Ever yours devotedly, VICTORIA R.
_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ WINDSOR CASTLE, _1st October 1839._ MY DEAR UNCLE,--I received your kind letter on Sunday, for which many thanks.

The _retard_ of these young people puts me rather out, but of course cannot be helped.

I had a letter from Albert yesterday saying they could not set off, he thought, before the 6th.

I think they don't exhibit much _empressement_ to come here, which rather shocks me.
I got a very nice letter from dear Alexander yesterday from Reinhardtsbrun;[57] he says Albert is very much improved, but not taller than Augustus.

His description of him is as follows:--"Albert, I found, had become stronger and more handsome; still he has not grown much taller; he is of about the same size as Augustus; he is a most pleasant, intelligent young man.