The Prince of Orange had himself been a candidate for the hand
of Princess Charlotte, and had no reason to be friendly to
King Leopold, of whom it is recorded that he said, "Voila un
homme qui a pris ma femme et mon royaume."]

[Pageheading: ARRIVAL OF PRINCE ALBERT]

_The Princess Victoria to the King of the Belgians._

_23rd May 1836._

MY DEAREST UNCLE,-- ... Uncle Ernest and my cousins arrived here on
Wednesday, _sains et saufs_. Uncle is looking remarkably well, and my
cousins are most delightful young people. I will give you no detailed
description of them, as you will so soon see them yourself. But I
must say, that they are both very amiable, very kind and good, and
extremely merry, just as young people should be; with all that,
they are extremely sensible, and very fond of occupation. Albert is
extremely handsome, which Ernest certainly is not, but he has a most
good-natured, honest, and intelligent countenance. We took them to the
Opera on Friday, to see the _Puritani_, and as they are excessively
fond of music, like me, they were in perfect ecstasies, having never
heard any of the singers before....

[Pageheading: PRINCE ALBERT]

_The Princess Victoria to the King of the Belgians._

_7th June 1836._

MY DEAREST UNCLE,--These few lines will be given to you by my dear
Uncle Ernest when he sees you.

I must thank you, my beloved Uncle, for the prospect of _great_
happiness you have contributed to give me, in the person of dear
Albert. Allow me, then, my dearest Uncle, to tell you how delighted I
am with him, and how much I like him in every way. He possesses every
quality that could be desired to render me perfectly happy. He is so
sensible, so kind, and so good, and so amiable too. He has, besides,
the most pleasing and delightful exterior and appearance you can
possibly see.

I have only now to beg you, my dearest Uncle, to take care of the
health of one, now _so dear_ to me, and to take him under _your
special_ protection. I hope and trust that all will go on prosperously
and well on this subject of so much importance to me.

Believe me always, my dearest Uncle, your most affectionate, devoted,
and grateful Niece,

VICTORIA.

[Pageheading: CONVERSATION]

_The King of the Belgians to the Princess Victoria._

_17th June 1836._

MY DEAREST AND MOST BELOVED CHILD,--I begged your Mother, in the
meantime, to offer you my best thanks for your very prett