ntine (Princess Augustus of Saxe-Coburg), to convey in her name
to the King her sincere sympathy at this melancholy event. The King of
the Belgians' letter has, however, brought back to the Queen her first
thought of writing to the King, and she wishes to know what Lord John
thinks of it. The Queen thinks it as undignified as unfeeling to carry
on political coolness at moments like these, when her own feelings of
sympathy are so strong and so sincere. The Queen would certainly under
other circumstances have instantly written to the King. On the other
hand, her first letter to her cousin (the King's daughter) may be
sufficient, as it conveys a direct message; and there may be people
who will construe this into a political act, but the Queen thinks that
this risk should rather be run than that she should appear unfeeling
and forgetful of former kindness and intimacy.

The Queen would be glad to have Lord John's opinion on this subject as
soon as possible.

[Footnote 2: This letter is headed "Reproduction--Substance of
a letter to Lord John Russell, written from recollection."]

_The Queen of the Belgians to Queen Victoria._

LAEKEN, _3rd January 1848._

MY DEARLY BELOVED VICTORIA,--I thank you _most sincerely_ for your
kind last letter, and all your good wishes for the New Year. Alas! the
year _ended_ and _began_ in a _most painful_ and _heartrending way
for us_. The loss of my good, excellent, beloved Aunt is an _immense
misfortune_ for _us all_, and the most _dreadful blow_ for my poor
Father. We are all broken-hearted by this, at last _unexpected_ event.
Some years we were uneasy about my poor Aunt's health, and of late
I had been particularly alarmed by what I heard of her increasing
weakness; but I was very far from believing that her end was _so
near_. I was only anxious for the winter. At least her end was
peaceful. She went to sleep and did not wake more. She died without a
struggle; the horror of death, and the still greater pang of the last
farewell, of the last leave-taking of her beloved brother, was spared
her. I thank God for _this_ proof of His mercy, and hope He will
keep up my Father under _such a heavy affliction_. To him the loss is
_irretrievable_. My Aunt lived _but_ for him; one may almost say
that her affection alone had kept her alive these last years, and a
devotion like hers--that devotion of all instants--so complete, so
full of self-denial--cannot, will never, be replaced. A