looked upon as a strong party one, as he is one of the leaders of the
Low Church Party; but perhaps Lord Palmerston may be able in the case
of possible future appointments to remove any impression of the Church
patronage running unduly towards party extremes.

[Footnote 60: Mr Bickersteth (a nephew of Lord Langdale, a
former Master of the Rolls) was then Rector of St Giles'. Lord
Palmerston had written that he thought him well qualified
for a diocese "full of manufacturers, clothier-workmen,
Methodists, and Dissenters."]

[Pageheading: THE QUEEN'S GRIEF]

_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._

WINDSOR CASTLE, _26th November 1856_.

MY DEAREST UNCLE,--I was again prevented from writing to you yesterday
as I intended, by multitudinous letters, etc. I therefore come
only to-day with my warmest thanks for your most kind, feeling, and
sympathising letter of the 23rd, which I _felt deeply_.

Poor dear Charles, I loved him _tenderly_ and _dearly_, and feel every
day _more_ how impossible it is that the great blank caused by his
loss should _ever_ be filled up, and how _impossible it is to realise_
the dreadful thought that I shall never see his dear, dear face again
in this world! All the accounts of his peaceful death, of his fine
and touching funeral, seem to me to be the descriptions of _another
person's_ death and burial--not poor dear Charles's.

Don't fear for my health, it is particularly good--and _grief_ never
seems to affect it; little worries and annoyances fret and irritate
me, but _not great_ or sad events. And I _derive_ benefit and _relief_
both in my body and soul in _dwelling_ on the sad object which is
_the_ one which fills my heart! The having to think and talk of other
and indifferent things (I mean _not_ business so much) is very trying
to my nerves, and does me harm.

Vicky is well again, and the young couple seem really very fond of
each other. We have from living [together] for twelve days--as we did
entirely alone with him and Vicky in our own apartments--got to know
him much more intimately, and to be much more _a notre aise_ with him
than we could be in the London season, and he is now quite _l'enfant
de la maison!_ He is excellent and very sensible. I hope that you may
be equally pleased and satisfied with _your_ future son-in-law.

I must now conclude in great haste; excellent Stockmar is particularly
well and brisk. Ever your devoted Niece,

VICTORI