as so
_happy_ to have _her_ with me on this memorable occasion, having
had _you_ with me on the previous occasion.[35] And it was
magnificent--finer decidedly than in London--there were more (1,400
more), and then the scenery here is so splendid! That fine mountain
of Arthur's Seat, crowded with thousands and thousands to the very
top--and the Scotch are very noisy and demonstrative in their loyalty.
Lord Breadalbane, at the head of his Highlanders, was the picture of
a Highland chieftain. The dust was quite fearful! At nine we leave for
Balmoral. Ever your devoted Niece,

VICTORIA R.

[Footnote 34: The Duchess of Kent was spending the summer at
Cramond House, near Edinburgh.]

[Footnote 35: The Review in Hyde Park, which took place on the
23rd of June.]

[Pageheading: THE HIGHLANDS]

_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._

BALMORAL, _10th September 1860._

MY BELOVED UNCLE,--I have no letter from you, but trust you are quite
well. Here we have had a week of very fine weather, but since Saturday
it has been extremely cold. We made a most delightful incognito
expedition on Tuesday last, 4th, returning on Wednesday, 5th. We drove
off from here quite early at eight, for twenty-one miles up to the
_Geldie_, a small river--_rode_ from here on ponies across the hills
to Glen Fishie, a beautiful spot, where the old Duchess of Bedford
used to live in a sort of encampment of wooden huts--on to Loch Inch,
a beautiful but not wild lake (another twenty miles), crossed the
Spey in a ferry, and posted in very rough vehicles to Grantown, again
twenty miles, coming in there at nine. We passed close by Kinrara
where you used to be, but, unfortunately, not by the house. _No_ one
knew us--anywhere or at the little inn. We went under the names of
Lord and Lady Churchill, and Lady Churchill and General Grey who went
with us, under the names of Miss Spencer and Dr Grey! Two maids
_only_ went with us (whom we had sent round with our things), and
_no_ servants but our two excellent Highlanders, viz. Albert's
first stalker or head keeper, and _my own Highland servant_ and
factotum--_both_ excellent, intelligent, devoted people. _Only_ when
we had _left_ was it found out. We posted to Tomantoul, a wretched
village--fourteen miles, _in four hours!!_ with a pair of wretched
tired horses--over a big hilly road. At Tomantoul we again took our
ponies and rode by Avon Side and Glen Avon, also very fine; back to