particular our own near relations, the Nemours) from time
to time _here_ and in London, and that the Queen has _always_ from
the first year done this _openly_ but _unostentatiously_. It is by _no
means_ her intention to change her conduct in this respect--but since
the great noise caused by the "fusion" she thought it better _not_
to invite the Nemours either to Osborne or here, hoping that by
_this time_ these tiresome rumours would have ceased. They have not,
however, and we think that perhaps it would be wiser _not_ to see them
here, _at any rate_ till after the meeting of Parliament, though it is
very painful to the Queen to hurt their feelings by apparent neglect.
Is Lord Aberdeen of this opinion, and does he think that it will _not_
be misconstrued into an _admission_ of having encouraged _intrigues_
or of _submission_ to the will and pleasure of Louis Napoleon?

For the Queen would never submit to such an accusation, nor would she
continue (after the excitement is past) to exclude these poor exiles
from occasional visits--which have been paid and received ever since
_'48_, and which would be unworthy and ungenerous conduct.

Likewise does Lord Aberdeen think that a morning visit to the Duchess
of Aumale to enquire after her health would be imprudent?

It goes much against the Queen's feelings of generosity and kindness
to neglect the poor exiles as she has done this winter, but the
present moment is one of _unparalleled_ excitement and of
great political importance, which requires great prudence and
circumspection. There is an admirable article in the _Morning
Chronicle_ of to-day, taking quite the _right line_ upon the infamous
and _now_ almost ridiculous attacks on the _Queen_ and Prince. Has
Lord Aberdeen any idea who could have written it?

The Queen sends a letter she had received from her Uncle, which
may amuse and interest him. To make the statement of the Queen's
intercourse with the Orleans family quite clear, she should add, that
when the family visit the Queen or she visits them, that it is put
into the Court Circular, and this of course gets copied into country
papers and foreign papers; but after consideration the Queen thought
this the wiser course, for with all the spies who are no doubt
about--if this were not done, and the Queen's visits and _vice versa_
were suppressed and _yet_ found out--it would give them an air of
_mystery_ which is just what we wish to avoid.

[Footnote 5: Son of