Volume I Part 120 (2/2)

_22nd April 1843._

MY DEAREST NIECE,--I am just come back and feel very anxious to know how you are, and beg at the same time to offer to you my most affectionate condolence on the melancholy event which has taken again another member of our family from us. Pray do not trouble _yourself_ with answering this note, but let me hear how you feel, and whether you will like to see me to-morrow or at any time most convenient to you.

I feel deeply our new loss, which recalls all the previous sad losses which we have had so forcibly, and I pray that it may not affect you too much, dearest Victoria, and that you will not suffer from the shock it must have been to you. I was not in the least aware of the danger and near approach of the fatal end, and only yesterday began to feel alarmed by the accounts which I had received.

I have been with the poor d.u.c.h.ess of Inverness on my way to town, and found her as composed as possible under the sad circ.u.mstances, and full of grat.i.tude to you and all the family for all the kindness which she had received. I pity her very much. It must be her comfort to have made the last years of the Duke's life happy, and to have been his comfort to the last moment.

I wish you good-night, dearest Niece, and beg you to give my best love to dear Albert, and to believe me most devotedly your most affectionate Aunt,

ADELAIDE.

[Pageheading: BIRTH OF PRINCESS ALICE]

_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._

BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _16th May 1843._

MY DEAREST UNCLE,--Your kind and dear letter of the 12th has given me great pleasure. I am happy to give you still better accounts of myself.[37] I have been out every day since Sat.u.r.day, and have resumed all my usual habits almost (of course resting often on the sofa, and not having appeared in Society yet), and feel so strong and well; much better (independent of the nerves) than I have been either time. We are most thankful for it. The King of Hanover has never said _when_ he will come, even _now_, but always threatens that he will....

Our little baby, who I really am proud of, for she is so very forward for her age, is to be called _Alice_, an old English name, and the other names are to be _Maud_ (another old English name and the same as Matilda) and _Mary_, as she was born on Aunt Gloucester's birthday.

The Sponsors are to be: The King of Hanover,--Ernestus the Pious; poor Princess Sophia Matilda,[38] and Feodore, and the christening to be on the 2nd of June. It will be delightful to see you and dearest Louise on the 19th of June, G.o.d willing.

Are there any news of Joinville's proceedings at Rio?[39] Ever your devoted Niece,

VICTORIA R.

[Footnote 37: Princess Alice was born on 25th April.]

[Footnote 38: Princess Sophia Matilda of Gloucester.]

[Footnote 39: He married Princess Francesca, sister of the Emperor of the Brazils and of Queen Donna Maria.]

[Pageheading: CHRISTENING OF PRINCESS ALICE]

_The Earl of Ripon to Queen Victoria._

INDIA BOARD, _5th June 1843._

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