Footnote 23: Commanding the Mediterranean Fleet.
Footnote 24: British Envoy at Athens.
Footnote 25: See Introductory Note for 1850, post, [p. 231].
Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians.
DEATH OF QUEEN ADELAIDE
Osborne, 11th December 1849.
My dearest Uncle,—Thank you much for your kind letter of the 6th; you will have received mine of the 4th shortly after you wrote. I know how you would mourn with us over the death of our beloved Queen Adelaide. We have lost the kindest and dearest of friends, and the universal feeling of sorrow, of regret, and of real appreciation of her character is very touching and gratifying. All parties, all classes, join in doing her justice. Much was done to set Mamma against her, but the dear Queen ever forgave this, ever showed love and affection, and for the last eight years their friendship was as great as ever. Ever yours affectionately,
Victoria R.