llects with _great pleasure_ and interest, having amused
himself so much there.

I can give you excellent accounts of ourselves. The boy returned from
Brighton yesterday, looking really the picture of health, and
much _embelli_; Pussy is in great force, but not to be compared to
Charlotte in beauty; and Fatima (_alias_ Alice) is as enormous and
flourishing as ever. Dearest Louise seems much pleased with Aunt
Julia, which I am glad of, and I rejoice that poor Aunt has had the
happiness of making my beloved Louise's acquaintance, for it will be a
happy recollection for her in her solitude.

We expect the Grand Duke Michael here this afternoon; he is to stay
till Friday. The Michael Woronzows,[67] with a son and daughter, are
also coming, and we shall be a large party, and are going to dine in
the Waterloo Gallery, which makes a very handsome dining-room, and sit
after dinner in that beautiful grand Reception Room. _How_ I envy
your going to that dear French family! I hope that you will like my
favourite Chica. I trust, however, that you will _not_ stay too long
away for your good people's sake.

Not being quite sure of your going, I shall direct this to Brussels
still.

We went this morning to Kew, visited the old Palace--which is not at
all a bad house--the Botanical Gardens, and then my Aunt's.[68]

The Revolution at Athens[69] looks like _le commencement de la fin_;
it was _very_ unanimous.

Now, dearest Uncle, adieu! Ever, your most affectionate Niece,

VICTORIA R.

[Footnote 67: Prince Michael Woronzow (1782-1856) was a
plenipotentiary at the Congress of Aix-la-Chapelle (1818), and
was in command at the siege of Varna in 1828.]

[Footnote 68: The Duchess of Cambridge.]

[Footnote 69: A bloodless revolution had taken place on
the 14th of September, partly in consequence of King Otho
exercising his patronage in favour of Bavarians rather than
Greeks. He now acceded to the popular demands.]

[Pageheading: THE DUC DE BORDEAUX]

_Queen Victoria to the Earl of Aberdeen._

WINDSOR CASTLE, _9th October 1843._

The Queen has received Lord Aberdeen's two letters. She has been
reflecting upon his proposition that Mr Lytton Bulwer[70] should be
appointed Minister at Madrid, and quite approves it. The Queen trusts
that he will try and keep on the best terms with the French Minister
there, and that without in any way weakening our interests, the
representatives of these tw