e_ which now sticks in their throats.
Chartres[42] has quite the same feeling, and then the refrain is,
_plutot perir que de souffrir cette ignominie!_

Really my paper is abominable, but it is a great shame that in the
residence of such a rich Prince nothing can be had. My letter being
long, I conclude it with my best blessings. Ever, my dearest Victoria,
your devoted Uncle,

LEOPOLD R.

[Footnote 41: Runjeet Singh, known as the Lion of the Punjab,
had died in 1839, having consolidated the Sikh power. As an
outcome of the Sikh wars in 1846 and 1848, the Punjab was
annexed by Great Britain in 1849.]

[Footnote 42: Ferdinand, Duke of Orleans, who died 13th July
1842, was generally called Chartres in the family circle; this
title, which he had previously borne, was conferred on his
younger son, born 9th November 1840.]

[Pageheading: NEGOTIATIONS WITH FRANCE]

_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._

CLAREMONT, _6th October 1840._

Lord Melbourne presents his humble duty to your Majesty. The King's
letter to Lord Melbourne is in many respects just and true.[43] The
practical measure which it recommends, namely, that Lord Granville
should make to Thiers a general proposition for settling the whole
matter, is very much the same as that which we agreed upon at the
Cabinet should be adopted. Lord Melbourne expects that this has been
carried into effect, and if it has not, Lord Melbourne has urged that
it should be done without delay.

These affairs are very troublesome and vexatious, but they are,
unfortunately, more than troublesome, they are pregnant with danger.

[Footnote 43: The King of the Belgians had written a letter
to Lord Melbourne on 1st October, which he had sent to
Queen Victoria, asking her to read it and forward it to Lord
Melbourne.]

_The King of the Belgians to Queen Victoria._

WIESBADEN, _6th October 1840._

... It is to-day the poor King of the French's birthday; he is
sixty-seven years old, and these last ten years he has had a pleasant
time of it. And now he has this serious and difficult complication to
deal with, and still I find him always fair and amiable in his way
of looking at all these things, and bearing the almost unbearable
annoyance and plagues of his arduous position with a degree of
firmness and courage worthy of kinder treatment from the European
Powers than he has received....

_Viscount Melbourne to