M. Bresson has written a long letter to Lord Minto, defending his own conduct.
Footnote 26: See Louis Philippe's long letter of the 14th of September, printed in the Life of the Prince Consort, vol. i. Appendix B. Queen Victoria's complete and unanswerable reply will be found there also.
Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians.
THE SPANISH MARRIAGES
Windsor Castle, 6th October 1846.
My dearest Uncle,—I thank you very much for your last kind letter from Gais of the 23rd. This unfortunate Spanish affair has gone on, heedlessly—and our entente wantonly thrown away! I mourn over it, and feel deeply the ingratitude shown; for—without boasting—I must say they never had a truer friend than we; and one who always stood by them. When Hadjy wrote that foolish brochure, who stood by him through thick and thin, but we? and our friendship for the children will ever continue, but how can we ever feel at our ease with L. P. again? Guizot's conduct is beyond all belief shameful, and so shabbily dishonest. Molé and Thiers both say he cannot stand. It is the King's birthday to-day, but I thought it better not to write to him, for to say fine words at this moment would be mockery. For my beloved Louise my heart bleeds; it is so sad....
I must now conclude. Begging you to believe me, ever your devoted Niece,
Victoria R.
Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians.
Windsor Castle, 17th November 1846.