Page:The Letters Of Queen Victoria, vol. 2 (1908).djvu/186

166 passe, peut-étre votre Majesté accordera-t-elle un souvenir & ce que j’eus l’honneur de lui prédire, assis & table prés d’elle: depuis, 4 années & peine se sont écoulées, et que reste-t-il encore debout en Europe? La Grande-Bretagne et la Russie !

Ne serait-il pas naturel d’en conclure que notre union intime est appelée peut-étre & sauver le monde ? Excusez, Madame, cet épanchement d’un cœur qui vous est dévoué et qui a pris VPhabitude de souvenir & vous.

J’ose avec une entiére confiance compter sur l’amitié de votre Majesté, et la prie de recevoir l’assurance de l’inviolable attachement avec lequel je suis, Madame, de votre Majesté, le tout dévoué et fidéle bon Frére et Ami, Veuillez, Madame, me rappeler au souvenir de son Altesse Royale Monsieur le Prince Albert.

BRUSSELS, 25th March 1848. My dearest Victoria,— ... England seems quiet, and even the attempt in Ireland seems to have passed over. But Germany is in an awful state, beyond what I ever should have thought possible in that country, and with such a good nation. For years, however, all sorts of people had been stirring them up, and half measures, seeming dishonest, of the Sovereigns have done harm. Curious enough that I, who in fact was desirous of retiring from politics, should be on the Continent the only Sovereign who stood the storm, though I am at ten hours’ distance from Paris. I trust we shall be able to go on with our money matters to enable us to keep up; our working classes are at this moment what occupies us most, and much has been done, and our Banks, which were much threatened, are now safe.

We work hard, and with these few days I suffered a little, but I am better to-day. Louise is tolerably well; the poor children are attentive and amiable. Poor things! their existence is a good deal on the cards, and fortunes, private and public, are in equal danger.

Now I will leave you that you should not be tired. Ever, my beloved child, your devoted Uncle, LEOPOLD R.

Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians. BUCKINGHAM PALACE, 4th April 1848. My dearest Uncle,—I have to thank you for three most kind letters, of the 18th and 25th March, and of the 1st. Thank