FREE BOOKS

Author's List




PREV.   NEXT  
|<   254   255   256   257   258   259   260   261   262   263   264   265   266   267   268   269   270   271   272   273   274   275   276   277   278  
279   280   281   282   283   284   285   286   287   288   289   290   291   292   293   294   295   296   297   298   299   300   301   302   303   >>   >|  
to say in answer to it that she will, of course, be ready to do what may appear best for the public interest. We shall, therefore, be ready to receive the Emperor, with or without the Empress, here at Osborne in the quiet way which he proposes. The present moment would, however, hardly do, Drawing-rooms and parties being announced in London, Parliament sitting, and the Season going on and the Queen having only a few days from the Grand Duke's visit to her return to Town. The latter half of July, the time at which the Queen would naturally be here and the best yachting season, might appear to the Emperor the most eligible, as being the least _force_. Till then a cottage which is rebuilding will, we hope, be ready to accommodate some of the suite, whom we could otherwise not properly house. I have no doubt that good will arise from a renewed intercourse with the Emperor; the only thing one may perhaps be afraid of is the possibility of his wishing to gain us over to his views with regard to a redistribution of Europe, and may be disappointed at our not being able to assent to his plans and aspirations. ALBERT.[17] [Footnote 17: See _post_, 4th August, 1857, note 30.] _Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _16th June 1857_. MY DEAREST UNCLE,--The christening of little Beatrice[18] is just over--and was very brilliant and nice. We had the luncheon in the fine ball-room, which looked very handsome. The Archduke Maximilian (who is here since Sunday evening) led me to the chapel, and at the luncheon I sat between him and Fritz. I cannot say how much we like the Archduke; he is charming, so clever, natural, kind and amiable, so _English_ in his feelings and likings, and so anxious for the best understanding between Austria and England. With the exception of his mouth and chin, he is good-looking; and I think one does not the least care for that, as he is so very kind and clever and pleasant. I wish you really joy, dearest Uncle, at having got _such_ a husband for dear Charlotte, as I am sure he will make her happy, and is quite worthy of her. He may, and will do a great deal for Italy.[19]... I must conclude for to-day, hoping soon to hear from you again. Ever your devoted Niece, VICTORIA R. [Footnote 18: Princess Beatrice (now Princess Henry of Battenberg) was born on the 14th of April.] [Footnote 19: The tragic end of a union which promised so brig
PREV.   NEXT  
|<   254   255   256   257   258   259   260   261   262   263   264   265   266   267   268   269   270   271   272   273   274   275   276   277   278  
279   280   281   282   283   284   285   286   287   288   289   290   291   292   293   294   295   296   297   298   299   300   301   302   303   >>   >|  



Top keywords:
Emperor
 

Footnote

 

clever

 

Princess

 
Beatrice
 

luncheon

 
Archduke
 

charming

 
likings
 
anxious

understanding

 

Austria

 

feelings

 

amiable

 

English

 
natural
 
looked
 

handsome

 

brilliant

 
Maximilian

England

 

chapel

 

Sunday

 

evening

 

devoted

 

conclude

 

hoping

 

VICTORIA

 
tragic
 
promised

Battenberg

 
pleasant
 

dearest

 

exception

 

worthy

 

christening

 

husband

 
Charlotte
 

return

 
Parliament

sitting

 

Season

 

eligible

 
season
 
yachting
 

naturally

 

London

 

announced

 

interest

 

receive