Source:
The letters of Queen Victoria: a selection from Her Majesty's correspondence between the years 1831 and 1861: published by authority of His Majesty the King, edited by Arthur Christopher Benson and Viscount Reginald Baliol Brett Esher, 1907
Above: Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom and Ireland, painted by Sir William Ross.
Above: Leopold, King of the Belgians, lithograph by Luigi Calamatta.
The letter:
WINDSOR CASTLE, 3rd October 1837.
MY BELOVED UNCLE, — ... I am quite sad to leave this fine place, where, if it had not been for the meeting of Parliament so early this year, I would have remained till November. I have passed such a pleasant time here, the pleasantest summer I have ever passed in my life; I have had the great happiness of having you and my beloved Aunt here, I have had pleasant people staying with me, and I have had delicious rides which have done me more good than anything. It will be such a break-up of our little circle! Besides my own people, Lord Melbourne and Lord Palmerston are the only people who have been staying here, and this little party was very social and agreeable. The Princess Augusta of Saxony has been here for two nights; she is neither young nor handsome, but a very kind good person.
The news from Portugal are bad which I got this morning. The Civil War is ended, and the Chartists have been completely defeated; this is sad enough, but I was fearful of it: a counter-revolution never does well.
En revanche, the news from Spain are by far better. ...
Believe me always, in haste, your devoted and affectionate Niece,
VICTORIA R.
Note: en revanche = in return.
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