that I am sure you will _understand_ and _excuse_ our being _over
anxious_... Yours most devotedly,

LOUISE.

[Pageheading: A SUCCESSFUL VISIT]

_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._

OSBORNE HOUSE, _17th October 1844._

MY DEAREST UNCLE,--I had intended to have written to you on Monday,
but you will since have heard of the great _confusion_ of that day
which prevented me from doing so. The dear King's visit went off to
perfection, and I much and deeply regret its being passed. He was
_delighted_, and was _most_ enthusiastically and affectionately
received wherever he showed himself. Our proceedings I wrote to good,
dear Louise (whom you should not leave so long alone), who will no
doubt have given you the details. What an extraordinary man the King
is! What a wonderful memory, and how lively, _how sagacious!_He spoke
very openly to us all, and is determined that our affairs should go on
well. He wishes Tahiti _au fond de la mer_. He spoke also very openly
about poor Hadjy's _brochure_ which seems to have distressed him more
than anything. The King praised my dearest Albert most highly, and
fully appreciates his great qualities and talents--and what gratifies
me _so much_, treats him completely as his equal, calling him "Mon
Frere," and saying to me that _my husband_ was the same as me, which
it is--and "Le Prince Albert, c'est pour moi le Roi." The King is
_very_ sad to go, but he is determined, he says, _to see me every
year_. Another _very_ great thing is, that the officers of the two
Navies staying at Portsmouth were on the best terms together and
paying one another every sort of compliment. As Admiral La Susse (a
very gentlemanlike man) and his squadron were sadly disappointed on
Monday,[31] we thought it would please them if we went on board the
_Gomer_, which we did, on Tuesday morning, and breakfasted there, and
I drank the King's health. I am certain that the visit and everything
connected with it can but do the _greatest good_.

We stay here till Monday. It is a very comfortable little house, and
the grounds and place are delightful, so private--and the view so
fine.

I must now conclude, begging you to believe me, ever your devoted
Niece,

VICTORIA R.

I forgot to say how much we liked good Montpensier, who got on
extremely well.

[Footnote 31: It had been intended that the King should return
to France, as he had come, by way of Portsmouth, crossing in
the frigate _