initial commit of ebook 28649HEADmain

1 files changed, 34262 insertions, 0 deletions

diff --git a/28649.txt b/28649.txt
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..58a0a88
--- /dev/null
+++ b/28649.txt
@@ -0,0 +1,34262 @@
+The Project Gutenberg eBook, The Letters of Queen Victoria, Volume III (of
+3), 1854-1861, by Queen of Great Britain Victoria, Edited by Arthur
+Christopher Benson and Viscount Reginald Baliol Brett Esher
+
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+
+
+
+Title: The Letters of Queen Victoria, Volume III (of 3), 1854-1861
+       A Selection from Her Majesty's Correspondence between the Years 1837 and 1861
+
+
+Author: Queen of Great Britain Victoria
+
+Editor: Arthur Christopher Benson and Viscount Reginald Baliol Brett Esher
+
+Release Date: May 3, 2009  [eBook #28649]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ISO-646-US (US-ASCII)
+
+
+***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE LETTERS OF QUEEN VICTORIA,
+VOLUME III (OF 3), 1854-1861***
+
+
+E-text prepared by Paul Murray and the Project Gutenberg Online
+Distributed Proofreading Team (https://www.pgdp.net)
+
+
+
+Note: Project Gutenberg also has an HTML version of this
+      file which includes the original illustrations and also
+      the index for all three volumes of the set with links
+      to the other two volumes.
+      See 28649-h.htm or 28649-h.zip:
+      (https://www.gutenberg.org/files/28649/28649-h/28649-h.htm)
+      or
+      (https://www.gutenberg.org/files/28649/28649-h.zip)
+
+      Volumes I and II are available in the Project Gutenberg
+      Library:
+      Volume I--see https://www.gutenberg.org/etext/20023
+      Volume II--see https://www.gutenberg.org/etext/24780
+
+
+Transcriber's note:
+
+      [ae] and [oe] are used for the diphthongs/ligatures in (mostly)
+      French words. (e.g. c[oe]ur, heart; s[oe]ur, sister; ch[oe]ur;
+      choir).
+
+      The original page headings have been retained and moved to
+      appropriate positions at the beginning of letters and text to
+      which they refer, so as not to interrupt the flow of the text.
+      Thus, a long letter may be prefaced by two, or even three
+      page headings. Likewise, footnotes have been moved to the end
+      of the appropriate letter, or the appropriate paragraph in the
+      case of longer pieces of text.
+
+      In the text file version, for "See _ante_/_post_, p. xyz", the
+      date and note number (where applicable) have been given instead
+      of the page number, for easier reader look-up.
+
+
+      INDEX
+
+      Page numbers have been adjusted to allow for the re-positioning
+      of footnotes. Other (numerous) page numbering errors have been
+      corrected.
+
+      A list of corrections will be found at the end of the text.
+
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration: H.M. QUEEN VICTORIA, H.R.H. THE PRINCE CONSORT, AND
+CHILDREN
+
+From the picture by F. Winterhalter at Buckingham Palace
+
+_Frontispiece, Vol. III._]
+
+
+THE LETTERS OF QUEEN VICTORIA
+
+A Selection from Her Majesty's
+Correspondence between the Years
+1837 and 1861
+
+Published by Authority of His Majesty The King
+
+Edited by
+
+ARTHUR CHRISTOPHER BENSON, M.A.
+and
+VISCOUNT ESHER, G.C.V.O., K.C.B.
+
+In Three Volumes
+
+VOL. III.--1854-1861
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+London
+John Murray, Albemarle Street, W.
+1908
+
+_Copyright in Great Britain and Dependencies, 1907, by_
+H.M. THE KING.
+
+_In the United States by_ Messrs LONGMANS, GREEN & CO.
+
+_All rights reserved._
+
+
+
+
+
+TABLE OF CONTENTS
+
+
+  CHAPTER XXIII
+
+  1854
+                                                 PAGES
+    The Eastern Question--Attack on the Prince--The French
+    alliance--The Orleans family--The Reform Bill--The Baltic
+    command--The British ultimatum--Departure of the Guards--War
+    declared--Cabinet dissensions--Austrian interests--The
+    Sultan--Prussian policy--Marshal St Arnaud--Invasion of
+    the Principalities--Separation of Departments--The Russian
+    loan--Debates on the War--Prince Albert and the Emperor
+    Napoleon--The Crimea--Battle of the Alma--Maharajah Dhuleep
+    Singh--Attack on Sebastopol--Battle of Inkerman--Death of
+    Sir G. Cathcart--A hurricane--Lord John Russell and the
+    Premiership--Miss Nightingale's mission      1-62
+
+
+  CHAPTER XXIV
+
+  1855
+
+    Peace proposals--The Four Points--Offer of the Garter to the
+    Premier--Sufferings of the troops in the Crimea--Resignation
+    of Lord John--The Queen's disapproval--Lord Palmerston as
+    Leader--The Ministry defeated--Lord Derby sent for--Lord
+    Palmerston and the Leadership--Lord Derby's failure--Lord
+    Lansdowne consulted--Lord John sent for--Disappointment of
+    Lord John--Lord Palmerston to be Premier--Intervention of Lord
+    Aberdeen--The new Cabinet--The Vienna Conference--Resignation
+    of the Peelites--Death of the Czar--Lord Panmure at the War
+    Office--Negotiations at Vienna--Visit of the Emperor--Russia
+    and the Black Sea--Estimate of the Emperor--Retirement
+    of Canrobert--Death of Lord Raglan--General Simpson in
+    command--Lord John resigns--Battle of the Tchernaya--Visit
+    to Paris--At the tomb of Bonaparte--Fall of Sebastopol--Life
+    Peerages--Prince Frederick William of Prussia--Offer to Lord
+    Stanley--France and Austria--Visit of the King of Sardinia
+          63-157
+
+
+  CHAPTER XXV
+
+  1856
+
+    The Conference--The Queen's determination--Russia accepts
+    the terms--Sardinia and the Conference--Protection of
+    neutrals--The Crimean enquiry--Incorporation of Oudh--Canning
+    succeeds Dalhousie--Unclouded horizon in India--Future of the
+    Principalities--Birth of the Prince Imperial--The Princess
+    Royal--The Treaty of Paris--End of the War--Garter for Lord
+    Palmerston--The Title of Prince Consort--Position of the
+    Queen's husband--Retirement of Lord Hardinge--Appointment of
+    the Duke of Cambridge--Lord Granville's mission--Coronation of
+    the Czar--A Royal proposal--Russian procrastination--Death
+    of Lord Hardinge--The Archduke Maximilian--Affair of
+    Neuchatel--Death of Prince Charles of Leiningen--Dispute with
+    the United States      158-222
+
+
+  CHAPTER XXVI
+
+  1857
+
+    The China War--Position of Parties--Defeat of the
+    Government--The General Election--The Divorce
+    Bill--Betrothal of Princess Charlotte of Belgium--The Indian
+    Mutiny--Delhi--Cawnpore--Marriage of Princess
+    Charlotte--Visit of the Emperor Napoleon--Death of Sir
+    Henry Lawrence--Condition of Lucknow--Sir Colin
+    Campbell--Reinforcement of Lucknow--Death of the Duchesse
+    de Nemours--Crisis in the City--Future Government of
+    India--Clemency of Lord Canning--Death of Havelock      223-260
+
+
+  CHAPTER XXVII
+
+  1858
+
+    Marriage of Princess Royal--The Orsini _attentat_--The
+    Conspiracy Bill--Resignation of the Government--Lord Derby
+    summoned--The new Cabinet--Trial of Bernard--The Emperor and
+    the Carbonari--Capture of Lucknow--Confirmation of the Prince
+    of Wales--The second India Bill--The Oudh Proclamation--Lord
+    Ellenborough's despatch--A crisis--Lord Derby's despatch--Lord
+    Aberdeen consulted--Prerogative of Dissolution--Collapse
+    of the attack--Views of Sir James Outram--Offer to
+    Mr Gladstone--Purification of the Thames--Visit to
+    Cherbourg--British Columbia--The Ionian Islands--The
+    Princess Royal in Prussia The India Office--Lord Canning's
+    Proclamation--Napoleon and Italy      261-306
+
+
+  CHAPTER XXVIII
+
+  1859
+
+    The Emperor Napoleon and M. Huebner--Attitude of the
+    Pope--Northern Italy--The Queen's first grandchild--Advice
+    to the Emperor Napoleon--Meeting of Parliament--The Indian
+    forces--The Prince of Wales at Rome--Advice to Emperor of
+    Austria--Mission of Lord Cowley--Question of a Conference--The
+    summons to Sardinia--Revolution in the Duchies--The compact
+    of Plombieres--The general election--Policy of the
+    Emperor Napoleon--Meeting a new Parliament--Question of
+    neutrality--Debate on the Address--The Ministry defeated--The
+    Garter for Lord Derby--Lord Granville summoned--The rival
+    leaders--Lord Palmerston Premier--Offer to Mr Cobden--India
+    pacified--Victory of the French--The Emperor Napoleon's
+    appeal--End of the War--Ascendancy of France--Views of the
+    Pope--Cavour's disappointment--Meeting of the Emperors--The
+    provisions of Villafranca--Italian policy--Sardinia
+    and Central Italy--The Emperor Napoleon and Lord
+    Palmerston--Invitation from President Buchanan--Pro-Italian
+    Ministers--Objections to Sir J. Hudson--Divorce Court reports
+          307-378
+
+
+  CHAPTER XXIX
+
+  1860
+
+    The Emperor Napoleon's pamphlet, _The Pope and
+    the Congress_--Annexation of Savoy--Meeting of
+    Parliament--Sardinian designs--Mr Gladstone's Budget--Scene
+    at the Tuileries--The Emperor and Lord Cowley--The Swiss
+    protest--Death of Prince Hohenlohe--The Indian Civil
+    Service--The Paper Duties--The Lords and Money Bills--Mr
+    Gladstone and resignation--The Prince of Wales's tour--The
+    Volunteer Review--Flight of the King of Naples--The King's
+    appeal to Queen Victoria--Tour of Prince Alfred--Sardinia
+    and Naples--The Empress of Austria--Betrothal of Princess
+    Alice--Episcopal appointments--Visit of the Empress Eugenie
+          379-419
+
+
+  CHAPTER XXX
+
+  1861
+
+    Conservative overtures to Lord Palmerston--Illness of King of
+    Prussia--His death--The absorption of Naples--Garter for
+    new King of Prussia--The Provostship of Eton--Lord John and
+    Garibaldi--Death of Duchess of Kent--Bereavement--The war in
+    America--Recognition of the South--Death of Cavour--Death of
+    Lord Campbell--The new Foreign Office--Earldom for Lord John
+    Russell--Swedish politics--The Emperor Napoleon's aims--At
+    Frogmore--Visit to Ireland--Tranquillity of Ireland--The
+    Orleans Princes--The Prussian Coronation--Fetes at
+    Berlin--_The Times_ and Prussia--Death of King of
+    Portugal--The affair of the _Trent_--The Compiegne
+    interview--An ultimatum--The Prince's last letter--Illness of
+    the Prince--The Crisis--Sympathy--Bereavement--Death of Lady
+    Canning--A noble resolve--Comfort and hope      420-478
+
+
+  INDEX      479-520
+
+
+
+
+LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS
+
+
+  H.M. QUEEN VICTORIA, H.R.H. THE PRINCE CONSORT,
+  AND CHILDREN. _From the picture by F. Winterhalter
+  at Buckingham Palace_                    _Frontispiece_
+
+  H.M. EUGENIE, EMPRESS OF THE FRENCH. _From a miniature
+  by Sir W. K. Ross at Windsor Castle_     _Facing p._ 120
+
+  VISCOUNT PALMERSTON, K.G. _From the drawing by
+  Sir George Richmond, R.A., in the possession of
+  the Earl of Carnwath_                             "  232
+
+  H.R.H. THE PRINCE OF WALES. _From a drawing by
+  F. Winterhalter, 1859_                            "  320
+
+  H.R.H. THE PRINCE CONSORT, 1861. _From the picture
+  by Smith, after Corbould, at Buckingham Palace_   "  472
+
+
+
+
+
+INTRODUCTORY NOTE
+
+TO CHAPTER XXIII
+
+
+At the meeting of Parliament, on the 31st of January 1854, the
+Ministry were able triumphantly to refute the charge of illegitimate
+interference in State affairs which had been made by a section of the
+Press against Prince Albert; they were, however, severely attacked for
+not acting with greater vigour in Eastern affairs. In February, the
+Russian Ambassador left London, the Guards were despatched to the
+East, and the Russian Government was peremptorily called upon by Great
+Britain and France to evacuate the Principalities. The Peace Party,
+Bright, Cobden, and others, were active, but unheeded; the Society of
+Friends sending a pacific but futile deputation to the Czar. In March,
+the demand for evacuation being disregarded, war was declared, and a
+treaty of alliance signed between England and France; Lord Raglan and
+Marshal St Arnaud were appointed to command the respective armies,
+Vice-Admiral Sir James Dundas and Sir Charles Napier having command
+of the Mediterranean and Baltic Fleets respectively. The attitude of
+Austria was ambiguous, and, after England and France were committed to
+war, she contracted an offensive and defensive alliance with Prussia,
+each country engaging to make limited preparations for war. At home,
+with a view to greater efficiency, the duties of the Secretary
+of State for War and the Colonies, till then united in a single
+Secretaryship, were divided, the Duke of Newcastle assuming the former
+office, while Sir George Grey became Colonial Secretary; Lord John
+Russell also resumed office as President of the Council. The Russians
+were unsuccessful in their operations against the Turks, notably at
+Silistria and Giurgevo, while, as the summer advanced, public opinion
+in support of an invasion of the Crimea rose steadily, the _Times_
+indicated the taking of Sebastopol as indispensable, and Lord
+Aberdeen's hand was forced. On the 28th of June, the Cabinet
+sanctioned a despatch to Lord Raglan, urging (almost to the point of
+directing) an immediate attack upon Sebastopol; the French Emperor
+was in favour of the plan, though both Commanders-in-Chief entertained
+doubt as to whether it was immediately feasible. On the 7th of
+September, the allied forces (58,000 strong) sailed from Varna, a
+landing being effected a few days later at Old Fort, near Eupatoria;
+at about the same time an important interview took place at Boulogne
+between Prince Albert and the Emperor Napoleon. The signal victory at
+the Alma, on the 20th of September, was followed by the death of St
+Arnaud, and the appointment of Canrobert as his successor. Decisive
+successes were next obtained at Balaklava on the 25th of October, and
+at Inkerman on the 5th of November; but on the 14th a fierce gale did
+immense damage to life and property, both at Balaklava and on the
+sea. Meanwhile, indignation at home was aroused by the tidings of
+the breakdown of the commissariat and transport departments, and the
+deplorable state of the hospitals; Miss Florence Nightingale, who had
+sailed from England with a number of nurses, arrived at Scutari early
+in November, and proceeded to remedy deficiencies as far as possible;
+while Lord John Russell vainly urged on the Premier the substitution
+of Lord Palmerston for the Duke of Newcastle as Secretary for War.
+Sir Charles Napier, who, previously to his departure with the Baltic
+Fleet, had been feted at the Reform Club, and extravagantly lauded
+by Cabinet Ministers, was by the month of October engaged in a
+recriminatory correspondence with the First Lord of the Admiralty.
+At about the same time the Patriotic Fund was established under the
+presidency of Prince Albert.
+
+In Parliament, the last vestige of the old Navigation System, limiting
+the coasting trade to British ships, was repealed, and a Bill also
+passed for preventing corrupt practices at elections. Owing to the
+war, the Reform Bill was withdrawn, Lord John Russell, on announcing
+the fact in Parliament, being overcome, and giving way to tears.
+In the short session, which took place during the latter half of
+December, a Foreign Enlistment Act was passed, providing for a force
+of 10,000 foreigners, to be drilled in this country.
+
+The Exhibition Building, which had been constructed in Hyde Park
+in 1851, and had been re-erected at Sydenham, was opened with great
+ceremony by the Queen, and was henceforth known as the Crystal Palace.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIII
+
+1854
+
+
+_The Earl of Aberdeen to Queen Victoria._
+
+LONDON, _6th January 1854._
+
+LORD ABERDEEN presents his humble duty to your Majesty. He cannot
+wonder at the indignation expressed by your Majesty at the base and
+infamous attacks made upon the Prince during the last two or three
+weeks in some of the daily papers.[1] They are chiefly to be found in
+those papers which represent ultra-Tory or extreme Radical opinions;
+but they are not sanctioned by the most respectable portion of the
+Press. Lord Aberdeen has received some information respecting the
+origin of these attacks; but it is vague and uncertain. At all events
+he believes that your Majesty may safely make yourself at ease upon
+the subject, as he is satisfied that these hostile feelings are shared
+by few. It is much to be desired that some notice of the subject may
+be taken in Parliament, when, by being treated in a proper manner,
+it may be effectually stopped. Lord Aberdeen has spoken to Lord
+John Russell, who will be quite prepared to moot it in the House of
+Commons.
+
+It cannot be denied that the position of the Prince is somewhat
+anomalous, and has not been specially provided for by the Constitution;
+but the ties of Nature, and the dictates of common sense are more
+powerful than Constitutional fictions; and Lord Aberdeen can only say
+that he has always considered it an inestimable blessing that your
+Majesty should possess so able, so zealous, and so disinterested an
+adviser. It is true that your Ministers are alone responsible for the
+conduct of public affairs, and although there is no man in England whose
+opinion Lord Aberdeen would more highly respect and value, still if he
+had the misfortune of differing from His Royal Highness, he would not
+hesitate to act according to his own convictions, and a sense of what
+was due to your Majesty's service.
+
+The Prince has now been so long before the eyes of the whole country,
+his conduct so invariably devoted to the public good, and his life
+so perfectly inattackable, that Lord Aberdeen has not the slightest
+apprehension of any serious consequences arising from these
+contemptible exhibitions of malevolence and faction.
+
+Your Majesty will graciously pardon Lord Aberdeen for writing thus
+plainly; but there are occasions on which he almost forgets your
+Majesty's station, and only remembers those feelings which are common
+to all ranks of mankind.
+
+    [Footnote 1: A section of the Press, favourable to Lord
+    Palmerston, had insinuated that his resignation was due to
+    "an influence behind the throne." Similar attacks were made
+    by other journals, and not abandoned upon Lord Palmerston's
+    re-admission to the Cabinet: the most extravagant charges of
+    improper interference in State affairs were made against the
+    Prince, and it was even rumoured that he had been impeached
+    for high treason and committed to the Tower! The cartoons
+    in _Punch_ usually present a faithful reflection of current
+    popular opinion, and in one of them the Prince was depicted as
+    skating, in defiance of warning, over dangerous ice.]
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: PERSIA]
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to the Earl of Clarendon._
+
+WINDSOR CASTLE, _9th January 1854._
+
+The Queen thanks Lord Clarendon for his letter just received with the
+enclosures.
+
+As the proposed answer to the Emperor contains perhaps necessarily
+only a repetition of what the Queen wrote in her former letter,[2] she
+inclines to the opinion that it will be best to defer any answer for
+the present--the more so, as a moment might possibly arrive when
+it would be of advantage to be able to write and to refer to the
+Emperor's last letter.
+
+With respect to the Persian Expedition[3] the Queen will not object
+to it--as the Cabinet appears to have fully considered the matter, but
+she must say that she does not much like it in a moral point of view.
+We are just putting the Emperor of Russia under the ban for trying
+"to bring the Sultan to his senses" by the occupation of part of his
+territory after a diplomatic rupture, and are now going to do exactly
+the same thing to the Shah of Persia!
+
+    [Footnote 2: See _ante_, vol. ii, 18th October-26th November,
+    1853, notes 30, 31, 32.]
+
+    [Footnote 3: Under the belief that Persia had declared war
+    against Turkey, and that diplomatic relations between England
+    and Persia were suspended, the Cabinet had agreed upon the
+    occupation of the Island of Karak by a British force.]
+
+
+
+
+_The King of the Belgians to Queen Victoria._
+
+LAEKEN, _9th January 1854._
+
+MY DEAREST VICTORIA,--I wrote you a most abominable scrawl on Friday,
+and think myself justified in boring you with a few words to-day.
+
+The plot is thickening in every direction, and we may expect a great
+confusion. The dear old Duke used to say "You cannot have a little
+war." The great politicians of the Press think differently. The Duke
+told me also once: "At the place where you are you will always have
+the power to force people to go to war." I have used that power to
+_avoid_ complications, and I still think, blessed are the peacemakers.
+
+How the Emperor could get himself and everybody else into this
+infernal scrape is quite incomprehensible; the more so as I remain
+convinced that he did not aim at conquest. We have very mild weather,
+and though you liked the cold, still for every purpose we must prefer
+warmth. Many hundred boats with coal are frozen up, and I am told that
+near two hundred ships are wanting to arrive at Antwerp....
+
+I am much plagued also by little parliamentary nonsense of our own
+here, a storm in a bottle; this is the way of human kind, and in such
+cases it always pleases me to think that I am not bound to be always
+their working slave, and I cast a sly look at my beautiful villa on
+the Lake of Como, _quite furnished_.... My beloved Victoria. Your
+devoted Uncle.
+
+LEOPOLD R.
+
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: THE PRESS]
+
+[Pageheading: THE FRENCH ALLIANCE]
+
+
+_The King of the Belgians to Queen Victoria._
+
+LAEKEN, _13th January 1854._
+
+MY BELOVED VICTORIA,--I grieve to see how unjustly you are plagued,
+and how wonderfully untrue and passionate are the attacks of part
+of the Press. Abuse is somewhat the _staff of life in England_,
+everything, everybody is to be abused; it is a pity, as nothing
+more unproductive as this everlasting abuse can well be imagined. As
+nothing ever gave the slightest opening to this abuse, it is to be
+hoped that it will be soon got over--the meeting of Parliament will
+now do good in this respect. As far as your few continental relations
+are concerned, I don't think they will be able to fix anything upon
+your faithful servant. I have done England at all times good services,
+in the sense of her best interests. I hold a position of great
+geographical importance for England, just opposite the mouth of the
+Thames. Successes of vanity I am never fishing for in England,
+nor anywhere else. The only influence I may exercise is to prevent
+mischief where I can, which occasionally succeeds; if war can be
+avoided, and the same ends obtained, it is natural _that_ THAT _should
+be tried first_. Many English superficial newspaper politicians
+imagine that threatening is the thing--I believe it the worst of all
+systems. The Emperor Nicholas and Menschikoff wanted by threatening
+the Turks to get certain things, and they have by that means got a
+very troublesome and expensive affair on their hands. I wish England
+too well to like to see it, but one of these days they will get into
+some scrape in the same way. The foolish accusation that we are doing
+all we can to break up the French Alliance is certainly the _most
+absurd of all_; if anything can be for our local advantage, it is to
+see England and France closely allied, and for a long period--for ever
+I should say....
+
+I have heard, and that from the Prussian Quarter, that great efforts
+are making on the part of Russia, to _gain over_ Louis Napoleon. I
+understand, however, that though Louis Napoleon is _not_ anxious for
+war, that his opinion is favourable to the continuation of a good
+understanding with England. That it should be so is, I must say,
+highly desirable. The poor Orleans will be grieved and hurt by all
+these things. The death of the child of the poor Queen of Spain will
+not be a favourable omen for Spain.[4]...
+
+With my best love to Albert. Believe me ever, my beloved Victoria,
+your truly devoted Uncle,
+
+LEOPOLD R.
+
+    [Footnote 4: A daughter had been born to the Queen of Spain on
+    the 5th of January, and lived only three days.]
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: THE ORLEANS FAMILY]
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to the Earl of Aberdeen._
+
+WINDSOR CASTLE, _16th January 1854._
+
+The Queen sends the answer she has this morning received from the Duc
+de Nemours, which she hopes is on the whole satisfactory as regards
+the reported visit of the Count de Chambord.[5] The Duke does not see
+in so strong a light as _we_ do, the danger of even the _report_ being
+believed--probably from living so much out of the world as he does.
+What would Lord Aberdeen wish her to do farther, and what does he
+think can be done in the way of contradiction? The Queen wishes
+likewise to have Lord Aberdeen's opinion and advice on the following
+subjects. He knows that we have invariably received the poor Orleans
+family (in particular our own near relations, the Nemours) from time
+to time _here_ and in London, and that the Queen has _always_ from
+the first year done this _openly_ but _unostentatiously_. It is by _no
+means_ her intention to change her conduct in this respect--but since
+the great noise caused by the "fusion" she thought it better _not_
+to invite the Nemours either to Osborne or here, hoping that by
+_this time_ these tiresome rumours would have ceased. They have not,
+however, and we think that perhaps it would be wiser _not_ to see them
+here, _at any rate_ till after the meeting of Parliament, though it is
+very painful to the Queen to hurt their feelings by apparent neglect.
+Is Lord Aberdeen of this opinion, and does he think that it will _not_
+be misconstrued into an _admission_ of having encouraged _intrigues_
+or of _submission_ to the will and pleasure of Louis Napoleon?
+
+For the Queen would never submit to such an accusation, nor would she
+continue (after the excitement is past) to exclude these poor exiles
+from occasional visits--which have been paid and received ever since
+_'48_, and which would be unworthy and ungenerous conduct.
+
+Likewise does Lord Aberdeen think that a morning visit to the Duchess
+of Aumale to enquire after her health would be imprudent?
+
+It goes much against the Queen's feelings of generosity and kindness
+to neglect the poor exiles as she has done this winter, but the
+present moment is one of _unparalleled_ excitement and of
+great political importance, which requires great prudence and
+circumspection. There is an admirable article in the _Morning
+Chronicle_ of to-day, taking quite the _right line_ upon the infamous
+and _now_ almost ridiculous attacks on the _Queen_ and Prince. Has
+Lord Aberdeen any idea who could have written it?
+
+The Queen sends a letter she had received from her Uncle, which
+may amuse and interest him. To make the statement of the Queen's
+intercourse with the Orleans family quite clear, she should add, that
+when the family visit the Queen or she visits them, that it is put
+into the Court Circular, and this of course gets copied into country
+papers and foreign papers; but after consideration the Queen thought
+this the wiser course, for with all the spies who are no doubt
+about--if this were not done, and the Queen's visits and _vice versa_
+were suppressed and _yet_ found out--it would give them an air of
+_mystery_ which is just what we wish to avoid.
+
+    [Footnote 5: Son of the Duc de Berri, and known formerly as
+    the Duc de Bordeaux. (See _ante_, vol. i., 9th October, 1843,
+    note 72). The Duc de Nemours denied all knowledge of the
+    rumoured visit, and thought its importance had been exaggerated.]
