Kent, who often stayed with him at
Buxted Park in Sussex, and at Pitchford in Shropshire. At
three successive visits at the latter house the Princess
occupied the same small room without a fireplace.]

[Footnote 7: Luigi Lablache (1794-1858), a famous
opera-singer, was the Princess's singing-master.]

_The Princess Victoria to the King of the Belgians._

_2nd September 1836._

MY DEAREST UNCLE,-- ... The state of Spain is most alarming and
unfortunate.[8] I do hope something will be done. The news were rather
better yesterday and the day before. The Christinos had gained a
victory over the Carlists.[9] I take a great interest in the whole of
this unfortunate affair. I hope and trust Portugal may not suffer by
all the affairs of Spain, but much is to be feared. Dieskau will have
told you much about the internal affairs, which seem to go on very
prosperously. Pray has the Duchess of Braganza[10] written to you or
Aunt Louise since Ferdinand's marriage?

You did not send me the King of Naples'[11] letter, as you said you
would; pray do so in your next letter. I hope he will come here next
year. You do not mention France, so I hope all is quiet. The Duke of
Orleans is quite well again, I am happy to hear from Aunt Louise. Now
I must conclude, begging you to believe me, always, your most truly
attached and really devoted Niece,

VICTORIA.

[Footnote 8: See Introductory Note for the year, _ante_, p. 44.
(to Ch. V)]

[Footnote 9: The civil war was favourable to the Carlists at
this time, General Gomez obtaining a victory on 30th August.
By the end of the year he had twice traversed the kingdom,
hampered with plunder and prisoners, and surrounded by armies
greater than his own, and in no district did he find the
inhabitants disposed to act against him.]

[Footnote 10: Step-mother of the Queen of Portugal.]

[Footnote 11: Ferdinand II., commonly named "Bomba." He
married _en secondes noces_, the Archduchess Theresa of
Austria.]

[Pageheading: A FAREWELL LETTER]

_The Princess Victoria to the King of the Belgians._[12]

CLAREMONT, _21st September 1836._

MY MOST DEARLY BELOVED UNCLE,--As I hear that Mamma is going to send a
letter to you which will reach you at Dover, and though it is only an
hour and a half since we parted, I must write you one line to tell you
how _very, very sad_ I am that you have left us, and to repeat, what