ember 1861_.

DEAREST UNCLE,--I can report another good night, and _no_ loss of
strength, and continued satisfactory symptoms. But more we dare _not_
expect for some days; _not_ losing ground is a _gain, now_, of _every_
day.

It is very sad and trying for me, but I am well, and I think really
_very_ courageous; for it is the first time that _I_ ever witnessed
anything of this kind though _I_ suffered from the same at Ramsgate,
and was much worse. The trial in every way is so very trying, for I
have lost my guide, my support, my all, _for a time_--as we can't
ask or tell him anything. Many thanks for your kind letter received
yesterday. We have been and are reading Von Ense's book[59] to Albert;
but it is _not_ worth much. He likes very much being read to as
it soothes him. W. Scott is also read to him. You shall hear again
to-morrow, dearest Uncle, and, please God! each day will be more
cheering. Ever your devoted Niece,

VICTORIA R.

[Footnote 59: The _Memoirs_ of Varnhagen von Ense (1785-1858),
who served for some years in the Austrian and the Russian
Armies, and was later in the Prussian Diplomatic Service.]

_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._

WINDSOR CASTLE, _12th December 1861_.

MY BELOVED UNCLE,--I can again report favourably of our _most_
precious invalid. He maintains his ground well--had another very good
night--takes plenty of nourishment, and shows surprising strength.
I am constantly in and out of his room, but since the _first four
dreadful_ nights, _last_ week, _before_ they had declared it to be
_gastric fever_--I do not sit up with him at night as I could be of
no use; and there is nothing to cause alarm. I go out twice a day
for about an hour. It is a very trying time, for a fever with its
despondency, weakness, and occasional and _invariable_ wandering, is
most painful to witness--but we have _never_ had _one unfavourable_
symptom; to-morrow, reckoning from the 22nd, when dear Albert first
fell ill--after going on a wet day to look at some buildings--having
likewise been unusually depressed with worries of different kinds--is
the _end_ of the _third week_; we _may_ hope for improvement _after_
that, but the Doctors say they should _not_ be _at all disappointed
if_ this did _not_ take place till the _end_ of the _fourth week_. I
cannot sufficiently praise the skill, attention, and devotion of
Dr Jenner,[60] who is the _first fever_ Doctor in Europe, one may
say-