MY BELOVED VICTORIA,--I grieve to see how unjustly you are plagued, and how wonderfully untrue and passionate are the attacks of part of the Press. Abuse is somewhat the _staff of life in England_, everything, everybody is to be abused; it is a pity, as nothing more unproductive as this everlasting abuse can well be imagined. As nothing ever gave the slightest opening to this abuse, it is to be hoped that it will be soon got over--the meeting of Parliament will now do good in this respect. As far as your few continental relations are concerned, I don't think they will be able to fix anything upon your faithful servant. I have done England at all times good services, in the sense of her best interests. I hold a position of great geographical importance for England, just opposite the mouth of the Thames. Successes of vanity I am never fishing for in England, nor anywhere else. The only influence I may exercise is to prevent mischief where I can, which occasionally succeeds; if war can be avoided, and the same ends obtained, it is natural _that_ THAT _should be tried first_. Many English superficial newspaper politicians imagine that threatening is the thing--I believe it the worst of all systems. The Emperor Nicholas and Menschikoff wanted by threatening the Turks to get certain things, and they have by that means got a very troublesome and expensive affair on their hands. I wish England too well to like to see it, but one of these days they will get into some scrape in the same way. The foolish accusation that we are doing all we can to break up the French Alliance is certainly the _most absurd of all_; if anything can be for our local advantage, it is to see England and France closely allied, and for a long period--for ever I should say.... I have heard, and that from the Prussian Quarter, that great efforts are making on the part of Russia, to _gain over_ Louis Napoleon. I understand, however, that though Louis Napoleon is _not_ anxious for war, that his opinion is favourable to the continuation of a good understanding with England. That it should be so is, I must say, highly desirable. The poor Orleans will be grieved and hurt by all these things. The death of the child of the poor Queen of Spain will not be a favourable omen for Spain.[4]... With my best love to Albert. Believe me ever, my beloved Victoria, your truly devoted Uncle, LEOPOLD R. [Footnote 4: A daughter had been born to the Queen of Spain on the 5th of January, and lived only three days.] [Pageheading: THE ORLEANS FAMILY] _Queen Victoria to the Earl of Aberdeen._ WINDSOR CASTLE, _16th January 1854._