gs of
the country. The country wishes for strict neutrality, but strong
defences, and we are making our Navy as strong as we can.

You ask me if Louis Oporto[35] is grown? He is, and his figure much
improved. He is a good, kind, amiable boy whom one must like. He has
sailed this morning with the Bridegroom, and on the 16th or 17th we
may expect them back with the dear young Bride.

I venture to send you a letter I received some days ago from dear
Vicky, and the religious tone of which I think will please you. May I
beg you to return it me, as her letters are very valuable to me?...

We are well fagged and worked and worried; we return to Town to-morrow
afternoon.

With kindest love to your children, ever your devoted Niece,

VICTORIA R.

[Footnote 34: After their defeat on the 1st of April on the
proposed Reform Bill, the Ministry had dissolved Parliament,
and had gained in the elections twenty-five seats--not enough
to counterbalance the Palmerstonian triumph of 1857. If,
therefore, the various sections of the Liberal Party
could unite, the displacement of the Derby Government was
inevitable. Such a combination was, in fact, arranged at a
meeting at Willis's Rooms organised by Lord Palmerston, Lord
John Russell, Mr Bright and Mr Sidney Herbert.]

[Footnote 35: Brother and successor of King Pedro V. of
Portugal, and father of King Carlos. The King had married in
May 1858 the Duchess Stephanie (born 1837), daughter of Prince
Antoine of Hohenzollern.]

_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._

BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _9th May 1859_.

MY DEAREST UNCLE,--I write to-day instead of to-morrow to profit by
the return of your messenger. Many, many thanks for your dear letter
of the 6th. What _are_ the Austrians about? They would _not_ wait when
they ought to have done so, and _now_ that they should have long
ago made a rush and an attack with their overwhelming force, they
do _nothing!_ nothing since the 30th! leaving the French to become
stronger and more _fit_ for the struggle every day!! It is indeed
distracting, and most difficult to understand them or do anything for
them. The Emperor leaves Paris for Genoa to-morrow. It is _not_ true
that the Empress was so warlike; Lord Cowley says, on the contrary,
she is very unhappy about it, and that the Emperor himself is low and
altered. Old Vaillant goes with him as General-Major.... Ever your
devoted Niece,