CHAPTER VIII.
1839 _Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ PAVILION [BRIGHTON], _1st January 1839._ MY DEAR UNCLE,--...

I don't like your _croaking_ so about damp climates; if a niece may venture to say such a thing, I might almost say it is ungrateful to your faithful and attached Belgians.
The Queen-Dowager's letters do tantalize one a good deal, I must own.[1] You will see that old Lord Clarendon[2] is dead, which makes our friend Villiers Earl of Clarendon, but I am afraid not with a large income.
Lord Palmerston has been unwell and obliged to go to Broadlands, where he still is.

He had gone through so much grief and labour, that it was absolutely necessary for him to recruit his strength.

The Normanbys spent two nights here.[3] Lord Melbourne is the only person staying in the house besides several of my Court and my suite, and, I am sorry to say, is not very well; he has also had, I fear, too much business to do.
Lady Breadalbane[4] is my new Lady of the Bedchamber, and a very nice person.

Ever your devoted Niece, VICTORIA R.
Forgive this short scrawl.
[Footnote 1: Queen Adelaide had described the orange-trees and tropical fruits in the gardens of the Palace of St Antonio, Valetta.] [Footnote 2: John Charles, third Earl, Chief Justice-in-eyre, North of Trent.