to meet the Queen at Drayton Manor
first. The Queen would have to go and to return in the same day. The
Queen Dowager might remain either one night or two nights at Drayton.
Secondly, the Birmingham and Derby line is not on the same level with
the line which goes to Droitwich (eleven miles from Witley Court), and
there is a little delay in posting a carriage, or in passing from the
lower line of railway to the upper.

Thirdly, there is the passage for Her Majesty, though not through
Birmingham as in an ordinary travelling carriage, yet in the immediate
outskirts of the town, and this twice in the same day.

The Corporation (which is a completely Radical one) might solicit
permission to present an Address to Her Majesty at the station.

There would, I am sure, be nothing but demonstrations of the greatest
loyalty and attachment to Her Majesty, but there would probably be
a great concourse of people, and some delay, if the Address were
received.

Perhaps your Royal Highness will think of these suggestions, which I
am induced to offer by the desire to foresee everything which may have
a bearing upon the personal comfort of the Queen.

I have the honour to be, Sir, with sincere respect, your Royal
Highness's most faithful and humble Servant,

ROBERT PEEL.

[Pageheading: THE DUCHESSE DE NEMOURS]

_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._

WINDSOR CASTLE, _14th November 1843._

MY DEAREST, KINDEST UNCLE,--A long and most _interesting_ letter
reached me on Sunday, dated 9th and 10th, and I beg to return my
warmest thanks for it. The confidence you show me I feel deeply and
gratefully, and you may rely on my discretion. Before I touch upon any
of the subjects in your letter I will give you news of our visitors.
The dear Nemours arrived safely after a good passage on Saturday, well
but very tired. They are now quite recovered, and we are too happy to
have them here. Nemours looks well, and is very kind and amiable, but
I think there is a seriousness since poor Chartres' death which used
not to be formerly, though he always was _reserved_, and that, I
think, he is _not_ now. Dearest Victoire is _amazingly_ improved and
_developpee_--really quite wonderfully so. We are all so struck by it,
by her good sense and by her conversation; and with that she has
kept that innocence and gentleness which she always had--and is _so
lovely_, dear sweet child. I must always look at her, and she, dear
child, seems so pleas