rt.

_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._

BALMORAL, _21st October 1861_.

MY DEAREST UNCLE,--You will excuse a long letter as this is our last
day, alas! Many, many thanks for your dear letters of the 17th and
18th, which I received yesterday. I am glad to see that my account of
our mountain expedition amused you, and that you remember all so well.
If it could amuse you later, I would send you my _Reisebeschreibung_
to read. I will have it copied and send it you later. We have had a
most beautiful week, which we have thoroughly enjoyed--I going out
every day about twelve or half-past, taking luncheon with us, carried
in a basket on the back of a Highlander, and served by an _invaluable_
Highland servant I have, who is _my factotum here_, and takes the most
wonderful care of me, combining the offices of groom, footman, page,
and _maid_, I might almost say, as he is so handy about cloaks and
shawls, etc. He always leads my pony, and always attends me out of
doors, and _such_ a good, handy, _faithful_, attached servant I have
nowhere; it is quite a sorrow for me to leave him behind. Now, with
Albert's affectionate love, ever your devoted Niece,

VICTORIA R.

[Pageheading: THE _TIMES_ AND PRUSSIA]

_Queen Victoria to Viscount Palmerston._

WINDSOR CASTLE, _25th October 1861_.

The Queen has long seen with deep regret the persevering efforts
made by the _Times_, which leads the rest of our Press, in attacking,
vilifying, and abusing everything German, and particularly everything
Prussian. That journal had since years shown the same bias, but it is
since the Macdonald affair of last year,[49] that it has assumed
that tone of virulence, which could not fail to produce the deepest
indignation amongst the people of Germany, and by degrees estrange the
feelings of the people of this country from Germany. Lord Palmerston,
probably not reading any German newspaper, nor having any personal
intercourse with that country, can hardly be aware to what extent the
mischief has already gone, though he will agree with the Queen that
national hatred between these two peoples is a real political calamity
for both. The Queen had often intended to write to Lord Palmerston
on the subject, and to ask him whether he would not be acting in the
spirit of public duty if he endeavoured, as far at least as might
be in his power, to point out to the managers of the _Times_ (which
derives some of its power from the belie