r, dearest
Uncle, your devoted Niece,

VICTORIA R.

[Pageheading: THE PRINCE'S SECRETARY]

_Queen Victoria to the Prince Albert._

WINDSOR CASTLE.

_The 22nd._--I have but little time to write. The Duchess of
Sutherland is here, who admires you much, and is very sympathetic....

_The 23rd._--Your letter of the 15th just received. I will now answer
at once. _It is, as you rightly suppose, my greatest, my most anxious
wish to do everything most agreeable to you, but I must differ with
you respecting Mr Anson.... What I said about Anson giving you advice,
means, that if you like to ask him, he can and will be of the greatest
use to you, as he is a very well-informed person. He will leave Lord
Melbourne as soon as he is appointed about you. With regard to your
last objection, that it would make you a party man if you took the
Secretary of the Prime Minister as your Treasurer, I do not agree in
it; for, though I am very anxious you should not appear to belong to a
Party, still it is necessary that your Household should not form a too
strong contrast to mine, else they will say, "Oh, we know the Prince
says he belongs to no party, but we are sure he is a Tory!" Therefore
it is also necessary that it should appear that you went with me in
having some of your people who are staunch Whigs; but Anson is not
in Parliament, and never was, and therefore he is not a violent
politician. Do not think because I urge this, Lord M. prefers it; on
the contrary, he never urged it, and I only do it as I know it is for
your own good._ You will pardon this long story. _It will also not do
to wait till you come to appoint all your people. I am distressed
to tell you what I fear you do not like_, but it is necessary, my
dearest, most excellent Albert. Once more I tell you that you can
perfectly rely on me in these matters....

[Pageheading: THE TORIES]

_Queen Victoria to the Prince Albert._

WINDSOR CASTLE, _26th December 1839._

... The Historical Sketch has interested us greatly; Lord Melbourne
read it through immediately. I greatly thank you also for the
genealogical tree you sent me.

Now, my dearest, to be about what is _not so pleasant or amusing.
I mean, now for business. I always think it safer to write that in
English, as I can explain myself better, and I hope you can read my
English, as I try to be very legible. I am much grieved that you feel
disappointed about my wish respecting your gentlemen, but ve