ase strongly
supported by them, nor are the motives and reasons of your conduct
given to the public with that force and distinctness which they might
be.

Lord Melbourne has no doubt that your Majesty's assurance is well
founded, and that the present Government are anxious for the welfare
and prosperity and tranquillity of Spain. It cannot be otherwise.

Palmerston dislikes Aberdeen and has a low opinion of him. He thinks
him weak and timid, and likely to let down the character and influence
of the country. Your Majesty knows that Lord Melbourne does not
partake these opinions, certainly not at least to anything like the
extent to which Palmerston carries them.

Lord Melbourne is going down to Panshanger to-morrow, where he
understands that he is to meet Lord and Lady Lansdowne and Lord and
Lady Leveson.[5] Lord Melbourne will take care and say nothing about
Brighton, but is glad to hear that your Majesty is going thither.

[Footnote 4: An Ambassador, M. de Salvandy, had been sent
from France to Madrid. Espartero, the Regent, required the
credentials to be presented to him and not to the young Queen.
The French Ambassador having refused to comply, an unseemly
dispute arose, and M. de Salvandy left Madrid.]

[Footnote 5: The late Lord Granville and his first wife,
only child of the Duc de Dalberg, and widow of Sir Ferdinand
Acton.]

_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._

WINDSOR CASTLE, _18th January 1842._

MY DEAR UNCLE,--Not to miss my day, I write a line to thank you for
your kind letters of the 10th and 13th, but shall write fully by the
messenger. Our Claremont trip was very enjoyable, only we missed Pussy
so much; another time we shall take her with us; the dear child was
so pleased to see us again, particularly dear Albert, whom she is _so_
fond of.... We think of going to Brighton early in February, as the
physicians think it will do the children great good, and perhaps it
may _me_; for I am very strong as to fatigue and exertion, but not
quite right otherwise; I am growing thinner, and there is a want of
tone, which the sea may correct.

Albert's great _fonction_[6] yesterday went off beautifully, and he
was so much admired in all ways; he always _fascinates_ the people
wherever he goes, by his very modest and unostentatious yet dignified
ways. He only came back at twelve last night; it was very kind of him
to come. The King of Prussia means, I believe,