Pray name me to good Stockmar, and believe me, always, your most devoted Niece and Child, VICTORIA R.
[Pageheading: CONGRATULATIONS] _The Queen of the Belgians to Queen Victoria._ LAEKEN, _9th November 1839._ MY MOST BELOVED VICTORIA,--Your Uncle has already told you, I trust, with what feelings of deep affection and gratitude I received the so _interesting_ and _important_ communication which you permitted him to make to me; but I was longing for an opportunity to speak to you myself of the great subject which fills now our hearts, and to tell you how very grateful I have been, I am, and will ever be, for the confidence and trust which you so kindly placed in me.

All I can say is that you did full justice to my feelings, for _nothing_ could interest _more_ my heart than _your_ marriage, my most dearly loved Victoria, and I could not have heard even of that of Clementine with _more_ anxious affection and sisterly love.

I cannot really tell you _with words_ how deeply and strongly I was moved and affected by the great news itself, and by your dear, unaffected, confiding, happy letter.

When I received it I could do nothing but cry, and say internally, "May God bless her now and ever!" Ah! may God bless you, my most beloved Victoria! may He shower on you His best blessings, fulfil _all_ your heart's wishes and hopes, and let you enjoy for _many, many years_ the happiness which the dearest ties of affection _alone_ can give, and which is the only _real_ one, the only worthy of the name in this uncertain and transitory world! I have seen much of dear Albert two years ago, I have watched him, as you may well think, with particular care, attention, and interest, and although he was very young then, I am well convinced that he is not only fit for the situation which he is now called to fulfil, but, what is still more important in my eyes, that he has _all those qualities_ of the heart and the mind which can give and ensure happiness.

I think even that his disposition is particularly well calculated to suit yours, and I am fully confident that you will be both happy together.
What you tell me of your fear of not being worthy of him, and able to make him sufficiently happy, is for me but a proof more of it.