dity of
people here, but Albert's riding so boldly and hard has made such a
sensation that it has been written all over the country, and they make
much more of it than if he had done some great act!

It rather disgusts one, but still it had done, and does, good, for
it has put an end to all impertinent sneering for the future about
Albert's riding. This journey has done great good, and my beloved
Angel in particular has had _the greatest success_; for instance, at
Birmingham the good his visit has done has been immense, for Albert
spoke to all these manufacturers _in their own language_, which they
did not expect, and these poor people have only been accustomed to
hear demagogues and Chartists.

We cannot understand how you can think the country about Chatsworth
_not_ pretty, for it is (with the exception of the moors) beautiful,
wooded hills and valleys and rapid streams. The country round Belvoir
I do not admire, but the view from the castle is very fine and
extensive, and Albert says puts him so in mind of the Kalenberg....

Pray have you heard anything about Aumale's plans? Dear little Gaston
seems much better.

The Duc de Bordeaux has been informed of my and the Government's
extreme displeasure at their conduct; they say there shall be no more
such displays. He was to leave London yesterday, only to return again
for a day, and then to leave England altogether.

With Albert's love, ever, dearest Uncle, your most devoted Niece,

VICTORIA R.

[Footnote 96: The Prince hunted with the Belvoir hounds on the
5th.]

[Pageheading: AN AMERICAN VIEW OF MONARCHY]

_The King of the Belgians to Queen Victoria._

LAEKEN, _15th December 1843._

MY DEAREST VICTORIA,--I am most happy to see that your journey passed
so well, and trust you are not sorry to be again in your very dear
and comfortable home, and with your dear children. People are
very strange, and their great delight is to find fault with their
fellow-creatures; what harm could it have done them if Albert had
_not_ hunted at all? and still I have no doubt that his having hunted
well and boldly has given more satisfaction than if he had done Heaven
knows what praiseworthy deed; _ainsi est et sera le monde_.

I am glad also that the Birmingham course succeeded so well; the theme
had been for some years, particularly amongst manufacturers, that
Royalty was useless and ignorant, and that the greatest blessing would
be, to manufacture beyond me