ittle Xandrina Victoria.

[Footnote 2: Princess Feodore, the Queen's half-sister.]

[Footnote 3: Augusta, daughter of Frederick, Landgrave of
Hesse-Cassel, wife of the Duke of Cambridge.]

[Footnote 4: Princess Mary, a daughter of George III., married
to her cousin the Duke of Gloucester.]

[Footnote 5: Princess Sophia, daughter of George III.]

[Pageheading: EARLY LETTERS]

[The following is the earliest letter preserved of the long series
written by the Queen to King (then Prince) Leopold. The Princess was
then nine years old.]

KENSINGTON PALACE, _25th November 1823._

MY DEAREST UNCLE,--I wish you many happy returns of your birthday; I
very often think of you, and I hope to see you soon again, for I am
very fond of you. I see my Aunt Sophia[6] often, who looks very well,
and is very well. I use every day your pretty soup-basin. Is it very
warm in Italy? It is so mild here, that I go out every day. Mama is
tolerable well and am quite well. Your affectionate Niece,

VICTORIA.

_P.S._--I am very angry with you, Uncle, for you have never written to
me once since you went, and that is a long while.

[Footnote 6: Princess Sophia, daughter of George III.]

_Prince Leopold_[7] _to the Princess Victoria._

PARIS, _20th April 1829._

MY DEAREST LOVE,--Though in a few days I hope to have the happiness
of seeing you, still I wish to recall myself even before that time to
your recollection, and to tell you how delighted I shall be to embrace
my dearest little child. I have travelled far over the world and shall
be able to give you some curious information about various matters.

Stockmar, who was very ill, and whom I despaired of seeing here, did
arrive before yesterday,[8] and you may guess what pleasure it gave
me. Now I will conclude; _au revoir_, and let me find you grown,
blooming, and kind to your old and faithful Uncle,

LEOPOLD.

[Footnote 7: Afterwards King of the Belgians.]

[Footnote 8: I.e. _avant hier_.]

[Pageheading: BIRTHDAY LETTERS]

_The Princess Hohenlohe[9] to the Princess Victoria._

[_May 1829._]

If I had wings and could fly like a bird, I should fly in at your
window like the little robin to-day, and wish you many very happy
returns of the 24th, and tell you how I love you, dearest sister, and
how often I think of you and long to see you. I think if I were once
with you again I could not leave you so soon. I should