: DEATH OF PRINCE HOHENLOHE]

_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._

BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _25th April 1860_.

MY DEAREST UNCLE,--I write to you on this paper to-day, as it is our
good Alice's birthday--her seventeenth! She is a good, dear, amiable
child, and in very good looks just now. Her future is still undecided,
she is quite free, and _all_ we wish is a good, kind husband--_no_
brilliant position (which there is not to be got), but a quiet,
comfortable position.

Bertie returned last night delighted with his tour,[18] and with our
beloved old Coburg, in _spite of snow_. I will tell him to give you an
account of it. He made a very favourable impression there. He gives a
good account of dear Stockmar too.

Many, many thanks for your dear kind letter of the 20th, with the
enclosure from dear Charlotte, whose happy, contented disposition is a
great blessing.

I was sure you would grieve for poor, dear, honest Ernest
Hohenlohe[19]; Feodore feels it dreadfully, and writes beautifully
about it. Thank God! she has every comfort in her second son, Hermann,
who--by an arrangement made last year with the eldest and poor
Ernest--has the entire management of everything; Charles has a certain
income and Weikersheim[20]; while Hermann has Langenburg and the
management of everything else; he naturally leaves the Austrian
Service.

We are too delighted to hear that you are, D.V., ready to come by the
2nd of June; it will be so great a pleasure, and to dear Mamma
too, who is _unberufen_ wonderfully well. She is here again since
yesterday, and will stay till the 2nd. Clem was quite astonished at
her looks. The poor Queen will be seventy-eight to-morrow. She is very
tolerably well.

How well do I remember that speech of Oscar's in the carriage. It
certainly took us _all_ in....

I fear I must end for to-day. With Albert's affectionate love, ever
your devoted Niece,

VICTORIA R.

Bertie was much pleased with little Louise.[21]

[Footnote 18: The Prince of Wales had been spending a week at
Coburg and Gotha, which he had not previously seen.]

[Footnote 19: Prince Ernest died on the 12th of April, and was
succeeded by his second son Hermann.]

[Footnote 20: A small town in Wuertemberg, and part of th