uch after you.

Now adieu! Ever your devoted Niece,

VICTORIA R.

[Pageheading: BETROTHAL OF PRINCE DE JOINVILLE]

_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._

CLAREMONT, _10th January 1843._

MY DEAREST UNCLE,--I am happy to write to you again from this so very
dear and comfortable old place, where you will have heard from Louise
that we arrived with our dear Pussy on Thursday last. We are _all_
so particularly well, including Pussy, that we intend, to my great
delight, to prolong our stay till next Monday. This place has a
peculiar charm for us both, and to me it brings back recollections
of the _happiest_ days of my otherwise _dull_ childhood--where I
experienced such kindness from you, dearest Uncle, which has ever
since continued. It is true that my _last_ stay here _before_ I came
to the Throne, from November '36 to February '37, was a peculiarly
painful and disagreeable one, but somehow or other, I do _not_ think
of those times, but only of all the former _so_ happy ones. Victoria
plays with my old bricks, etc., and I think you would be pleased to
see this and to see her _running_ and jumping in the flower garden, as
_old_--though I fear _still little_--_Victoria of former days_ used
to do. She is very well, and such an amusement to us, that I can't
bear to move without her; she is _so_ funny and speaks so well, and in
French also, she knows almost everything; she would therefore get on
famously with Charlotte....

Might I ask you some questions about Joinville's match,[1] which
interests me much? First of all, _have_ you heard of his arrival at
Rio? Secondly, if the Donna Francesca pleases, is he empowered _at
once to make the demand_, or must he write home first? How nice it
would be if the _two_ marriages could take place at _once_; but I
suppose, under any circumstances, that could _not_ be....

Alexandrine is nearly quite recovered; she writes such pretty,
affectionate, kind letters, poor dear child, and is so fond of Ernest.
I must say I think _he_ seems improved, as he likes to live _quietly_
with her, and speaks of her too with the greatest affection.

Now, my dearest Uncle, let me take my leave, begging you to believe
me, always, your devoted Niece,

VICTORIA R.

[Footnote 1: He was married to the Princess Francesca of
Brazil on 1st May.]

[Pageheading: HISTORICAL READING]

_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._

BROCKET HALL, _12th January 1843._

Lord Mel