Pedro I.assumed the title of Duke of Braganza after his abdication.] [Footnote 48: Probably the princess known as "Chica," afterwards Princesse de Joinville.] [Pageheading: SYRIAN AFFAIRS] _The King of the Belgians to Queen Victoria._ ST CLOUD, _26th July 1839._ ...

Everything is pretty quiet, and the _grace accordee a Barbes_[49] has put down the rage against the King personally, at least for some little time.

The affairs of the Orient interest a good deal.

I think that it is better the Porte should be on a favourable footing with Mehemet Ali than if that gentleman had pushed on in arms, as it will put the _casus foederis_ out of the question, and the Turks will not call in the assistance of the Russians.

Whoever pushed the late Sultan into this war has done an act of great folly, as it could only bring the Porte into jeopardy.
[Footnote 49: Armand Barbes, the leader of a fatal riot in Paris, was sentenced to death, a sentence afterwards remitted.] _Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._ _3rd August 1839._ Lord Melbourne will wait upon your Majesty at a quarter before five, if possible, but there is much to discuss at the Cabinet.