I told Lord Melbourne of your alarms respecting the financial crisis, which we did not bring on—those wild American speculations are the cause of it—and he desires me to assure you that we will pursue as moderate and cautious a course as possible.
The Queen Dowager came here yesterday and stays till to-morrow; she is very cheerful and in good spirits....
I must conclude in haste. Ever your devoted Niece,
Victoria R.
Many thanks for the two supplies of ortolans, which were delicious.
Footnote 58: William I., King of the Netherlands, was greatly attached to the Roman Catholic Countess d'Oultremont, and in October 1840, being sixty-seven, abdicated his Crown to marry her. He was father of the Prince of Orange, who succeeded him.
Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians.
ARRIVAL OF PRINCE ALBERT
Windsor Castle, 12th October 1839.