Ever, my dear Victoria, your devoted Uncle, LEOPOLD R.
[Footnote 69: The Dukedom of Kendal was offered to, and, after consideration, declined by, Prince Leopold.] [Footnote 70: The Duke of Saxe-Coburg (Ernest I.).] _Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ WINDSOR CASTLE, _26th November 1839._ MY DEAR UNCLE,--I thank you for your kind letter which I received the day before yesterday; but I fear you must have been very dull at Wiesbaden....
Everything went off uncommonly well on the 23rd, but it was rather formidable;[71] eighty-two Privy Councillors present; everybody very much pleased--and I was loudly greeted on leaving the Palace _after_ the Council.
The _whole Cabinet_ agree with me in being _strongly_ of opinion that Albert should _not_ be a Peer; indeed, I see everything against it and _nothing_ for it; the English are very jealous at the idea of Albert's having any political power, or meddling with affairs here--which I know from himself he will _not_ do.
As Wiesbaden is half-way (or thereabouts) to Coburg, I take the liberty of enclosing a large letter to Albert, which I beg you to send on to him.
We are quite flooded here, and the road to Datchet is quite impassable.

Ever your devoted Niece, VICTORIA R.
[Footnote 71: Greville mentions that the Queen's hands trembled so, that she could hardly read the Declaration which she was holding.] [Pageheading: BRITISH SUSCEPTIBILITIES] _Viscount Melbourne to Queen Victoria._ _27th November 1839._ Lord Melbourne presents his humble duty to your Majesty....
A little civility would be well bestowed upon Lord and Lady Tankerville, and might not be without its effect, but if your Majesty does not like it, it cannot be helped.
The others also shall, if possible, be kept in good humour.
The misrepresentation, respecting Prince Alexander[72] your Majesty will see corrected in the _Morning Chronicle_ of that morning, but of course your Majesty will not expect that this contradiction will put an end to bitter and offensive remarks.

It will now be said that, knowing the true religion, he has given over his children to the false, and that he has sacrificed their eternal welfare to his own worldly objects.[73] There is nothing which cannot be turned in an hostile and malignant manner by malignant and perverted ingenuity.
Can your Majesty inform Lord Melbourne what is the arrangement respecting King Leopold's children?
They are, Lord Melbourne presumes, to be brought up Roman Catholics.
Lord Melbourne earnestly hopes to hear that your Majesty is better and more free from pain.

He is himself very well.
[Footnote 72: Prince Alexander of Wuertemberg.] [Footnote 73: See _ante_, p.150.

(Ch.