ose _unfortunate_
Poles are the _only_ obstacle, and that he positively cannot
enter into direct communication _with Belgium_ as long as they are
_employed_. If you could only somehow or other get rid of them, I am
sure the thing would be done at once. We all think he _need_ not
mind this, but I fear he has pledged himself. He admired Charlotte's
picture. _Pour finir_, I must say one more word or two about his
personal appearance. He puts us much in mind of his and our cousins
the Wuertembergs, and has altogether much of the Wuertemberg family
about him. He is bald now, but in his Chevalier Garde Uniform he is
_magnificent_ still, and very _striking_. I cannot deny that we were
in great anxiety when we took him out lest some Pole might make an
attempt, and I always felt thankful when we got him safe home again.
His poor daughter is very ill, I fear. The good King of Saxony[18]
remains another week with us, and we like him much. He is so
unassuming. He is out sight-seeing _all_ day, and enchanted with
everything. I hope that you will persuade the King to come all
the same in September. Our _motives_ and politics are _not_ to be
exclusive, but to be on good terms with _all_, and why should we not?
We make no secret of it.

Now I must end this very long letter. Ever your devoted Niece,

VICTORIA R.

You will kindly not _speak_ of these details, but only in _allgemein_
say the visit went off very satisfactorily on _both sides_, and that
it was _highly pacific_.

[Footnote 15: In honour of the Emperor a Review was held in
Windsor Great Park.]

[Footnote 16: At Ascot.]

[Footnote 17: Given by the Duke of Devonshire.]

[Footnote 18: See _ante_, p. 12.]

[Pageheading: A PARLIAMENTARY CRISIS]

[Pageheading: THE KING OF SAXONY]

_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._

BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _18th June 1844._

MY DEAREST UNCLE,--I had the happiness of receiving your dear and kind
letter of the 13th on Sunday; your _parties_ at Ardenne must have been
truly delightful; perhaps some day _we_ may enjoy them too: that would
be delightful! I can write to you with a light heart, thank goodness,
to-day, for the Government obtained a majority, which _up_ to the
_last_ moment last night we feared they would not have, and we have
been in sad trouble for the last four or five days about it.[19] It
is the more marvellous, as, if the Government asked for a _Vote_
of Confidence, they would have a _