judgment, his opinion will
be valuable for you. I feel very much for you, and these Ministerial
complications are of a most painful and perplexing nature, though
less in England than on the Continent, as the thing is at least better
understood. To amuse you a little, and to prove to you how impartial
I must be to be in this way accused by both parties, I must tell you
that it is said in France that, conjointly with Lord Melbourne,
we _artfully_ ruined the Thiers Administration,[44] to the great
detriment of the honour and welfare of France. But what is still
stranger is, that the younger branches of the family, seeing that my
arrival at Paris was delayed from time to time, became convinced that
_I would not come at all_, and that my intention was to _cut them
completely_, not to _compromettre_ myself with England! Truly people
are strange, and the unnecessary suspicions and stories which they
love to have, and to tell, a great bore....

Pray have the goodness of giving my _kindest_ regards to Lord
Melbourne. I will love him very _tenderly_ in and out of office, as
I am really attached to him. Now last, though first, I offer my
sincerest wishes on the happy return of your birthday; may every
blessing be always bestowed on your beloved head. You possess _much_,
let your warm and honest heart _appreciate_ that. Let me also express
the hope that you always will maintain your _dear character true_
and _good_ as it is, and let us also humbly express the hope that
our warmth of feeling, a valuable gift, will not be permitted to
grow occasionally a little violent, and particularly not against your
uncle. You may pull Albertus by the ear, when so inclined, but be
never irritated against your uncle. But I have _not to complain_ when
other people do not instigate such things; you have always been kind
and affectionate, and when you look at my deeds for you, and on
behalf of you, these twenty-two years, I think you will not have many
hardships to recollect. I am happy to hear of my god-daughter's teeth,
and that she is so well. May God keep the whole dear little family
well and happy for ever. My dearest Victoria, your devoted Uncle,

LEOPOLD R.

[Footnote 43: The Ministerial proposal of a fixed duty instead
of a sliding scale.]

[Footnote 44: The Thiers Government had resigned in the
preceding October, owing to the King objecting to the warlike
speech which they wished him to pronounce to the Chambers. The