We took them to the Opera on Friday, to see the _Puritani_, and as they are excessively fond of music, like me, they were in perfect ecstasies, having never heard any of the singers before....
[Pageheading: PRINCE ALBERT] _The Princess Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ _7th June 1836._ MY DEAREST UNCLE,--These few lines will be given to you by my dear Uncle Ernest when he sees you.
I must thank you, my beloved Uncle, for the prospect of _great_ happiness you have contributed to give me, in the person of dear Albert.

Allow me, then, my dearest Uncle, to tell you how delighted I am with him, and how much I like him in every way.

He possesses every quality that could be desired to render me perfectly happy.

He is so sensible, so kind, and so good, and so amiable too.

He has, besides, the most pleasing and delightful exterior and appearance you can possibly see.
I have only now to beg you, my dearest Uncle, to take care of the health of one, now _so dear_ to me, and to take him under _your special_ protection.