+
+
+
+
+_The Earl of Aberdeen to Queen Victoria._
+
+LONDON, _17th January 1854._
+
+... With respect to your Majesty's custom of seeing the French Royal
+Family, Lord Aberdeen humbly thinks that there is no good reason
+for making any change. It has always taken place without parade or
+ostentation; and knowing, as Lord Aberdeen does, that no political
+object is in view, he would feel ashamed to advise your Majesty to do
+anything at variance with that sympathy which your Majesty has been
+careful to keep within the bounds of prudence and moderation....
+
+Lord Aberdeen hopes that he may venture to congratulate your Majesty
+on the commencement of a change with respect to the newspaper attacks
+upon the Prince. He observed the article, to which your Majesty
+refers, in the _Morning Chronicle_ of yesterday; and he believes he
+may certainly say that it was written by Mr Gladstone, although he
+would not wish it to be known. There was also a very sensible letter
+in the _Standard_ of last night, signed D. C. L. This is the signature
+always assumed by Mr Alexander Hope,[6] in his contributions to the
+Press, and Lord Aberdeen does not doubt that it is written by him.
+It is only a wonder to find it in such a quarter; and it shows some
+disposition on the part of that scurrilous paper to alter its course.
+There is perhaps no great objection to the papers dealing with the
+subject as they think proper, before the meeting of Parliament,
+provided the _Times_ takes no part at present; for as this paper is
+supposed to be influenced by the Government, this belief would injure
+the effect of anything that might appear in its columns.[7]...
+
+    [Footnote 6: Mr. A. J. Hope (afterwards Beresford-Hope), at
+    this time out of Parliament, had written over the signature
+    "D.C.L." a series of letters to the Press on the Papal
+    claims.]
+
+    [Footnote 7: On the re-assembling of Parliament, the charges
+    against the Prince were at once refuted by the Prime Minister
+    and Lord John Russell; and his right to assist the Queen
+    completely established by those Ministers, with the
+    concurrence of Lord Derby and Mr Walpole, on behalf of the
+    Opposition, and Lord Campbell, the Chief Justice of the
+    Queen's Bench.]
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: THE REFORM BILL]
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to Lord John Russell._
+
+WINDSOR CASTLE, _21st January 1854._
+
+The Queen has received Lord John Russell's letter of the 19th, and the
+Bill as now agreed upon by the Cabinet, which she hopes may meet the
+wishes of the Country and pass into law.[8] From what she understands
+the chief argument used in opposition to the measure will be, that
+corruption and bribery is the evil which the Country really complains
+of, and not an unequal distribution of the representation, and that a
+new distribution or even extension of the franchise will not touch
+the evil, and may be said perhaps in some instances to tend towards
+increasing it. The success of the measure will therefore, she
+concludes, in some degree depend upon the Bribery Bills which will
+accompany it. How far are these advanced? and what expectation has
+Lord John Russell of succeeding in framing such a measure as would
+remove that ground of objection to the Reform Bill?
+
+    [Footnote 8: Notwithstanding the impending war, the Government
+    considered itself bound in honour to bring in a Reform Bill.
+    Lord Palmerston and his special supporters were opposed to the
+    project, but the measure was brought forward on the 13th of
+    February. After a chequered career it was withdrawn. The
+    Bill for the prevention of corrupt practices at elections
+    was introduced on the 10th of February, and after many
+    vicissitudes and several Ministerial defeats in the Commons as
+    well as in the Lords, it was, in a modified form, carried.]
+
+
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to Mr Gladstone._
+
+WINDSOR CASTLE, _7th February 1854._
+
+The Queen must apologise for having kept the enclosed papers so long,
+and in now sending them back she does so without feeling sure in
+her mind that she could with safety sanction Mr Gladstone's new and
+important proposal.[9] The change it implies will be very great in
+principle and irretrievable, and the Queen must say that Lord John
+Russell's apprehensions as to the spirit it is likely to engender
+amongst the future civil servants of the Crown have excited a
+similar feeling in her mind. Where is moreover the application of the
+principle of public competition to stop, if once established? and must
+not those offices which are to be exempted from it necessarily degrade
+the persons appointed to them in public estimation?
+
+    [Footnote 9: Mr Gladstone had written on the 26th of January
+    on the subject of competitive examinations for the Civil
+    Service; in reply to the Queen's letter, he referred to
+    the discontent existing in the Service with the system of
+    appointment by favour, and of promotion by seniority alone.]
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: THE BALTIC COMMAND]
+
+[Pageheading: SIR CHARLES NAPIER]
+
+
+_Sir James Graham to Queen Victoria._
+
+ADMIRALTY, _9th February 1854._
+
+Sir James Graham, with humble duty, begs to lay before your Majesty
+certain important considerations which were discussed at the Cabinet
+yesterday with respect to the selection of a Commander-in-Chief for
+the Fleet about to be appointed for Service in the Baltic.[10]...
+
+    [Footnote 10: War had not yet been declared, but the Russian
+    Ambassador left London on the 7th of February, and Sir
+    Hamilton Seymour was recalled from St Petersburg on the same
+    day.]
+
+Lord Dundonald[11] is seventy-nine years of age; and though his
+energies and faculties are unbroken, and though, with his accustomed
+courage, he volunteers for the Service, yet, on the whole, there is
+reason to apprehend that he might deeply commit the Force under his
+command in some desperate enterprise, where the chances of
+success would not countervail the risk of failure and of the fatal
+consequences, which might ensue. Age has not abated the adventurous
+spirit of this gallant officer, which no authority could restrain; and
+being uncontrollable it might lead to most unfortunate results. The
+Cabinet, on the most careful review of the entire question, decided
+that the appointment of Lord Dundonald was not expedient....
+
+    [Footnote 11: This was the Lord Cochrane who had been unjustly
+    convicted in 1814, under the direction of Lord Ellenborough,
+    Chief Justice, of conspiracy to defraud. His naval honours
+    were restored to him in 1832. He is said to have stipulated,
+    on this occasion, that he should be allowed to destroy
+    Cronstadt by a chemical process invented by himself.]
+
+Sir Charles Napier is an excellent seaman, and combines boldness with
+discretion.[12] He has served in large squadrons, and he has commanded
+them. As a Second, he may not have been submissive; as a Chief, he has
+been successful in command. His appointment will give confidence both
+to officers and men; and his name is not unknown both to enemies and
+allies. If he has the faults of his family, he is not without their
+virtues; courage, genius, love of country are not wanting; and the
+weighty responsibilities of high command, without oppressing him,
+would give steadiness to his demeanour.
+
+He behaved ill to Lord John Russell and to Sir Francis Baring; and on
+shore he has given just cause of complaint; but at sea and in command
+he is a different person; and Lord John Russell in the Cabinet
+yesterday, regardless of all former displeasure, pronounced an opinion
+favourable to the appointment of Sir Charles Napier. Lord Aberdeen,
+also, together with the entire Cabinet, came to the same conclusion;
+and Sir James Graham on their behalf, and in concurrence with his own
+opinion, ventures to ask the permission of your Majesty to appoint Sir
+Charles Napier to this important Naval command.[13]
+
+The above is humbly submitted by your Majesty's dutiful Subject and
+Servant,
+
+J. R. G. GRAHAM.
+
+    [Footnote 12: He had had a long naval career. In 1833 he
+    commanded the Portuguese Fleet for Donna Maria, and won a
+    small engagement against Dom Miguel. He was "not submissive"
+    at Beyrout, where, having command of the land forces, and
+    being told to retire and hand over the command, he advanced
+    and won a victory, resulting in the evacuation of the city. He
+    also disobeyed orders at Acre.]
+
+    [Footnote 13: The inadequate results of an appointment which
+    promised so well are described in Parker's _Sir James Graham_,
+    vol. ii. pp. 229 _et seq_.]
+
+
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to Mr Gladstone._
+
+BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _17th February 1854._
+
+The Queen has received Mr Gladstone's letter and memorandum, and had
+heard from the Prince the further explanation of the grounds upon
+which he, Mr Gladstone, thinks the new regulations respecting the
+Civil Service necessary. The Queen, although not without considerable
+misgivings, sanctions the proposed plan, trusting that Mr Gladstone
+will do what he can, in the arrangements of the details of it, to
+guard against the dangers, which she has pointed out in her former
+letter and through the Prince when he saw Mr Gladstone. A check,
+for instance, would be necessary upon the admission of candidates
+to compete for employment, securing that they should be otherwise
+eligible, besides the display of knowledge which they may exhibit
+under examination. Without this a young man might be very ineligible,
+and still after having been proclaimed to the world as first in
+ability, it would require very strong evidence of misconduct to
+justify his exclusion by the Government.
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: COMPETITIVE EXAMINATIONS]
+
+
+_Mr Gladstone to Queen Victoria._
+
+DOWNING STREET, _17th February 1854._
+
+The Chancellor of the Exchequer presents his humble duty to your
+Majesty, and has the honour to acknowledge your Majesty's gracious
+letter.
+
+He takes blame to himself for having caused your Majesty trouble by
+omitting to include in his short memorandum an explanation of the
+phrase "qualified persons."
+
+Experience at the universities and public schools of this country has
+shown that in a large majority of cases the test of open examination
+is also an effectual test of character; as, except in very remarkable
+cases, the previous industry and self-denial, which proficiency
+evinces, are rarely separated from general habits of virtue.
+
+But he humbly assures your Majesty that the utmost pains will be
+taken to provide not only for the majority but for all cases, by the
+strictest enquiries of which the case will admit; and he has the most
+confident belief that the securities for character under the
+system, although they cannot be unerring, will be stronger and more
+trustworthy than any of which the present method of appointment is
+susceptible.
+
+
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._
+
+BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _21st February 1854._
+
+MY DEAREST UNCLE,--... War is, I fear, _quite_ inevitable. You will
+have seen that the Emperor Nicholas has not given a favourable
+answer to _our Brother_ Napoleon (which I hear has disappointed him
+extremely, as he expected very great results from it); and the last
+proposals or attempts made by Buol[14] it is to be hoped will not be
+accepted by Russia, for France and England could _not_ accept them;
+but if Austria and Prussia go with us--as we hope they will--the War
+will only be a local one. Our beautiful Guards sail to-morrow.
+Albert inspected them yesterday. George is quite delighted to have a
+division....
+
+I must now conclude, with Albert's affectionate love. Believe me
+always, your devoted Niece,
+
+VICTORIA R.
+
+    [Footnote 14: Austrian Premier and Minister of Foreign
+    Affairs.]
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: THE BRITISH ARMY]
+
+
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to the Earl of Aberdeen._
+
+BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _24th February 1854._
+
+The Queen must write to Lord Aberdeen on a subject which at this
+moment appears to her of paramount importance--viz., the augmentation
+of the Army. The ten thousand men by which it has been ordered to be
+augmented can hardly be considered to have brought it up to more than
+an improved PEACE _establishment_, such as we have often had during
+profound peace in Europe; but even these ten thousand men are not
+yet obtained. We have nearly pledged ourselves to sending twenty-five
+thousand men to the East, and this pledge will have to be redeemed.
+To keep even such a force up in the field will require a strong,
+available reserve at home, of which we shall be quite denuded. But we
+are going to make war upon Russia! encouraging Austria and Prussia to
+do so likewise, whereby we assume a moral obligation not to leave them
+without assistance. We engage in a War which may assume in its course
+a totally different character from that of its beginning. Who can say
+it is impossible that our own shores may be threatened by powers now
+in alliance with us? We are powerless for offence or defence without
+a _trained_ Army; to obtain this will require considerable time. The
+Queen must, therefore, urge Lord Aberdeen to consider with the Cabinet
+whether it will not be essential to augment the Army at once, and by
+at least thirty thousand men. Considerations of home policy make this
+also advisable; the country is eager for War at this moment, and ready
+to grant men and money. It will be a great facility hereafter to have
+obtained what is most needed at first. If the force should finally not
+be wanted, retrenchments may very easily be made. The Crown should
+at least have the power of raising the men without the necessity for
+further application to Parliament.
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: THE BRITISH ULTIMATUM]
+
+
+_The Earl of Aberdeen to Queen Victoria._
+
+LONDON, _26th February 1854._
+
+Lord Aberdeen, with his humble duty, begs to inform your Majesty that
+another Cabinet was held to-day, in order to consider the draft of
+a letter which it is proposed that Lord Clarendon should address to
+Count Nesselrode, and in which he should summon the Russian Government
+to evacuate the Principalities. The messenger will be directed to wait
+six days for an answer, and the British Government will consider
+the refusal or the silence of Count Nesselrode as equivalent to a
+declaration of War, and proceed to act accordingly.[15]
+
+An assurance has been received, in general terms, of the intention
+of Austria to support this demand; and a telegraphic message has been
+sent to Vienna with a desire to know whether the Austrian Government
+will join in this summons, or in what manner support will be
+given.[16] No answer has yet been received, and Lord Aberdeen would
+think it right not to make the summons until Austria has declared her
+intention; but the Cabinet appears to desire that the letter should be
+sent to-morrow evening.
+
+The period fixed for the complete evacuation of the Principalities is
+the 30th of April.
+
+As it cannot be supposed that the Emperor of Russia will listen to
+such a demand as this, immediate hostilities must be expected, with
+all their consequences.
+
+    [Footnote 15: This summons to evacuate the Principalities, and
+    an ultimatum to a similar purport from Paris, were delivered
+    to the Czar on the 14th of March; on their receipt the Czar
+    intimated that he did not think it fitting (_convenable_) that
+    he should make any reply. His decision was known in London on
+    the 24th.]
+
+    [Footnote 16: The attitude of Austria caused great perplexity.
+    Count Orloff had gone to Vienna to obtain a pledge of
+    neutrality in the event of war, but refused to give the
+    Emperor Francis Joseph satisfactory assurances as to the
+    Czar's future policy, and, in particular, as to the evacuation
+    of the Principalities at the close of the war. The Austrian
+    Government accordingly announced its intention of acting as
+    circumstances might dictate, but subsequently limited the
+    assistance which it now expressed itself willing to give
+    to England and France in insisting upon the evacuation, to
+    diplomatic support.]
+
+
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to the Earl of Aberdeen._
+
+BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _26th February 1854._
+
+The Queen has received Lord Aberdeen's letter of this day.
+
+To be able to form a judgment on the important question to which it
+refers, the Queen would require to be furnished with the exact terms
+of "the general assurance" which Austria has given with respect to it.
+The Queen, however, does not doubt for a moment that the gain of a day
+or two in making the summons to Russia could not be compared to the
+advantage of being able to make the summons conjointly with Austria.
+She must therefore wish that the answer to the telegraphic message
+should be awaited before the messenger is sent off.
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: DEPARTURE OF THE GUARDS]
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._
+
+BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _28th February 1854._
+
+MY DEAREST UNCLE,--... The news from Austria are quite excellent,
+and much more than we had any reason to expect. It will make a great
+difference in the nature and duration of the War. Our summons to
+Russia went last night _via_ Paris, Berlin, and Vienna, and if they
+are received either with silence, or the Emperor refuses to evacuate
+the Principalities--_War_ will be considered as declared. The French
+send a similar summons. The messenger is to wait _six_ days for an
+answer, but no longer.
+
+The last battalion of the Guards (Scots Fusiliers) embarked to-day.
+They passed through the courtyard here at seven o'clock this morning.
+We stood on the balcony to see them--the morning fine, the sun
+rising over the towers of old Westminster Abbey--and an immense crowd
+collected to see these fine men, and cheering them immensely as they
+with difficulty marched along. They formed line, presented arms,
+and then cheered us _very heartily_, and went off cheering. It was a
+_touching and beautiful_ sight; many sorrowing friends were there, and
+one saw the shake of many a hand. My best wishes and prayers will be
+with them all....
+
+
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to the Earl of Aberdeen._
+
+[_Undated._]
+
+The Queen was rather annoyed at the manner in which Lord Clarendon
+pressed the Duke of Cambridge's going to the Tuileries last night.[17]
+She thought it an immense boon upon her part to allow the Duke of
+Cambridge _to go to Paris_--and instead of its being considered as
+such by Lord Clarendon and Count Walewski, the Queen was told it would
+offend the Emperor if the Duke did not go to the Tuileries also. The
+Queen observed that it was unnecessary and unusual for the Duke, or
+any Prince almost, to live at the _Palace_ of the Sovereign, unless he
+was a very particular friend or near relation. The Duke of Genoa had
+refused going there, though he had received other civilities here; in
+the same manner _no Prince_ comes to this _Palace_ unless he is a very
+_near relation_ or particular friend. To this Lord Clarendon replied
+that it was "because the _Emperor wished_ it," which rather shocked
+the Queen, and she spoke _strongly_ to him upon the subject. The
+result was that the Queen said she would speak to the Duke of
+Cambridge about it, and see, as the Emperor made _so great a point of
+it_, and Lord Clarendon considered that the _Alliance depended upon
+it_, what he would do....
+
+The Queen must and _will_ protest, for she cannot mix up personal
+friendship with a political Alliance. The former is the _result_ of
+the _experience_ of years of mutual friendship, and cannot be _carried
+by storm_....
+
+There would be nothing unusual in apartments being offered to the Duke
+of Cambridge, and declined by him. This was done by the King of the
+Belgians only last summer at Berlin and Vienna, without anybody's
+construing it into an affront. The Queen adds a list of the Royal
+personages who have been in England and never resided at the Palace.
+Lord Aberdeen may show this letter to Lord Clarendon.
+
+    [Footnote 17: The Duke was going to the Crimea, and it was
+    arranged that he should stop at Paris on the way.]
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: STABILITY OF THE GOVERNMENT]
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to Lord John Russell._
+
+BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _1st March 1854._
+
+The Queen has to acknowledge Lord John Russell's letter of this
+morning. Much as she must regret the postponement of the second
+reading of the Reform Bill, she must admit its wisdom under the
+present peculiar circumstances;[18] but she doubts the advantage
+of naming a precise day after Easter on which it is to come on.
+Considering the _importance_ to the country of _preserving_ the
+present Government and of not allowing it to be beat on so vital a
+question, the opportunity should not be lost of ascertaining the state
+of feeling both in the House of Commons and in the country after the
+reassembling of Parliament, before the Government decide on entering
+upon the struggle which the carrying through of the measure might
+entail. It is quite impossible _now_ to conjecture with certainty what
+that state of feeling and the general political circumstances at home
+and abroad may be at that time. Possibly the country may be more eager
+_then for_ the measure--or the War may _disincline_ it _altogether_
+towards it.
+
+The Queen seizes this opportunity of expressing her sense of the
+_imperative importance_ of the Cabinet being _united_ and of one mind
+at this moment, and not to let it _appear_ that there are differences
+of opinion within it. The knowledge that there are such is a cause of
+GREAT _anxiety_ to the Queen, at a time when she is to enter upon a
+European War, of which nobody can confidently predict the extent.
+
+    [Footnote 18: See the Queen's letter of the 4th of March,
+    _post_.]
+
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to the Earl of Aberdeen._
+
+BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _2nd February (? March) 1854._
+
+In returning these letters to Lord Aberdeen the Queen must express to
+him that there are _hints_ in them which give her great uneasiness.
+The stability of this Government is not only of _paramount importance_
+at the _commencement_ of the War, but throughout it; the moment for
+negotiation may arrive much sooner than we now expect--and _then_,
+more than _now even_, the Government ought to be composed of the
+_ablest and most moderate_ men which this Country can produce.
+
+
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to Lord John Russell._
+
+BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _4th March 1854._
+
+The Queen thanks Lord John Russell for his letter received this
+morning. She has read the proceedings in the House of Commons with
+much interest.[19] She was particularly pleased with Lord John's
+second speech, in which he affirmed the principle that public men
+ought not to oppose the regard for personal honour or reputation to
+the well-understood interests of the Country. Indeed, the Queen cannot
+conceive the possibility of their collision, as an exclusive regard
+for the well-understood interests of the Country must always redound
+to the honour and reputation of a Statesman.
+
+    [Footnote 19: Lord John Russell had announced the decision of
+    the Government to postpone till the 27th of April the second
+    reading of the Reform Bill, and, in reply to some sarcastic
+    comments from Mr Disraeli, stated that he would be ashamed
+    of himself if he preferred anything connected with his own
+    personal reputation to the interest of the country. He added
+    that the security of the country depended upon its confidence
+    in the character of public men.]
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: THE BALTIC FLEET]
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._
+
+OSBORNE, _14th March 1854._
+
+MY DEAREST UNCLE,--Your kind letter of the 9th arrived here on Saturday
+just when we returned from a splendid and never-to-be-forgotten sight--
+the sailing of our noble Fleet for the Baltic;[20] the Navy and Nation
+were particularly pleased at _my leading them out_, as they call it,
+which in fact was the case, as, in our little _Fairy_ we went on and
+lay to, to see them all come out, which (the wind being fair) they did,
+with sails set, each passing us close by, and giving us three hearty
+cheers, as I think none but British tars _can_ give. Gloriously they
+bore along, followed by the prayers and good wishes of all. You should
+read the account in yesterday's _Times_. Another sailing squadron goes
+to-morrow. The Captains and Admirals all took leave on board, and
+seemed much impressed with the solemnity of the moment.... Ever your
+truly devoted Niece,
+
+VICTORIA R.
+
+    [Footnote 20: The Fleet, under Sir Charles Napier, had been
+    assembled at Spithead.]
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: THE KING OF PRUSSIA]
+
+[Pageheading: PRUSSIAN NEUTRALITY]
+
+[Pageheading: WAR DECLARED]
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to the King of Prussia._
+
+[_Translation._]
+
+OSBORNE, _17th March 1854._
+
+DEAR SIR AND BROTHER,--General Count von der Groeben has brought me the
+official letter of your Majesty, as well as the confidential one,[21]
+and I send your kind messenger back, with these two answers to you. He
+will be able to tell you, orally, what I can express only imperfectly
+in writing, how deep my pain is, after our going so far, faithfully,
+hand in hand, to see you, at this weighty moment, separating yourself
+from us. My pain is still further increased by the fact that I cannot
+even conceive the grounds which move your Majesty to take this step.
+
+    [Footnote 21: The Prussian Court considered itself under no
+    obligation to engage in the impending struggle, till its own
+    interests became directly involved; it would not (said Baron
+    Manteuffel, President of the Ministry, on the 18th of March)
+    take part, for the protection of the integrity of the Ottoman
+    Empire, "in a conflict, the full scope of which cannot yet be
+    apprehended, and the original subject matter of which does not
+    affect the interests of our fatherland."]
+
+The most recent Russian proposals came as an answer to the _last_
+attempt for an understanding which the Powers believed could be
+arrived at honourably, and they have been rejected by the Vienna
+Conference, not because they were not in accordance with the literal
+wording of the programme, but because they were contrary to the
+intention of it. Your Majesty's Ambassador has taken part in this
+Conference and its decision, and when your Majesty now says: "The task
+of Diplomacy ceases at the exact point where that of the Sovereigns
+emphatically begins"; I am unable to assent to such a definition. For
+what my Ambassador does, he does in my name, and I feel myself not
+only bound in honour thereby, but also placed under an obligation
+to take upon myself the _consequences_ which the step which he is
+directed to take may lead to.
+
+The dreadful and incalculable consequences of a War weigh upon my
+heart not less than on your Majesty's. I also know that the Emperor of
+Russia does not wish for it. He, none the less, demands from the Porte
+things which all the Powers of Europe--among them, yourself--have
+solemnly declared to be incompatible with the independence of the
+Porte, and the European balance of power. In view of this declaration
+and of the presence of the Russian Army of invasion in the
+Principalities, the Powers could not but be ready to confirm their
+word by action. If "the Turk" now goes into the background, and if
+the approaching War appears to you as a "War of tendency" this is
+the case only because the very motives which may induce the Emperor to
+insist on his demands--in defiance of the opposition of the whole of
+Europe, and with the danger of a War that may devastate the world, do
+betray a _distinct tendency_, and because the grave consequences of
+the War must appear much more momentous than the original ostensible
+cause of it, which at first appeared only as the request for a key to
+the back door of a mosque.
+
+Your Majesty asks me "to examine the question in a spirit of love for
+peace, and even now to build a bridge for the Imperial honour." Ah, my
+dear Sir and Brother, all the inventive gifts, all the architecture
+of diplomacy and of goodwill, have been uselessly wasted during these
+last nine months in this bridge-building! The _Projets de Notes, de
+Conventions, de Protocoles_, etc., etc., have proceeded, by the dozen,
+from the Chancelleries of the different Powers, and one might call
+the ink wasted on them another Black Sea. But everything has been
+shipwrecked against the self-will of your honourable brother-in-law.
+
+If now your Majesty informs me "_that now you mean to persist in
+complete neutrality_," and if, on this occasion, you refer us to your
+Nation, who are said to exclaim with sound common sense: "Acts of
+violence have been done by the Turks, the Turk has good friends
+in large numbers, and the Emperor has done us no harm"--I do not
+understand you. Certainly I should understand this language if I
+heard it from the Kings of Hanover or of Saxony. But I have, hitherto,
+looked upon Prussia as one of the Great Powers which, since the peace
+of 1815, have been guarantors of treaties, guardians of civilisation,
+defenders of the right, the real arbiters of the Nations; and for
+my part I have felt the divine responsibility of this sacred office,
+without undervaluing at the same time the heavy obligation, not
+unconnected with danger, which it imposes on me. If you, dear Sir
+and Brother, abdicate these obligations, you have also abdicated that
+position for Prussia. And should such an example find imitators, then
+the civilisation of Europe would be delivered up to the play of winds;
+right will then no longer find a champion, the oppressed will find no
+longer an umpire.
+
+Let not your Majesty believe that what has been said in this letter
+is aimed at persuading you to change your resolves; it flows from the
+affectionate heart of a sister, who could not pardon herself, were she
+not, at so weighty a moment, to let you see into her inmost soul. So
+little is it my intention to desire to win you over to our view, that
+nothing has grieved me more than the suspicion, expressed in your name
+by General von der Groeben, that England had desired to seduce you from
+your purpose by opening a prospect of advantages to be gained. The
+baselessness of such a supposition is evident from the Treaty itself
+which had been offered to you, and whose most important clause
+consisted in the promise of the contracting parties, _not to desire in
+any case to derive from the War any advantage for themselves_.
+
+Your Majesty could not have given a more powerful proof of your
+unselfishness than by the very fact of attaching your signature to
+this Treaty.
+
+To come to a close. You suppose that War may already have been
+declared; you express, however, at the same time, the hope that it may
+not already have actually broken out. I cannot unfortunately hold out
+any hope that the sentence will be followed by any stay of execution.
