Although events of the greatest importance have been passing in rapid succession in almost every part of Europe, the position of your Majesty's Government has been one rather of observation than of action, it being desirable that England should keep herself as free as possible from unnecessary engagements and entanglements, in order that your Majesty may be at liberty to take such decisions as the state of things may from time to time appear to render most advisable.
Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians.
LOYALTY OF BELGIUM
Barton, 18th April 1848.
Dearest Uncle,—Detained here by a heavy shower of rain, I begin my letter to you and thank you warmly for your dear and kind letter of the 15th, which I received yesterday.
Truly proud and delighted are we at the conduct of the Belgians,17 and at their loyalty and affection for you and yours, which I am sure must be a reward for all that you have done these seventeen years. I must beg to say that you are wrong in supposing that no mention is made of what took place on the 9th in our papers; on the contrary, it has been most gratifyingly mentioned in the Times, Chronicle, John Bull, etc. You are held up as a pattern to the German Sovereigns, and the Belgians as a pattern to the German people.
In France, really things go on dreadfully.... One does not like to attack those who are fallen, but the poor King, Louis Philippe, has brought much of this on by that ill-fated return to a Bourbon Policy. I always think he ought not to have abdicated; every one seems to think he might have stemmed the torrent then still. On the other hand, Joinville says it was sure to happen, for that the French want constant change, and were quite tired of the present Government. Qu'en dites-vous? How is poor, dear Louise? I hope her spirits are better.
Our weather is terribly rainy, though very fine between. We have got nightingales in the pleasure ground, and in the wood down near the sea. We are all extremely well, and expect the Prince of Prussia here to-day for two nights. Ever your devoted and attached Niece,
Victoria R.