on return to England, the Queen is anxious
to offer him the Rangership of the Park at Blackheath, with the house
which dear Lord Aberdeen had for some years, hoping that he might find
it acceptable and agreeable from its vicinity to London.[33]

[Footnote 33: Lord Aberdeen had died on the 14th of December
1860.]

[Pageheading: THE ORLEANS PRINCES]

_The King of the Belgians to Queen Victoria._

LAEKEN, _17th October 1861_.

MY BELOVED VICTORIA,--Receive my sincerest thanks for your dear letter
of the 14th, which arrived very exactly. I am so happy to see all the
good which your stay in the Highlands has done you, and I am sure it
will be _lasting_, though Windsor must have the effect of reviving
strongly some feelings.... When one looks back on those times, one
must say that they were full of difficulties, and one ought to feel
very grateful that such a happy present has grown out of them. I
regret much Paris and Robert[34] having joined the Federal Army,
mixing in a civil war!! The object is to show courage, to be able to
say: "_Ils se sont beaucoup distingues_." They have a chance of being
shot for Abraham Lincoln and the most rank Radicalism. I don't think
that step will please in France, where Radicalism is at discount
fortunately. The poor Queen is very unhappy about it, but now nothing
can be done, only one may wish to see them well out of it. Poor Queen!
constantly new events painful to her assail her. I had rather a kind
letter from the Emperor Napoleon about the state of Mexico. I fear he
will find his wishes to see there a stable Government not much liked
in England, though his plans are _not_ for any advantage France is to
derive from it. To-morrow we go to Liege to be in readiness for the
following day. The King William III.[35] will arrive for dinner, stay
the night, and go very early on Sunday. He will be extremely well
received here, his _procede_ being duly appreciated. To be very
civilly received in a country which one was heir to, is rather _un
peu penible_, and one feels a little awkward.... Your devoted and only
Uncle,

LEOPOLD R.

[Footnote 34: The Comte de Paris and the Duc de Chartres, sons
of the Duc d'Orleans, eldest son of King Louis Philippe.]

[Footnote 35: The King of Holland.]

[Pageheading: THE COURT OF HANOVER]

_The Duchess of Manchester[36] to Queen Victoria._

HANOVER [_Undated. October 1861_].

MADAM,--Though your Majesty has only ve