+Shakespeare's words:
+
+                          "Beware
+  Of entrance to a quarrel; but, being in,
+  Bear it that the opposer may beware of thee,"
+
+are deeply engraved on the hearts of all Englishmen. Sad that they
+are to find an application at this crisis, in a nation with whom
+previously nothing prevailed but friendship and affection! And how
+much more melancholy must be the present emotions of your Majesty's
+heart and mind to see such words applied to a beloved brother-in-law,
+whom yet--however much you love him--your conscience cannot absolve
+from the crime of having brought upon the world wilfully and
+frivolously such awful misery!
+
+May the Almighty take you under His protection!
+
+With Albert's most cordial compliments, and our united greetings
+to the dear Queen, I remain, my much honoured Sir and Brother, your
+Majesty's faithful Sister and Friend,
+
+VICTORIA R.[22]
+
+    [Footnote 22: The King afterwards agreed to the proposed
+    protocol for the preservation of the integrity of Turkey,
+    which was signed at Vienna on the 7th of April.]
+
+
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to the Earl of Aberdeen._
+
+_1st April 1854._
+
+The Queen rejoices to see the Debate was favourable in the House of
+Lords, and that it was concluded in the House of Commons.[23]
+
+She is rather startled at seeing Lord Aberdeen's answer to Lord Roden
+upon the subject of a day of humiliation, as he has never mentioned
+the subject to her, and it is one upon which she feels strongly.
+The only thing the Queen ever heard about it was from the Duke of
+Newcastle, who suggested the _possibility_ of an _appropriate_ prayer
+being introduced into the Liturgy, in which the Queen quite agreed;
+but he was strongly against a day of humiliation, in which the Queen
+also entirely agreed, as she thinks we have recourse to them far too
+often, and they thereby lose their effect. The Queen therefore hopes
+that this will be reconsidered carefully, and a _prayer_ substituted
+for the _day of humiliation_. Were the services selected for these
+days of a different kind to what they are--the Queen would feel
+less strongly about it; but they always select chapters from the Old
+Testament and Psalms which are so totally inapplicable that it does
+away with all the effect it ought to have. Moreover, really to say
+(as we probably should) that the _great sinfulness of the nation_ has
+brought about this War, when it is the selfishness and ambition of
+_one_ man and his servants who have brought this about, while our
+conduct has been throughout actuated by unselfishness and honesty,
+would be too manifestly repulsive to the feelings of every one, and
+would be a mere act of hypocrisy. Let there be a prayer expressive of
+our great thankfulness for the benefits we have enjoyed, and for the
+immense prosperity of this country, and entreating God's help and
+protection in the coming struggle. In this the Queen would join heart
+and soul. If there is to be a day set apart, let it be for prayer in
+this sense.
+
+    [Footnote 23: On the 27th of March the Queen announced to
+    Parliament that the negotiations with the Czar had terminated,
+    and that she felt bound "to afford active assistance to her
+    ally, the Sultan." Next day the Declaration of War was issued,
+    containing a narrative of the events which finally led to the
+    rupture. The debates on the Address in answer to the message
+    took place on the 31st of March, Mr Bright, in the Commons,
+    censuring the declaration, and being replied to by Lord
+    Palmerston. The addresses were presented to the Queen on the
+    3rd of April.]
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: THE REFORM QUESTION]
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to Lord John Russell._
+
+BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _9th April 1854._
+
+The Queen is anxious to express to Lord John Russell the extreme
+satisfaction she experiences at the communication Lord Aberdeen
+yesterday evening made her of the settlement of the Reform Question,
+viz., of its postponement for the present Session, with the
+understanding that it is to be brought forward again whenever the
+state of affairs will admit of its being fairly and calmly considered
+by Parliament.[24] The sacrifice of personal feeling which no doubt
+this may cost Lord John will, she is certain, be amply compensated by
+the conviction that he has done so for the interest and tranquillity
+of his Sovereign and Country, to whom a dissolution of the present
+Government would have been a source of immense danger and evil.
+
+    [Footnote 24: From a memorandum, made by Prince Albert, of
+    interviews with Lord Aberdeen, it appears that before the
+    Cabinet of the 8th of April Lord Palmerston declared that
+    under neither present nor any future conditions could he vote
+    for the second reading of the Reform Bill. Lord John thereupon
+    tendered his resignation; this Lord Aberdeen asked him to
+    suspend until after the meeting of the Cabinet.]
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: DISSENSION IN THE CABINET]
+
+[Pageheading: LORD JOHN RUSSELL]
+
+
+_Lord John Russell to Queen Victoria._
+
+PEMBROKE LODGE, _9th April 1854._
+
+Lord John Russell presents his humble duty to your Majesty; he cannot
+think it consistent with fairness to conceal from your Majesty the
+deep feelings of mortification which affect him on reviewing the
+proceedings of the Cabinet yesterday.[25]
+
+Lord Aberdeen was the only person who behaved with due regard to the
+honour of the Administration. The rest appeared ready to sacrifice
+everything in order to keep the Ministry together; and Lord John
+Russell feels bound to warn your Majesty that, although he was quite
+willing to waive the consideration of the Reform Bill for the present
+Session, he is not ready to consent that it shall be entirely set
+aside in order to keep together a Ministry whose continuance would
+be dearly bought at the price of the welfare of the Country, and the
+consistency of public men. Lord John Russell must reflect further on
+this subject before he comes to a final determination.
+
+    [Footnote 25: Lord John Russell's actions at this period
+    of his career seem often incomprehensible; but his private
+    domestic anxieties seem to have weighed him down. Having made
+    the great sacrifice, for an ex-Premier, of taking office under
+    an old opponent, he was now engaged in trying to regain the
+    first place for himself. Lord Aberdeen had always contemplated
+    retiring in his favour, but would not give up the Premiership
+    in the face of the dangers threatening the country. Moreover,
+    he had believed his continuance in office to be a guarantee
+    for peace. Lord John Russell, after accepting the Foreign
+    Office, had then insisted on being a Minister without office;
+    later still, by displacing Mr Strutt and transferring Lord
+    Granville to the Duchy, he himself became Lord President of
+    the Council, an office which no commoner had held since the
+    reign of Henry VIII. By such action, coupled with perpetual
+    threats of resignation, he marred his prospects of succeeding
+    Lord Aberdeen, and, as will be seen, failed in his attempt to
+    construct an Administration when the opportunity was offered
+    him.]
+
+
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to Lord John Russell._
+
+BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _10th April 1854._
+
+The Queen received Lord John Russell's letter last night. She is much
+grieved that he should be "affected by deep feelings of mortification
+on reviewing the proceedings of the Cabinet." From all the Queen
+had heard of the views of the different members of the Cabinet, she
+believes them to have been fully convinced that the present moment
+would be inopportune to press the Reform Bill, but _quite_ prepared
+to take it up again on the first fitting opportunity; she, of course,
+does _not_ speak of Lord Palmerston.
+
+The Queen would, no more than Lord John, wish to see "the Reform Bill
+set aside in order to keep together a Ministry," but does not consider
+the decision of the Cabinet at all to imply this, whatever Lord
+Palmerston's personal wishes may be, and trusts that the Country will
+fully understand and appreciate the motives which have guided the
+Government. Lord Aberdeen and Lord John will always receive every
+support from the Queen when they shall think it right to propose the
+re-introduction of the measure.
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: LORD JOHN RUSSELL]
+
+
+_Memorandum by the Prince Albert._
+
+BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _10th April 1854._
+
+Lord Aberdeen has just left the Queen, after an interview which he
+had had with Sir James Graham and Lord John Russell at Lord John's
+request. He reported that at that interview Lord John renewed his
+complaint of the Cabinet, declared that he could not state to the
+House what was untrue, and must therefore resign. Lord Aberdeen called
+this "really too monstrous" after the pledge given by the Sovereign,
+himself as Prime Minister, and the whole Cabinet, with the exception
+of one man, and he would repeat his promise that whenever Lord John
+said, "The Reform Bill is to come on," and Lord Palmerston opposed it,
+he should go.
+
+Lord John could not be appeased, but spoke with the greatest
+bitterness. He had written to Lord Palmerston in the same sense; and
+Lord Palmerston's answer arrived during the interview. It was to the
+effect that if one of them was to resign, it was not Lord John, who
+agreed with the rest of the Cabinet upon the Bill, but himself,
+who was the dissentient. Lord Aberdeen asked Lord John whether Lord
+Palmerston's resignation would satisfy him; to which he answered, he
+believed it would not mend matters. Lord Aberdeen's opinion, however,
+is that it is what Lord John, and still more what Lady John, wants.
+He thinks the Country will never understand how the Government could
+break up, and that Lord John is cutting his own throat, and told him
+so. If Lord John went, he could not go on with Lord Palmerston as
+Leader of the House of Commons, which he called "perfectly ludicrous."
+Lord Palmerston would probably insist upon this, however; Lord
+Palmerston's retirement would be a great blow to the Government, as
+the Country persisted in thinking him the only able War Minister, and
+would cry out at "the imbecile old Head of the Government having it
+now all his own way." He thought, should he not be able to go on, new
+combinations could be formed, perhaps under the Duke of Newcastle and
+Mr Gladstone, as the Country liked younger men. Lord John must give
+his answer in the House of Commons to-morrow at half-past four. Lord
+Aberdeen would wish to see the Duke of Newcastle, Sir James Graham,
+and Mr Gladstone, as his more particular friends, this evening, to
+discuss the whole question with them, and would see Lord Palmerston
+and Lord John to-morrow, before he could make any report to the Queen.
+
+This is all really very bad!
+
+ALBERT.
+
+
+
+
+_Lord John Russell to Queen Victoria._
+
+CHESHAM PLACE, _11th April 1854._
+
+Lord John Russell presents his humble duty to your Majesty; he has the
+honour to acknowledge, with gratitude, your Majesty's communication
+of yesterday. Lord John Russell waited to see Lord Aberdeen before he
+answered, and having now had a long conversation with him, Lord John
+Russell being assured of your Majesty's support, of Lord Aberdeen's
+concurrence, and of the assent of the majority of his colleagues, is
+willing to continue his humble services in the Cabinet, and in the
+House of Commons.
+
+Lord John Russell must ask your Majesty to excuse what may have seemed
+intemperate in his letter of Sunday last. He is still of opinion that
+without public confidence in his integrity and uprightness he can be
+of no use to your Majesty, or to the Country.
+
+And on that confidence must depend the continuance of his
+services.[26]
+
+    [Footnote 26: On the same day Lord John announced in the
+    Commons the withdrawal of the Reform Bill. He admitted that
+    this course would expose him to the taunts and sarcasms of his
+    opponents, and to the suspicions of his supporters. Here "his
+    feelings overcame him, and, as he used the word 'suspicion'
+    in reference to his motive, his utterance was choked, and the
+    sentence he struggled to pronounce was evidently given through
+    tears." (_Ann. Reg._, 1854, p. 120.) Loud and sympathetic
+    cheers followed from all parts of the House.]
+
+
+
+
+_Memorandum by the Prince Albert._
+
+BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _11th April 1854._
+
+We saw Lord Aberdeen at three o'clock to-day, who reported to the
+Queen that the change of mind of Lord John had been the result of an
+hour and a half's discussion with him this morning. He must admit,
+however, that he found Lord John in a mood willing to let himself be
+convinced. The Queen's letter might have contributed to this as well
+as the entreaties of the Duke of Bedford and Lord Lansdowne. Lord
+Aberdeen could tell Lord John in truth that there was not a shadow of
+difference of opinion amongst any of his friends, that he would lose
+himself for ever, and meet with universal reprobation, if he persisted
+in resigning after every cause for it had been removed, and he
+had agreed to the course Lord Palmerston had insisted upon. Lord
+Palmerston had written a very clever letter to Lord John, begging him
+not to desert the Queen and the Country, which, if he read it to the
+House of Commons, would floor Lord John completely.
+
+We asked what had been agreed upon at yesterday evening's meeting.
+Lord Aberdeen told us the decision, under the impression that Lord
+John would resign, had been for Lord Aberdeen to call upon Lord
+Palmerston, and to explain to him that although he had acted cordially
+with him as a Colleague in this Government, yet they had been
+political antagonists during their whole lives--the Government also
+was still a Reform Government; from personal, therefore, as well as
+public, reasons it was impossible that he should be entrusted with the
+lead of the House of Commons, being the only anti-Reformer. And it was
+hoped that he would have no difficulty in letting Mr Gladstone lead
+the House, as Sir James Graham was the same age and political standing
+with Lord Palmerston, but at once cheerfully contented to waive all
+his claims in favour of Mr Gladstone.
+
+ALBERT.
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: THE DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE]
+
+[Pageheading: THE EMPEROR OF AUSTRIA]
+
+
+_The Duke of Cambridge to Queen Victoria._[27]
+
+VIENNA, _28th April 1854._
+
+MY DEAR COUSIN,--Before leaving this place I think it right that I
+should once more trouble you with a letter, to inform you that the
+messenger has arrived who brought your autograph letter for the
+Emperor, which I presented to him to-day at an audience I had for this
+purpose.... I had a very long and most interesting conversation with
+the Emperor, who opened frankly and fairly upon the great questions
+of the day. The impression he made upon me was an excellent one, his
+confidence and frankness are complete, and I have the firm conviction
+that he is a man of his word, and that he never would say a thing
+that he did not in his heart mean. The result of what he said was
+the following: that he naturally was most distressed at all that
+had occurred; that he was placed by the Emperor of Russia in a most
+difficult position; that he quite disapproved his acts; but that he
+could not but have a great disinclination to break with a very old
+ally; and that even still he hoped this painful step might be spared
+to him by the Emperor of Russia making some proposal so honourable to
+all parties, that it would not be rejected by the Western Powers,
+who would naturally not be disinclined to a peace, honourable to
+themselves and tranquillising for the future; that the basis of such
+treaty would be the position of the Christian population of the
+East; that this might be discussed in Conference, the Russians having
+_first_ evacuated the Principalities, upon which the Turks would
+hold the right bank of the Danube, our Fleets to await events in
+the Bosphorus, and our armies at Constantinople, such position being
+highly honourable and advantageous to us in the eyes of Europe, and
+certainly not nearly so favourable to Russia; that he was certainly
+sensible that the English Government had not pressed him, feeling
+as they had done the extreme delicacy of his position, and the great
+extent of his frontier so easily attacked; that he did not wish to say
+now, till the moment of decision came, thinking it more honourable
+and straightforward not to raise false expectations, but that his
+interests being so completely with us, should the Emperor of Russia
+do nothing in the honourable direction he hoped to see him adopt, he
+should then consider himself called upon to express frankly to us what
+he proposed to do, in order that our action might become united and
+of advantage to one another. He further thought that the treaty with
+Prussia would greatly facilitate all this, as Prussia had acceded to
+the wishes of Austria in the event of certain eventualities, which,
+however, for the moment are not named, but which, as far as I
+understand, go to the length of leaving Austria unfettered to act as
+she likes at the moment when she considers her so doing essential to
+her position as a young Empire. It is quite evident to me that this is
+the general feeling here, amongst all those who have any weight in the
+councils of the Empire. These are _Austrian_ views, and I must say I
+can understand them and appreciate them as such. I am confident, I am
+certain, they are _honest_ on the part of the Emperor, and I doubt
+not he will carry them through to the letter, for I am confident
+the Emperor never would say what he did not mean. Rely upon it, this
+Country will never go with Russia; she knows her interests too well
+for that; she would like to avoid a War altogether if she could,
+and with that view she would be delighted to see some honourable and
+acceptable proposal made, but should this fail she will then take a
+very decided line, and that line will be in accordance with Austrian
+interests--which means with us. I find that most of the more prudent
+people, and many of those in high office, are fully alive to the
+advantages of the English alliance, and would wish to see this
+alliance confirmed _de novo_; and I think it would be very well for us
+to meet them half-way with this. But then it would be better to avoid
+all after-dinner speeches such as those at the Reform Club,[28] all
+Polish legions such as are talked of, and in short any of these little
+matters, which are painfully felt here, and which always produce an
+uncomfortable and distrustful effect. The Emperor expressed himself in
+the most grateful manner towards yourself, and I think is pleased at
+your having permitted me to be present on this occasion.... Hoping
+that you will approve of my humble endeavours here, and with sincere
+regards to Albert, I beg to remain, my dear Cousin, your most dutiful
+Cousin,
+
+GEORGE.
+
+    [Footnote 27: The English forces destined for the East were
+    under the command of Lord Raglan (formerly Lord Fitzroy
+    Somerset). The Duke of Cambridge commanded one infantry
+    division, the other three being respectively under Sir George
+    Brown, Sir De Lacy Evans, and Sir Richard England; the cavalry
+    division was commanded by the Earl of Lucan, General Scarlett
+    commanding the heavy cavalry, and Lord Cardigan the Light
+    Brigade.]
+
+    [Footnote 28: At a dinner given on the 7th of March by the
+    Reform Club to Sir Charles Napier, Lord Palmerston, who was
+    in the chair, and Sir James Graham, had made provocative and
+    unbecoming speeches; on attention being called in Parliament
+    to the proceedings, Mr Bright complained of the reckless
+    levity displayed; Lord Palmerston made a flippant and
+    undignified defence, the tone of which was much resented.]
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: BOMBARDMENT OF ODESSA]
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._
+
+BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _9th May 1854._
+
+MY DEAREST UNCLE,--Accept my best thanks for your kind letter of the
+5th. I return you the Emperor's kind letter. Nothing could be more
+satisfactory than the reception George met with by everybody at
+Vienna--beginning with the Emperor. They showed him much confidence,
+and he obtained from them intelligence which I think no one else
+would. The Fleets have done their duty admirably at Odessa;[29] the
+town has not been touched, and all the fortifications and many ships
+have been destroyed....
+
+We had a concert last night, and I saw good Sir H. Seymour, who is
+full of your kindness and goodness; and a most worthy, honourable and
+courageous little man he is.[30] If the poor Emperor Nicholas had had
+a few such--_nous ne serions pas ou nous en sommes_. But unfortunately
+the Emperor does _not like_ being _told_ what is unpleasant and
+_contrary_ to _his wishes_, and gets very violent when he hears the
+_real_ truth--which _consequently_ is not told him! There is the
+misery of being violent and passionate; if Princes and still more
+Kings and Emperors are so, _no_ one will _ever_ tell them the truth,
+and _how_ dreadful that is! I think one never can be too careful in
+bringing up Princes to inculcate the principle of _self-control_.
+
+We have a good deal of rain and thunder since yesterday, which I hope
+will revive poor parched Nature. I must now wish you good-bye, as
+I expect dear Victoire shortly. Nemours intends going to fetch the
+Queen. With Albert's love, ever your devoted Niece,
+
+VICTORIA R.
+
+    [Footnote 29: In consequence of the Russians firing upon a
+    flag of truce, Odessa was bombarded on the 22nd of April, and
+    most of its batteries silenced or destroyed.]
+
+    [Footnote 30: The conversations of Sir Hamilton Seymour and
+    the Emperor Nicholas in the year 1853 had now been given
+    to the world. The Czar, believing the time ripe for the
+    dismemberment of Turkey, had expressed himself openly to the
+    British Ambassador, and the conversations were all reported to
+    the British Ministry. On the 2nd of March 1854, an obviously
+    inspired article in the _Journal de St. Petersbourg_ professed
+    to contradict the statements of Lord John Russell in the
+    House of Commons reflecting on the bad faith of the Russian
+    Government, and accordingly, in their own vindication, the
+    English Cabinet now published the conversations above referred
+    to.]
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: THE SULTAN]
+
+[Pageheading: THE BRITISH FORCES]
+
+
+_The Duke of Cambridge to Queen Victoria._
+
+CONSTANTINOPLE, _13th May 1854._
+
+MY DEAR COUSIN,--I have not as yet announced to you my safe arrival
+here, as I was anxious first to see the Sultan and the general state
+of things before giving you a report of what was really going on....
+
+I found a great proportion of the Infantry arrived, a portion of the
+Artillery, but as yet no Cavalry. Lord Raglan is well and in good
+spirits, Lord Stratford de Redcliffe ill in bed with a bad fit of the
+gout--most miserable to see in every respect. The Sultan[31] received
+me at once on the day of arrival, and made his return visit to
+me yesterday. I confess I was not much impressed with either his
+appearance or general ability. He is, to say the truth, a wretched
+creature, prematurely aged, and having nothing whatever to say for
+himself. A few commonplace civilities was all the conversation which
+passed between us. I said everything I could think of to make a
+conversation, among other things messages of civility from yourself;
+but though he appeared pleased and expressed his satisfaction at our
+being here, I could not get him to enter into anything, and I was not
+sorry on both occasions when our interview was at an end. As to his
+Ministers, and in fact the whole population and country, with the
+exception of Redschid Pasha,[32] they are all a most wretched and
+miserable set of people, and far, far worse than anything I could
+possibly have imagined or supposed. In fact, the "sick man" is
+_excessively sick indeed_, dying as fast as possible; and the sooner
+diplomacy disposes of him the better, for no earthly power can save
+him, that is very evident. This is the opinion of every person out
+here of both armies, French and English, and you may rest assured it
+is the truth. The great thing is that we are here and no other Power
+can now step in, but diplomacy must settle what is to happen, for as
+to the Turks remaining in Europe that is out of the question, and the
+very fact of our being here now has given them their death-blow. I
+hope, my dear cousin, you will forgive me for being very candid on
+this point, but I really do not think that anybody in England had any
+idea of the real state of affairs here. The sooner therefore that they
+are put in possession of the truth unvarnished the better. The great
+and imperative necessity is that the four Powers of Europe should
+strike together, otherwise things will become much worse than they
+are even at present. Everybody is very civil and obliging to me, the
+Sultan has put me into one of his best Palaces, very nicely fitted up,
+and is anxious to do everything I wish. I find it inconvenient, as the
+troops are on the other side of the Bosphorus, and I therefore intend
+going over there to reside if possible. Marshal St Arnaud is here and
+Prince Napoleon, but no French troops. I have seen the latter once; he
+was very civil indeed to me, but I do not think he has made at all a
+good impression here, his manner being offensive and harsh. I do not
+think the Army like him at all. I am afraid the French Ambassador is
+giving much trouble. Neither St Arnaud nor the Prince like him at all,
+and I believe they have written to demand his recall, which would be
+a very good thing, as he cannot hit it off with anybody. As to our
+movements, I know nothing of them as yet, nor do I think that much has
+as yet been settled, but I fear we shall not be fit to move for some
+time; the difficulty of transport is very great, our Artillery
+only partly arrived, and no Cavalry. We require more troops, more
+particularly of the latter arm, in which the Russians are very strong.
+We ought to have at least 10,000 men more, and the sooner they are
+sent out the better. Even that number is not enough, for the French
+talk of 100,000 men, and we should be in a most dreadful minority
+unless we had 40,000 to 50,000. I am afraid all this will alarm people
+in England, but it is the truth.... I remain, my dear Cousin, your
+most dutiful Cousin,
+
+GEORGE.
+
+We never hear any news here. All that does come to us generally comes
+by way of Europe; another proof of what a miserable country this is.
+
+    [Footnote 31: Abdul Medjid, born 1823, who had succeeded to
+    the throne at the time of the Syrian War; see _ante_, vol. i.,
+    19th August, 1839, note 54.]
+
+    [Footnote 32: Minister of Foreign Affairs, born 1802, died
+    1858.]
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: THE KING OF PRUSSIA]
+
+
+_The King of Prussia to Queen Victoria._
+
+[_Translation._]
+
+SANS SOUCI, _24th May 1854._
+
+MOST GRACIOUS QUEEN,--... My policy,[33] which has been so terribly
+criticised and derided as "vacillating," has been, since the beginning
+of this most inauspicious conflict, one and the same, and _without a
+hairsbreadth of deviation_ either to the right or to the left. As it
+rests on the unshakable foundation which my conscience as a King and
+a Christian has laid down, and which does not admit _que je fasse la
+besogne ni de l'un ni de l'autre parti_, I am abused and insulted
+at the Winter Palace, and regarded, by way of contrast in London and
+Paris, as a kind of simpleton--neither of which is pleasant.
+
+May your Majesty believe my Royal Word: I was, I am, I remain the
+truest and most faithful friend of Great Britain, as well in principle
+as from religious feeling and from true affection. I desire and
+practise a good and honest understanding with France; but when it
+comes to helping the French--to whom Prussia's geographical position
+between Paris and Warsaw is very inconvenient--to pull the _chestnuts
+from the fire_ for them, for such a task I am frankly too good. If the
+Emperor wishes to force me to assist--as evidently he is inclined to
+do--it will end by becoming too difficult for him. He ought to thank
+God that my view of Russian policy and my fidelity to your Majesty
+have prevented me from making him begin this _Turkish_ War on the
+_other side of his own frontier_. The great advantage of this result
+is totally forgotten in France, and, unfortunately, in England too.
+Those who every day fill the papers of home and foreign countries with
+accounts of my vacillations, nay, who represent me as leaping from my
+own horse on to a Russian one, are inventing lies, in a great measure,
+deliberately. I tell your Majesty, on my honour and conscience, that
+my policy is to-day _the same_ as it was nine months ago. I have
+recognised it as my duty before God to preserve, for my people and my
+provinces, peace, _because I recognise Peace as a blessing and War
+as a curse_. I cannot and will not side with Russia, because Russia's
+arrogance and wickedness have caused this _horrible_ trouble, and
+because duty and conscience and tradition forbid me to draw the sword
+against Old England. In the same degree duty and conscience forbid
+me to make unprovoked war against Russia, because Russia, so far,
+has done me no harm. So I thought, so I willed when I thought myself
+isolated. How then could I now suddenly abandon a steady policy,
+preserved in the face of many dangers, and incline to Russia at the
+moment when I have concluded with Austria an Alliance defensive and
+offensive, in which (if God grant His blessing) the whole of Germany
+will join in a few days, thus welding, for the entire duration of the
+War, the whole of Central Europe into a Unity, comprising 72,000,000
+people, and easily able to put 1,000,000 men into the field? And
+yet, most gracious Queen, I do not take up a defiant position on the
+strength of this enormous power, but I trust in the Lord's help and
+my own sacred Right; I also believe, honestly and firmly, that the
+character of a so-called Great Power must justify itself, _not by
+swimming with the current_, but _by standing firm like a rock in the
+sea_.
