The Queen is glad to hear of what passed between the Archbishop and Lord John.52 She trusts that something may be done, as the desire for it seems to be so great. On the other hand, the Queen deeply regrets the great abuse of the Roman Catholic religion which takes place at all these meetings, etc. She thinks it unchristian and unwise, and trusts that it will soon cease....
Footnote 51: Minister at the Court of Tuscany.
Footnote 52: The Government were preparing for the introduction of their Ecclesiastical Titles Bill.
Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians.
LADY PEEL
Windsor Castle, 10th December 1850.
My beloved Uncle,—My letter must, I fear, be a somewhat hurried and short one, for my morning has been taken up in receiving in state Addresses from the City and Universities about this unfortunate "Papal Aggression" business, which is still keeping people in a feverish state of wild excitement.53 One good effect it has had, viz. that of directing people's serious attention to the very alarming tendency of the Tractarians, which was doing immense harm....
Many, many thanks for your two dear and kind letters of the 6th and of yesterday. All you say about Louise, and about the disappearance for ever of all that she loved and was proud of, is so true, so dreadful. One fancies (foolishly and wrongly, but still one does) that the lost one has been hardly used in no longer enjoying these earthly blessings, and one's grief seems to break out afresh in bitter agony upon small and comparatively trifling occasions. Poor Lady Peel (whom I saw for the first time yesterday at Buckingham Palace, whither I had gone for an hour) expressed this strongly. Hers is indeed a broken heart; she is so truly crushed by the agony of her grief; it was very touching to see and to hear her. Poor thing! she never can be happy again!
What you say about me is far too kind. I am very often sadly dissatisfied with myself and with the little self-control I have.
Your long letter interested us much. I fear the German affairs are very bad.... That everlasting "backwards and forwards," as you say, of my poor friend the King of Prussia is calamitous; it causes all parties to distrust him, and gives real strength only to the Republicans. Since '48 that has been his conduct, and the misfortune for Germany. A steady course, whatever it may be, is always the best.