eak of politics, except just saying that they are surrounded by
such very sad people without honour or honesty. I am sure they are
not French at Lisbon beyond the kindly feelings which result from the
recollection of Donna Maria's stay at Paris. My constant advice has
been to look exclusively to the closest alliance with England, and
Ferdinand is now _well aware_ of it; but you know that the Liberal
party tried to even harm him by representing him as a _mere_ creature
of England. We live in odd times when really one very often thinks
people mad; their _uncontrouled_ passions do not develop
amiable feelings, but on the contrary everything that is bad and
unreasonable....

You are a very affectionate and kind Mamma, which is very
praiseworthy; may Heaven preserve your dear little children! Victoria
is very clever, and it will give you great pleasure to see the
development which takes place with children just at that time of life.
What you say of Ernest is unfortunately but too true; that trick of
exaggeration is one of the worst I almost know, and particularly in
people in high stations, as one finally knows not what to believe,
and it generally ends with people disbelieving all such individuals do
say.... Your devoted Uncle,

LEOPOLD R.

_Queen Victoria to Sir Robert Peel._

WALMER CASTLE, _25th November 1842._

The Queen wishes Sir Robert to consider, and at an _early_ period to
submit to her, his propositions as to how to recompense and how
to mark her high approbation of the admirable conduct of all those
meritorious persons who have by their strenuous endeavour, brought
about the recent brilliant successes in China and Afghanistan.

[Pageheading: MILITARY HONOURS]

_Queen Victoria to Sir Robert Peel._

WALMER CASTLE, _29th November 1842._

Approve of the G.C.B. given to--

Sir H. POTTINGER.
Sir W. PARKER.
GENERAL NOTT.
GENERAL POLLOCK.

Likewise of the proposed pension to Sir R. Sale, and the Baronetcy to
Sir Hugh Gough.

Thinks the latter very fit to succeed Sir Jasper Nicols[109] as
Commander-in-Chief in India.

Grants with pleasure the permission _to her troops_ engaged
in Afghanistan to accept and wear the four medals which the
Governor-General has had struck for the Indian Army, and hopes that
besides gratifying the troops, it will have the beneficial effect of
still further strengthening the good feeling existing between the two
armies. Were it not for this impression,