+
+I close this letter which, in consequence of various interruptions,
+is almost a week old, on the 24th of May. This is your birthday, ever
+dearest, most gracious Queen. On this day I lay at your Majesty's feet
+the expression of my wishes for every blessing. May God grant your
+Majesty a joyful day, and a richly blessed year of rule. May He
+strengthen, preserve, and invigorate your precious health, and may He
+give you, within the three hundred and sixty-five days of the year
+of your life which begins to-day, _that_ one day of overabundant
+blessing, of unspeakable joy, for which I long, for which I pray to
+God--_that blissful day on which you can utter the word_ PEACE.
+
+Now I beg your Majesty from the bottom of my heart not to be angry
+with me for my unconscionably long letter, nor to worry yourself
+about sending an answer, but, on the other hand, graciously to keep
+it secret, communicating it only to the dear Prince. It is a matter
+of course that the facts which it contains, and the resulting
+explanations, which may be of importance for your Majesty's
+Government, must, from their nature, no longer be kept secret, so
+soon as you think it right to announce them. I embrace the dear Prince
+tenderly, and commend myself to the grace, goodwill, and friendship
+of my august Royal Sister, I being your Majesty's most faithfully
+devoted, most attached Servant and Good Brother,
+
+FREDERIC WILLIAM.
+
+    [Footnote 33: In the previous portion of this long letter,
+    here omitted, the King gives a detailed account of his
+    position and policy.]
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: MARSHAL ST ARNAUD]
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to the Duke of Newcastle._
+
+OSBORNE, _29th May 1854._
+
+The Queen acknowledges the receipt of the Duke of Newcastle's letter,
+which she received quite early this morning.
+
+The Duke of Cambridge's letter does _not_ give a flourishing account
+of the state of Turkey. What alarms the Queen most is the news given
+by the Duke of Newcastle of the pretensions of Marshal St Arnaud.[34]
+She does not quite understand whether he has received the supreme
+command over the Turkish Army, but at any rate if the Porte should
+be willing to allow its Army to be placed under Foreign Command, a
+portion of it ought to be claimed by us for Lord Raglan, which, joined
+to his English forces, would produce an Army capable of taking the
+field independently.
+
+The Queen trusts that the Government will take this into serious
+consideration, and, if they should concur in this view, that no time
+will be lost.
+
+    [Footnote 34: The Duke had written to say that a demand had
+    been made by Marshal St Arnaud upon the Porte that Omar Pasha
+    should be superseded, and the Turkish Army placed under his
+    (St Arnaud's) orders; also that Marshal St Arnaud was desirous
+    of assuming the supreme command of the allied forces. The
+    incident is graphically recorded by Mr Kinglake.]
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: THE QUEEN'S REPLY]
+
+[Pageheading: INVASION OF THE PRINCIPALITIES]
+
+[Pageheading: FRIENDLY RELATIONS]
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to the King of Prussia._
+
+[_Translation._]
+
+BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _June 1854._
+
+DEAREST SIR AND BROTHER,--Your faithful Bunsen has handed me your
+Majesty's long explanatory letter, and has taken his leave of us,[35]
+with tears in his eyes, and I can assure your Majesty that I, too, see
+with pain the departure of one whom I have been accustomed to consider
+as the faithful mirror of your feelings, wishes, and views, and whose
+depth and warmth of heart I esteem no less highly than his high mental
+gifts. Sympathy with his fate is general here. I entirely recognise in
+your letter the expression of your friendship, which is so dear to me,
+and which does not admit any sort of misunderstanding to exist between
+us, without my endeavouring at once to clear it up and remove it.
+How could I meet your friendship otherwise than by equally absolute
+frankness, allowing you to look into my inmost heart! Though you have
+shown me a proof of your gracious confidence in giving me, down to the
+smallest detail, an account of your personal and business relations
+with your servants, I still believe that I have no right to formulate
+any judgment. Only one thing my heart bids me to express, viz., that
+the men with whom you have broken were faithful, veracious servants,
+warmly devoted to you, and that just by the freedom and independence
+of spirit, with which they have expressed their opinions to your
+Majesty, _they have given an indisputable proof_ of having had
+in view, not their own personal advantage and the favour of their
+Sovereign, but his true interests and welfare alone; and if just such
+men as these--among them even your loving brother, a thoroughly noble
+and chivalrous Prince, standing next to the throne--find themselves
+forced, in a grave crisis, to turn away from you, this is a _momentous
+sign_, which might well give cause to your Majesty to take counsel
+with yourself, and to examine with anxious care, whether perhaps the
+hidden cause of past and future evils may not lie in your Majesty's
+own views?[36] You complain, most honoured Sire and Brother, that
+your policy is blamed as _vacillating_, and that your own person is
+insulted at home and abroad (a thing which has often filled me with
+_deep grief and indignation_), and you asseverate that your policy
+rests upon a firm basis, which the conscience of "a King and a
+Christian has laid down for it." But should it be possible to discover
+in your Majesty's fundamental views something self-contradictory,
+then necessarily, the more consistently and conscientiously these
+fundamental views are revealed in their consequences, the more
+contradictory must your actions appear to those who are not intimately
+aware of your intentions, and cannot but force upon the world the
+impression that your views themselves were wavering.
+
+You will not take it amiss in a true friend and sister, if she
+endeavours to place before you her impressions on this matter, as
+frankly as they appear to her.
+
+Your Majesty has acknowledged in the face of the world that Russia
+has addressed to the Porte demands which she had no right to make. You
+have further acknowledged that the forcible taking possession of two
+Turkish provinces with the intention of enforcing the demand was a
+political wrong. You have, together with Austria, France, and England,
+several times declared in Protocols the preservation of the integrity
+of the Turkish empire to be a European interest. Notwithstanding all
+this, Russia continues to occupy the Danube principalities, penetrates
+further into Turkey, and, by forcing on a sanguinary and exhausting
+war, leads the unhappy and _suffering_ empire on to the brink of the
+grave. What should Europe then do under these circumstances?
+
+It could not possibly be the intention of the Powers to declare the
+preservation and integrity of the Porte to be a matter of European
+concern, solely in order to allow that empire to be destroyed before
+their very eyes! As to Prussia, I can conceive a line of policy, not
+that indeed which I should think in harmony with the generosity and
+chivalry of your rule, but still one possible in itself, by which
+she would say to herself: "The preservation of this integrity I have
+indeed declared to be a matter of European concern, but I wish to
+leave England and France to defend that policy with their wealth and
+blood, and reserve to myself only a _moral_ co-operation." But what am
+I to think if, after England and France with courageous readiness have
+taken upon themselves alone this immense responsibility, sacrifice,
+and danger, your Majesty is now mainly considering the erection of
+a barrier of 72,000,000 of men between them and that Power, against
+whose encroachment the European interest is to be defended? What am I
+to say to the threat uttered against the _West_ as well as against
+the _East?_ and to your even asking from the West gratitude for "the
+enormous advantage" that you do not, into the bargain, yourself join
+in attacking it!! For your Majesty says expressly in your letter:
+"The Emperor ought to thank God that my view of Russian policy, my
+_fidelity_ to your Majesty, have prevented me from making him begin
+the Turkish war on the other side of his own frontier. The enormous
+advantage of this abstention is totally forgotten in France, and,
+unfortunately, in England too!"
+
+Dearest Sir and Brother, this language shows a contradiction in
+your own mind, which fills me with the greatest anxiety for possible
+consequences, an anxiety not diminished by your kindly adding: "Duty,
+Conscience, and Tradition forbid you to draw the sword against Old
+England."
+
+I shall gladly with you bless the day on which the word of Peace can
+be uttered. Your Majesty can, by vigorous co-operation, help to usher
+in that day, just as you might have--in my conviction--contributed, by
+vigorous co-operation to prevent the War altogether.
+
+Whatever these troublous times may bring us, I harbour the firm
+confidence that the warmth of our friendly relations cannot be
+troubled by anything, and rejoice in the circumstance that the
+personal relations of the two Sovereigns are, in this matter, so
+entirely in harmony with the interests of the two nations.
+
+Albert sends you his homage, and I remain, with most cordial
+remembrance to the dear Queen, and with thanks for the kind wishes
+expressed by both of you, ever your Majesty's faithful Sister and
+Friend,
+
+VICTORIA R.
+
+    [Footnote 35: The influence of Russia over the King had been
+    proved by the recall of Baron Bunsen, and the dismissal of
+    all those Ministers who had opposed the policy of the Czar in
+    Turkey.]
+
+    [Footnote 36: The Prince of Prussia had shown his
+    dissatisfaction with the King's policy by quitting Berlin.]
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: THE WAR OFFICE]
+
+
+_Minute of Interview by the Prince Albert._
+
+BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _8th June 1854._
+
+Lord Aberdeen had an Audience to-day before the Council, and
+represented that what was intended was merely a division of the office
+of Secretary of State, and not the creation of any new power, and must
+be considered rather as a means of avoiding further changes.[37] Lord
+Grey, in hearing of this intention, called it in a letter "the worst
+arrangement of all," as unfavourable to his further views; the Duke
+of Newcastle would fill the office, and would have to prepare the
+changes, inherent in the arrangement, and was determined not to break
+down the present arrangements; Lord John Russell was agreed herewith,
+and Sir George Grey would take office knowing this to be Lord
+Aberdeen's firm decision. But there was in fact no choice. Mr Rich
+would this afternoon bring forward a Motion in the House of Commons
+for the consolidation of all military offices under one Department and
+a Civil Head, and Lord John Russell, to whom Lord Aberdeen had said
+that the Queen still hesitated about admitting the separation of the
+duties of Secretary of State, declared to him angrily, if that was
+so, he would go down to the House and vote for Mr Rich's Motion!! The
+Motion would be carried without fail in the House.
+
+So this important measure had been carried by storm (as the Queen
+could only give way under these circumstances), and carried without a
+definite plan, leaving everything to the future!!
+
+Lord John is to be Lord President, and he insisted upon Sir George
+Grey taking the Colonies. Lord Aberdeen fears much dissatisfaction
+from Lord Canning, Mr Cardwell, and Mr Peel, and just dissatisfaction;
+the Cabinet are very angry at the whole proceeding. Lord Granville
+behaved exceedingly well, putting himself and his office entirely at
+Lord Aberdeen's disposal.[38]
+
+It is supposed that in the House expressions will be dropped in favour
+of Lord Palmerston's taking the conduct of the War in his hands. The
+Duke of Newcastle, whom we saw, also states the extreme difficulty of
+_defining_ the duties of the Secretary of State, but promises to do
+so, as far as possible, for the Queen's convenience.
+
+ALBERT.
+
+    [Footnote 37: Lord John Russell had some time before proposed
+    the separation of the War and Colonial Departments, with a
+    view of filling the Colonial Office himself, "which, in every
+    point of view." wrote Lord Aberdeen to the Queen, "would have
+    been a most satisfactory arrangement."]
+
+    [Footnote 38: Lord Fitzmaurice, in his _Life of Lord
+    Granville_, points out that Mr Strutt was really the person
+    who had a right to complain. He was abruptly removed from the
+    Chancellorship of the Duchy, and replaced by Lord Granville to
+    suit Lord John's convenience.]
+
+
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to the Earl of Aberdeen._
+
+BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _26th June 1851._
+
+The Queen has not yet acknowledged Lord Aberdeen's letter of the 24th.
+She is very glad to hear that he will take an opportunity to-day of
+dispelling misapprehensions which have arisen in the public mind in
+consequence of his last speech in the House of Lords, and the effect
+of which has given the Queen very great uneasiness.[39] She knows
+Lord Aberdeen so well that she can fully enter into his feelings and
+understand what he means, but the public, particularly under strong
+excitement of patriotic feeling, is impatient and annoyed to hear at
+this moment the first Minister of the Crown enter into an _impartial_
+examination of the Emperor of Russia's character and conduct. The
+qualities in Lord Aberdeen's character which the Queen values most
+highly, his candour and his courage in expressing opinions even
+if opposed to general feelings of the moment, are in this instance
+dangerous to him, and the Queen hopes that in the vindication of his
+own conduct to-day, which ought to be triumphant, as it wants in fact
+_no_ vindication, he will not undertake the ungrateful and injurious
+task of vindicating the Emperor of Russia from any of the exaggerated
+charges brought against him and his policy at a time when there is
+enough in it to make us fight with all might against it.
+
+    [Footnote 39: The speech of Lord Aberdeen, to which the Queen
+    here refers, had created a very unsatisfactory impression. On
+    the 19th of June the venerable Lord Lyndhurst had denounced
+    the aggressive policy and the perfidy of Russia; in the debate
+    which followed, Lord Aberdeen spoke coldly, in a strain of
+    semi-apology for Russia, and with an unlucky reference to the
+    Treaty of Adrianople. Popular feeling against Russia being
+    then at a white heat, the speech was considered indicative of
+    apathy on behalf of the Government in the prosecution of the
+    war. Accordingly, by moving on a later day for a copy of his
+    own despatch of 1829, relative to the Treaty, the
+    Premier obtained an opportunity of dispelling some of the
+    apprehensions which his speech had excited.]
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: THE RUSSIAN LOAN]
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to the Earl of Clarendon._
+
+BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _27th June 1854._
+
+The Queen observes in Lord Cowley's letter a suggestion of M. Drouyn
+de Lhuys to stop, if possible, the Russian Loan. She thinks this of
+the highest importance as _cutting_ the _sinews_ of war of the enemy.
+The Queen does not know whether we have by law the power to forbid the
+quotation of this stock in our market, but a short Act of Parliament
+might be obtained for the purpose. The London and Paris markets
+rejecting such paper would have the greatest influence upon its
+issue.[40]
+
+    [Footnote 40: Lord Clarendon replied:--"... With reference to
+    your Majesty's note of this morning, Lord Clarendon begs to
+    say that having laid a case fully before the Law Officers, and
+    having ascertained from them that it would be high treason for
+    any subject of your Majesty's to be concerned in the Russian
+    Loan, he will give all possible circulation to the opinion,
+    and he has this evening sent it to Vienna, Berlin, and The
+    Hague...."]
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: INSTRUCTIONS TO LORD RAGLAN]
+
+
+_The Earl of Aberdeen to Queen Victoria._
+
+LONDON, _29th June 1854._
+
+Lord Aberdeen presents his humble duty to your Majesty. The Cabinet
+assembled yesterday evening at Lord John Russell's, at Richmond, and
+continued to a very late hour.[41]
+
+A Draft of Instructions to Lord Raglan had been prepared by the
+Duke of Newcastle, in which the necessity of a prompt attack upon
+Sebastopol and the Russian Fleet was strongly urged. The amount of
+force now assembled at Varna, and in the neighbourhood, appeared to be
+amply sufficient to justify such an enterprise, with the assistance
+of the English and French Fleets. But although the expedition to the
+Crimea was pressed very warmly, and recommended to be undertaken with
+the least possible delay, the final decision was left to the judgment
+and discretion of Lord Raglan and Marshal St Arnaud, after they should
+have communicated with Omar Pasha.
+
+It was also decided to send the reserve force, now in England, of
+5,000 men, to join Lord Raglan without delay. This will exhaust the
+whole disposable force of the country at this time, and renders it
+impossible to supply British troops for any undertaking in the Baltic.
+A communication was therefore made yesterday to the French Government
+to know whether they would be disposed to send 6,000 French troops, to
+be conveyed in English transports, to the Baltic, in order to join in
+an attack upon the Aland Islands,[42] which appeared to be attended
+with no great difficulty; although any attempt upon Helsingfors, or
+Cronstadt, was pronounced by Sir Charles Napier to be hopeless.
+
+    [Footnote 41: The war now entered upon a new phase. Though the
+    land forces of the Allies had hitherto not come into
+    conflict with the enemy, the Turks under Omar Pasha had been
+    unexpectedly successful in their resistance to the Russians,
+    whom a little later they decisively defeated at Giurgevo.
+    Silistria had been determinedly besieged by the Russians,
+    and its fall was daily expected. Yet, under the leadership of
+    three young Englishmen, Captain Butler and Lieutenants Nasmyth
+    and Ballard, the Russians were beaten off and the siege
+    raised. The schemes of the Czar against Turkey in Europe had
+    miscarried.
+
+    Mr Kinglake describes, in an interesting passage, the growth
+    in the public mind of a determination that the Crimea should
+    be invaded, and Sebastopol destroyed. The Emperor Napoleon
+    had suggested the plan at an earlier stage, and the _Times_
+    newspaper fanned popular enthusiasm in favour of it. The
+    improved outlook in the East warranted the attempt being made,
+    but the plan was not regarded with unqualified approval by the
+    commanders of the allied forces in the East. In the speech,
+    already referred to, of Lord Lyndhurst, the project had been
+    urged upon the Government, and Lord Raglan considered that the
+    despatch now sanctioned by the Cabinet, which is printed in
+    the _Invasion of the Crimea_, left him no discretion in the
+    matter.
+
+    The scheme had previously been considered in all its
+    aspects by the Cabinet, and Mr Kinglake gives an exaggerated
+    importance to the fact that some of the members of the Cabinet
+    gave way to sleep while the long draft of instructions was
+    being read to them at the after-dinner Council at Pembroke
+    Lodge.]
+
+    [Footnote 42: Bomarsund, a fortress on one of these islands,
+    was taken by Sir Charles Napier, aided by a French contingent
+    under General Baraguay d'Hilliers, on the 16th of August;
+    but the high expectations raised as to the success of the
+    operations in the Baltic were not realised.]
+
+
+
+
+_The Earl of Aberdeen to Queen Victoria._
+
+LONDON, _30th June 1854._
+
+Lord Aberdeen presents his humble duty to your Majesty. He begs to
+call your Majesty's attention to the circumstance that, in 1842, your
+Majesty was graciously pleased to authorise Sir Robert Peel to declare
+that your Majesty had determined that the Income Tax should be charged
+upon the sum payable to your Majesty under the Civil List Act, and
+that this declaration was received with marked satisfaction. Lord
+Aberdeen humbly presumes that your Majesty will be disposed to follow
+the same course with reference to the augmentation of the Tax; and
+should this be the case, Lord Aberdeen begs to intimate that the time
+for making it known has now fully arrived....
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: HOME DEFENCES]
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to the Duke, of Newcastle._
+
+BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _3rd July 1854._
+
+In consequence of the departure of these additional 5,000 men for the
+East, the Queen feels very uneasy at the very defenceless state
+in which the country will be left, not from any want of confidence
+arising from the present conjuncture of affairs, but from a strong
+sense of the impolicy and danger of leaving this great country in such
+a helpless state under any circumstances, for we never can foresee
+what events may not suddenly spring up at any moment (like Greece,
+for instance[43]) which may require a force to be in readiness for any
+particular purpose.
+
+The Queen therefore wishes the Duke of Newcastle to give her detailed
+answers upon the various points stated in the accompanying paper; but
+the Queen wishes to have the "_effective_ state" and not "the state
+upon paper only." The Duke will be able to obtain these reports from
+the different departments.
+
+What store of muskets are there _here?_
+
+When will the new ones be ready?
+
+What is the force of Artillery left in the country in men and horses?
+
+What amount of troops are there in the country of Infantry (deducting
+the 5,000 men under orders for the East), and of Cavalry, and where
+are they stationed?
+
+How much Militia has been and will be embodied?
+
+What is the Naval Force at home?
+
+How much serviceable ammunition is there both of Artillery and small
+arms in the country?
+
+    [Footnote 43: A violently hostile feeling between the Turks
+    and Greeks had culminated earlier in the year in a formidable
+    insurrection among the Sultan's Greek subjects. It was
+    terminated on the 18th of June by an engagement at Kalampaka,
+    in Thessaly.]
+
+
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to the Earl of Clarendon._
+
+BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _4th July 1854._
+
+The Queen approves the enclosed drafts, and wishes only to remark on
+one passage, where Lord Clarendon says, "that he acts by the unanimous
+desire of the Cabinet," which she thinks better altered or omitted. If
+left, it might weaken the authority of future instructions emanating
+from the Secretary of State alone; moreover, he acts constitutionally
+under the authority of the Queen, on his own responsibility and not
+that of the Cabinet.
+
+
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to the Earl of Aberdeen._
+
+BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _17th July 1854._
+
+The Queen has just received Lord Aberdeen's letter, and has fully
+considered the contents of it. She has finally decided to make no
+change in her intended departure, from a conviction that her doing so
+might shake confidence in the result of this night's Debate. Should
+anything serious occur, she would be ready to return to-morrow or at
+any time that her presence in town was considered of importance to the
+public service.
+
+
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to Lord John Russell._
+
+OSBORNE, _19th July 1854._
+
+The Queen has received Lord John Russell's letter of yesterday, and
+was very glad to hear that both the meeting and the Debate went off so
+well. The party which supports the Government is certainly "a strange
+basis for a Government to rest upon," but such as it is we must
+make the best of it, and nothing will contribute more to keeping
+it together than to give it the impression that the Government is
+thoroughly united.[44]
+
+    [Footnote 44: During a desultory discussion on the 13th of
+    July, Mr Disraeli had assailed the Government and its chief in
+    the Commons, to such purpose that Lord John Russell, stung
+    by his sarcasms, and mortified by his own failure, asked Lord
+    Aberdeen to relieve him of the Leadership of the House. The
+    Queen, to whom he had also written, entreated Lord John not to
+    let his opponent see that his object in making his attack had
+    been successful. A meeting of the Ministerialists was held
+    on the 17th at the Foreign Office, at which one hundred and
+    eighty members of the House of Commons were present, and some
+    diversity of opinion was expressed; the result of the meeting
+    was that the Government was more satisfactorily supported.]
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: INDIAN AFFAIRS]
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to the Marquis of Dalhousie._
+
+BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _26th July 1854._
+
+It is a very long time since the Queen has had the pleasure of hearing
+from Lord Dalhousie, but she supposes that (fortunately) there is very
+little to say, everything being so quiet and prosperous. The Queen
+highly appreciates and values Lord Dalhousie's kind offer to remain
+in India while there is any prospect of difficulty being caused by
+the present War, which will be a source of great satisfaction and
+tranquillity to her, as she feels that her Indian Dominions cannot be
+in safer hands.
+
+The Queen wishes to tell Lord Dalhousie how much interested and
+pleased we have been in making the acquaintance of the young Maharajah
+Dhuleep Singh.[45] It is not without mixed feelings of pain and
+sympathy that the Queen sees this young Prince, once destined to so
+high and powerful a position, and now reduced to so dependent a one
+by her arms; his youth, amiable character, and striking good looks,
+as well as his being a Christian, the first of his high rank who has
+embraced our faith, must incline every one favourably towards him, and
+it will be a pleasure to us to do all we can to be of use to him, and
+to befriend and protect him.
+
+It also interested us to see poor old Prince Gholam Mohammed, the last
+son of the once so dreaded Tippoo Sahib.
+
+We both hope that Lord Dalhousie's health is good, and the Prince
+sends him his kind remembrance.
+
+    [Footnote 45: This young Prince was born in 1838, and was a
+    younger son of Runjeet Singh, Chief of the Sikhs, who, after a
+    loyal alliance with England for thirty years, died in 1839.
+    In 1843 Dhuleep Singh was raised to the throne, which had been
+    occupied successively by Runjeet's elder sons. After the Sikh
+    war in 1845, the British Government gave to the boy-king the
+    support of a British force. In 1849, after the destruction of
+    the Sikh army at Gujerat, and the annexation of the Punjab,
+    a pension was bestowed on the young Maharajah on condition
+    of his remaining loyal to the British Government. He became a
+    Christian and was at this time on a visit to England.]
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: MILITARY APPOINTMENTS]
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to Viscount Hardinge._
+
+OSBORNE, _6th August 1854._
+
+The Queen has received Lord Hardinge's letter of the 4th.[46] She
+would for the future wish all papers for signature to be accompanied
+by a descriptive list showing at a glance the purport of the
+documents, as is done with papers from other Government offices.
+
+The Queen has looked over the lists of Major-Generals made by the last
+brevet which Lord Hardinge submitted, and must confess that it does
+not afford a great choice; yet, leaving out the cavalry officers and
+those disqualified by age or infirmities, there remain some few whom
+she has marked with an "X," for whose exclusion no adequate reason
+is apparent. An exclusion of officers who have served in the Guards,
+_merely on that account_, the Queen would not wish to see adopted as
+a principle, and the selection of Colonels of the Line (because there
+are no Generals fit), in preference to Generals of the Guards who are
+perfectly so, will amount to this. General Eden,[47] moreover, has
+been in command of a Regiment of the Line, and General Knollys[48] has
+not been promoted from the Guards, and, in accepting the Governorship
+of Guernsey, specially begged that this might not exclude him from
+active service--a circumstance which he mentioned to the Prince at the
+time. Both these have the reputation of very good officers.
+
+The Queen does not wish anything to be arranged prospectively now, but
+would recommend the subject to Lord Hardinge's future consideration.
+
+    [Footnote 46: In reply to a letter from the Queen, stating
+    that she had inadvertently signed certain papers in the
+    ordinary course. Her attention had not been drawn to their
+    important features.]
+
+    [Footnote 47: Lieut.-General John Eden, C.B., nephew of the
+    first Lord Auckland.]
+
+    [Footnote 48: Sir William Knollys, K.C.B., 1797-1883, became
+    in 1855 the organiser of the newly formed Camp at Aldershot.]
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: SPECIAL PRAYERS]
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to the Earl of Aberdeen._
+
+OSBORNE, _21st August 1854._
+
+The Queen must repeat what she has frequently done, that she strongly
+objects to these _special_ prayers which _are_, in fact, _not_ a sign
+of gratitude or confidence in the Almighty--for if this is the
+course to be pursued, we _ought_ to have one for every _illness_, and
+certainly in '37 the influenza was notoriously more _fatal_ than the
+cholera had ever been, and _yet no one_ would have thought of having
+a prayer against _that_. Our Liturgy _has_ provided for these
+calamities, and we may have frequent returns of the cholera--and yet
+it would be difficult to _define_ the _number_ of deaths which are
+to _make_ "a form of prayer" _necessary_. The Queen would, therefore,
+strongly recommend the usual prayer being used, and no other, as is
+the case for the prayer in time of War. What is the use of the prayers
+in the Liturgy, which were no doubt composed when we were subject
+to other equally fatal diseases, if a new one is always to be framed
+specially for the cholera?
+
+The Queen would wish Lord Aberdeen to give this as her decided opinion
+to the Archbishop, at all events, for the present. Last year the
+cholera quite decimated Newcastle, and was bad in many other places,
+but there was _no special_ prayer, and _now_ the illness is in
+_London_ but _not_ in any other place, a prayer is proposed by the
+Archbishop. The Queen cannot see the difference between the one and
+the other.
