Footnote 10: See ante, pp. [368], [370]. The treaty had been negotiated by Lord Ashburton.
Footnote 11: "By the treaty which Her Majesty has concluded with the United States of America, and by the adjustment of those differences which, from their long continuance, had endangered the preservation of peace, Her Majesty trusts that the amicable relations of the two countries have been confirmed."
The Queen of the Belgians to Queen Victoria.
Laeken, 6th February 1843.
My beloved Victoria,—I am quite of your opinion about balls. Nothing can change what cannot change, and I consider all these things, which have always been a bore to me, as a matter of duty and not otherwise. The duties of station are to be fulfilled like the others, and my first and most pleasant duty is to do all that your Uncle may command or wish. Your Uncle was much shocked by your answer about Miss Meyer,12 whom he considered of uncommon beauty. He is quite in love with her picture, and is very anxious to discover who she is. The other pictures of the book of beauty he abandons to you, and they are certainly worthy of a book of ugliness.... Yours most devotedly,
Louise.
Footnote 12: Eugénie Meyer, step-daughter of Colonel Gurwood, C.B., married the first Viscount Esher, Master of the Rolls. The Queen had written that she did not admire that style of beauty.
The King of the Belgians to Queen Victoria.
KING LEOPOLD AND PEEL
Laeken, 10th February 1843.