He is bald now, but in his Chevalier Garde Uniform he is _magnificent_ still, and very _striking_. I cannot deny that we were in great anxiety when we took him out lest some Pole might make an attempt, and I always felt thankful when we got him safe home again. His poor daughter is very ill, I fear. The good King of Saxony[18] remains another week with us, and we like him much. He is so unassuming. He is out sight-seeing _all_ day, and enchanted with everything. I hope that you will persuade the King to come all the same in September. Our _motives_ and politics are _not_ to be exclusive, but to be on good terms with _all_, and why should we not? We make no secret of it. Now I must end this very long letter. Ever your devoted Niece, VICTORIA R. You will kindly not _speak_ of these details, but only in _allgemein_ say the visit went off very satisfactorily on _both sides_, and that it was _highly pacific_. [Footnote 15: In honour of the Emperor a Review was held in Windsor Great Park.] [Footnote 16: At Ascot.] [Footnote 17: Given by the Duke of Devonshire.] [Footnote 18: See _ante_, p. 12.] [Pageheading: A PARLIAMENTARY CRISIS] [Pageheading: THE KING OF SAXONY] _Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _18th June 1844._ MY DEAREST UNCLE,--I had the happiness of receiving your dear and kind letter of the 13th on Sunday; your _parties_ at Ardenne must have been truly delightful; perhaps some day _we_ may enjoy them too: that would be delightful! I can write to you with a light heart, thank goodness, to-day, for the Government obtained a majority, which _up_ to the _last_ moment last night we feared they would not have, and we have been in sad trouble for the last four or five days about it.[19] It is the more marvellous, as, if the Government asked for a _Vote_ of Confidence, they would have a _Majority_ of 100; but this very strength makes the supporters of the Government act in a _most_ unjustifiable manner by continually acting and voting against them, _not_ listening to the debates, but coming down and voting against the Government. So that we were really in the greatest _possible_ danger of having a resignation of the Government _without knowing to whom to turn_, and this from the recklessness of a handful of foolish _half_ "Puseyite" half "Young England"[20] people! I am sure you will agree with me that Peel's resignation would not only be for us (for _we cannot_ have a better and a _safer_ Minister), but for the whole country, and for the peace of Europe--a _great calamity_. Our present people are all _safe_, and not led away by impulses and reckless passions. We must, however, take care and not get into another crisis; for I assure you we have been quite miserable and _quite_ alarmed ever since Saturday.