The King and Montpensier arrived quite safely at two, and are
both looking extremely well. We have just lunched with them. It seems
like a dream to me, and a very pleasant one.

Albert sends his affectionate love. Ever your devoted Niece,

VICTORIA R.

Bertie has immediately taken a passion for Montpensier.

_Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._

BROCKET HALL, _9th October 1844._

Lord Melbourne presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and thanks
your Majesty much for the letter of the 7th inst., which he has just
received, and with very great satisfaction, as he had begun to think
your Majesty's silence rather long. But he perfectly understands the
reasons which prevented your Majesty from writing during your stay in
the Highlands. Lord Melbourne is very glad to find that your Majesty
enjoyed that country so much, and is so enthusiastically fond of it.
Lord Melbourne believes that he was at the places which your Majesty
mentions. In the year 1802 he stayed some months in Perthshire with
the late Lord Kinnaird, and enjoyed it much. It annoys him sometimes
to think how altered he is in strength since that time. Lord Melbourne
has never yet thanked your Majesty for the pretty etchings of poor
Islay and Eos, which your Majesty sent to Lord Melbourne when he was
last at Windsor. Lord Melbourne has ordered them both to be framed,
and will hang them up in his room here. They will afford Lord
Melbourne most agreeable and pleasing souvenirs of the happiest period
of his life, for he cannot say otherwise than that he continually
misses and regrets the time when he had daily confidential
communication with your Majesty. Lord Glenlyon[30] has one merit
in Lord Melbourne's eyes, which is that he was a steady and firm
supporter to the last of Lord Melbourne's Government. Lord Melbourne
hopes and trusts that he feels no animosity against those who opposed
him. But he does and always shall entertain a kindly and grateful
recollection of those who supported him.

Lord Melbourne begs to be remembered to His Royal Highness.

[Footnote 30: _See_ vol. i. p. 429.]

_The Queen of the Belgians to Queen Victoria._

LAEKEN, _12th October 1844._

MY DEARLY BELOVED VICTORIA,--... I thank you very much for attending
to all my recommendations about _my_ father: I only fear that they
will lead you to believe that we consider him as a _great child_ and
treat him like one: but he is so _precious_ and _dear_ to _us all_