For _her_ the change of existence was a happy one; good and pious as she was, we may trust that her state at present is one of felicity and bliss through the redeeming grace of our Saviour....
[Pageheading: THE CORONATION] _The King of the Belgians to Queen Victoria._ _17th April 1838._ ...

The Parliamentary affairs will, please Heaven, continue to go on well; I am more than ever bound to wish it, as I am not anxious to exchange my clever and well-informed friend Palmerston, with Lord Aberdeen, for instance, of whose sweetness the Greek negotiation[14] has given me very fair means of judging.

Now I will conclude by touching on one subject which concerns your great goodness to us.
When we left England you expressed a wish to see us at the time of the Coronation, which was then believed to take place at the end of May.
More mature reflection has made me think that a King and Queen at your dear Coronation might perhaps be a _hors-d'[oe]uvre_, and I think, if it meets with your approbation, that it may be better to pay you our respects at some other period, which you might like to fix upon.

I do not deny that having been deprived by circumstances from the happiness of wishing you joy at your birthday, since 1831, in person, I feel strongly tempted to make a short apparition to see you, as seeing and speaking is much pleasanter than ink and paper....
[Footnote 14: Referring to the offer of the throne of Greece to King Leopold in 1830.] _Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _25th April 1838._ MY BELOVED UNCLE,--...

With respect to the happiness of seeing you and my dearest Aunt, I shall now respectfully state my feelings.