ed_....

[Pageheading: BIRTH OF THE PRINCESS ROYAL]

_The Queen of the Belgians to Queen Victoria._

LAEKEN, _30th November 1840._

MY MOST BELOVED VICTORIA,--I have been longing to write to you ever
since we got the _joyful_ tidings,[57] but I would not do so before
the nine days were at an end. Now that they are over, I hope as you
are, thank God, so well, I may venture a few lines to express _a part_
of my feelings, and to wish you joy on the happy birth of your dear
little girl. I need not tell you the _deep, deep_ share I took in this
most _happy event_, and all I felt for you, for dear Albert, when I
heard of it, and since we last met. You know my affection for you,
and I will not trouble you with the repetition of what you know. All
I will say is that I thanked God with all my heart, and as I have
scarcely thanked Him for any other favour....

[Footnote 57: The Princess Royal, afterwards the Empress
Frederick of Germany, was born 21st November 1840.]

[Pageheading: SETTLEMENT OF EASTERN QUESTION]

_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._

_15th December 1840._

MY DEAREST UNCLE,--Many thanks for your kind little letter of the
10th from Ardenne. I am very prosperous, walking about the house like
myself again, and we go to Windsor on the 22nd or 23rd, which will
quite set me up. I am _very_ prudent and careful, you may _rely_ upon
it. Your little grand-niece is most flourishing; she gains daily in
health, strength and, I may add, beauty; I think she will be very like
her dearest father; she grows amazingly; I shall be proud to present
her to you.

The _denouement_ of the Oriental affair is most fortunate, is it
not?[58]

I see Stockmar often, who is very kind about me and the Princess
Royal....

Albert sends his affectionate love, and pray believe me always, your
devoted Niece,

VICTORIA R.

[Footnote 58: On the 3rd of November St Jean d'Acre was
captured by the allied fleet, Admiral Sir Robert Stopford
commanding the British contingent; the battle is said to have
been the first to test the advantages of steam. Admiral Napier
proceeded to Alexandria, and threatened bombardment, unless
the Pasha came to terms. On 25th November a Convention was
signed, by which Mehemet Ali resigned his claims to Syria, and
bound himself to restore the Ottoman Fleet, while the Powers
undertook to procure for him undisturbed possession of the
Pash