_See_ King Leopold's letter, 4th
February.]

[Footnote 10: This letter is not preserved among the Queen's
papers.]

[Pageheading: THE KING OF PRUSSIA]

_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._

WINDSOR CASTLE, _1st February 1842._

MY DEAR UNCLE,--I have to thank you for a kind, short note of the 27th
inst., which I received on Sunday. I gave your kind message to the
King of Prussia, who was much _touche_ by it. He is a most amiable
man, so kind and well-meaning, and seems so much beloved. He is so
amusing too. He is very anxious that Belgium should become _liee_ with
Germany, and I think, dearest Uncle, that it would be for the _real_
good of Belgium if it could be so. You will have heard how perfectly
and splendidly everything went off on the 25th. Nothing could have
done better, and _little_ Albert (_what_ a pleasure that he has that
_dearest_ name!) behaved so well. The King left us yesterday morning
to go to town, where we follow him to-morrow; he was quite sad to
leave Windsor, which he admired so much. He dined with the Sutherlands
yesterday, and dines with the Duke of Wellington to-day, and the
Cambridges to-morrow. On Thursday he dines with us (he lodges in
Buckingham Palace), and on Friday takes his departure. He is really a
most agreeable visitor, though I must own that I am somewhat knocked
up by our great exertions.

Uncle Ferdinand is very well, and we are delighted with dear
Leopold;[11] he is so much improved, and is such a modest, sensible
boy.

I can't say much for poor Gusti,[12] though I love him, but he is
really too odd and inanimate. I hope Louise will see the King of
Prussia. You have heard our great misfortune about dear Eos; she is
going on well, but slowly, and still makes us rather anxious. It made
me quite ill the first day, and keeps me fidgety still, till we know
that she is quite safe. Ever your devoted Niece,

VICTORIA R.

We were grieved to hear Papa had been so ill.

[Footnote 11: Son of Prince Ferdinand of Saxe-Coburg, and
brother of the King of Portugal, afterwards a candidate for
the hand of Queen Isabella of Spain. See _post_, p. 487.
(Ch. XII, Footnote 54)]

[Footnote 12: Prince Augustus, afterwards married to the
Princess Clementine, daughter of King Louis Philippe.]

[Pageheading: THE KING OF PRUSSIA]

[Pageheading: BETROTHAL OF PRINCE ERNEST]

_The King of the Belgians to Queen Victoria._

LAEKEN,