to him.... Now adieu! Believe me, always, your
devoted Niece,

VICTORIA R.

[Footnote 90: See _post_, p. 334. (Ch. X, 1st October, 1841)]

[Footnote 91: A treaty on the subject was signed in London,
on 20th December, between Great Britain, France, Austria,
Prussia, and Russia.]

[Pageheading: QUEEN ADELAIDE]

_Queen Adelaide to Queen Victoria._

SUDBURY HALL, _8th September 1841._

MY DEAREST NIECE,--I have not ventured to disturb you with a letter
since we parted, knowing how fully your time was employed with
business of importance. I cannot any longer now refrain to enquire
after you, after all you have gone through lately, and I must
congratulate you with all my heart on having so well completed your
difficult task.

There is but one voice of praise, I hear, of your perfect composure
and beautiful conduct during the trying scenes of last week. It has
gratified me more than I can express, for I had fully expected it of
you, and it has made me very happy to find that it has been generally
remarked and has given so much satisfaction. Everybody feels deeply
for you, and the devotion and zeal in your service is redoubled by
the interest your trying position has evoked. May our Heavenly Father
support and guide you always as hitherto, is my constant prayer!

I hope that the selection of your Government is to your own
satisfaction, and though the change must have been trying to you, I
trust that you will have perfect confidence in the able men who form
your Council. Our beloved late King's anxious wishes to see Wellington
and Peel again at the head of the Administration is now fulfilled. His
blessing rests upon you.

Excuse my having touched upon this subject, but I could not keep
silent whilst the heart is so full of earnest good wishes for your and
the country's prosperity.

I hope that an article of the newspapers, of the indisposition of your
darling child, is not true, and that she is quite well. God bless and
protect her!...

I am much amused with reading your Life by Miss Strickland,[92] which,
though full of errors, is earnest on the whole, and very interesting
to _me_. However, I wish she would correct the gross errors which
otherwise will go down to posterity. She ought to have taken first
better information before she published her work....

With my affectionate love to dear Prince Albert, believe me ever, my
dearest Niece, your most devoted and affectionate Aunt,

ADEL