eorge of Denmark[7] was considered to
be in the same position as a Queen Consort there can be, I think,
no doubt about, and when one considers the immense difference in the
value of money then and now, it renders matters still more striking.
I must say such conduct in Parliament I did _not expect_, and the
less when I consider that your Civil List was rather curtailed than
otherwise, perhaps not quite fairly. I rejoice to think that I induced
Lord Melbourne to propose to you not to accede to the giving up of
the Duchy of Lancaster. Parliament did not deserve it, and by good
management I think something may be made of it.

Another thing which made me think that Parliament would have acted
with more decency, is that I return to the country now near L40,000
a year, _not because_ I thought my income _too large_, as worthy Sir
Robert Peel said, but from motives of political delicacy, which at
least might be acknowledged on such occasions. I was placed by my
marriage treaty in the position of a Princess of Wales, which in
reality it was, though not yet by law, there existing a possibility of
a Prince of Wales as long as George IV. lived. I can only conclude by
crying _shame, shame_!...

I hope and trust you will not be too much worried with all these
unpleasant things, and that Albert will prove a comforter and support
to you. And so good-bye for to-day. Ever, my dearest Victoria, your
devoted Uncle,

LEOPOLD R.

[Footnote 6: The Ministers proposed an income of L50,000 a
year for the Prince--the Conservatives and Radicals united on
an amendment reducing it to L30,000, which was carried by a
majority of 104.]

[Footnote 7: The Consort of Queen Anne.]

[Pageheading: THE PRINCE AT BRUSSELS]

_The King of the Belgians to Queen Victoria._

BRUSSELS, _1st February 1840._

MY DEAREST VICTORIA,--I hope you will be pleased with me, as I send a
messenger on purpose to inform you of Albert's arrival. He will write
himself this night, though rather inclined to surrender himself to
Morpheus.

He looks well and handsome, but a little interesting, being very much
irritated by what happened in the House of Commons. He does not
care about the money, but he is much shocked and exasperated by the
disrespect of the thing, as he well may.

I do not yet know the exact day of their departure, but I suppose it
will be on the 5th, to be able to cross on the 6th. I have already
had some conversation with him