Really and truly I never heard or saw anything like it, and I hope it will a _little rouse your spirit_; now that slavery is even abolished in the British Colonies, I do not comprehend _why your lot alone should be to be kept, a white little slavey in England_, for the pleasure of the Court, who never bought you, as I am not aware of their having gone to any expense on that head, or the King's even having _spent a sixpence for your existence_.
I expect that my visits in England will also be prohibited by an Order in Council.

Oh consistency and political or _other honesty_, where must one look for you! I have not the least doubt that the King, in his passion for the Oranges, will be _excessively rude to your relations_; this, however, will not signify much; they are _your guests_ and not _his_, and will therefore _not_ mind it....
[Footnote 4: King Leopold had for some time cherished a hope of uniting the Princess Victoria in marriage with her cousin, Prince Albert of Coburg.

He therefore arranged that the Prince, with his elder brother, Prince Ernest, should pay a visit to the Duchess of Kent at Kensington Palace.

King William naturally opposed a scheme which he knew met with the approval of his sister-in-law.

He accordingly invited the Prince of Orange and his two sons at the same time, and favoured the candidature of the younger son, Prince Alexander.
The King (it is believed) went so far as to say that no other marriage should ever take place, and that the Duke of Saxe-Coburg and his son should never put foot in the country; they should not be allowed to land, and must go back whence they came.
The Prince of Orange had himself been a candidate for the hand of Princess Charlotte, and had no reason to be friendly to King Leopold, of whom it is recorded that he said, "Voila un homme qui a pris ma femme et mon royaume."] [Pageheading: ARRIVAL OF PRINCE ALBERT] _The Princess Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ _23rd May 1836._ MY DEAREST UNCLE,-- ...