I am
glad that you are _at length_ going back to Belgium, as (though I
fully understand from _personal_ experience how delightful it must be
to be in the midst of that dear and perfect family) I think these long
absences distress your faithful Belgians a little.

We returned on Saturday, highly pleased and interested with our
tour,[80] though a little _done up_. I seldom remember more enthusiasm
than was shown at Cambridge, and in particular by the Undergraduates.
They received my dear Angel, too, with the greatest enthusiasm. This
is useful, as these young people _will all, in time_, have a certain
part to play; they are the rising generation, and an event of this
kind makes a lasting impression on their minds.

You will have heard from Louise that there is no longer any impediment
to the dear Nemours coming, which you may easily conceive gives me the
greatest satisfaction. Since then, I have heard that Bordeaux does not
intend visiting London till he sees by the papers that the Nemours are
gone. I saw a letter from a gentleman, with whom he had been staying,
and who says that he is very pleasing and unaffected, and very easily
amused, and quite pleased "with missing a few pheasants, and dancing
quadrilles in the evening to a pianoforte." Poor fellow! his fate
certainly is a melancholy one. He should renounce, buy some property
in Germany, and marry, and settle there.

I am glad to hear of Montpensier's arrival, and that my favourite
Chica is in your good graces; she is a dear natural child. I am so
impatient to see my dear Victoire and good Nemours--who was always a
great ally of mine--again!

The Grand Duke came here last night, and goes away after luncheon, and
leaves England on Thursday. He is charmed with all he has seen, and I
must say is very amiable and civil. He has got a most charming large
dog, called Dragon, like a Newfoundland, only brown and white, with
the most expressive eyes imaginable and _si bien dresse_. Prince
Alexander of the Netherlands is also coming down to take leave this
week. We never had so many visitors.

I am beyond everything interested with that beautiful novel by
Rellstab,[81] _1812_, which I know you admire so much. The description
of the Russian Campaign is incomparable, and so beautifully written.
You quite _see_ everything before you. Have you read his other, _Paris
und Algier_? By the by, have you read Custine's[82] book on Russia?
They say it is very severe on Russia, and