That England has made great sacrifices for the suppression of that crime, that she has made sacrifices to Portugal, and that she has been extremely indignant at finding that traffic so obstinately continued to be sheltered and protected under the flag of Portugal.

That Portugal must not expect that England will much longer refrain from taking effectual measures for preventing these practices.

That you have spoken thus openly because you wish them to be aware of the truth, and that you entreat both the Queen and the King to use their power and influence in procuring such a treaty to be concluded without delay, as will satisfy England and exonerate Portugal from the reproach under which she now labours.
This is the substance of what might be written.

It is perhaps a little harshly worded, but your Majesty may soften it.
_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._ BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _25th May 1838._ MY DEAREST UNCLE,--I am most thankful for your very kind letter, and for the beautiful little sword, which delights me.
I have been dancing till past four o'clock this morning; we have had a charming ball, and I have spent the happiest birthday that I have had for many years; oh, _how_ different to last year! Everybody was so kind and so friendly to me.
We have got a number of Austrians and Milanese here, among whom are a Prince Odescalchi, and a Count Eugene Zichy, renowned for his magnificent _turquoises_ and his famous valzing, a good-natured _elegant_; we have also Esterhazy's daughter Marie--now Countess Chorinsky--a Count and Countess Grippa, and a Marquis and Marchioness of Trivalzi, etc.
Old Talleyrand[16] is at last dead.

I hear he showed wonderful composure and firmness to the last.