ally defeated by Sir Hugh Gough at
Moodkee and Ferozeshah. In Scinde Sir Charles Napier prosecuted
operations against the mountain desert tribes.

In New Zealand some disastrous collisions took place between the
natives and the settlers; the former on two occasions either defeating
or repulsing the British arms.

In France the most important events were the Bill for fortifying
Paris, the campaign waged against Abd-el-Kader in Algeria, and
a horrible act of cruelty perpetrated there. In Spain Don Carlos
abdicated his claims to the throne in favour of his son; the Queen's
engagement to Count Trapani was rumoured. In other parts of Europe
little that was eventful occurred.

CHAPTER XIV

1845

_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._

WINDSOR CASTLE, _14th January 1845._

MY DEAREST UNCLE,--What you say about Aquila[1] and Montpensier
interests me. What madness is it then to force Trapani on Spain! Pray
explain to me the cause of the King's obstinacy about that Spanish
marriage, for _no_ country has a right to dictate in that way to
another. If Tatane[2] was _to think_ of the Infanta, England would be
extremely indignant, and would (and with right) consider it tantamount
to a marriage with the Queen herself. Ever your devoted Niece,

VICTORIA R.

[Footnote 1: Louis Charles, Comte d'Aquila, a son of Francis
I., King of the Two Sicilies, and brother of the Comte de
Trapani and of Queen Christina; he and his brother were
therefore uncles of Queen Isabella.]

[Footnote 2: The Duc de Montpensier.]

_The King of the Belgians to Queen Victoria._

LAEKEN, _18th January 1845._

MY DEAREST VICTORIA,--... The Spanish marriage question is really very
curious; in fact, all the other Bourbon branches are hostile to the
Orleans family, but the idea that makes the King so constant in his
views about it, is that he imagines it would create in France a bad
impression if _now_ any other than a Bourbon was to marry the Queen of
Spain. That feeling they have _themselves created_, as in France
they did not at all care about it; having, however, declared _quasi_
officially in the French Chambers that they _will not have any but
a Bourbon_, if circumstances should after all decide it otherwise it
would now be a defeat, but certainly one of their own making.... Your
devoted Uncle,

LEOPOLD R.

_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._

WINDSOR CASTLE, _28th January 1845._

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