Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians

HOPE NOT ABANDONED

Windsor Castle, 9th December 1861.

My beloved Uncle,—I enclose you Clark's report, which I think you may like to hear. Our beloved invalid goes on well—but it must be tedious, and I need not tell you what a trial it is to me. Every day, however, is bringing us nearer the end of this tiresome illness, which is much what I had at Ramsgate, only that I was much worse, and not at first well attended to. You shall hear daily.

You will, I know, feel for me! The night was excellent; the first good one he had. Ever your devoted Niece,

Victoria R.

The Americans may possibly get out of it.