.The feeling of loyalty in this country is happily _very_ strong,
and wherever we show ourselves we are most heartily and warmly
received, and the civilities and respect shown to us by those we visit
is _most_ satisfactory. I mention merely a trifling instance to show
_how_ respectful they are--the Duke of Buckingham, who is immensely
proud, bringing the cup of coffee after dinner on a waiter to Albert
himself. And everywhere my dearest Angel receives the respect and
honours I receive.

Many thanks for returning the list;[3] it was not Albert but _Tatane_
who made the black crosses. Are not "Les 3 Mousquetaires," by Dumas,
and "Arthur," by Eugene Sue, _readable_ for _me_?

Now adieu, dearest, best Uncle. Ever your truly devoted Niece,

VICTORIA R.

[Footnote 3: A list of French books which the Queen was
proposing to read.]

[PAGEHEADING: STATE OF BUCKINGHAM PALACE]

_Queen Victoria to Sir Robert Peel._

PAVILION, _10th February 1845._

Though the Queen knows that Sir Robert Peel has already turned his
attention to the urgent necessity of doing something to Buckingham
Palace, the Queen thinks it right to recommend this subject herself to
his serious consideration. Sir Robert is acquainted with the state of
the Palace and the total want of accommodation for our little family,
which is fast growing up. Any building must necessarily take some
years before it can be safely inhabited. If it were to be begun this
autumn, it could hardly be occupied before the spring of 1848, when
the Prince of Wales would be nearly seven, and the Princess Royal
nearly eight years old, and they cannot possibly be kept in the
nursery any longer. A provision for this purpose ought, therefore, to
be made this year. Independent of this, most parts of the Palace are
in a sad state, and will ere long require a further outlay to render
them _decent_ for the occupation of the Royal Family or any visitors
the Queen may have to receive. A room, capable of containing a larger
number of those persons whom the Queen has to invite in the course
of the season to balls, concerts, etc., than any of the present
apartments can at once hold, is much wanted. Equally so, improved
offices and servants' rooms, the want of which puts the departments
of the household to great expense yearly. It will be for Sir Robert to
consider whether it would not be best to remedy all these deficiencies
at once, and to make use of this opportunity to render