just setting off for Ascot--that I
can hardly write anything to you. There seems no doubt whatever that
Francis is totally without accomplices, and a _mauvais sujet_. We
shall be able probably to tell you more when we see you. I am grieved
that you have deferred your visit again. We are then to expect your
arrival either on the Tuesday or Wednesday? Very thankful we should be
soon to hear whom you bring with you.

Dear Uncle and the Cousins are delighted with Windsor, and the weather
is beautiful, only unfortunately _too_ hot to be pleasant. I rode on
my little Barb at a review of Cavalry at Wormwood Scrubbs on Saturday,
_dont je suis bien fiere_. Now adieu! dearest Uncle. In haste, your
devoted Niece,

VICTORIA R.

[Pageheading: NEWS FROM AFGHANISTAN]

[Pageheading: SALE AND POLLOCK]

_Lord Fitzgerald and Vesci to Queen Victoria._

INDIA BOARD, _7th June 1842._

Lord Fitzgerald, with his most humble duty to your Majesty, humbly
acquaints your Majesty that despatches have been this day received
from the Governor-General and the several Presidencies of India.

They announce a signal victory, achieved by Sir Robert Sale and his
admirable garrison.[36]

The circumstances attending his glorious success, and the consequences
likely to result from it, are amongst the most important of this
hurtful war.

They are described in Sir Robert Sale's Report, as published in the
_Bombay Gazette_, a copy of which is most humbly submitted to your
Majesty.

The despatches further bring the gratifying intelligence that General
Pollock had forced the Khyber Pass, and, defeating the enemy on
every point, had surmounted the chief obstacles of that dangerous
defile.[37]

The relief of the brave men under Sir Robert Sale, to which their own
gallantry and their late victory have so mainly contributed, may now
be regarded as certain from the success of General Pollock's advance.

It is with regret that Lord Fitzgerald has to add that the citadel
of Ghuznee has surrendered on the faith of a capitulation, perhaps
already violated, and that General England, who had marched with a
convoy of treasure, and other supplies for the Army at Candahar, had
been forced to retrace his steps and had arrived at Quetta.

At the same time, however, General Nott had dispersed considerable
assemblages of rebel tribes, whom he had defeated with loss, while
an attack made during his absence on the city of Candahar had been
effectually rep