cold, and therefore I was apprehensive of waiting
at the station on the 20th in the evening; I sent Marie and Philip
to receive the Empress. Yesterday before daybreak I went myself to
Antwerp. I first paid the Empress a visit, and then I took her to your
beautiful ship. She was much struck with it, and it was _very kind_
of you, and indeed, for an invalid, invaluable. It will show,
besides, that even beyond Garibaldi, and that amiable, disinterested
_Annex_ander, you can feel some interest. I saw the Empress already
dressed for her departure, but I think there is something very
peculiar about her, which is very pleasing. Poor soul, to see her go
away under, I fear, not very safe circumstances, as she coughs a great
deal, quite grieves one; though it certainly increased my stupid cold,
still I should have been sorry not to have assisted at her going to
sea. It was a beautiful day, but this night it has begun to blow from
the West-south-west, which I fear will create a sea to the Westward.

That you had your sons about you must have been a great satisfaction
to you. Bertie got well through his truly tremendous tour. I think
that the effect on the Americans will last for some time. That the
poor Duke of Newcastle got home without accident is surprising. Affy
has something most winning, and is a dear little rogue. Eugenie's
expedition[46] is most astonishing. She also coughs much, and I never
heard Scotland recommended for Winter excursions. I believe that the
death of her sister affected her a good deal. She seems to have been a
good deal _choquee_ that she had been dancing in Africa when that poor
sister was dying. Next to this, there seems a difference of opinion
with her master on the subject of the Pope. You will recollect that
at the time of his elections the clergy rendered him undoubted good
service; I even doubt that he would have been elected without their
aid. Now he puts the axe to the root of the whole Catholic Church
by destroying the Pope, and he does this _without the slightest
provocation_, and for the benefit of the revolution _et des
revolutionnaires_....

I remain ever, my beloved Victoria, your devoted Uncle,

LEOPOLD R.

[Footnote 45: The Empress Elizabeth was on her way to Madeira,
in a ship placed at her disposal by the Queen.]

[Footnote 46: The Empress of the French was making a tour in
England and Scotland for the benefit of her health; she
had sustained a bereavement by