hing which he
much enjoys--and constantly begs for the spectacles. I forgot to tell
you that Karl has given me a pretty little Rowley, who likewise lives
in the house. The multitude of dogs is really terrible!

The ceremony of Declaration must have been very fine and touching, and
I am most happy that the good people of Coburg are so pleased with our
marriage....

[Footnote 80: A pet dog of the Queen's.]

_Dec. 17th._--I have spoken to Lord M. about your wish, and he
says--what is my own opinion too--_that your people ought to be as
much as possible out of Parliament when they have hardly any politics,
which is the best thing--as your Household must not form a contrast
to mine--and therefore you could not have violent Tories amongst your
people; but you may be quite certain that both I and Lord Melbourne
will take the greatest care to select respectable and distinguished
people, and people of good character. Perhaps Lord Grosvenor may be
your Groom of the Stole, though he is no Peer; but his rank and family
are so high, that he would do very well; and, besides, not belonging
to any party, and being out of Parliament, is such a great advantage._

The design of our Arms without _supporters_ is unfortunately not
finished, but I send you a little drawing which I have made of it
myself. The report of Sir William Woods I beg you will send back, but
the Arms you can keep.

I add a little pin as a small Christmas present. I hope you will
sometimes wear it.

[Pageheading: THE PROTESTANT QUESTION]

_The King of the Belgians to Queen Victoria._

LAEKEN, _14th December 1839._

MY DEAREST VICTORIA,--I lived in the hope of receiving some letters
for you from Albert, but nothing is arrived to-day. Your dear long
letter gave me great pleasure. Before I answer some parts of it, I
will say a few words on Lord Melbourne's letter. Perhaps you will be
so good to tell him that it gratified me much. It is the letter of an
honest and an amiable statesman, practical and straightforward. In
the omission of the word "Protestant" he was probably right, and it is
equally probable that they would have abused him--maybe even more if
he had put it in. There is only this to say, however: the Ernestine
branch of the Saxon family has been, there is no doubt, the real cause
of the establishment of Protestantism in Germany, and consequently in
great parts of Northern Europe. This same line became a martyr to that
cause, and was de