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: CIVIL LIST PENSIONS]
+
+
+_The Earl of Aberdeen to Queen Victoria._
+
+LONDON, _1st September 1854._
+
+Lord Aberdeen, with his humble duty, begs to lay before your Majesty
+the pensions proposed to be granted on the Civil List at this time.
+The only case requiring any special remark is that of the children
+of Lord Nelson's adopted daughter. There seems little doubt that the
+person referred to was really Lord Nelson's daughter, according to
+evidence recently produced, and was recommended by him to the care of
+the country, just before the battle of Trafalgar.[49]
+
+A numerous party in the House of Commons wished that your Majesty's
+Government should propose a special vote for this person and her
+family; but the Cabinet thought that it would give rise to much
+scandal and disagreeable debate, and finally recommended Lord Aberdeen
+to place the three daughters on the Pension List. The circumstances of
+the case are, no doubt, very peculiar; and although Lord Aberdeen does
+not feel perfectly satisfied with the course pursued, he thinks it
+very desirable to avoid the sort of Parliamentary debates to which the
+discussion of such a subject would necessarily give rise.
+
+    [Footnote 49: Horatia, daughter of Nelson and Lady Hamilton,
+    was born on the 29th of January 1801, and married in 1822 the
+    Rev. Philip Ward of Tenterden. She died in 1881.]
+
+
+
+
+_The Emperor of the French to Queen Victoria._[50]
+
+BOULOGNE, _le 8 Septembre 1854._
+
+MADAME ET BONNE S[OE]UR,--La presence du digne epoux de votre Majeste
+au milieu d'un camp francais est un fait d'une grande signification
+politique, puisqu'il prouve l'union intime des deux pays: mais j'aime
+mieux aujourd'hui ne pas envisager le cote politique de cette visite
+et vous dire sincerement combien j'ai ete heureux de me trouver
+pendant quelques jours avec un Prince aussi accompli, un homme doue de
+qualites si seduisantes et de connaissances si profondes. Il peut
+etre convaincu d'emporter avec lui mes sentiments de haute estime et
+d'amitie. Mais plus il m'a ete donne d'apprecier le Prince Albert,
+plus je dois etre touche de la bienveillance qu'a eue votre Majeste de
+s'en separer pour moi quelque jours.
+
+Je remercie votre Majeste de l'admirable lettre qu'elle a bien
+voulu m'ecrire et des choses affectueuses qu'elle contenait pour
+l'Imperatrice. Je me suis empresse de lui en faire part et elle y a
+ete tres sensible.
+
+Je prie votre Majeste de recevoir l'expression de mes sentiments
+respectueux et de me croire, de votre Majeste, le bon Frere,
+
+NAPOLEON.
+
+    [Footnote 50: The French Emperor had established a camp
+    between Boulogne and St Omer, and early in the summer
+    had invited Prince Albert to visit him. It was reasonably
+    conjectured at the time that one of the chief purposes of
+    the invitation was by personal intercourse to overcome the
+    prejudice which the Emperor believed prevailed against him.
+    The visit lasted from the 4th till the 8th of September, and
+    the Prince's impressions were recorded in a memorandum, "the
+    value of which," writes Sir Theodore Martin, by way of preface
+    to his publication of it, "cannot be overstated; nor is it
+    less valuable for the light which it throws upon the Prince's
+    character, by the remarkable contrasts between himself and the
+    Emperor of the French, which were elicited in the unreserved
+    discussions which each seems equally to have courted."]
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: PRINCE ALBERT AND THE EMPEROR]
+
+
+_The Earl of Clarendon to Queen Victoria._
+
+FOREIGN OFFICE, _22nd September 1854._
+
+Lord Clarendon presents his humble duty to your Majesty....
+
+Count Walewski told Lord Clarendon to-day that the Emperor had spoken
+with enthusiasm of the Prince, saying that in all his experience
+he had never met with a person possessing such various and profound
+knowledge, or who communicated it with the same frankness. His Majesty
+added that he had never learned so much in a short time, and was
+grateful. He began his conversation with reproaching Count Walewski
+for not having written to him much oftener respecting the Prince, and
+endeavoured to ascertain the opinions of His Royal Highness upon all
+important subjects.
+
+With respect to the invitation, the Emperor's account of it to
+Count Walewski was that he had apologised to the Prince for the bad
+reception he had given His Royal Highness, and expressed a hope that
+he might have an opportunity of _doing better_ at Paris, if your
+Majesty and the Prince would honour him with a visit; and that His
+Royal Highness had then said, "the Queen hopes to see your Majesty at
+Windsor, and will be happy to make acquaintance with the Empress."
+The Emperor, however, had only taken this as a courteous return to his
+invitation, and not as intended for a positive invitation.
+
+Lord Clarendon told Count Walewski that he believed the matter had
+passed inversely, and that the Prince had first communicated your
+Majesty's message.
+
+Be that as it may, Count Walewski said the Emperor will be delighted
+to avail himself of the Queen's gracious kindness; nothing will give
+him so much pleasure....
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: THE EMPEROR'S VISIT]
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to the Earl of Clarendon._
+
+BALMORAL, _24th September 1854._
+
+The Queen returns the two letters from Lord Cowley. She is very sorry
+to see doubts arise as to the correctness of the intelligence about
+the safe debarkation of our whole expeditionary force in the Crimea,
+but still clings to the hope of its being true.
+
+Count Walewski's account of the Emperor's version of his conversation
+with the Prince explains what the Prince suspected at one time
+himself, that the Emperor had not understood the Prince's remark
+as conveying a _direct_ invitation, but merely as a general term of
+civility. What the Prince intended to convey was something between the
+two, making it clear that he would be well received, and leaving it
+entirely open to him to come or not according to his own political
+views and circumstances. This appeared to the Prince the most polite
+and delicate, preventing all appearance as if a counter-visit for his
+own at Boulogne was expected. Lest the Emperor should not have rightly
+understood the Prince, he repeated the wish to see the Emperor in
+England, and the hope of the Queen to make the Empress's acquaintance
+also, _more directly_ to Marshal Vaillant, who gave the same answer as
+the Emperor had done--he hoped we should come to Paris in return.
+
+Matters stand as well as possible with regard to the visit; in the
+Queen's opinion, the Emperor can come if he likes, and if prevented,
+is bound to nothing. Should he ask when his visit would be most
+agreeable to the Queen, the middle of November would be the time.
+
+
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to the Earl of Clarendon._
+
+BALMORAL, _30th September 1854._
+
+The Queen returns the enclosed letters. The French show their usual
+vivacity in pressing so hard for decision upon what is to be done
+with Sebastopol when taken.[51] Surely we ought to have taken it first
+before we can dispose of it, and everything as to the decision about
+it must depend upon the state in which we receive it, and the opinion
+of the Military and Naval Commanders after they find themselves in
+possession of it. The Queen hopes, therefore, that Lord Clarendon will
+succeed in restraining French impatience as he has often done before.
+
+    [Footnote 51: Lord Clarendon had given the Queen the two
+    reasons for which the French were pressing, in anticipation,
+    the retention of the Crimea, viz. as affording suitable winter
+    quarters, and as a guarantee in case of peace negotiations.
+    On the 7th of September the allied forces had sailed for the
+    Crimea; on the 21st the Queen learned by telegram that 25,000
+    English, 25,000 French, and 8,000 Turks had landed safely
+    without encountering resistance, and begun the march to
+    Sebastopol. The Queen, with her usual kindly solicitude for
+    the health and comfort of her Ministers, had summoned Lord
+    Aberdeen from London to have the benefit of the Scotch air; he
+    remained at Balmoral from the 27th till the 30th, when he went
+    to his own house at Haddo. Immediately after his departure, a
+    telegram arrived from Lord Clarendon announcing the victory of
+    the Alma.]
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: BATTLE OF THE ALMA]
+
+
+_The Earl of Aberdeen to Queen Victoria._
+
+HADDO HOUSE, _1st October 1854._
+
+Lord Aberdeen presents his humble duty to your Majesty. He had the
+honour of receiving your Majesty's box this morning at nine o'clock
+by post; and he now sends a Messenger to Aberdeen, with Despatches
+received this morning from London, to meet the special conveyance to
+Balmoral this evening.
+
+Lord Aberdeen humbly presumes to offer his most cordial
+congratulations to your Majesty on the great intelligence received
+by telegraph this morning. The account sent by Lord Stratford of
+the victory on the Alma must be correct; the report mentioned by Mr
+Colquhoun[52] may possibly be so too. At all events, we may fairly
+hope that the fall of Sebastopol cannot long be delayed.
+
+Lord Aberdeen has written to Lord Clarendon this morning on the
+subject of the fortifications of Sebastopol, which although, somewhat
+embarrassing at the moment, is not attended with any great practical
+importance.
+
+Lord Aberdeen regrets that the speedy return of the post prevents him
+from sending your Majesty a copy of his letter, which in substance,
+however, was to the following effect. Without attaching any undue
+importance to the decision, he was inclined to adhere to his first
+proposition of the immediate and entire destruction of the works.
+He did not see the advantage of doing the thing by halves; while the
+destruction of the sea defences only might give rise to erroneous
+impressions and would be of an equivocal character. The fall of
+Sebastopol would in fact be the conquest of the Crimea, and the Allies
+might winter there with perfect security, as, by occupying the
+lines of Perekop,[53] any access to the Crimea would effectually be
+prevented by land. Lord Aberdeen thought that with a view to peace,
+and the restitution of the Crimea to Russia, it would be more easy
+for the Emperor to accept the destruction of the fortifications when
+accomplished, than to agree to any stipulation having such an object.
+
+On the whole, Lord Aberdeen was inclined to think that if the place
+should not be at once destroyed, it might be better to preserve it in
+its present state, until the matter should be further considered.
+The Allies would always have it in their power to act as they thought
+best, and the question might in some degree be affected by future
+events. The great objection to leaving the matter undecided for the
+present appeared to be from the possibility of differences hereafter
+between France and England upon the subject. After the astounding
+proposition made to Lord Raglan by the French Generals when actually
+embarked and at sea, it would be well to leave nothing in doubt. The
+Turks, too, might perhaps desire to have a voice in the matter, and
+might become troublesome....
+
+    [Footnote 52: Mr (afterwards Sir) Robert Gilmour Colquhoun
+    (1803-1870), Agent and Consul-General at Bucharest.]
+
+    [Footnote 53: A district on the isthmus of Crimea, guarded by
+    a wall and a ditch, the name meaning "Cross-ditch." The whole
+    isthmus is now often called Perekop.]
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: INDIAN AFFAIRS]
+
+[Pageheading: INDIA AND RUSSIA]
+
+
+_The Marquis of Dalhousie to Queen Victoria._
+
+GOVERNMENT HOUSE, _2nd October 1854._
+
+The Governor-General presents his most humble duty to your Majesty,
+and begs to offer his respectful thanks for the very gracious manner
+in which your Majesty has been pleased to acknowledge the offer he has
+made to retain still the Government of India during the ensuing year.
+
+The Governor-General does not affect to say that he makes no sacrifice
+in so doing. Many things unite to warn him that it is time he were
+gone: and his family circumstances, in which your Majesty has long
+shown so gracious an interest, have rendered the prospect of his
+remaining longer absent from England a source of much anxiety and
+perplexity to him. But he felt that this was no time for any man, high
+or low, to leave his post. And as a seven-years' experience must needs
+have rendered him more capable of immediate usefulness than any other,
+though a far abler man, without such experience could possibly be,
+he did not hesitate to offer the continued service which your Majesty
+might most justly expect, and which he is proud to render cheerfully.
+
+Your Majesty's remark on the absence of any letter from the
+Governor-General of late would have disquieted him with apprehensions
+that he had been thought neglectful, but that your Majesty at the same
+time ascribed the silence to its real cause. Since the announcement
+of the termination of the Burmese War there has, in truth, been no
+occurrence which, of itself, seemed worthy of being made the subject
+of a report to your Majesty. India has been tranquil in all her
+borders. And although no event could well be more gratifying than this
+continuous tranquillity was in itself, still the periodical report of
+peace and quiet on all sides seemed likely to be as uninteresting
+as the monotonous, though satisfactory, "All's well" of a ring of
+sentries.
+
+At Christmas the Governor-General anticipated having the honour of
+narrating to your Majesty the events of a year which he hoped would,
+before its close, have been fruitful of great results....
+
+Very recently an interesting mission has arrived from the Khan of
+Kokan, a state to the north of Bokhara, reporting the capture of their
+fort of Ak Mussid by the Russians.
+
+The fact was known before; but the mission is important from the
+certainty it imparts to us that all the Turcomans, the people of
+Kokan, of Khiva, and of Bokhara, all detest as much as they dread the
+Muscovites, with whose approach they are threatened.
+
+The Khan asks for aid. We can render him but little. The only real
+bulwark which can be raised for these states of Central Asia--the only
+real barrier to the progress of Russia which can be set up there--must
+have their foundations in the Treaty, which may be framed by the
+Allied Powers after the present war shall have brought the spirit of
+Russia into temporary subjection.
+
+The war in which your Majesty has engaged with that great Power has
+not been directly felt in this part of your Majesty's dominions; but
+its indirect influence is most sensibly apparent.
+
+The notions entertained of Russia, and the estimate formed of her
+powers, by the nations of India, are exaggerated in the extreme.
+Although our pride must wince on hearing it, it is an unquestionable
+fact that the general belief in India at this moment is that Russia
+gravely menaces the power of England, and will be more than a match
+for her in the end.
+
+This feeling cannot prudently be disregarded. The Governor-General
+need hardly say to your Majesty that he believes that any direct
+attack by Russia on these dominions at the present time is utterly
+impracticable; and that there is no more risk of an invasion of
+India by the Emperor Nicholas than of another by Mahmood of Ghuznee.
+Nevertheless, the uneasy feeling which now prevails among native
+States and among ourselves, partly of alarm, partly of indefinite
+expectation, ought to be guarded against; and the means of meeting any
+difficulties which may arise out of it should be at our command.
+
+Earnestly desirous to contribute every possible aid to your Majesty's
+arms in the great contest now going on in Europe, the Governor-General
+has respectfully placed at the disposal of your Majesty's Ministers
+all the four regiments of Royal Cavalry now serving in India. The
+Infantry is already hardly adequate for our own necessities: and while
+the Governor-General will be quite ready to accept and to face any
+additional responsibilities which he may be called upon to bear, he
+has felt it to be his duty to state that, beyond the four regiments
+of Cavalry, European troops cannot safely be spared from India at the
+present time.
+
+The Governor-General, however, feels that he is not indulging in any
+vain boast when he ventures to assure your Majesty that, under God's
+good blessing, these, your Dominions in the East, are at present
+absolutely safe.... Your Majesty's most obedient, most humble, and
+devoted Subject and Servant,
+
+DALHOUSIE.
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: DEPOSED INDIAN PRINCES]
+
+[Pageheading: MAHARAJAH DHULEEP SINGH]
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to the Marquis of Dalhousie._
+
+BALMORAL, _2nd October 1854._
+
+As the Queen knows that the East India Company are chiefly guided by
+Lord Dalhousie's advice with respect to all Indian affairs in public
+as well as of a more private nature, she thinks that she cannot do
+better than write to him upon a subject which she _feels_ strongly
+upon, and which she is sure that Lord Dalhousie will enter into. It
+is the position of those unfortunate Indian Princes who have, either
+themselves or their fathers, been for public reasons deposed. Two
+instances are now before the Queen's eyes upon which she wishes to
+state her opinion.
+
+The first is old Prince Gholam Mohammed, and his son Prince Feroz
+Shah. The Queen understands (though she is not sure of the fact) that
+the old man is here in order to try to obtain his pension continued
+to his son. This is very natural, and it strikes the Queen to be an
+arrangement difficult to be justified, in a moral point of view, to
+give these poor people--who after _all_ were once so mighty--_no_
+security beyond their lives. Whilst we remain permanently in
+possession of their vast Empire, they receive a pension, which is not
+_even_ continued to their descendants. Would it not be much the
+best to allow them, instead of a pension, to hold, perhaps under the
+Government, a property, which would enable them and their descendants
+to live respectably, maintaining a certain rank and position? The
+Queen believes that Lord Dalhousie himself suggested this principle in
+the case of the Ameers of Scinde.
+
+Nothing is more painful for _any_ one than the thought that their
+children and grandchildren have no future, and may become absolutely
+beggars. How much more _dreadful_ must this be to proud people, who,
+like Prince Gholam, are the sons and grandsons of great Princes like
+Hyder Ali and Tippoo Sahib! Besides it strikes the Queen that the more
+kindly we treat Indian Princes, whom _we_ have _conquered_, and the
+more consideration we show for their birth and former grandeur, the
+more we shall attach Indian Princes and Governments to us, and the
+more ready will they be to come under our rule.
+
+The second instance is that of the young Maharajah Dhuleep Singh (and
+the Queen must here observe that the favourable opinion she expressed
+of him, in her last letter to Lord Dalhousie, has only been confirmed
+and strengthened by closer acquaintance). This young Prince has the
+_strongest_ claims upon our generosity and sympathy; deposed, for _no_
+fault of his, when a little boy of ten years old, he is as innocent
+as any private individual of the misdeeds which compelled us to depose
+him, and take possession of his territories. He has besides since
+become a Christian, whereby he is for ever cut off from his own
+people. His case therefore appears to the Queen still stronger than
+the _former_ one, as he was not even a conquered enemy, but merely
+powerless in the hands of the Sikh soldiery.
+
+There is something too painful in the idea of a young deposed
+Sovereign, once so powerful, receiving a pension, and having _no_
+security that his children and descendants, and these moreover
+Christians, should have any home or position.
+
+The Queen hears that Lord Dalhousie himself would wish and advise his
+pension to be exchanged for a property on which the Maharajah might
+live, which he might improve (giving thereby a most valuable example)
+and transmit some day to his descendants, should he have any; she
+hopes therefore that this may be so settled, and that he may, on
+attaining the age of eighteen, have a comfortable and fitting position
+worthy his high rank.
+
+Where such a property might be must be of course left to Lord
+Dalhousie to decide, but the Queen hopes that Lord Dalhousie will give
+it his serious attention.
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: THE AUSTRIAN PROPOSALS]
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to the Earl of Clarendon._
+
+BALMORAL, _10th October 1854._
+
+The Queen has received Lord Clarendon's letters of the 8th.[54] She
+cannot consider it wise to reject the Austrian proposals _altogether_,
+although we may usefully amend them. The success in the Crimea ought
+to be followed up by strengthening the alliance of the European
+powers, else it may turn out a sterile victory, and the English blood
+will have flowed in vain; for supposing even the whole Crimea to fall
+into our hands, it is not likely that the war will be concluded on
+that account. How are England and France to bring it to a termination
+single-handed? Our Army in the Crimea is the only one we have....
+
+It is true that the Austrian proposal promises little performance on
+her part, yet the stipulation by Treaty that she will never let the
+Russians pass the Pruth again is a positive advantage to us; and the
+other, that a defensive and offensive alliance with us is to follow
+the breaking out of the war by Russia against Austria, although being
+entirely at _our_ expense, yet realises the chief condition which
+will make Austria hesitate less to bring it to a war with Russia.
+She always (and not without reason) dreaded to have to fight Russia
+single-handed, and the allied armies in the Crimea could not assist
+her. What reason could Austria put forward and justify to Prussia and
+Germany, for going to war at this moment? To obtain the evacuation
+of the Principalities was a tangible one, indeed the same _we_ put
+forward when _we_ declared war; but this is now obtained.
+
+We must certainly not allow our policy to be mixed up with the
+miserable German squabbles, but we must acknowledge that Austria, as a
+member of the Confederation, is not and cannot be independent of them.
+
+The Queen would accordingly advise a temperate consideration of the
+Austrian proposals and an amendment of them in those points which seem
+to require them, and which Lord Clarendon clearly points out in his
+letter, and the avoidance of anything which could weaken the _accord
+Europeen_.[55]
+
+The Emperor Napoleon's answer to Lord Cowley with reference to this
+visit to England renders it probable to the Queen that he was not
+anxious to have the general invitation changed into a special one,
+_obliging_ him to come or to refuse. The answer is almost a refusal
+now, and has not improved our position. The Queen would wish that
+no anxiety should be shown to obtain the visit, now that it is quite
+clear to the Emperor that he will be _le bienvenu_ at any time. His
+reception here ought to be a boon to him and not a boon to us.
+
+The Queen fully enters into the feelings of exultation and joy at the
+glorious victory of the Alma, but this is somewhat damped by the sad
+loss we have sustained, and the thought of the many bereaved families
+of all classes who are in mourning for those near and dear to them.
+
+    [Footnote 54: In one of which, in reference to Austria's
+    desire for an offensive and defensive treaty with Great
+    Britain, Lord Clarendon had described the Austrian terms as
+    irritating, and the discussion of them a mere waste of time.]
+
+    [Footnote 55: The Cabinet, at its meeting on the 20th, decided
+    to meet the Austrian proposals in the most conciliatory manner
+    possible.]
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: THE ALMA]
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._
+
+HULL, _13th October 1854._
+
+MY DEAREST UNCLE,--Already far away from my loved beautiful Highlands
+and Mountains, I find a few minutes to write and thank you for your
+kind letter of the 2nd, with such lively and glowing descriptions of
+such glorious and beautiful scenery, which I hope and trust to see
+_some day_. Still, with all its beauties, I would not exchange it for
+our northern beauties, which really they are--for a _lovelier_ country
+with a _more beautiful_ combination of wood and mountain, and river,
+and cultivation with the greatest wildness, at the same time close
+at hand, cannot, I am sure, be seen; Stockmar is in the greatest
+admiration of it. We left it yesterday morning, slept at Holyrood last
+night, and came here this evening; the good people of this large
+port, having since two years entreated us to come here. We shall reach
+Windsor to-morrow.
+
+We are, and indeed the whole country is, _entirely_ engrossed with one
+idea, one _anxious_ thought--the _Crimea_. We have received all the
+_most_ interesting and _gratifying_ details of the _splendid_ and
+decisive victory of the Alma; alas! it was a bloody one. Our loss
+was a heavy one--many have fallen and many are wounded, but my noble
+Troops behaved with a _courage_ and _desperation_ which was beautiful
+to behold. The Russians expected their position would hold out three
+weeks; their loss was immense--the whole garrison of Sebastopol
+was out. Since that, the Army has performed a wonderful march to
+Balaklava, and the bombardment of Sebastopol has begun. Lord Raglan's
+behaviour was worthy of the old Duke's--such coolness in the midst of
+the hottest fire. We have had all the details from young Burghersh[56]
+(a remarkably nice young man), one of Lord Raglan's Aides-de-camp whom
+he sent home with the Despatches, who was in the midst of it all. I
+feel so _proud_ of my dear noble Troops, who, they say, bear their
+privations, and the sad disease which still haunts them, with such
+courage and good humour.
+
+George did enormously well, and was not touched. Now with Albert's
+love, ever your devoted Niece,
+
+VICTORIA R.
+
+    [Footnote 56: Francis, Lord Burghersh, afterwards twelfth Earl
+    of Westmorland (1825-1891).]
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: FRANCE AND AUSTRIA]
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to the Earl of Clarendon._
+
+WINDSOR CASTLE, _5th November 1854._
+
+The Queen has received Lord Clarendon's letter referring to the new
+Draft of a Treaty with Austria proposed by the French Government,
+and has since attentively perused the Treaty itself.[57] Vague and
+inconclusive as it is as to _co-operation_ (which is the main object
+of our desire), it is a step in advance, and has the advantage of
+assuring Austria of our alliance should the war between her and Russia
+break out. The Queen regrets to find a Clause omitted which stood
+in the former French project (rejected by us about three weeks ago),
+stipulating that Austria was to prevent the re-entry of Russia into
+the Principalities. Although she would of her own accord have to do
+this, a treaty obligation towards the _belligerents_ to that effect
+would have made a considerable inroad into her position as a _neutral_
+power, and secured a co-operation in the war--_ad hoc_ at least.
+Austria ought to be told, in the Queen's opinion, that this project
+of treaty contains almost nothing; and that her signing it _at once_
+would give a moral pledge of her sincerity towards the Western Powers,
+who have to pay with the lives of their best troops every day that
+Austria hesitates to do what in the end she must find it in her own
+interest to do.
+
+As to M. Olozaga's proposal,[58] the Queen thinks it ought to be
+treated like all the former ones, viz. met with the remark that we
+cannot discuss eventualities implying the dethronement of a Sovereign
+with whom we are on a footing of amity.
+
+    [Footnote 57: Lord Clarendon wrote that he and Lord John
+    Russell approved of the treaty, but that Lord Aberdeen thought
+    that Austria would not accept it; while Lord Palmerston felt
+    confident that Austria, even if her co-operation were not now
+    secured, would at least not lend her support to the King of
+    Prussia's scheme.
+
+    At this date only partial and misleading accounts had arrived
+    of the battle of Balaklava, and it was believed that four
+    English (not Turkish) redoubts had been taken; and, while the
+    disastrous charge of the Light Brigade had been announced, the
+    success of the heavy cavalry was not yet known. Anxiety began
+    accordingly to be felt at home as to the adequacy of the
+    allied forces to encounter the Russian army, augmented as
+    it now was by the troops which had recently evacuated the
+    Principalities. Accordingly fresh efforts were being made to
+    engage Austria in effectual alliance with the Western Powers.]
+
+    [Footnote 58: The document containing this proposal does
+    not seem to have been preserved among the papers. It was not
+    impossibly a scheme for betrothing King Pedro to the infant
+    Princess of the Asturias, thereby uniting the two Crowns, and
+    bringing about the dethronement of Queen Isabella.]
+
+
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to the Earl of Clarendon._
+
+WINDSOR CASTLE, _9th November 1854._
+
+The Queen returns the letters from Lord Cowley and Count Walewski.[59]
+No consideration on earth ought to stand in the way of our sending
+what ships we can lay hold of to transport French reinforcements to
+the Crimea, as the safety of our Army and the honour of the Country
+are at stake. The Queen is ready to give her own yacht for a transport
+which could carry 1,000 men. Every account received convinces the
+Queen more and more that numbers alone can ensure success in this
+instance, and that without them we are running _serious_ risks.
+
+    [Footnote 59: The Count wrote that France was ready to send
+    20,000 men to the Crimea, if England could furnish transports.
+    Lord Clarendon added: "We have not a single available steamer,
+    as all must be left in the Baltic until the ice sets in, and
+    the stores, ammunition, and clothing for the Army are going
+    out in sailing vessels."]
