d Niece,

VICTORIA R.

Pray _do_ try and get the King's Speech to be _pacific_, else
Parliament must meet here in November, which would be dreadful for me.

[Footnote 53: Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, who,
by reason of his social influence, great wealth, and high
intellectual endowments, was one of the most efficient
supporters of the Whig party.]

_The Queen of the Belgians to Queen Victoria._

LAEKEN, _26th October 1840._

... The Duke of Cambridge arrived, as you know, before yesterday
evening, at Brussels. Your Uncle visited him yesterday, and at six he
came to Laeken to dine with us. I found him looking well, and he
was as usual very good-natured and kind. I need not tell you that
conversation did not flag between us, and that I thought of you almost
the whole time. In the course of the evening he took leave. He left
Brussels this morning early, on his way to Calais, and I suppose you
will hear of him before this letter reaches you. He took charge of all
my love and _hommages_ for you, dear Albert, and all the Royal Family.
Before dinner the children were presented to him (that is Leopold
and Philippe), but I am sorry to say that poor Lippchen was so much
frightened with his appearance, loud voice, and black gloves, that he
burst out crying, and that we were obliged to send him away. The
Duke took his shyness very kindly; but I am still ashamed with his
behaviour.

[Pageheading: NEWS FROM SYRIA]

_Viscount Palmerston to Queen Victoria._

CARLTON TERRACE, _8th November 1840._

Viscount Palmerston presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and in
addition to the good news from Syria, which confirms the defeat and
dispersion of the forces, both of Ibrahim and of Solyman Pasha, with
the loss of 8,000 prisoners, 24 pieces of cannon, the whole of
their camp, baggage, and stores, followed by the flight of those two
Generals with a small escort, he has the satisfaction of informing
your Majesty that the new French Ministers had a majority of 68, upon
the vote for the election of the President of the Chamber.[54]

This majority, so far exceeding any previous calculation, seems to
place the stability of the Government beyond a doubt, though it must,
of course, be expected that upon other questions their majority will
not be so overwhelming.

[Footnote 54: M. Sauzet was elected in preference to M.
Odillon Barrot. Thiers resigned the Premiership on 14th
October;