Page:The Letters Of Queen Victoria, vol. 2 (1908).djvu/50

 CHAPTER XIV 1845 Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians. WINDSOR CASTLE, 14th January 1845. My DEAREST UNCLE,—What you say about Aquila and Montpensier interests me. What madness is it then to force Trapani on Spain! Pray explain to me the cause of the King’s obstinacy about that Spanish marriage, for no country has a right to dictate in that way to another. If Tatane was to think of the Infanta, England would be extremely indignant, and would (and with right) consider it tantamount to a marriage with the Queen herself. Ever your devoted Niece, Victoria R.

The King of the Belgians to Queen Victoria. LAEKEN, 18th January 1845. My dearest Victoria,—... The Spanish marriage question is really very curious ; in fact, all the other Bourbon branches are hostile to the Orleans family, but the idea that makes the King so constant in his views about it, is that he imagines it would create in France a bad impression if now any other than a Bourbon was to marry the Queen of Spain. That feeling they have themselves created, as in France they did not at all care about it ; having, however, declared quasz officially in the French Chambers that they will not have any but a Bourbon, if circumstances should after all decide it otherwise it would now be a defeat, but certainly one of their own making. . . . Your devoted Uncle, LEOPOLD R.