+
+
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._
+
+WINDSOR CASTLE, _14th November 1854._
+
+MY DEAREST UNCLE,--I am quite shocked to find that I missed writing my
+letter to-day--but really _la tete me tourne_. I am so bewildered and
+excited, and my mind so entirely taken up by the news from the Crimea,
+that I really forget, and what is worse, I get so confused about
+everything that I am a very unfit correspondent. My whole soul and
+heart are in the Crimea. The conduct of our _dear noble_ Troops is
+_beyond praise_; it is quite heroic, and really I feel a pride to
+have _such Troops_, which is only equalled by my grief for their
+sufferings. We now know that there has been a pitched battle on the
+6th, in which we have been victorious over much greater numbers, but
+with great loss on both sides--the greatest on the Russian. But we
+know _nothing_ more, and now we must live in a suspense which is
+indeed dreadful. Then to think of the numbers of families who are
+living in _such_ anxiety! It is terrible to think of all the wretched
+wives and mothers who are awaiting the fate of those nearest and
+dearest to them! In short, it is a time which requires courage and
+patience to bear as one ought.
+
+Many thanks, dearest Uncle, for your kind letter of the 11th, which I
+received on Saturday. The Brabants will soon leave you; I shall write
+to Leo to-morrow or next day, _quand je pourrais un peu rassembler mes
+idees_. I must now conclude, dearest Uncle. With Albert's affectionate
+love, ever your devoted Niece,
+
+VICTORIA R.
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: INKERMAN]
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to Lord Raglan._
+
+WINDSOR CASTLE, _18th November 1854._
+
+The Queen has received with pride and joy the telegraphic news of the
+glorious, but alas! bloody victory of the 5th.[60] These feelings of
+pride and satisfaction are, however, painfully alloyed by the grievous
+news of the loss of so many Generals, and in particular Sir George
+Cathcart--who was so distinguished and excellent an officer.[61]
+
+We are most thankful that Lord Raglan's valuable life has been spared;
+and the Queen trusts that he will not expose himself more than is
+absolutely necessary.
+
+The Queen cannot sufficiently express her high sense of the great
+services he has rendered and is rendering to her and the country, by
+the very able manner in which he has led the bravest troops that ever
+fought, and which it is a pride to her to be able to call her own. To
+mark the Queen's feelings of approbation she wishes to confer on
+Lord Raglan the Baton of Field-Marshal. It affords her the sincerest
+gratification to confer it on one who has so nobly earned the highest
+rank in the Army, which he so long served in under the immortal
+hero, who she laments could not witness the success of a friend he so
+greatly esteemed.
+
+Both the Prince and Queen are anxious to express to Lord Raglan their
+unbounded admiration of the heroic conduct of the Army, and their
+sincere sympathy in their sufferings and privations so nobly borne.
+
+The Queen thanks Lord Raglan for his kind letter of the 28th ultimo.
+
+    [Footnote 60: The English loss at the battle of Inkerman was
+    over 2,500 killed and wounded; the French lost 1,800. The
+    loss of the enemy was doubtful, but the Russian estimate (much
+    smaller than our own) was about 12,000 killed, wounded, and
+    prisoners. The Grand Dukes Nicholas and Michael both fought in
+    the battle.]
+
+    [Footnote 61: Besides Sir George Cathcart, Brigadier-Generals
+    Strangways and Goldie were killed. Sir George Brown was shot
+    through the arm, Major-Generals Bentinck and Codrington, and
+    Brigadier-General Adams were all severely wounded, but not so
+    seriously. Sir de Lacy Evans a few days earlier, being then
+    in shattered health, had had a fall from his horse, and was
+    absent from the battle.]
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: LORD JOHN RUSSELL'S PROPOSAL]
+
+
+_The Earl of Aberdeen to Queen Victoria._
+
+LONDON, _23rd November 1854._
+
+Lord Aberdeen presents his most humble duty to your Majesty. He
+regrets, at a moment of such public interest and importance, to
+trouble your Majesty with domestic difficulties; but he thinks it his
+duty to lay before your Majesty the enclosed correspondence without
+delay.[62] Lord Aberdeen has for some time past expected a proposition
+of this kind, and it is impossible not to see that it may be attended
+with very serious consequences. At first Lord Aberdeen was in doubt
+whether the proposition was made by Lord J. Russell in concert with
+Lord Palmerston; but this appears not to be the case. Much will
+therefore depend on the decision of Lord Palmerston. Should he join
+with Lord John, matters will probably be pushed to extremity; but
+should he decline, Lord Aberdeen does not think that Lord John will
+venture to act alone.
+
+    [Footnote 62: Lord John Russell urged, in this correspondence,
+    that Lord Palmerston should supersede the Duke of Newcastle at
+    the War Office.]
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: MAHARAJAH DHULEEP SINGH]
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to the Marquis of Dalhousie._
+
+_24th November 1854._
+
+The Queen thanks Lord Dalhousie for his long and most interesting and
+satisfactory letter of the 2nd of October.
+
+It is peculiarly gratifying to hear of such quiet and prosperity in
+her vast Indian dominions, in which the Queen ever takes the liveliest
+interest, and at the present moment of intense anxiety, when
+England's best and noblest blood is being profusely shed to resist the
+encroaching spirit of Russia. The heroism of our noble Troops in the
+midst of herculean difficulties and great privations is unequalled,
+and will fill Lord Dalhousie's loyal and patriotic heart with pride
+and admiration. Though entirely concurring in his opinion that Russia
+can undertake no invasion of India, her spirit of encroachment on the
+north frontier must be carefully watched and, if possible, put a stop
+to, when peace is made.
+
+The progress of the railroad will make an immense difference in India,
+and tend more than anything else to bring about civilisation, and will
+in the end facilitate the spread of Christianity, which hitherto has
+made but very slow progress.
+
+The Queen was already aware of the idea formerly entertained by the
+Maharajah Dhuleep Singh of marrying the young Princess of Coorg.[63]
+Agreeing as she does with Lord Dalhousie in the wisdom of advising the
+young man to pause before he makes his choice of a wife, she thinks
+such a marriage between these two most interesting young Christians
+most desirable; indeed, as Lord Dalhousie himself observes, the
+difficulty of any other marriage for either must be great. The young
+people have met and were pleased with each other, so that the Queen
+hopes that their union will, in the course of time, come to pass. Her
+little god-daughter has been here lately, and though still childish
+for her age (she is nearly fourteen) is pretty, lively, intelligent,
+and going on satisfactorily in her education.
+
+Of the young Maharajah, who has now been twice our guest, we can only
+speak in terms of praise. He promises to be a bright example to
+all Indian Princes, for he is thoroughly good and amiable, and most
+anxious to improve himself.
+
+    [Footnote 63: A few years earlier, while still holding his
+    ancestral creed, Dhuleep Singh, had made overtures to the
+    ex-Rajah of Coorg with a view to his betrothal to the eldest
+    daughter of the latter; but at that time the matter was
+    dropped. After becoming a Christian, and having also heard of
+    the baptism of the Princess of Coorg, the Maharajah renewed
+    his proposal, which, however, was not eventually accepted. The
+    Princess married an English officer, and died in 1864, aged
+    twenty-four.]
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: BATTLE OF INKERMAN]
+
+
+_Prince Edward of Saxe-Weimar[64] to Queen Victoria._
+
+CAMP BEFORE SEBASTOPOL, _28th November 1854._
+
+MADAM,--Your Majesty's very kind letter reached me by the last mail. I
+avail myself of your permission to write to you again, although there
+is not much to say since I last wrote to Prince Albert on the 7th or
+8th of this month. I wrote to him soon after the battle of Inkerman,
+when I was still under the excitement of that fearful scene, and I am
+afraid that I made use of expressions that I was afterwards sorry that
+I had done. I believe I made some reflections on our Commanders, which
+are at all times wrong. By this time your Majesty will, of course,
+be in possession of all the details of that fearful day, on which our
+loss was so very great.[65] I made a mistake in stating the number of
+dead in the Grenadiers; it was much larger than I stated. I think we
+must have suffered more than any other Corps, for, on the following
+day, when the roll was called, two hundred and twenty-five men
+were absent; of these one hundred and one were killed, and the rest
+wounded. There cannot be any doubt that we allowed ourselves to be
+surprised, for the first notice we had of the Russians was receiving
+their heavy shot in the camp of the 2nd Division. Nearly all their
+tents were torn by round shot. It is even said that a shell lodged
+in an officer's portmanteau, burst, and, of course, scattered all his
+goods to the winds. Experience has made us wise, or rather Lord Raglan
+wise, for since that day the French and ourselves have been busy in
+entrenching our right; it is now so strong that no enemy can attack us
+there with the slightest chance of success; it is only a pity it
+was not done before. The Turks were chiefly employed making these
+redoubts, which is in fact the only thing they have done except
+burying the dead Russians. Never shall I forget the sight of the dead
+and dying Russians on the field. Some of these poor wretches had to
+lie on the field for at least sixty hours before they were removed to
+the hospital tents; the majority of course died. I am afraid this is
+one of the necessities of war, for we had to remove our own people
+first. I went round the hospitals next morning. It was a horrid sight
+to see the bodies of the men who had died during the night stretched
+before the tents, and to see the heaps of arms and legs, with the
+trousers and boots still on, that had been cut off by the surgeons.
+
+The Russians were so near that most of the officers had to use their
+swords and revolvers. Many single acts of daring took place; among
+others, Colonel Percy,[66] of our Regiment, dashed in front of his
+Company, sword in hand, into a dense body of Russians who were in
+a battery. I was not in the thick of it, but was engaged with an
+outlying picquet on the left of the attack. George was in the very
+thick of it, and, not seeing me, kept asking some of our men where I
+was. They did not know. He tells me that he thought for a long time I
+was killed, and even fancied that he had seen me lying on the ground;
+it turned out later to have been poor Colonel Dawson's[67] body which
+he mistook for me.
+
+On the 14th we had a terrible storm, such a one as, fortunately for
+mankind, does not happen but very rarely. All our tents of course were
+blown down, and we passed the day very uncomfortably; but at sea it
+was terrible. At Balaklava alone more than two hundred and sixty souls
+perished, and eleven ships went down. George will have been able
+to give you a perfect account of it, for, for many hours, the
+_Retribution_ was in imminent danger. I went a few days after the
+storm to see him on board.[68] ... He had a little fever or ague on
+him, but was otherwise well. He has now gone to Constantinople....
+
+May I beg of your Majesty to remember me kindly to Prince Albert and
+the Duchess of Kent. I have the honour, etc.
+
+EDWARD OF SAXE-WEIMAR.
+
+    [Footnote 64: Son of Duke Charles Bernard and Duchess Ida, the
+    latter being a Princess of Saxe-Meiningen and sister to Queen
+    Adelaide. The Prince was at this time Lieut.-Colonel and
+    A.D.C. to Lord Raglan. He was afterwards A.D.C. to the Queen
+    and ultimately Commander of the Forces in Ireland. He died in
+    1902.]
+
+    [Footnote 65: See _ante_, 18th November, 1854, note 60.]
+
+    [Footnote 66: Colonel Henry Hugh Manvers Percy, 1817-1877,
+    whose father afterwards became the fifth Duke of
+    Northumberland. The Legion of Honour, the Medjidie, and the
+    V.C. were all subsequently conferred on him.]
+
+    [Footnote 67: Hon. Thomas Vesey Dawson, brother of the third
+    Lord Cremorne (created Earl of Dartrey).]
+
+    [Footnote 68: In this terrible hurricane the _Prince_, a
+    new and magnificent steamer, with a cargo of the value of
+    L500,000, including powder, shot and shell, beds, blankets,
+    warm clothing for the troops, and medical stores for the
+    hospitals, was lost; six men only of a crew of one hundred and
+    fifty were saved; but the soldiers of the Forty-sixth, whom
+    she was conveying to Balaklava, had happily been landed.
+    Thirty of our transports, as well as the French warship _Henri
+    IV._, were wrecked. A thousand men were lost, and many more
+    escaped drowning, only to fall into the hands of the
+    Cossacks and be carried to Sebastopol. One solitary source
+    of consolation could be found in the circumstance that the
+    tempest did not occur at an earlier period, when six hundred
+    vessels, heavily laden and dangerously crowded together, were
+    making their way from Varna to Old Fort.]
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: THE CRIMEAN MEDAL]
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to the Duke of Newcastle._
+
+WINDSOR CASTLE, _30th November 1854._
+
+The Queen thinks that no time should be lost in announcing the
+intention of the Queen to confer a _medal_ on all those who have been
+engaged in the arduous and brilliant campaign in the Crimea.
+
+The medal should have the word "_Crimea_" on it, with an appropriate
+device (for which it would be well to lose no time in having a design
+made) and _clasps_--like to the Peninsular Medal, with the names
+_Alma_ and _Inkerman_ inscribed on them, according to who had been in
+one or both battles. _Sebastopol_, should it fall, or any other name
+of a battle which Providence may permit our brave troops to gain, can
+be inscribed on other clasps hereafter to be added. The names _Alma_
+and _Inkerman_ should likewise be borne on the colours of all the
+regiments who have been engaged in these bloody and glorious actions.
+
+The Queen is sure that nothing will gratify and encourage our noble
+troops more than the knowledge that this is to be done.
+
+We have just had two hours' most interesting conversation with General
+Bentinck,[69] whose sound good sense and energy make us deeply regret
+that he is not now on the spot; he is, however, ready to go out again
+next year, as Lord Raglan wishes to give him a Division. We hope that,
+after two or three months' rest, he may be able to go out again.
+
+    [Footnote 69: General (afterwards Sir Henry) Bentinck had been
+    wounded at Inkerman; he returned to the Crimea to command a
+    Division.]
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: LORD JOHN RUSSELL]
+
+
+_The Earl of Aberdeen to Queen Victoria._
+
+LONDON, _7th December 1854._
+
+Lord Aberdeen presents his humble duty to your Majesty. He would have
+been desirous of personally submitting to your Majesty the result of
+the meeting of the Cabinet last night; but he was apprehensive that
+his sudden journey to Windsor Castle this morning would give rise
+to speculations and conjectures which, in the present state of the
+Ministry, it is as well to avoid.
+
+Lord Aberdeen thinks he may venture to assure your Majesty that the
+correspondence recently circulated is regarded by all the Members of
+the Cabinet precisely in the same light; and that the propositions
+of Lord John Russell are considered by all as quite untenable. Lord
+Palmerston forms no exception; and, whatever may be his views in
+future, it is clear that at present he contemplates no changes in the
+Government. Lord John was himself fully aware of this unanimity, and
+remained entirely silent with respect to his former suggestions. He
+dwelt in general terms on the absence of vigour in the prosecution
+of the war, and stated his conviction that the same course would
+be observed in future. He referred to his position in the House of
+Commons with much bitterness, and declared that he would never pass
+such another Session of Parliament as the last. He attributed the
+frequent defeats of the Government in the House of Commons to the
+Reform Bill having been withdrawn, by which it was shown that hostile
+attacks might be made with impunity.
+
+It was obvious, however, that the drift of his observations tended to
+the substitution of himself as the Head of the Government rather than
+to any change of Departments; and this he did not deny, when Lord
+Aberdeen pointed out the inference to be drawn from his remarks.
+
+Finally, Lord John said that he had quite made up his mind. He was
+ready to continue in office during the short Session before Christmas,
+and to defend all that had been done; but that he was determined to
+retire after Christmas. An observation being made that it would be
+unconstitutional to go into Parliament with such a determination, he
+replied that, if such was the opinion, he would request Lord Aberdeen
+to convey his resignation to-morrow morning to your Majesty, which, at
+all events, would be perfectly constitutional.
+
+Lord Aberdeen feels it to be his duty to state to your Majesty that,
+whatever may be the real cause, Lord John has made up his mind to act
+in the manner he has announced.
+
+In this situation it is Lord Aberdeen's desire to come to your
+Majesty's assistance by any means in his power. Lord John's defection
+will be a great blow, from which it is very doubtful if the Government
+could recover; but Lord Aberdeen will come to no conclusion or form
+any decided opinion until he shall have had the honour of seeing your
+Majesty.
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: CABINET DISSENSIONS]
+
+
+_Memorandum by the Prince Albert._
+
+WINDSOR CASTLE, _9th December 1854._
+
+Lord Aberdeen arrived yesterday evening, leaving the Cabinet sitting,
+revising the Speech from the Throne.[70] He had come to no decision.
+Sir James Graham and Mr Gladstone had been anxious that he should
+accept Lord John's resignation at once. He himself felt reluctant to
+do anything which might be considered harsh towards Lord John, and
+might make him a martyr hereafter. There was no doubt, however, that
+they could not go on with Lord John. The universal feeling of the
+Cabinet seemed to be one of indignation ... at Lord John's conduct.
+Nobody had expressed himself stronger about it than Lord Lansdowne to
+Lord Clarendon, feeling it, as he said, "quite a necessity to speak
+out." The Chancellor said he owed his political allegiance to Lord
+John as well as his office; but as a man of honour he could not go
+with him. Lord Granville feels the same. Lord Palmerston had written
+a long and very able letter to Lord John, proving the impossibility
+of joining the offices of Secretary at War and Secretary of State for
+War. Lord John had now, however, dropped his proposal altogether,
+and made it quite clear that it was Lord Aberdeen he wished to have
+removed. He said to Lord Palmerston: "When the Cabinet was formed,
+I always understood that Lord Aberdeen would soon give me up my old
+place; it has now lasted more than two years, and he seemed to get
+enamoured with office, and I could not meet the House of Commons in
+the position I was in last Session."
+
+    [Footnote 70: Parliament was to meet on the 12th, chiefly for
+    the purpose of passing a Foreign Enlistment Bill, authorising
+    the immediate enlistment of 15,000 (afterwards reduced to
+    10,000) foreigners, to be drilled in this country.]
+
+In answer to Lord Palmerston's enquiry what he would do, and how he
+could expose the Country to such fearful risks at such a moment, he
+said that he would support the Government out of office. "You will
+support it at the head of a very virulent Opposition," was Lord
+Palmerston's reply; "and when you have succeeded in overthrowing the
+Government, which has difficulty enough to hold its ground even with
+your assistance, what will you say to the Country? Will you say:
+'Here I am. I have triumphed, and have displaced, in the midst of most
+hazardous operations, all the ablest men the Country has produced;
+but I shall take their place with Mr Vernon Smith, Lord Seymour, Lord
+Minto, and others....'"
+
+Sir Charles Wood is the only person who says it is all nothing, and he
+knows Lord John, and it is sure to blow over.
+
+Lord Aberdeen said it is come to a point where this is no longer
+possible, as he laid his ground not only on the position that the war
+had been badly conducted, but that it _would_ be so for the future.
+
+At the Cabinet yesterday a significant incident occurred: Lord John
+asked what should become of Reform. Lord Aberdeen's answer was, that
+it had been set aside on account of the war, and that as the war was
+now raging at its height, it could not be brought on again. Later,
+when they came to the passage about Education, Lord John made an
+alteration in the Draft, adding something about strengthening the
+institutions of the Country. Lord Palmerston started up and asked:
+"Does that mean Reform?" Lord John answered: "It might or might not."
+"Well, then," said Lord Palmerston, with a heat of manner which struck
+the whole Cabinet, and was hardly justified by the occasion, "I wish
+it to be understood that I protest against any direct or indirect
+attempt to bring forward the Reform question again!" Lord John,
+nettled, muttered to himself, but loud enough to be heard by
+everybody: "Then I shall bring forward the Reform Bill at once."
+
+It is evident to me that after this a junction between Lord Palmerston
+and Lord John is impossible, and that it must have been Lord
+Palmerston's object to make this clear to the Cabinet. Lord Aberdeen
+has declared that he is quite willing to yield his post to Lord
+John--but that it would not suffice to have got a head--that there
+must be some Members also, and where are they to be found? He is
+certain that not one of the present Cabinet could now serve under Lord
+John. An attempt to solve the question how the present Government is
+to be maintained, naturally leads everybody to the same conclusion:
+that Lord Palmerston must be substituted for Lord John as the Leader
+of the House of Commons. Disagreeable as this must be ... to Lord
+Aberdeen, and dangerous as the experiment may turn out, we agreed with
+Lord Aberdeen that he should make the offer to him with the Queen's
+consent. An alternative proposed by Lord Clarendon, that Lord
+Aberdeen should ask Lord John what he advised him to do under the
+circumstances, was strongly condemned by me, as depriving Lord
+Aberdeen of all the advantage of the initiative with Lord Palmerston.
+Lord Aberdeen states his great difficulty to be not only the long
+antecedent and mutual opposition between him and Lord Palmerston, but
+also the fact that Lord Palmerston loved war for war's sake, and he
+peace for peace' sake.... He consoled himself, however, at last by the
+reflection that Lord Palmerston was not worse than Lord John in
+that respect, and, on the other hand, gave greater weight to the
+consideration of what was practicable. It remains open for the present
+whether Lord John is to act as the organ for the Government during the
+short Session, and resign afterwards, or to resign now.
+
+ALBERT.
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: LORD ROKEBY]
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to Viscount Hardinge._
+
+WINDSOR CASTLE, _10th December 1854._
+
+The Queen is glad to hear of Lord Rokeby's readiness to go out, as she
+is sure that he will prove himself an efficient officer in command of
+that noble Brigade of Guards.[71]
+
+The Queen must repeat again her opinion relative to General Bentinck.
+She thinks that he ought to go out again, and that, if a division
+were offered to him, he would not hesitate (when he has recruited his
+health) to go out. For the sake of example it would be most desirable,
+for there evidently is an inclination to ask for leave to go home,
+which would be very detrimental to the Army.
+
+    [Footnote 71: Lord Rokeby had on the previous evening been
+    offered and had accepted the command.]
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: LORD JOHN RUSSELL]
+
+
+_The Earl of Aberdeen to Queen Victoria._
+
+LONDON, _16th December 1854._
+
+Lord Aberdeen presents his humble duty to your Majesty. The Cabinet
+met to-day, and discussed various measures, with a view to their
+introduction into Parliament during the course of the ensuing Session.
+In this discussion Lord John Russell took an active part, and must
+have greatly astonished his colleagues, after their knowledge of
+all that had recently passed. Lord Aberdeen had been previously made
+aware, although not by himself, of the change which had taken place
+in Lord John's intentions. After the meeting of the Cabinet, Lord John
+came to Lord Aberdeen, and spoke of the affair of Mr Kennedy,[72] but
+did not seem disposed to advert to any other subject. Lord Aberdeen
+therefore took an opportunity of referring to the correspondence which
+had taken place, and the notice which had been given by Lord John.
+Without any embarrassment, or apparent sense of inconsistency, he at
+once admitted that he had changed his intention, and attributed it
+chiefly to a conversation yesterday with Lord Panmure, who, although a
+great military reformer, had convinced him that the present was not a
+fitting time for his proposed changes.
+
+Lord Aberdeen had not seen any member of the Cabinet this evening
+since the meeting terminated, and does not know how they may be
+affected by this change. Some, he feels sure, will be disappointed;
+but, on the whole, he feels disposed to be well satisfied. It is true
+that there can be no security for a single week; and it is impossible
+to escape from a sense of self-degradation by submitting to such an
+unprecedented state of relations amongst colleagues; but the scandal
+of a rupture would be so great, and the evils which might ensue so
+incalculable, that Lord Aberdeen is sincerely convinced it will be
+most advantageous for your Majesty's service, and for the public,
+to endeavour, by a conciliatory and prudent course of conduct, to
+preserve tranquillity and union as long as possible. This does not
+exclude the necessity of firmness; and in the present case Lord
+Aberdeen has yielded nothing whatever, but he has received Lord John's
+change without resentment or displeasure.
+
+    [Footnote 72: Mr Kennedy (who was remotely connected by
+    marriage with Lord John) had been removed by Mr Gladstone from
+    an office he held. Lord John took it up as a family matter.]
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: THE SCUTARI HOSPITAL]
+
+
+_The Duke of Newcastle to Queen Victoria._
+
+WAR DEPARTMENT, _22nd December 1854._
+
+... The Duke of Newcastle assures your Majesty that the condition
+of the Hospital at Scutari, and the entire want of all method and
+arrangement in everything which concerns the comfort of the Army, are
+subjects of constant and most painful anxiety to him, and he wishes
+most earnestly that he could see his way clearly to an early and
+complete remedy.[73]
+
+Nothing can be more just than are all your Majesty's comments upon the
+state of facts exhibited by these letters, and the Duke of Newcastle
+has repeatedly, during the last two months, written in the strongest
+terms respecting them--but hitherto without avail, and with little
+other result than a denial of charges, the truth of which must now be
+considered to be substantiated.
+
+Your Majesty is aware that the Duke of Newcastle sent out a Commission
+to enquire into the whole state of the Medical Department nearly three
+months ago, and he expects a report very soon.
+
+In the meantime, the Duke of Newcastle will again write in the sense
+of your Majesty's letter to him.
+
+    [Footnote 73: Early in November, a band of capable and
+    devoted nurses, under the superintendence of Miss Florence
+    Nightingale, had arrived at Scutari, the experiment having
+    been devised and projected by Mr Sidney Herbert, who was a
+    personal friend of Miss Nightingale. The party was accompanied
+    by Mr and Mrs Bracebridge, whose letters describing the
+    condition of the hospitals had been sent by the Queen to the
+    Duke of Newcastle.]
+
+
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._
+
+WINDSOR CASTLE, _30th December 1854._
+
+MY DEAREST UNCLE,--Once more, in this old and very _eventful_ year,
+allow me to address you, and to ask you for the continuation of that
+love and affection which you have ever borne me! May God bless you
+and yours in this New Year--and though the old one departs in war and
+blood, may we hope to see this year restore peace to this troubled
+world, and may _we_ meet again also!
+
+With the affectionate wishes of all the children, believe me always,
+your most devoted Niece,
+
+VICTORIA R.
