cribes her exactly as your Majesty does, as being very
"amiable and unassuming," and though one of the first, if not the
first lady at Vienna, as not at all partaking of the insolence and
hauteur which is by some ascribed to the society of that capital. As
a beauty, she is perhaps upon too large a scale, except for those who
admire women of all shapes and sizes; but her eyes and brow are very
fine, and there is a very peculiarly soft and radiant expression about
them. Lord Melbourne had heard of his Sovereignty, but understands
that his territory is extremely limited. His possessions as a subject
of Austria are worth a good deal more than his German principality.

Lord Melbourne greatly congratulates your Majesty upon the happy
progress and termination of the expedition to Scotland. He is very
glad of three things--that your Majesty returned by sea, in the
steamer, and that the passage was a good one....

The country is indeed most interesting, full of real picturesque
beauty and of historical and poetical associations and recollections.
There is nothing to detract from it, except the very high opinion
that the Scotch themselves entertain of it. Edinburgh is
magnificent--situation, buildings, and all--but the boasting of the
articles in the newspapers respecting it almost inclined one to deny
its superiority. It is also, as your Majesty says, most striking to
contemplate in the Clans the remains of feudal times and institutions.
It is quite as well, however, particularly for Monarchy, that they are
but remains, and that no more of them have been left.

Lord Melbourne thanks your Majesty much for your kind enquiries after
his health. He thinks that he is getting better and stronger than he
has been, and has a notion of trying a little shooting in October.

Lord Melbourne begs to be respectfully remembered to the Prince.

[Footnote 92: Prince Aloysius Joseph of Liechtenstein
(1796-1858) and his wife, Princess Francoise-de-Paule,
Countess Kinsky.]

_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._

WINDSOR CASTLE, _18th October 1842._

MY DEAREST UNCLE,--I only received your kind letter yesterday, for
which my best thanks. I am delighted to hear that Louise's cough is
decidedly better, and that upon the whole the dear family are well,
thank God! Certainly where He sees fit to afflict, He gives strength
to bear up!

Louise says Vecto is in great beauty, and the baby magnificent. I wish
you could see