] I approve your letter to the King, as it
is amiable and generous, and this in your position will always tell
favourably. I think that if _he_ is well advised he will chiefly
consult _your wishes_. This is the footing on which you must place
matters. It is not worth while to be told that one is in some sort
of age when the consequence is that you are not consulted in what
concerns you most personally. Avoid in future to say much about
your great _youth_ and _inexperience_. Who made the letter? Was it
yourself, or came it from your Mother? You have now the Baron at your
elbow, and even your Mother was most anxious for his arrival. _Speak
sometimes with him_; it is necessary to accustom you to the thing.

About the King's health.[43] I am doubtful what to think. We have
foreseen the case and treated it formerly. The great thing would be to
make no change, to keep Ministers and everything as it is, and to gain
time; in this way _no one is hurt and no amour-propre blesse_.
For this reason I lean to your keeping, to begin with, Sir Herbert
Taylor[44] for your _official_ secretary, though I am not quite
_decided_ on the subject. He knows the manner in which the _daily
business_ is carried on; this is important. I believe him, and have
found him to be an honest man, that would do for State matters; it
would not be required that he should be your _confidential_ adviser.
Now I conclude, and send you this letter through Stockmar. My best
regards to Lehzen. Ever your faithful Uncle and Friend,

LEOPOLD R.

[Footnote 42: The King had offered the Princess an
establishment of L10,000 a year, independent of her mother.
This was accepted, to the great vexation of the Duchess of
Kent, but the arrangement was not carried into effect.]

[Footnote 43: King William's health was at this time causing
much anxiety.]

[Footnote 44: Private Secretary to King William IV.]

[Pageheading: BIRTHDAY REJOICINGS]

_The Princess Victoria to the King of the Belgians._

_26th May 1837._

... The demonstrations of affection and kindness from all sides
towards me on my birthday, were most gratifying. The parks and streets
were crowded all day as though something very extraordinary had
happened. Yesterday I received twenty-two Addresses from various
places, all very pretty and loyal; one in particular was very well
written which was presented by Mr. Attwood[45] from the Political
Union at Birmingham.

I am d