+
+
+
+
+INTRODUCTORY NOTE
+
+TO CHAPTER XXIV
+
+
+At the end of the year 1854, negotiations had been on foot with a
+view to terminating the war, on terms which were known as the "Four
+Points," the third of which was designed to extinguish Russian
+preponderance in the Black Sea; and a conference of the Powers
+ultimately assembled at Vienna for the purpose. Early in 1855,
+Sardinia, under the influence of Cavour, her Premier, joined the
+Western Alliance against Russia. On Parliament re-assembling in
+January, Mr Roebuck gave notice of a motion for the appointment of a
+Committee to enquire into the conduct of the war. Lord John Russell,
+finding himself unable to resist the motion, at once resigned, and the
+Ministry was overwhelmingly defeated by a majority of more than two
+to one. Lord Derby, as Leader of the Conservative Opposition, was
+summoned to form a Ministry, but failed to do so; the age of Lord
+Lansdowne prevented his accepting the Premiership; and Lord John
+Russell, whose action had largely contributed to the defeat of the
+coalition, then attempted the task, but found that he could not
+command the support even of his old Whig colleagues. The Queen
+accordingly desired Lord Palmerston, whom the voice of the country
+unmistakably indicated for the Premiership, to construct a Government;
+he was successful in the attempt, the Cabinet being a reconstruction
+of that of Lord Aberdeen, with Lord Panmure substituted for the Duke
+of Newcastle at the War Office, while Lord John Russell was appointed
+British Plenipotentiary at the Vienna Conference. The new Premier
+desired to prevent the actual appointment of the Committee which Mr
+Roebuck's motion demanded, the displacement of the late Ministry--the
+real objective of the attack--having been effected; but as the House
+of Commons manifested a determination to proceed with the appointment
+of the Committee, the Peelite section of the Cabinet (Sir James
+Graham, Mr Gladstone, and Mr Sidney Herbert) withdrew, and Lord John
+Russell, who was then on his way to Vienna, accepted the Secretaryship
+of the Colonies. Early in March, the Czar Nicholas died suddenly of
+pulmonary apoplexy, and the expectation of peace increased; shortly
+afterwards, the Emperor and Empress of the French paid a state visit
+to this country, and were received with much enthusiasm, the Emperor
+being made a Knight of the Garter.
+
+In February, a determined attack by the Russians upon Eupatoria was
+repulsed by the Turks; the defenders of Sebastopol, however, succeeded
+in occupying and fortifying an important position, afterwards known as
+the "Mamelon." The bombardment was resumed by the Allies in April,
+and a successful attack made upon Kertsch, from which the supplies
+of Sebastopol were mainly drawn; while a squadron under Captain Lyons
+destroyed the Russian magazines and stores in the Sea of Azov. General
+Canrobert was succeeded in the French command by General Pelissier,
+and on the 7th of June the Mamelon was taken by the French. A
+desperate but, as it proved, unsuccessful assault was then made by
+the Allies on the Redan and Malakhoff batteries; at this juncture Lord
+Raglan died, and was succeeded in the command by General Simpson.
+
+The Vienna Conference proved abortive, Russia refusing to accept the
+third point, and though a compromise was proposed by Austria, which
+was favoured by the British and French Plenipotentiaries, their
+respective Governments did not ratify their views. The negotiations
+accordingly broke down, and Lord John Russell, on his return, used
+language in Parliament quite inconsistent with the view which it
+afterwards appeared he had urged at Vienna. He was loudly denounced
+for this, and, to avoid Parliamentary censure, again resigned office.
+
+Among the measures which became law during the session, were those
+for enabling companies to be formed with limited liability, and for
+granting self-government to some of the Australasian Colonies. The
+Committee appointed by the House of Commons held its meetings in
+public (after a proposal to keep its investigations secret had been
+rejected), and, by the casting vote of the Chairman, reported that the
+late Cabinet, when directing the expedition to the Crimea, had had
+no adequate information as to the force they would have to encounter
+there; but a motion to "visit with severe reprehension" every member
+of the Cabinet was parried by carrying the "previous question."
+
+In August, the Queen and Prince Albert paid a return visit to the
+French Emperor, and were received with great magnificence in Paris,
+while later in the year King Victor Emmanuel of Sardinia visited this
+country, and was made a Knight of the Garter. On the 9th of August,
+Sweaborg was severely bombarded by the allied fleets in the Baltic,
+and a forlorn attempt to raise the siege of Sebastopol resulted in
+another decisive success at the Tchernaya, the Sardinian contingent
+fighting with great bravery. Sebastopol fell on the 8th of September,
+after a siege of three hundred and forty-nine days; the citadel of
+Kinburn was bombarded and surrendered in October, after which General
+Simpson retired, in favour of Sir William Codrington. On the other
+hand, the fortress of Kars in Armenia, which had been defended by
+General Fenwick Williams, had to surrender to the Russian General
+Mouravieff, in circumstances, however, so honourable, that the
+officers were allowed to retain their swords, and their General
+received a Baronetcy and a pension of L1000 a year.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIV
+
+1855
+
+
+[Pageheading: THE FOUR POINTS]
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to the Earl of Clarendon._
+
+OSBORNE, _9th January 1855._
+
+THE Queen received Lord Clarendon's box by special messenger yesterday
+evening. The acceptance by Russia of our interpretation of the
+four points[1] is a most clever, diplomatic man[oe]uvre, and very
+embarrassing for us at this moment, before Sebastopol is taken, and
+before Austria has been compelled to join in the war. It leaves us no
+alternative but to meet in conference, which, however, in the Queen's
+opinion, ought to be preceded by a despatch to Austria, putting on
+record our opinion as to the nature and object of the step taken by
+Russia, and the advantages she hopes to derive by it from Austria and
+Germany, and the disadvantages she expects to inflict on the Western
+Powers. As hostilities ought not to be interrupted unless the Russians
+give up Sebastopol and evacuate the Crimea (which would give rest
+and quiet to our poor soldiers), there still remains the hope of our
+getting the place before preliminaries of peace could be signed; and
+in that case a Peace on the four points would be everything we could
+desire, and much preferable to the chance of future convulsions of the
+whole state of Europe. Russia would then have yielded all our wishes
+for the future.
+
+A mere moral defeat, such as Count Buol seems disposed to consider
+as sufficient, would soon prove to have been none at all, and Austria
+would be the Power which, to its cost, would find out (when too late)
+that the preponderance of Russia is by no means diminished.
+
+The Queen has given her permission to Lord John to go to Paris; he
+will find the Emperor as little able to help himself in this stage of
+the business as ourselves.
+
+The Queen is afraid that the news of the Russian acceptance may induce
+our commanders in the Crimea to rest on their oars, and thinks it
+necessary, therefore, that immediate orders should go out, pointing
+out that the early fall of the town is just now more important than
+ever.
+
+The Queen wishes Lord Clarendon to communicate this letter to Lord
+Aberdeen and the Duke of Newcastle.
+
+She returns to Windsor this afternoon.
+
+    [Footnote 1: The celebrated "Four Points" were--
+
+      1. Cessation of the Russian protectorate over Moldavia,
+           Wallachia, and Servia: the privileges granted by the Sultan
+           to the Principalities to be collectively guaranteed by the
+           Powers.
+      2. Free navigation of the Danube.
+      3. Termination of the preponderance of Russia in the Black Sea.
+      4. Abandonment by Russia of her claim over any subjects of the
+           Porte; the Five Powers to co-operate in obtaining from the
+           Sultan the confirmation and observance of the religious
+           privileges of the different Christian communities, and to
+           turn to account in their common interest the generous
+           intentions manifested by the Sultan, without infringing
+           his dignity or the independence of his crown.
+
+    Towards the end of 1854, negotiations as to the Four Points
+    had been proceeding between the Allies and Austria, and on the
+    28th of December the Three Powers had agreed in communicating
+    to Russia a memorandum giving a more exact interpretation of
+    the Four Points. This was agreed upon as the basis on which
+    the Plenipotentiaries were to meet at Vienna to settle the
+    Eastern Question, and to conclude the war.
+
+    Another event, productive ultimately of results of great
+    importance, took place at the end of January. King Victor
+    Emmanuel of Sardinia joined the Western Alliance, and
+    despatched 15,000 men under General La Marmora to the Crimea.
+    This act was inspired by Cavour, the Sardinian Prime Minister,
+    who took the step that Austria hesitated to take, and thereby
+    established strong claims both upon the Emperor Napoleon and
+    Lord Palmerston.]
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: LORD ABERDEEN AND THE GARTER]
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to the Earl of Aberdeen._
+
+WINDSOR CASTLE, _10th January 1855._
+
+Before Parliament meets for probably a very stormy Session, the Queen
+wishes to give a public testimony of her continued confidence in Lord
+Aberdeen's administration, by offering him the vacant Blue Ribbon.
+The Queen need not add a word on her personal feelings of regard and
+friendship for Lord Aberdeen, which are known to him now for a long
+period of years.
+
+
+
+
+_The Earl of Aberdeen to Queen Victoria._
+
+LONDON, _10th January 1855._
+
+Lord Aberdeen presents his most humble duty to your Majesty. He has
+had the honour of receiving your Majesty's most gracious letter, and
+humbly begs to return your Majesty his grateful acknowledgments for
+this mark of your Majesty's continued confidence and favour. When your
+Majesty mentioned the subject to Lord Aberdeen some time ago, he had
+not thought of any such distinction; and perhaps at his time of life,
+and with his present prospects, he scarcely ought to do so. There
+is no doubt that this unequivocal mark of gracious favour might
+strengthen his hands, and especially in those quarters where it would
+be most useful; but the power of misconstruction and malevolence is
+so great that the effect might possibly be more injurious than
+beneficial.
+
+Perhaps your Majesty would be graciously pleased to permit Lord
+Aberdeen to reflect a little on the subject, and to submit his
+thoughts to your Majesty.
+
+Lord Aberdeen entreats your Majesty to believe that in this, as
+in everything else, it is his desire to look exclusively to your
+Majesty's welfare. When he leaves your Majesty's service, your Majesty
+may be fully aware of his many imperfections as a Minister; but he
+trusts that your Majesty will always have reason to regard him as
+perfectly disinterested.
+
+
+
+
+_The Earl of Aberdeen to Queen Victoria._
+
+LONDON, _11th January 1855._
+
+Lord Aberdeen presents his most humble duty to your Majesty. He has
+maturely reflected on the subject of your Majesty's gracious letter
+of yesterday, and he is fully sensible of the very important advantage
+which, in his official position, he might derive from such a public
+and signal proof of your Majesty's confidence and favour.
+
+Although this might naturally give rise to more or less of political
+animadversion, Lord Aberdeen would not hesitate in his decision, if
+the alternative were only between himself and some Peer of high rank
+whose claim consisted in being a supporter of the Government; but Lord
+Aberdeen believes that he may venture to make a suggestion to your
+Majesty, the effect of which would redound to your Majesty's honour,
+and which might not prove altogether disadvantageous to himself.
+
+Lord Aberdeen understands that in consequence of the regulations of
+the Order, Lord Cardigan could not properly receive the Grand Cross
+of the Bath. From his rank and station, Lord Cardigan might fairly
+pretend to the Garter, but his violent party politics would make it
+impossible for Lord Aberdeen, under ordinary circumstances, to submit
+his name to your Majesty for this purpose. At the same time, Lord
+Cardigan's great gallantry and personal sacrifices seem to afford
+him a just claim to your Majesty's favourable consideration; and Lord
+Aberdeen believes that to confer upon him the Blue Ribbon at this
+moment would be regarded as a very graceful act on the part of your
+Majesty. It is even possible that Lord Aberdeen's political opponents
+might give him some credit for tendering such advice.
+
+If therefore your Majesty should be pleased to take the same view of
+this matter, Lord Aberdeen would communicate with Lord Cardigan on his
+arrival in London, and would willingly postpone all consideration of
+your Majesty's gracious intentions towards himself. But Lord Aberdeen
+will venture humbly to repeat his grateful sense of all your Majesty's
+kindness, and his acknowledgments for the expression of sentiments
+which he can never sufficiently value.[2]
+
+    [Footnote 2: Subsequently Lord Aberdeen yielded to the Queen's
+    affectionate insistence, and was installed Knight of the
+    Garter at a Chapter held on the 7th of February.]
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: WELFARE OF THE ARMY]
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to the Duke of Newcastle._
+
+WINDSOR CASTLE, _12th January 1855._
+
+The Queen returns the enclosed despatch to the Duke of Newcastle,
+which she has read with much pleasure, as bringing before Lord
+Raglan in an official manner--which will require official enquiry and
+_answer_--the various points so urgently requiring his attention and
+remedial effort. It is at the same time so delicately worded that it
+ought not to offend, although it cannot help, from its matter, being
+painful to Lord Raglan. The Queen has only one remark to make, viz.
+the entire omission of her name throughout the document. It speaks
+simply in the name of the _People_ of England, and of _their_
+sympathy, whilst the Queen feels it to be one of her highest
+prerogatives and dearest duties to care for the welfare and success of
+_her_ Army. Had the despatch not gone before it was submitted to the
+Queen, in a few words the Duke of Newcastle would have rectified this
+omission.
+
+The Duke of Newcastle might with truth have added that, making every
+allowance for the difficulties before Sebastopol, it is difficult
+to imagine how the Army could ever be _moved_ in the field, if the
+impossibility of keeping it alive is felt in a _stationary camp_ only
+seven miles from its harbour, with the whole British Navy and hundreds
+of transports at its command.
+
+
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to the Earl of Aberdeen._
+
+WINDSOR CASTLE, _13th January 1855._
+
+The Queen has received Lord Aberdeen's letter of the 11th, and has
+since seen Lord John Russell's letter. It shows that the practice
+of the Queen's different Cabinet Ministers going to Paris, to have
+personal explanations with the Emperor, besides being hardly a
+constitutional practice, must lead to much misunderstanding. How is
+the Emperor to distinguish between the views of the Queen's Government
+and the private opinions of the different members of the Cabinet, all
+more or less varying, particularly in a Coalition Government?
+
+The Queen hopes therefore that this will be the last such visit. The
+Ambassador is the official organ of communication, and the Foreign
+Secretary is responsible for his doing his duty, and has the means of
+controlling him by his instructions and the despatches he receives,
+all of which are placed on record.[3]
+
+    [Footnote 3: The cause of Lord John's visit to Paris had been
+    the illness there of his sister-in-law, Lady Harriet Elliot;
+    but he took the opportunity of conferring both with
+    the Emperor and his Ministers on the conduct of the
+    war.--Walpole's _Life of Lord John Russell_, chap. XXV.]
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: LETTER FROM LORD RAGLAN]
+
+[Pageheading: THE COMMISSARIAT]
+
+
+_Lord Raglan to Queen Victoria._
+
+BEFORE SEBASTOPOL, _20th January 1855._
+
+Lord Raglan presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and has the
+honour to acknowledge with every sentiment of devotion and gratitude
+your Majesty's most gracious letter of 1st January, and the kind
+wishes which your Majesty and the Prince are pleased to unite in
+offering to the Army and your Majesty's most humble servant on the
+occasion of the New Year.
+
+The deep concern and anxiety felt by your Majesty and the Prince for
+the privations of the troops, their unceasing labours, their exposure
+to bad weather, and the extensive sickness which prevails among them,
+are invaluable proofs of the lively interest which your Majesty and
+His Royal Highness take in the welfare of an Army which, under no
+circumstances, will cease to revere the name, and apply all its best
+energies to the service of your Majesty.
+
+Lord Raglan can with truth assure your Majesty that his whole time
+and all his thoughts are occupied in endeavouring to provide for the
+various wants of your Majesty's troops. It has not been in his power
+to lighten the burthen of their duties. Those exacted from them before
+Sebastopol are for the preservation of the trenches and batteries; and
+there are many other calls upon the men, more especially when, as at
+present, the roads are so bad that wheeled carriages can no longer
+be used, and that the horse transport is diminished by sickness and
+death, and that the Commissariat, having no longer any sufficient
+means of conveyance at its command, cannot bring up the daily supplies
+without their assistance, thereby adding, however inevitably, to their
+labour and fatigue.
+
+Lord Raglan begs leave to submit, for your Majesty's information, that
+the Allied Armies have no intercourse with the country, and can derive
+no resources from it; and consequently all the requirements for
+the conveyance of stores and provisions, as well as the stores and
+provisions themselves, must be imported. Such a necessity forms in
+itself a difficulty of vast magnitude, which has been greatly felt by
+him, and has been productive of the most serious consequences to the
+comfort and welfare of the Army.
+
+The coffee sent from Constantinople has been received and issued
+to the troops green, the Commissariat having no means whatever of
+roasting it. Very recently, however, an able officer of the Navy,
+Captain Heath of the _Sanspareil_, undertook to have machines made by
+the engineers on board his ship for roasting coffee; and in this he
+has succeeded, but they have not yet produced as much as is required
+for the daily consumption.
+
+The Commissary-General applied to the Treasury for roasted coffee
+three months ago. None has as yet arrived. A very large amount of warm
+clothing has been distributed, and your Majesty's soldiers, habited in
+the cloaks of various countries, might be taken for the troops of any
+nation as well as those of England.
+
+Huts have arrived in great abundance, and as much progress is made in
+getting them up as could be hoped for, considering that there has been
+a very heavy fall of snow, and that a thaw has followed it, and the
+extremely limited means of conveyance at command.
+
+Much having been said, as Lord Raglan has been given to understand, in
+private letters, of the inefficiency of the officers of the Staff, he
+considers it to be due to your Majesty, and a simple act of justice to
+those individuals, to assure your Majesty that he has every reason
+to be satisfied with their exertions, their indefatigable zeal, and
+undeviating, close attention to their duties, and he may be permitted
+to add that the horse and mule transport for the carriage of
+provisions and stores are under the charge of the Commissariat, not of
+the Staff, and that the Department in question engages the men who are
+hired to take care of it, and has exclusive authority over them.
+
+Lord Raglan transmitted to the Duke of Newcastle, in the month of
+December, the report of a Medical Board, which he caused to assemble
+at Constantinople for the purpose of ascertaining the state of health
+of the Duke of Cambridge. The report evidently showed the necessity of
+His Royal Highness's return to England for its re-establishment.
+This, Lord Raglan knows, was the opinion of the Honourable
+Lieutenant-Colonel Macdonald,[4] whose attention and devotion to
+His Royal Highness could not be surpassed, and who was himself very
+anxious to remain with the Army.
+
+The Duke, however, has not gone further than Malta, where, it is said,
+his health has not improved.
+
+    [Footnote 4: The Hon. James Bosville Macdonald [1810-1882],
+    son of the third Baron Macdonald, A.D.C., Equerry and Private
+    Secretary to the Duke of Cambridge.]
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: THE ARMY BOARD]
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to the Earl of Aberdeen._
+
+WINDSOR CASTLE, _22nd January 1855._
+
+The Queen has received Lord Aberdeen's letter of yesterday, giving an
+account of the proceedings of the last Cabinet....
+
+The Queen is quite prepared to sanction the proposal of constituting
+the Secretary of State for War, the Commander-in-Chief, the
+Master-General of the Ordnance, and the Secretary at War, a Board on
+the affairs of the Army, which promises more unity of action in
+these Departments, and takes notice of the fact that the powers and
+functions of the Commander-in-Chief are not to be changed. As these,
+however, rest entirely on tradition, and are in most cases ambiguous
+and undefined, the Queen would wish that they should be clearly
+defined, and this the more so as she transacts certain business
+directly with him, and ought to be secured against getting into any
+collision with the Secretary of State, who also takes her pleasure,
+and gives orders to the Commander-in-Chief. She would further ask to
+be regularly furnished with the Minutes of the proceedings of the new
+Board, in order to remain acquainted with what is going on.
+
+Unless, however, the Militia be made over to the direction of the
+Secretary of State for _War_, our Army system will still remain very
+incomplete. The last experience has shown that the Militia will have
+to be looked upon as the chief source for recruiting the Army, and
+this will never be done harmoniously and well, unless they both be
+brought under the same control.
+
+With reference to the Investiture of the Garter, the Queen need not
+assure Lord Aberdeen that there are few, if any, on whom she will
+confer the Blue Ribbon with greater pleasure than on so kind and
+valued a friend as he is to us both.
+
+
+
+
+_Lord John Russell to Queen Victoria._
+
+CHESHAM PLACE, _24th January 1855._
+
+Lord John Russell presents his humble duty to your Majesty; he has had
+the honour of receiving your Majesty's gracious invitation to Windsor
+Castle. He would have waited upon your Majesty this day had he not
+been constrained by a sense of duty to write to Lord Aberdeen last
+night a letter of which he submits a copy.
+
+Lord John Russell trusts your Majesty will be graciously pleased to
+comply at once with his request. But he feels it would be right to
+attend your Majesty's farther commands before he has the honour of
+waiting upon your Majesty.
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: MR. ROEBUCK'S MOTION]
+
+
+[_Enclosure in previous Letter._]
+
+_Lord John Russell to the Earl of Aberdeen._
+
+CHESHAM PLACE, _23rd January 1855._
+
+MY DEAR LORD ABERDEEN,--Mr Roebuck has given notice of a Motion to
+enquire into the conduct of the war. I do not see how this Motion is
+to be resisted. But as it involves a censure of the War Departments
+with which some of my colleagues are connected, my only course is to
+tender my resignation.
+
+I therefore have to request you will lay my humble resignation of the
+office, which I have the honour to hold, before the Queen, with the
+expression of my gratitude for Her Majesty's kindness for many years.
+I remain, my dear Lord Aberdeen, yours very truly,
+
+J. RUSSELL.
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: LORD JOHN RUSSELL RESIGNS]
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to Lord John Russell._
+
+WINDSOR CASTLE, 24th _January 1855._
+
+The Queen has this moment received Lord John Russell's letter and
+enclosure, and must express to him her surprise and concern at hearing
+so abruptly of his intention to desert her Government on the Motion of
+Mr Roebuck.
+
+
+
+
+_Memorandum by the Prince Albert._
+
+WINDSOR CASTLE, _25th January 1855._
+
+Yesterday evening Lord Aberdeen came down here. He had heard that Lord
+John had written to the Queen, and she showed him the correspondence.
+He then reported that Lord John's letter to him had come without the
+slightest notice and warning, and whatever the cause for it might be,
+the object could only be to upset the Government. Upon receiving it,
+he had sent for the Duke of Newcastle and shown it to him. The Duke
+at once proposed, that as a sacrifice seemed to be required to appease
+the public for the want of success in the Crimea, he was quite ready
+to be that sacrifice, and entreated that Lord Aberdeen would put his
+office into the hands of Lord Palmerston, who possessed the confidence
+of the nation; Lord Aberdeen should propose this at once to the
+Cabinet, he himself would support the Government _out_ of office like
+_in_ office. Lord Aberdeen then went to Lord Palmerston to communicate
+to him what had happened, and ascertain his feelings. Lord Palmerston
+was disgusted at Lord John's behaviour,[5] and did not consider
+himself the least bound to be guided by him; he admitted that
+somehow or other the Public had a notion that he would manage the War
+Department better than anybody else; as for himself, he did not expect
+to do it half so well as the Duke of Newcastle, but was prepared to
+try it, not to let the Government be dissolved, which at this moment
+would be a real calamity for the country.
+
+    [Footnote 5: Lord Palmerston wrote him a most scathing letter
+    on the subject.]
+
+The Cabinet met at two o'clock, and Lord Aberdeen laid the case
+before it. The Duke then made his proposal, and was followed by Lord
+Palmerston, who stated pretty much the same as he had done in the
+morning, upon which Sir George Grey said it did both the Duke and Lord
+Palmerston the highest honour, but he saw no possibility of resisting
+Mr Roebuck's Motion without Lord John; Sir Charles Wood was of the
+same opinion. Lord Clarendon proposed that, as the Duke had given
+up his Department to Lord Palmerston, Lord John might be induced to
+remain; but this was at once rejected by Lord Aberdeen on the ground
+that they might be justified in sacrificing the Duke to the wishes
+of the Country, but they could not to Lord John, with any degree of
+honour. The upshot was, that the Whig Members of the Cabinet, not
+being inclined to carry on the Government (including Lord Lansdowne),
+they came to the unanimous determination to tender their resignations.
+
+The Queen protested against this, as exposing her and the Country to
+the greatest peril, as it was impossible to change the Government at
+this moment without deranging the whole external policy in diplomacy
+and war, and there was nobody to whom the reins could be confided.
+Lord Derby and his party would never have done, but now he had allied
+himself with Lord Ellenborough, who was determined to have the conduct
+of the war....
+
+Lord Aberdeen thought yet, that on him[6] devolved the responsibility
+of replacing what he wantonly destroyed. The Queen insisted, however,
+that Lord Aberdeen should make one appeal to the Cabinet to stand by
+her, which he promised to do to the best of his ability, but without
+hope of success. The Cabinet will meet at twelve o'clock to-day, but
+at five the Ministers will have to announce their determination to the
+Houses of Parliament, as Mr Roebuck's Motion stands for that hour.
+
+ALBERT.
+
+    [Footnote 6: _I.e._, Lord John Russell.]
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: LORD JOHN'S JUSTIFICATION]
+
+
+_Lord John Russell to Queen Victoria._
+
+CHESHAM PLACE, _25th January 1855._
+
+Lord John Russell presents his humble duty to your Majesty. He has
+received with deep regret the imputations of deserting the Government.
+
+Lord John Russell, after being at the head of the Ministry for more
+than five years, and being then the leader of a great party, consented
+to serve under Lord Aberdeen, and served for more than a year and a
+half without office.
+
+After sacrificing his position and his reputation for two years, he
+has come to the conclusion that it would not be for the benefit of
+the country to resist Mr Roebuck's Motion. But it is clear that the
+enquiry he contemplates could not be carried on without so weakening
+the authority of the Government that it could not usefully go on.
+
+In these circumstances Lord John Russell has pursued the course which
+he believes to be for the public benefit.
+
+With the most sincere respect for Lord Aberdeen, he felt he could
+not abandon his sincere convictions in order to maintain the
+Administration in office.
+
+It is the cause of much pain to him that, after sacrificing his
+position in order to secure your Majesty's service from interruption,
+he should not have obtained your Majesty's approbation.
+
+
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to Lord John Russell._
+
+WINDSOR CASTLE, _25th January 1855._
+
+The Queen has received Lord John Russell's letter of to-day in
+explanation of his resignation. She has done full justice to the
+high-minded and disinterested manner in which Lord John sacrificed
+two years ago his position as former Prime Minister and as Leader of a
+great party, in consenting to serve under Lord Aberdeen, and hopes she
+has sufficiently expressed this to him at the time. He will since
+have found a further proof of her desire to do anything which could
+be agreeable to him in his position, by cheerfully agreeing to all the
+various changes of offices which he has at different times wished
+for. If Lord John will consider, however, the moment which he has
+now chosen to leave her Government, and the abrupt way in which his
+unexpected intention of agreeing in a vote implying censure of the
+Government was announced to her, he cannot be surprised that she could
+not express her approbation.
