time ago been the
fashion to invent all sorts of nonsense.

I left Stockmar extremely hypochondriacal, but I trust not so unwell
as he fancied. His son accompanies him to Coburg.

[Pageheading: THE QUEEN'S RETURN]

_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._

ON BOARD THE _Victoria and Albert_, IN THE RIVER,[63]

_21st September 1843._

MY DEARLY BELOVED UNCLE,--I seize the first opportunity of informing
you of our excellent passage; we shall be in half-an-hour or
three-quarters at Woolwich; it is now half-past ten A.M. The day and
night were beautiful, and it is again, very fine to-day. We anchored
in Margate Roads at eleven last night, and set off again about five.

Let me thank you and my beloved Louise in both our names again for
your _great kindness_ to us, which, believe me, we feel _deeply_. We
were _so happy_ with you, and the stay was _so delightful_, but so
painfully short! It was such a joy for me to be once again under the
roof of one who has ever been a father to me! I was _very_ sad after
you left us; it seems so strange that all should be over--but the
_delightful_ souvenir will _ever_ remain. To leave my dearest Louise
too was so painful--and also poor Aunt Julia,[64] so immediately after
making her acquaintance; pray tell her that, for me. I shall write to
Louise to-morrow. You must forgive my hand being so trembling, but we
are _lighter_ than usual, which causes the tremulous motion to be so
much more felt.

That God may bless and protect you _all always_ is our fervent prayer.
Believe me, always, your devoted and grateful Niece and Child,

VICTORIA R.

[Footnote 63: On the 12th the Queen and Prince Albert sailed
from Brighton on a visit to King Leopold. They visited Ostend,
Bruges, Ghent, Brussels, and Antwerp.]

[Footnote 64: Sister of the Duchess of Kent, married to the
Grand Duke Constantine.]

_Queen Victoria to Sir James Graham._

WINDSOR CASTLE, _22nd September 1843._

The Queen has received Sir James Graham's letter of the 22nd.[65] She
has long seen with deep concern the lamentable state of turbulence in
South Wales, and has repeatedly urged the necessity of its being put
an end to, by _vigorous_ efforts on the part of the Government. The
Queen, therefore, willingly gives her sanction to the issuing of a
special Commission for the trial of the offenders and to the issuing
of a proclamation. Monday, the 2nd, being the earliest day at which,