And now, God bless you! Ever, my dearest Victoria, your devoted Uncle, LEOPOLD R.
[Pageheading: LOUIS PHILIPPE'S VISIT] _The King of the Belgians to Queen Victoria._ OSTENDE, _25th August 1839._ (_La St Louis._) MY DEAR VICTORIA,--To keep up the fire of letters, I write again, having received this morning interesting news.

As I must forward this letter by Calais, and know not who may read it in these times of curiosity, I am forced to be guarded; but the news are as follows, of the 23rd--curious coincidence, as your letter was also of that date--that, the moment _approaching, many and serious_ difficulties arise, and that the expedition was considered imprudent by some people, that, besides, the presence would perhaps be required, before the _possible_ departure, at the _usual home_ of the person interested, that therefore for the present it would perhaps be best to give it up.

I must say that I am _most happy_ that matters have come to this pass, because it would have been next to impossible to arrange affairs properly in proper time.

You may now consider everything _as over_, and settle your plans without reference to it....
[Pageheading: THE VISIT POSTPONED] _Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _26th August 1839._ MY DEAREST UNCLE,--I had already written you a letter when I received your two very kind ones, and I shall therefore not send my first.

My friendship for the dear King and Queen makes me, as you may easily understand, wish most exceedingly to see them and to make the acquaintance of the Queen and all the family.