Orleans) was!
The loss to France, and indeed Europe, is very great; but to the Royal
Family, dearest Louise (who all doted on him), and above all to poor
unfortunate Helene, who adored him (and he was a most devoted husband
to her), and to his two poor little boys of four and one years old--he
is an irreparable loss. The Queen has heard from none yet, but has
seen a letter from Guizot, who was a witness of the _last scene_,
which is quite truly reported in the papers; he says it was
fearful--the poor Duke lying and dying on a mattress on the floor
surrounded by his parents and sisters, kneeling and praying around
their dearly beloved Child! Alas! poor Helene had not even that
comfort!

The Queen is very glad that the Bill for the better security of her
person has passed so quickly and in so gratifying a manner through
both Houses.

We are here since yesterday week, enjoying the fine weather, and great
quiet and peace; but the news from Paris have damped our spirits.

The Queen is charmed with her new sister,[49] who is a most amiable,
sensible, and gentle creature, and without being really handsome, very
pretty and pleasing.

We return to town to-morrow and the Queen hopes soon to see Lord
Melbourne. We intend going to Windsor to settle, on Saturday.

The Queen trusts Lord Melbourne is quite well.

[Footnote 49: The Duchess Ernest of Saxe-Coburg.]

[Pageheading: LETTER FROM KING LOUIS PHILIPPE]

_The King of the French to Queen Victoria._

NEUILLY, _17 Juillet 1842._

MADAME MA BIEN CHERE ET BIEN BONNE S[OE]UR,--J'ai bien reconnu
le c[oe]ur de votre Majeste dans l'empressement qu'elle a mis a
m'exprimer la part qu'elle prend a mon malheur. Ma malheureuse Reine
en est egalement bien touchee, et si elle ne le temoigne pas elle-meme
des aujourd'hui a votre Majeste, c'est qu'elle est encore dans
l'impossibilite d'ecrire. Nous osons lui demander tous les deux,
d'etre notre interprete aupres du Prince Albert, et de lui dire
combien nous sommes sensibles a son interet. S'il pouvait y avoir une
consolation au coup affreux qui a frappe nos vieux jours, ce serait
ces temoignages d'interet, et les regrets dont on entoure le tombeau
de mon enfant cheri, et la perte immense que tous ont faite en lui!
C'est a present qu'on sent ce qu'il etait, et ce qu'il devenait chaque
jour de plus en plus.

Je remercie de nouveau votre Majeste, du fond de mon c[oe]ur brise, de
tous les sentiments dont elle veut bien me