rs to Brussels and Paris are _quite
safe_, and all those to Germany, which are of any _real_ consequence,
I always send through Rothschild, which is perfectly _safe_ and very
quick.

We are, and so is _everybody here_, so charmed with Mme. Rachel;[50]
she is perfect, _et puis_, such a nice modest girl; she is going to
declaim at Windsor Castle on Monday evening.

Now adieu in haste. Believe me, always, your very devoted Niece,

VICTORIA R.

Really Leopold _must_ come, or I shall _never_ forgive you.

[Footnote 50: The young French actress, who made her _debut_
in England on 4th May as Hermione in Racine's _Andromaque._
She was received with great enthusiasm.]

_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._

WINDSOR CASTLE, _8th June 1841._

Lord Melbourne presents his humble duty to your Majesty. He is quite
well, and has nothing particular to relate to your Majesty, at least
nothing that presses; except that he is commissioned by Lord John
Russell respectfully to acquaint your Majesty that his marriage is
settled, and will take place shortly.

_Queen Victoria to Viscount Melbourne._

Does Lord Melbourne _really_ mean J. Russell's _marriage_? and to
whom?

[Pageheading: VISIT TO NUNEHAM]

_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._

The Lady Fanny Eliot.[51] Lord Melbourne did not name her before, nor
does not now, because he did not remember her Christian name.

[Footnote 51: Daughter of Lord Minto. Lord Melbourne
originally wrote _The Lady ---- Eliot_ at the head of his
letter (spelling the surname wrong, which should be Elliot).
The word "Fanny" is written in subsequently to the completion
of the letter.]

_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._

NUNEHAM,[52] _15th June 1841._

Affairs go on, and all will take some shape or other, but it keeps one
in hot water all the time. In the meantime, however, the people are
in the best possible humour, and I never was better received at Ascot,
which is a great test, and also along the roads yesterday. This is a
most lovely place; pleasure grounds in the style of Claremont, only
much larger, and with the river Thames winding along beneath them, and
Oxford in the distance; a beautiful flower and kitchen garden, and all
kept up in perfect order. I followed Albert here, faithful to my word,
and he is gone to Oxford[53] for the whole day, to my great grief.
And here I am all alone in a strange house, with n