Footnote 111: See ante, p. [142].
Footnote 112: "The insult of 800 years," he wrote in this rather theatrical proclamation, "is at last avenged. The gates of the temple of Somnauth, so long the memorial of your humiliation, are become the proudest record of your national glory.... You will yourselves, with all honour, transmit the gates of sandal-wood, through your respective territories, to the restored Temple of Somnauth."
Footnote 113: See post, pp. [463], [468], and [477].
Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians.
FRANCE AND SPAIN
Windsor Castle, 13th December 1842.
Dearest Uncle,—I have to thank you for two most kind letters of the 5th and 8th. I can report very favourably of the healths of young and old; we are all very flourishing, and have since yesterday perfectly May weather. Clear, dry frost would be wholesome.
Victoire gave me yesterday a much better account of poor little Robert.114
In Portugal affairs seem quieted down, but Ferdinand is imprudent enough to say to Mamma that he would be wretched to lose Dietz (very naturally), and would not be at all sorry to go away. Now, this is folly, and a most dangerous language to hold, as if he entertains this, I fear the Portuguese will some beau matin indulge him in his wishes.
The news from Spain are better, but I must own frankly to you, that we are all disgusted at the French intrigues which have without a doubt been at the bottom of it all, and can, I fear, be traced very close to the Tuileries. Why attempt to ruin a country (which they luckily cannot succeed in) merely out of personal dislike to a man who certainly has proved himself capable of keeping the country quiet, and certainly is by far the most honest Spaniard in existence, whatever crimes or faults the French may choose to bring against him. And what will be the effect of all this? A total dislike and mistrust of France, and a still closer alliance with England. I have spoken thus freely, as a repetition of last year's scenes is too much to remain silent, and as I have ever been privileged to tell you, dearest Uncle, my feelings, and the truth.