her comfort to have
made the last years of the Duke's life happy, and to have been his
comfort to the last moment.

I wish you good-night, dearest Niece, and beg you to give my best
love to dear Albert, and to believe me most devotedly your most
affectionate Aunt,

ADELAIDE.

[Pageheading: BIRTH OF PRINCESS ALICE]

_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._

BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _16th May 1843._

MY DEAREST UNCLE,--Your kind and dear letter of the 12th has given
me great pleasure. I am happy to give you still better accounts of
myself.[37] I have been out every day since Saturday, and have resumed
all my usual habits almost (of course resting often on the sofa, and
not having appeared in Society yet), and feel so strong and well; much
better (independent of the nerves) than I have been either time. We
are most thankful for it. The King of Hanover has never said _when_ he
will come, even _now_, but always threatens that he will....

Our little baby, who I really am proud of, for she is so very forward
for her age, is to be called _Alice_, an old English name, and the
other names are to be _Maud_ (another old English name and the same
as Matilda) and _Mary_, as she was born on Aunt Gloucester's birthday.
The Sponsors are to be: The King of Hanover,--Ernestus the Pious; poor
Princess Sophia Matilda,[38] and Feodore, and the christening to be on
the 2nd of June. It will be delightful to see you and dearest Louise
on the 19th of June, God willing.

Are there any news of Joinville's proceedings at Rio?[39] Ever your
devoted Niece,

VICTORIA R.

[Footnote 37: Princess Alice was born on 25th April.]

[Footnote 38: Princess Sophia Matilda of Gloucester.]

[Footnote 39: He married Princess Francesca, sister of the
Emperor of the Brazils and of Queen Donna Maria.]

[Pageheading: CHRISTENING OF PRINCESS ALICE]

_The Earl of Ripon to Queen Victoria._

INDIA BOARD, _5th June 1843._

Lord Ripon, with his humble duty to your Majesty, begs to inform your
Majesty that despatches have been this day received at the India House
from the Governor-General of India and from the Governor of Bombay,
announcing the successful issue of a battle, on the 24th of March,
between Sir Charles Napier and Meer Shere Mahommed.[40] The forces of
the latter were completely routed, with the loss of all the guns and
several standards.

RIPON.

[Footnote 40: Sir Charles Napier, who was in command in