Volume I Part 5 (1/2)
G.o.d bless you, my dear Victoria, is always the prayer of your most truly affectionate Aunt,
ADELAIDE.
_The King of the Belgians to the Princess Victoria._
BRUSSELS, _22nd May 1832._
MY DEAREST LOVE,--Let me offer you my _sincerest_ and _best_ wishes on the return of the anniversary of your birthday. May heaven protect and prosper you, and shower all its best blessings on you.
Time flies: it is now thirteen years that you came into the world of trouble; I therefore can hardly venture to call you any longer a little Princess.
This will make you feel, my dear Love, that you must give your attention more and more to graver matters. By the dispensation of Providence you are destined to fill a most eminent station; to fill it _well_ must now become your study. A good heart and a trusty and honourable character are amongst the most indispensable qualifications for that position.
You will always find in your Uncle that faithful friend which he has proved to you from your earliest infancy, and whenever you feel yourself in want of support or advice, call on him with perfect confidence.
If circ.u.mstances permitted my leaving Ostend early to-morrow morning, I should be able to place myself my birthday present into your fair hair; as this happiness has not fallen to my lot, your excellent mother has promised to act as my representative.
You will probably have little time to spare. I therefore conclude with the a.s.surance of the sincere attachment and affection with which I shall ever be, my dearest Love, your faithful and devoted Friend and Uncle,
LEOPOLD R.
[Pageheading: THE QUEEN OF THE BELGIANS]
_The King of the Belgians to the Princess Victoria._
LAEKEN,[10] _31st August 1832._
MY DEAREST LOVE,--You told me you wished to have a description of your new Aunt.[11] I therefore shall both mentally and physically describe her to you.
She is extremely gentle and amiable, her actions are always guided by principles. She is at all times ready and disposed to sacrifice her comfort and inclinations to see others happy. She values goodness, merit, and virtue much more than beauty, riches, and amus.e.m.e.nts. With all this she is highly informed and very clever; she speaks and writes English, German and Italian; she speaks English very well indeed.
In short, my dear Love, you see that I may well recommend her as an example for all young ladies, being Princesses or not.
Now to her appearance. She is about Feodore's height, her hair very fair, light blue eyes, of a very gentle, intelligent and kind expression. A Bourbon nose and small mouth. The figure is much like Feodore's but rather less stout. She rides very well, which she proved to my great alarm the other day, by keeping her seat though a horse of mine ran away with her full speed for at least half a mile. What she does particularly well is dancing. Music unfortunately she is not very fond of, though she plays on the harp; I believe there is some idleness in the case. There exists already great confidence and affection between us; she is desirous of doing everything that can contribute to my happiness, and I study whatever can make her happy and contented.
You will see by these descriptions that though my good little wife is not the tallest Queen, she is a very great prize which I highly value and cherish....
Now it is time I should finish my letter. Say everything that is kind to good Lehzen, and believe me ever, my dearest Love, your faithful Friend and Uncle,
LEOPOLD R.
[Footnote 10: The Royal Palace, four miles from Brussels, which Napoleon owned for many years. A monument to King Leopold now stands there.]
[Footnote 11: Louise Marie, Princess of Orleans, daughter of King Louis Philippe of France, was married to King Leopold on 9th August 1832.]