She was more popular than himself--that was, since her mariage, her only crime....
I feel very grateful for Lord Melbourne's kindness on the subject of our sad loss.

He is so feeling and kindhearted that he, much more than most men who have lived so much in the _grand monde_, has preserved a certain warmth and freshness of feeling....
Your cousins kiss your hands, and I remain, my dearest Victoria, your devoted Uncle, LEOPOLD R.
_Viscount Palmerston to Queen Victoria._ STANHOPE STREET, _27th January 1839._ Viscount Palmerston presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and returns to your Majesty the accompanying papers which he received from Viscount Melbourne.

Your Majesty will have seen by Sir Edward Disbrowe's[9] despatches that the concentration of Dutch troops mentioned in these reports was purely defensive, and was the consequence of the military demonstrations previously made by the Belgians; and it appears, moreover, that the Dutch force is inferior in number to the Belgian force opposite to it; and that affords an additional security against the chance of an invasion of Belgium by the Dutch.

It is, however, undeniable that when two armies are drawn up in face of each other, separated by a small distance, and animated by mutual hatred, the chances of collision become great and imminent.
But it is to be hoped in the present case that the communication made by the Conference to the two parties on Thursday last may avert danger of hostilities between the Dutch and Belgians.[10] [Footnote 9: Minister at the Hague.] [Footnote 10: _See_ next letter.] [Pageheading: BELGIUM AND ENGLAND] _Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _7th February 1839._ MY DEAR UNCLE,--I am much grieved to learn that poor Philippe[11] has given you such anxiety.

My poor Aunt! it really is too much upon her to have these cares added to her recent severe affliction.