The King of the Belgians to Queen Victoria.
THE ORLEANS PRINCES
Laeken, 17th October 1861.
My beloved Victoria,—Receive my sincerest thanks for your dear letter of the 14th, which arrived very exactly. I am so happy to see all the good which your stay in the Highlands has done you, and I am sure it will be lasting, though Windsor must have the effect of reviving strongly some feelings.... When one looks back on those times, one must say that they were full of difficulties, and one ought to feel very grateful that such a happy present has grown out of them. I regret much Paris and Robert34 having joined the Federal Army, mixing in a civil war!! The object is to show courage, to be able to say: "Ils se sont beaucoup distingués." They have a chance of being shot for Abraham Lincoln and the most rank Radicalism. I don't think that step will please in France, where Radicalism is at discount fortunately. The poor Queen is very unhappy about it, but now nothing can be done, only one may wish to see them well out of it. Poor Queen! constantly new events painful to her assail her. I had rather a kind letter from the Emperor Napoleon about the state of Mexico. I fear he will find his wishes to see there a stable Government not much liked in England, though his plans are not for any advantage France is to derive from it. To-morrow we go to Liège to be in readiness for the following day. The King William III.35 will arrive for dinner, stay the night, and go very early on Sunday. He will be extremely well received here, his procédé being duly appreciated. To be very civilly received in a country which one was heir to, is rather un peu pénible, and one feels a little awkward.... Your devoted and only Uncle,
Leopold R.
Footnote 34: The Comte de Paris and the Duc de Chartres, sons of the Duc d'Orléans, eldest son of King Louis Philippe.
Footnote 35: The King of Holland.
The Duchess of Manchester[36] to Queen Victoria.
THE COURT OF HANOVER
Hanover [Undated. October 1861].