“A sad, sad blow, which has long been impending, has at last fallen on us, & Icon hardly believe what I write & am stupefied & stunned. Dearly beloved Uncle Leopold is no more, that dear loving Uncle, who has ever been to me as a Father, has gone to that everlasting Name, where all is peace & rest, Since the 4th his condition has been most alarming & since the 8th hopeless. It is dreadful, – & again at this time of year, so close to that painful anniversary of the 14th! — As there was no news from Brussels, the first, thing this morning, I almost began to hope. – Took a short walk, before service at 12, at which M’ Kingsley preached. – At luncheon we got the distressing news that all had ended at 11. 40. To think that that intercourse, that help, has also ceased, & been taken from me, is truly terrible. Dear Feodore mourns with me, for she too dearly loved her Uncle. – Went with Louise to the dear peaceful Mausoleum, & the 2 dear ones who loved each other in this life, seemed strangely mingled together. How much overcome dear Uncle was, when I took him there 2 years & ½ ago! – Christian much better, but still unable to leave his room. – Only ourselves to dinner. -“
RA VIC/MAIN/QVJ (W) 10 December 1865 (PRINCESS BEATRICE’S COPIES) retrieved 15 December 2023