I wish you could come here, for many reasons, but also to be an eye-witness of my extreme prudence in eating, which would astonish you.

The poor sea-gulls are, however, not so happy as you imagine, for they have great enemies in the country-people here, who take pleasure in shooting them.
Believe me always, my dearest Uncle, your very affectionate and most grateful Niece, VICTORIA.
_The Princess Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ KENSINGTON PALACE, _2nd February 1835._ MY DEAREST UNCLE,--I know not how to thank you sufficiently for the most valuable autographs you were kind enough to send me.

I am particularly delighted with that of Louis Quatorze, "le grand Roi," and my great admiration....

You will not, I hope, think me very troublesome if I venture to ask for two more autographs which I should very particularly like to have; they are Mme.

de Sevigne's[19] and Racine's; as I am reading the letters of the former, and the tragedies of the latter, I should prize them highly.