Otherwise there remains a little place which is called Sebastopol, and from which, as the wind is almost constantly favourable, one can get very quickly to Constantinople--and Constantinople is always the one place which exercises the greatest influence, and all the more because the ducats come from that quarter, with results which the marked economy of England is hardly likely to effect....
Victoria has borne herself bravely and properly in the matter, and _deserves to be greatly praised_....
[Pageheading: BIRTH OF THE PRINCESS ROYAL] _The Queen of the Belgians to Queen Victoria._ LAEKEN, _30th November 1840._ MY MOST BELOVED VICTORIA,--I have been longing to write to you ever since we got the _joyful_ tidings,[57] but I would not do so before the nine days were at an end.

Now that they are over, I hope as you are, thank God, so well, I may venture a few lines to express _a part_ of my feelings, and to wish you joy on the happy birth of your dear little girl.

I need not tell you the _deep, deep_ share I took in this most _happy event_, and all I felt for you, for dear Albert, when I heard of it, and since we last met.

You know my affection for you, and I will not trouble you with the repetition of what you know.

All I will say is that I thanked God with all my heart, and as I have scarcely thanked Him for any other favour....
[Footnote 57: The Princess Royal, afterwards the Empress Frederick of Germany, was born 21st November 1840.] [Pageheading: SETTLEMENT OF EASTERN QUESTION] _Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ _15th December 1840._ MY DEAREST UNCLE,--Many thanks for your kind little letter of the 10th from Ardenne.