They also hope that dear little Victoria will not forget them and know them again when Uncle and Aunt return.
To dear little Xandrina Victoria.
[Footnote 2: Princess Feodore, the Queen's half-sister.] [Footnote 3: Augusta, daughter of Frederick, Landgrave of Hesse-Cassel, wife of the Duke of Cambridge.] [Footnote 4: Princess Mary, a daughter of George III., married to her cousin the Duke of Gloucester.] [Footnote 5: Princess Sophia, daughter of George III.] [Pageheading: EARLY LETTERS] [The following is the earliest letter preserved of the long series written by the Queen to King (then Prince) Leopold.

The Princess was then nine years old.] KENSINGTON PALACE, _25th November 1823._ MY DEAREST UNCLE,--I wish you many happy returns of your birthday; I very often think of you, and I hope to see you soon again, for I am very fond of you.

I see my Aunt Sophia[6] often, who looks very well, and is very well.

I use every day your pretty soup-basin.

Is it very warm in Italy?
It is so mild here, that I go out every day.