ns_--(how _grand_ this sounds!)--and
Alice allowed the Emperor to take her in his arms, and kissed him _de
son propre accord_. We are always so thankful that they are _not_ shy.
Both the Emperor and the King are _quite_ enchanted with Windsor. The
Emperor said very _poliment_: "C'est digne de vous, Madame." I must
say the Waterloo Room lit up with that entire service of gold looks
splendid; and the Reception Room, beautiful to sit in afterwards. The
Emperor praised _my_ Angel very much, saying: "C'est impossible de
voir un plus joli garcon; il a l'air si noble et si bon"; which I must
say _is very_ true. The Emperor amused the King and me by saying he
was so _embarrasse_ when people were presented to him, and that
he felt so "_gauche_" _en frac_, which certainly he is quite
_unaccustomed_ to wear. If we can do anything to get him to do what is
right by you, we shall be most happy, and Peel and Aberdeen are very
anxious for it. I believe he leaves on Sunday again. To-morrow there
is to be a great review, and on Thursday _I_ shall probably go with
them to the races; _they_ are gone there with Albert to-day, but I
have remained at home.

I think it is time to conclude my long letter.

If the French are angry at this visit, let their dear King and their
Princes come; _they_ will be sure of a _truly affectionate_ reception
on our part. The one which Emperor Nicholas has received is cordial
and civil, _mais ne vient pas du c[oe]ur_.

I humbly beg that any remarks which may _not_ be favourable to our
great visitor may _not_ go _beyond_ you and Louise, and _not_ to
_Paris_. Ever your devoted Niece,

VICTORIA R.

[Footnote 13: The Emperor Nicholas of Russia had just arrived
on a visit to England.]

[Footnote 14: Frederick Augustus II.]

[Pageheading: THE REVIEW]

[Pageheading: THE QUEEN'S IMPRESSIONS]

[Pageheading: THE CZAR NICHOLAS]

_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._

Buckingham Palace, _11th June 1844._

MY DEAREST UNCLE,--I received your very kind and long letter of the
7th on Sunday, and thank you very much for it. I am delighted that
my accounts interested you, and I shall try and give you some more
to-day, which you will see come from an unbiassed and impartial mind,
and which I trust therefore _will_ be relied upon. The excitement has
ceased as suddenly as it had begun, and I am still confused about it.
I will go back to where I last left you. The _Revue_[15] on the 5th
wa