,--I have to thank you for four most kind letters, of
the 4th, 6th, 19th and 26th; the last I received yesterday. I would
have written sooner, had I not been a little bilious, which made
me very low, and not in spirits to write. The weather has been so
exceedingly relaxing, that it made me at the end of the fortnight
quite bilious, and this, you know, affects the spirits. I am much
better, but they think that I shall not get my appetite and spirits
back till I can get out of town; we are therefore going in a week at
latest. I am going for a drive this morning, and am certain it will
do me good. In all _essentials_, I am better, if possible, than last
year. Our little boy[158] is a wonderfully strong and large child,
with very large dark blue eyes, a finely formed but somewhat large
nose, and a pretty little mouth; I _hope_ and _pray_ he may be like
his dearest Papa. He is to be called _Albert_, and Edward is to be his
second name. Pussy, dear child, is still _the_ great pet amongst us
all, and is getting so fat and strong again.

I beg my most affectionate love to dearest Louise and the dear
children. The Queen-Dowager is recovering wonderfully.

I beg you to forgive this letter being so badly written, but my feet
are being rubbed, and as I have got the box on which I am writing on
my knee, it is not easy to write quite straight--but you must _not_
think my hand trembles. Ever your devoted Niece,

VICTORIA R.

Pussy is _not_ at all pleased with her brother.

[Footnote 158: His Majesty King Edward VII., born 9th
November.]

[Pageheading: THE INFANT PRINCE]

_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._

TRENTHAM, _1st December 1841._

Lord Melbourne presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and has had
the honour of receiving here your Majesty's letters of yesterday,
by which he learns with sincere pleasure and satisfaction that your
Majesty is so much recovered as to go to Windsor on so early a day as
your Majesty names. Lord Melbourne hears with great concern that your
Majesty has been suffering under depression and lowness of spirits....
Lord Melbourne well knows how to feel for those who suffer under it,
especially as he has lately had much of it himself.

Lord Melbourne is much rejoiced to hear so good an account of the Heir
Apparent and of the Princess Royal, and feels himself greatly obliged
by the information respecting the intended names and the sponsors.
Lord Melbourne supposes that your