of the Duc de Bordeaux, and of his further
communication with the Duc de Levis on the projects and views of His
Royal Highness.

Lord Aberdeen has ventured to submit this letter to your Majesty,
although not intended for your Majesty's perusal, as it gives a
pleasing and satisfactory description of the conduct and sentiments of
this unfortunate Prince.

In order to explain to your Majesty how Lord Morton, who lives in
a very retired manner, should have received a visit from the Duc
de Bordeaux, Lord Aberdeen begs to mention that when the family of
Charles X. resided at Edinburgh, after the Revolution of July 1830,
they received information more than once, from the present Royal
Family of France, that certain desperate characters had left Paris for
Edinburgh, with the intention of assassinating the Duc de Bordeaux, in
order to prevent all possibility of a Restoration. In consequence of
this information, it was thought to be dangerous for the Prince to
walk or to expose himself in the neighbourhood of Holyrood House. He
was frequently driven in a carriage to Lord Morton's,[79] where he
remained for a few hours, taking exercise in the park, and playing
with Lord Morton's children. It is the recollection of this which has
led the Prince to make his acknowledgments on the present occasion.

Lord Aberdeen also begs humbly to mention to your Majesty that on his
arrival here he found the Duke and Duchess of Buccleuch in expectation
of a visit from the Duc de Bordeaux, on his way from Glasgow
to Carlisle. Lord Aberdeen informed the Duke and Duchess of the
objections which might exist to this visit; but he believes that
communications on the subject had already gone too far to render
it possible to break it off with any degree of propriety. The great
attentions paid by the Duke and his predecessors to the French Royal
Family, both during the former and last emigration, sufficient account
for this desire on the part of the Prince.

[Footnote 78: George Sholto, nineteenth Earl of Morton
(1789-1858).]

[Footnote 79: Dalmahoy, Midlothian.]

[Pageheading: VISIT TO CAMBRIDGE]

[Pageheading: BETROTHAL OF THE DUC D'AUMALE]

_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._

WINDSOR CASTLE, _31st October 1843._

MY DEAREST UNCLE,--I had the pleasure of receiving your dear and kind
letter of the 27th yesterday, by which I learn that you are all well
and going on the 4th. Forgive me, dearest Uncle, if I say that