H.M. MARIE AMÉLIE, QUEEN OF THE FRENCH, 1828.
From the miniature by Millet at Windsor Castle
To face p. 104, Vol. II.
Baron Stockmar to Queen Victoria.
18th September 1846.
Baron Stockmar has been honoured with your Majesty's kind note of the 17th instant. The very day the Baron heard of the Spanish news, he wrote to a man at Paris, whom the King sees as often as he presents himself at the palace. In this letter the Baron stated fairly and moderately but without palliation in what light M. Bresson's conduct must necessarily appear in London, and what very naturally and most probably must be the political consequences of such conduct.
The Baron's statement was read to the King, word for word, the very evening it reached Paris.
His Majesty listened to it most attentively, and said after some pause: "Notwithstanding all this, the marriage will take place. I don't consider Montpensier's marriage an affair between nations, and the English people, in particular, care very little about it; it is much more a private affair between myself and the English Secretary, Lord Palmerston, and as such it will not bring on important political consequences."
Queen Victoria to the Queen of the Belgians.
LETTER TO QUEEN LOUISE