I went into my sitting room only in my
dressing gown and alone saw them Lord
Cunningham then acquainted me that my
poor uncle the king was no more and had
expired at 12 minutes past two this
morning and consequently that I am queen
my dearest cousin I must write you a few
lines to present you with my sincerest
felicitations on that great change what
has taken place in your life now you are
queen of the mightiest land in Europe in
your hand lies the happiness of millions
may heaven assist you and strengthen you
with its strength in that high but
difficult task I hope that your reign
may be long happy and glorious and that
your efforts may be rewarded as a
thankful nurse as a love of your
subjects believe me always your
Majesty's most obedient and faithful
servant Albert meanwhile my dear Albert
was setting off for his Grand Tour
leaving behind his brother Ernest for
the first time and with him his boyhood
how much thanks I owe you dear Papa for
allowing me to take such a splendid talk
I am still bewildered with everything I
have seen in this short time half Lotus
reports will have shown you how
successful we have been in travelling
for every part of Switzerland the
weather favoured us and we have enjoyed
the utmost submitters of the country the
land and even more heavenly Venice
possess treasures of art which amazed me
18th of April 1839 Lord Melbourne my
prime minister then said now mom for
this other matter I thought terrified
foolishly too silly of me to be
frightened in talking to him well I
mustered up courage and said that my
uncle's great wish was that I should
marry my cousin Albert then he said
cousins are not very good things we
enumerated the various princes of whom
not one I said would do for myself at
present my feeling was quite against
ever marrying I said why need I marry at
all for three or four years did he see
the necessity I said I dreaded the
thought of marrying dozer accustomed to
have it my own way that I thought it was
ten to one that i should add agree with
anybody Lord Melbourne said oh but she
would have it still my own way Oh
Florence I am quite often intoxicated
with delight when you come out of one of
the galleries I have later found myself
entirely into the world of society I
have danced subbed paid compliments have
been introduced to people after people
introduced to me I have spoken French
and English exhausted all remarks about
whoever have fled a mere book you know
my passion for scenes and was therefore
admire my strength of character that I
have never excused myself never returned
home to five mins and one that I have
emptied the carnival top to the drugs
you