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,
[Footnote 4: A daughter had been born to the Queen of Spain on the 5th of January, and lived only three days.]
_Queen Victoria to the Earl of Aberdeen._
The Queen sends the answer she has this morning received from the Duc de Nemours, which she hopes is on the whole satisfactory as regards the reported visit of the Count de Chambord.[5] The Duke does not see in so strong a light as _we_ do, the danger of even the _report_ being believed--probably from living so much out of the world as he does. What would Lord Aberdeen wish her to do farther, and what does he think can be done in the way of contradiction? The Queen wishes likewise to have Lord Aberdeen's opinion and advice on the following subjects. He knows that we have invariably received the poor Orleans family (in particular our own near relations, the Nemours) from time to time _here_ and in London, and that the Queen has _always_ from the first year done this _openly_ but _unostentatiously_. It is by _no means_ her intention to change her conduct in this respect--but since the great noise caused by the "fusion" she thought it better _not_ to invite the Nemours either to Osborne or here, hoping that by _this time_ these tiresome rumours would have ceased. They have not, however, and we think that perhaps it would be wiser _not_ to see them here, _at any rate_ till after the meeting of Parliament, though it is very painful to the Queen to hurt their feelings by apparent neglect. Is Lord Aberdeen of this opinion, and does he think that it will _not_ be misconstrued into an _admission_ of having encouraged _intrigues_ or of _submission_ to the will and pleasure of Louis Napoleon?