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: LORD JOHN'S INDIGNATION]
+
+
+_Memorandum by Queen Victoria._
+
+WINDSOR CASTLE, _25th January 1855._
+
+Lord Aberdeen arrived at six o'clock to report the result of the
+meeting of the Cabinet, which was so far satisfactory that they
+agreed upon retaining office at present for the purpose of meeting Mr
+Roebuck's Motion. They expect (most of them, at least) to be beat and
+to have to resign, but they think it more honourable to be driven out
+than to run away. They will meet Parliament therefore without making
+any changes in the offices. Lord Aberdeen and the Duke of Newcastle
+fancy even that they will have a chance of defeating Mr Roebuck's
+Motion. Sir George Grey has declared, however, that, perfectly willing
+as he is not to desert his post at this moment, he will consider
+himself at liberty to resign even after success, as he thinks the
+Government has no chance of standing with Lord John in Opposition.
+The other Whigs would in that case very likely do the same, and the
+Government come to an end in this way; but it is not impossible that
+Sir George Grey may be prevailed upon by the Queen to stay. Much must
+depend upon the nature of the Debate.
+
+Lord Aberdeen seems to have put the Queen's desire that the Cabinet
+should reconsider their former decision in the strongest words, which
+seems to have brought about the present result. He saw Lord John this
+morning who, though personally civil towards himself, was very much
+excited and very angry at a letter which he had received from the
+Queen. He said he would certainly vote with Mr Roebuck. The Houses are
+to be adjourned to-day, and the whole discussion comes on to-morrow.
+Lord Aberdeen brought a copy of a letter Lord Palmerston had written
+to Lord John. The Peelites in the Cabinet, viz. the Dukes of Newcastle
+and Argyll, Sir J. Graham, Mr Gladstone, and Mr S. Herbert, seem to be
+very bitter against Lord John, and determined to oppose him should
+he form a Government, whilst they would be willing to support a Derby
+Government.
+
+VICTORIA R.
+
+
+
+
+_Lord John Russell to Queen Victoria._
+
+CHESHAM PLACE, _26th January 1855._
+
+Lord John Russell presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and is
+very grateful for your Majesty's communication of yesterday.
+
+He confesses his resignation was very abrupt, but it is the
+consequence of many previous discussions in which his advice had been
+rejected or overruled.
+
+Lord John Russell acknowledges the repeated instances of your
+Majesty's goodness in permitting him to leave the Foreign Office,
+and subsequently to serve without office as Leader of the House
+of Commons. These changes, however, were not made without due
+consideration. To be Leader of the House of Commons and Foreign
+Secretary is beyond any man's strength. To continue for a long time
+Leader without an office becomes absurd. Lord Aberdeen at first
+meant his own continuance in office to be short, which justified the
+arrangement.
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: MR ROEBUCK'S MOTION]
+
+
+_Viscount Palmerston to Queen Victoria._[7]
+
+144 PICCADILLY, _26th January 1855._
+
+Viscount Palmerston presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and begs
+to state that Lord John Russell having made his statement, concluding
+with an announcement that he did not mean to vote on Mr Roebuck's
+Motion, and Viscount Palmerston having made a few remarks on that
+statement, Mr Roebuck rose to make his Motion; but the paralytic
+affection under which he has for some time laboured soon overpowered
+him, and before he had proceeded far in his speech he became so unwell
+that he was obliged to finish abruptly, make his Motion, and sit down.
+
+Mr Sidney Herbert, who was to reply to Mr Roebuck, rose therefore
+under great disadvantage, as he had to reply to a speech which had not
+been made; but he acquitted himself with great ability, and made an
+excellent statement in explanation and defence of the conduct of the
+Government. He was followed by Mr Henry Drummond,[8] Colonel North
+for the Motion, Mr Monckton Milnes against it; Lord Granby who, in
+supporting the Motion, praised and defended the Emperor of Russia; Mr
+Layard, who in a speech of much animation, gave very strong reasons
+to show the great impropriety of the Motion, and ended by saying he
+should vote for it; Sir George Grey, who made a spirited and excellent
+speech; Mr Walpole, who supported the Motion and endeavoured, but
+fruitlessly, to establish a similarity between the enquiry proposed by
+Mr Roebuck and the enquiry in a Committee of the whole House into the
+conduct of the Walcheren Expedition when the operation was over and
+the Army had returned to England. Mr Vernon Smith declared that his
+confidence in the Government had been confined to three Members--Lord
+Lansdowne, Lord John Russell, and Lord Palmerston--and that it was
+greatly diminished by the retirement of Lord John Russell. Colonel
+Sibthorp,[9] Sir John Fitzgerald, and Mr Knightley[10] followed, and
+Mr Disraeli having said that his side of the House required that the
+Debate should be adjourned, an adjournment to Monday was agreed to;
+but Viscount Palmerston, in consenting to the adjournment, expressed a
+strong hope that the Debate would not be protracted beyond that night.
+
+Viscount Palmerston regrets to say that the general aspect of the
+House was not very encouraging.
+
+    [Footnote 7: His first letter to the Queen as Leader of the
+    House of Commons.]
+
+    [Footnote 8: M.P. for West Surrey.]
+
+    [Footnote 9: Sibthorp, whose name is almost forgotten, earned
+    some fame as an opponent of the Exhibition of 1851, and
+    remained faithful to Protection, after Lord Derby and his
+    party had dropped it. His beard, his eye-glass, and his
+    clothes were a constant subject for the pencil of Leech.]
+
+    [Footnote 10: Mr (afterwards Sir) Reginald Knightley, M.P. for
+    South Northamptonshire, 1852-1892. In the latter year he was
+    created Lord Knightley of Fawsley.]
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: THE DEBATE]
+
+
+_The Earl of Aberdeen to Queen Victoria._
+
+LONDON, _27th January 1855._
+
+Lord Aberdeen presents his humble duty to your Majesty. It is probable
+that your Majesty may have heard from Lord Palmerston some account
+of the debate in the House of Commons last night; but perhaps your
+Majesty may not object to learn the impressions which Lord Aberdeen
+has received on the present state of affairs both in and out of the
+House.
+
+There can be no doubt that Lord John Russell has injured his position
+by the course which he has pursued. His own friends having remained in
+the Cabinet, is his practical condemnation. He made a very elaborate
+and dexterous statement; but which, although very plausible, did not
+produce a good effect. It had been decided that he should be followed
+by Mr Gladstone, who was in full possession of the subject; but at the
+Cabinet yesterday held before the meeting of the House, it was decided
+that Lord Palmerston should follow Lord John, in order to prevent the
+appearance of a division in the Cabinet between the Whig and Peelite
+Members. As Lord Palmerston was to act as Leader of the House, the
+substitution of Mr Gladstone would have appeared strange. But the
+decision was unfortunate, for by all accounts the speech of Lord
+Palmerston was singularly unsuccessful.
+
+In the debate which followed, the impression in the House was strongly
+against the War Department; and the indications which occasionally
+appeared of the possibility of Lord Palmerston filling that office
+were received with great cordiality. Sir George Grey made an excellent
+speech, and his censure must have been deeply felt by Lord John.
+
+Lord Aberdeen has waited until the Cabinet had met to-day before he
+had the honour of writing to your Majesty, in order that he might
+learn the impressions and opinions of the Members, especially of those
+who are in the House of Commons. All agree that if the division had
+taken place last night, Mr Roebuck's Motion would have been carried by
+a large majority. This still seems to be the prevailing opinion, but
+there is considerable difference. The Motion is so objectionable and
+so unconstitutional that delay is likely to be favourable to those who
+oppose it. A little reflection must produce considerable effect. Lord
+Aberdeen sees that Mr Gladstone is preparing for a great effort, and
+he will do whatever can be effected by reason and eloquence.
+
+It is said that Lord Derby shows some reluctance to accept the
+responsibility of overthrowing the Government; but the part taken last
+night by Mr Walpole, and the notice of a Motion in the House of Lords
+by Lord Lyndhurst, would appear to denote a different policy. The
+result of the Division on Monday will depend on the course adopted by
+his friends, _as a party_. It is said that Mr Disraeli has signified a
+difference of opinion from Mr Walpole.
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: DEFEAT OF THE MINISTRY]
+
+
+_Viscount Palmerston to Queen Victoria._
+
+144 PICCADILLY, _30th January 1855._
+
+(2 A.M.)
+
+Viscount Palmerston presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and
+begs to state that Mr Roebuck's Motion has been carried by 305 to 148,
+being a majority of 157 against the Government, a great number of the
+Liberal party voting in the majority.
+
+The debate was begun by Mr Stafford,[11] who gave a very interesting
+but painful account of the mismanagement which he had witnessed in the
+Hospitals at Scutari and Sebastopol, while he gave due praise to the
+conduct of His Royal Highness the Duke of Cambridge toward the men
+under his command, and related the cheering effect produced by your
+Majesty's kind letter, when read by him to the invalids in Hospital.
+He was followed by Mr Bernal Osborne,[12] who found fault with all
+the military arrangements at home, and with the system under which
+Commissions in the Army are bought and sold, but who declared that he
+should vote against the Motion.
+
+Mr Henley then supported the Motion, directing his attack chiefly
+against the management of the Transport Service.
+
+Admiral Berkeley,[13] in reply, defended the conduct of the Admiralty.
+Major Beresford supported the Motion, but defended Lord Raglan against
+the attacks of the newspapers. Mr. Rice, Member for Dover, opposed the
+Motion. Mr Miles[14] found fault with the Commissariat, and supported
+the Motion, saying that the proposed enquiry would apply a remedy to
+the evils acknowledged to exist in the Army in the Crimea; and Sir
+Francis Baring, after ably pointing out the inconveniences of the
+proposed Committee, said he should vote against it, as tending to
+prevent those evils from being remedied. Mr Rich criticised the
+composition of the Ministry, and the conduct of the war, and supported
+the Motion as a means of satisfying public opinion. Sir Edward Lytton
+Bulwer supported the Motion in a speech of considerable ability, and
+was replied to by Mr Gladstone in a masterly speech, which exhausted
+the subject, and would have convinced hearers who had not made up
+their minds beforehand.
+
+He was followed by Mr Disraeli, who in the course of his speech made
+use of some expressions in regard to Lord John Russell, which drew
+from Lord John some short explanations as to the course which he
+had pursued. Viscount Palmerston then made some observations on
+the Motion, and, after a few words from Mr Muntz,[15] Mr Thomas
+Duncombe[16] asked Mr Roebuck whether, if he carried his Motion,
+he really meant to name and appoint the Committee and prosecute the
+enquiry, saying that he hoped and trusted that such was Mr Roebuck's
+intention. Mr Roebuck declared that he fully meant to do so, and after
+a short speech from Mr Roebuck, who lost the thread of his argument in
+one part of what he said, the House proceeded to a division.
+
+The Conservative Party abstained, by order from their Chiefs, from
+giving the cheer of triumph which usually issues from a majority after
+a vote upon an important occasion....
+
+    [Footnote 11: Augustus Stafford (formerly Stafford O'Brien),
+    Secretary of the Admiralty in the Derby Ministry of 1852.]
+
+    [Footnote 12: Secretary of the Admiralty, who, contrary to
+    modern practice, criticised on this occasion the action of his
+    own colleagues.]
+
+    [Footnote 13: Maurice Frederick Fitzhardinge Berkeley,
+    1788-1867, M.P. for Gloucester 1831-1857.]
+
+    [Footnote 14: M.P. for Bristol.]
+
+    [Footnote 15: M.P. for Birmingham.]
+
+    [Footnote 16: M.P. for Finsbury.]
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: LORD ABERDEEN RESIGNS]
+
+[Pageheading: LORD DERBY SUMMONED]
+
+
+_Memorandum by Queen Victoria._
+
+WINDSOR CASTLE, _30th January 1855._
+
+Lord Aberdeen arrived here at three. He came from the Cabinet, and
+tendered their unanimous resignation. Nothing could have been better,
+he said, than the feeling of the members towards each other. Had it
+not been for the incessant attempts of Lord John Russell to keep
+up Party differences, it must be confessed that the experiment of a
+coalition has succeeded admirably. We discussed future possibilities,
+and agreed that there remained nothing to be done but to offer the
+Government to Lord Derby, whose Party was numerically the strongest,
+and had carried the Motion. He supposed Lord Derby would be prepared
+for it, although he must have great difficulties, unless he took in
+men from other Parties, about which, however, nothing could be known
+at present.
+
+Lord Aberdeen means to behave more generously to Lord Derby than he
+had done to him, and felt sure that his colleagues would feel a desire
+to support the Queen's new Government.
+
+He said Lord Grey's plan[17] had not met with the approbation of the
+House of Lords. The indignation at Lord John's conduct on all sides
+was strongly on the increase.
+
+Lord Aberdeen was much affected at having to take leave of us.
+
+VICTORIA R.
+
+    [Footnote 17: For concentrating in a single department the
+    business connected with the administration of the Army.]
+
+
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to the Earl of Derby._
+
+WINDSOR CASTLE, _30th January 1855._
+
+The Queen would wish to see Lord Derby at Buckingham Palace (whither
+she is going for a few hours) to-morrow at half-past eleven.
+
+
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to the Duke of Newcastle._
+
+BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _31st January 1855._
+
+The Queen has just received the Duke of Newcastle's letter.
+
+She readily grants him the permission he asks,[18] and seizes this
+opportunity of telling him how much she feels for him during this
+trying time, and what a high sense she shall ever entertain of
+his loyal, high-minded, and patriotic conduct, as well as of his
+unremitting exertions to serve his Sovereign and Country.
+
+    [Footnote 18: The Duke, in order to refute Lord John Russell,
+    asked leave to state what had passed in the Cabinet.]
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: INTERVIEW WITH LORD DERBY]
+
+[Pageheading: THE LEADERSHIP]
+
+
+_Memorandum by Queen Victoria._
+
+WINDSOR CASTLE, _31st January 1855._
+
+We went up to Buckingham Palace and saw Lord Derby at half-past
+eleven. The Queen informed him of the resignation of the Government,
+and of her desire that he should try to form a new one. She addressed
+herself to him as the head of the largest Party in the House of
+Commons, and which had by its vote chiefly contributed to the
+overthrow of the Government. Lord Derby threw off this responsibility,
+saying that there had been no communication with Mr Roebuck, but that
+his followers could not help voting when Lord John Russell told them
+on authority that there was the most ample cause for enquiry, and the
+whole country cried out for it. Moreover, the Government, in meeting
+the Motion, laid its chief stress upon its implying a want of
+confidence in the Government--a confidence which they certainly did
+not enjoy. He owned that his Party was the most compact--mustering
+about two hundred and eighty men--but he had no men capable of
+governing the House of Commons, and he should not be able to present
+an Administration that would be accepted by the country unless it was
+strengthened by other combinations; he knew that the whole country
+cried out for Lord Palmerston as the only man fit for carrying on
+the war with success, and he owned the necessity of having him in the
+Government, were it even only to satisfy the French Government, the
+confidence of which was at this moment of the greatest importance;
+but he must say, speaking without reserve, that whatever the ignorant
+public might think, Lord Palmerston was totally unfit for the task. He
+had become very deaf as well as very blind, was seventy-one years
+old, and ... in fact, though he still kept up his sprightly manners
+of youth, it was evident that his day had gone by.[19] ... Lord Derby
+thought, however, he might have the Lead of the House of Commons,
+which Mr Disraeli was ready to give up to him. For the War Department
+there were but two men--both very able, but both liable to objections:
+the first was Lord Grey, who would do it admirably, but with whom he
+disagreed in general politics, and in this instance on the propriety
+of the war, which he himself was determined to carry on with the
+utmost vigour; then came his peculiar views about the Amalgamation
+of Offices, in which he did not at all agree. The other was Lord
+Ellenborough, who was very able, and would certainly be very popular
+with the Army, but was very unmanageable; yet he hoped he could keep
+him in order. It might be doubtful whether Lord Hardinge could go on
+with him at the Horse Guards. We agreed in the danger of Lord Grey's
+Army proposal, and had to pronounce the opinion that Lord Ellenborough
+was almost mad. This led us to a long discussion upon the merits of
+the conduct of the war, upon which he seemed to share the general
+prejudices, but on being told some of the real facts and difficulties
+of the case, owned that these, from obvious reasons, could not be
+stated by the Government in their defence, and said that he was aware
+that the chief fault lay at headquarters in the Crimea. Lord Raglan
+ought to be recalled, as well as his whole staff, and perhaps he could
+render this less painful to him by asking him to join the Cabinet,
+where his military advice would be of great value.
+
+    [Footnote 19: Lord Derby's judgment was not borne out by
+    subsequent events. Lord Palmerston was Prime Minister when
+    he died on the 18th of October 1865, ten years later. "The
+    half-opened cabinet-box on his table, and the unfinished
+    letter on his desk, testified that he was at his post to the
+    last,"--Ashley's _Life of Lord Palmerston_, vol. ii. p. 273.]
+
+To be able to meet the House of Commons, however, Lord Derby said he
+required the assistance of men like Mr Gladstone and Mr S. Herbert,
+and he was anxious to know whether the Queen could tell him upon what
+support he could reckon in that quarter. We told him we had reason to
+believe the Peelites would oppose a Government of Lord John Russell,
+but were inclined to support one of Lord Derby's; whether they were
+inclined to join in office, however, appeared very doubtful. The Queen
+having laid great stress on a good selection for the office of Foreign
+Affairs, Lord Derby said he would have to return to Lord Malmesbury,
+who, he thought, had done well before, and had now additional
+experience.
+
+Should he not be able to obtain strength from the Peelites, he could
+not be able to form a creditable Government; he must give up the task,
+and thought the Queen might try some other combinations with Lord John
+Russell or Lord Lansdowne, etc.
+
+He did not think a reconstruction of the old Government would be
+accepted by the country; however, whatever Government was formed to
+carry on the war, should not only not be opposed by him, but have
+his cordial support, provided it raised no question of general
+constitutional importance.
+
+Should all attempts fail, he would be ready to come forward to the
+rescue of the country with such materials as he had, but it would be
+"a desperate attempt."
+
+Lord Derby returned a little before two from Lord Palmerston, to whom
+he had gone in the first instance. Lord Palmerston was ready to accept
+the Lead of the House of Commons, and acknowledged that the man
+who undertook this could not manage the War Department besides. He
+undertook to sound Mr Gladstone and Mr S. Herbert, but had, evidently
+much to Lord Derby's surprise, said that it must be a coalition, and
+not only the taking in of one or two persons, which does not seem
+to suit Lord Derby at all--nor was he pleased at Lord Palmerston's
+suggestion that he ought to try, by all means, to retain Lord
+Clarendon at the Foreign Office. Lord Palmerston was to sound the
+Peelites in the afternoon, and Lord Derby is to report the result to
+the Queen this evening.
+
+VICTORIA R.
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: LORD CLARENDON]
+
+
+_The Earl of Derby to Queen Victoria._
+
+ST JAMES' SQUARE, _31st January 1855._
+          (9:30 P.M.)
+
+Lord Derby, with his humble duty, hastens to submit to your Majesty
+the answer which he has this moment received from Viscount Palmerston
+to the communication which he made to him this morning by your
+Majesty's command. Lord Derby has not yet received from Mr Sidney
+Herbert and Mr Gladstone the answers referred to in Lord Palmerston's
+letter; but, from the tenor of the latter, he fears there can be no
+doubt as to their purport. With respect to Lord Clarendon, Lord
+Derby is fully sensible of the advantage which might accrue to your
+Majesty's service from the continuance in office of a Minister of
+great ability, who is personally cognizant of all the intricate
+negotiations and correspondence which have taken place for the last
+two years; and neither personally nor politically would he anticipate
+on the part of his friends, certainly not on his own part, any
+difficulty under existing circumstances, in co-operating with Lord
+Clarendon; but the present political relations between Lord Clarendon
+and Lord Derby's friends are such that, except upon a special
+injunction from your Majesty, and under your Majesty's immediate
+sanction, he would not be justified in making any overtures in that
+direction.[20] Should Lord Derby receive any communication from Mr
+Gladstone or Mr. Sidney Herbert before morning, he will send it down
+to your Majesty by the earliest opportunity in the morning. Lord Derby
+trusts that your Majesty will forgive the haste in which he writes,
+having actually, at the moment of receiving Lord Palmerston's answer,
+written a letter to say that he could not longer detain your Majesty's
+messenger. Lord Derby will take no farther step until he shall have
+been honoured by your Majesty's farther commands.
+
+The above is humbly submitted by your Majesty's most dutiful Servant
+and Subject,
+
+DERBY.
+
+[Pageheading: LORD DERBY'S REFUSAL]
+
+
+_Memorandum by the Prince Albert._
+
+_1st February 1855._
+
+Lord Derby came down here at eleven o'clock, and brought with him two
+letters he had received from Mr Gladstone and Mr Sidney Herbert, who
+both declared their willingness to give Lord Derby's Government an
+independent support, but on mature consideration their impossibility
+to take office in his Administration. Lord Derby said, as to
+the independent support, it reminded him of the definition of an
+independent Member of Parliament, viz. one that could not be depended
+upon. Under the circumstances, he would not be able to form such an
+Administration as could effectively carry on the Government.
+
+    [Footnote 20: Although opposed to the ordinary procedure
+    of party government, there were recent precedents for such
+    overtures being made. When the Whigs displaced Peel in 1846,
+    Lord John Russell attempted to include three of the outgoing
+    Ministers in his Cabinet, and on the formation of the
+    Coalition Ministry, negotiations were on foot to retain Lord
+    St. Leonards on the woolsack.]
+
+He thought that Lord Palmerston had at first been willing to join,
+but it was now evident that the three letters had been written in
+concert.[21]
+
+    [Footnote 21: Lord Palmerston wrote that, upon reflection, he
+    had come to the conclusion that he would not, by joining
+    the Government, give to it that stability which Lord Derby
+    anticipated. He, however, gave the promise of his support to
+    any Government which would carry on the war with energy and
+    vigour, and maintain the alliances which had been formed.]
+
+He was anxious to carry any message to any other statesman with which
+the Queen might wish to entrust him. This the Queen declined, with her
+best thanks. He then wanted to know what statement Lord Aberdeen would
+make to-night in the House, stating it to be very important that it
+should not appear that the Administration had gone from Lord Aberdeen
+through any other hands than the ones which should finally accept it.
+
+It would be well known that he had been _consulted_ by the Queen, but
+there was no necessity for making it appear that he had undertaken to
+form an Administration. The fact was, that he had consulted none of
+his Party except Mr Disraeli, and that his followers would have reason
+to complain if they thought that he had put them altogether out of the
+question. We told him that we did not know what Lord Aberdeen meant to
+say, but the best thing would be on all accounts to state exactly the
+truth as it passed.
+
+After he had taken leave of the Queen with reiterated assurances of
+gratitude and loyalty, I had a further long conversation with him,
+pointing out to him facts with which he could not be familiar,
+concerning our Army in the Crimea, our relations with our Ally,
+negotiations with the German Courts, the state of public men and the
+Press in this country, which convinced me that this country was in
+a crisis of the greatest magnitude, and the Crown in the greatest
+difficulties, which could not be successfully overcome unless
+political parties would show a little more patriotism than hitherto.
+They behaved a good deal like his independent Member of Parliament,
+and tried to aggravate every little mishap in order to get Party
+advantages out of it. I attacked him personally upon his ...
+opposition to the Foreign Enlistment Bill, and pointed to the fact
+that the French were now obtaining the services of that very
+Swiss Legion we stood so much in need of. His defence was a mere
+Parliamentary dialectic, accusing the clumsy way in which Ministers
+had introduced their Bill, but he promised to do what he could to
+relieve the difficulties of the country. In conclusion I showed him,
+under injunctions of secrecy, the letter I had received from Count
+Walewski, which showed to what a state of degradation the British
+Crown had been reduced by the efforts on all sides for Party objects
+to exalt the Emperor Napoleon, and make his will and use the sole
+standard for the English Government.[22]
+
+    [Footnote 22: This curious letter of the Count stated in
+    effect that the alliance of England and France, and the
+    critical circumstances of the day, made Lords Palmerston and
+    Clarendon indispensable members of any Ministry that might be
+    formed.]
+
+Lord Derby called it the most audacious thing he had ever seen, adding
+that he had heard that Count Walewski had stated to somebody with
+reference to the Vienna Conferences: "What influence can a country
+like England pretend to exercise, which has no Army and no
+Government?"
+
+I told him he was right, as every one here took pains to prove that
+we had no Army, and to bring about that the Queen should have no
+Government.
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: LORD LANSDOWNE CONSULTED]
+
+[Pageheading: LORD JOHN RUSSELL SUGGESTED]
+
+
+_Memorandum by the Prince Albert._
+
+WINDSOR CASTLE, _2nd February 1855._
+
+Lord Lansdowne arrived late yesterday evening. The Queen, after having
+stated that Lord Derby had given up the task of forming a Government,
+asked his advice under the present circumstances, to which he replied
+that he had little advice to give. I interrupted that at least he
+could impart knowledge to the Queen, upon which she could form
+a decision. The first and chief question was, What was Lord John
+Russell's position? Lord Lansdowne declared this to be the most
+difficult question of all to answer. He believed Lord John was not at
+all dissatisfied with the position he had assumed, and was under the
+belief that he could form an Administration capable of standing,
+even without the support of the Peelites. He (Lord Lansdowne) would
+certainly decline to have anything to do with it, as it could
+receive its support only from the extreme Radical side, which was not
+favourable to Lord John, but shrewd enough to perceive that to obtain
+a Government that would have to rest entirely upon themselves would
+be the surest mode of pushing their own views. Lord John, although not
+intending it, would blindly follow this bias, excusing himself with
+the consideration that he must look for support somewhere. He himself
+doubted, however, even the possibility of Lord John succeeding; but
+till he was brought to see this no strong Government was possible.
+We asked about the Peelites, Lord Palmerston, etc. He did not
+know whether the Peelites would serve with Lord John Russell--they
+certainly would not under him. There was a strong belief, however,
+particularly on the part of Lord Clarendon, and even shared by Lord
+Palmerston, that without Lord John a stable Government could not
+be formed. The Queen asked whether they could unite under him (Lord
+Lansdowne). He replied he had neither youth nor strength to make an
+efficient Prime Minister, and although Lord John had often told him
+"If you had been in Aberdeen's place my position would have been quite
+different," he felt sure Lord John would soon be tired of him and
+impatient to see him gone. He thought an arrangement might be possible
+by which Lord Clarendon might be Prime Minister, Lord John go to the
+House of Lords and take the Foreign Office, and Lord Palmerston
+the Lead in the House of Commons. We told him that would spoil two
+efficient men. Lord Clarendon had no courage for Prime Minister, and
+Lord John had decidedly failed at the Foreign Office.
+
+Lord Lansdowne had had Lord Palmerston with him during the Derby
+negotiation, and clearly seen that at first he was not unwilling to
+join, but had more and more cooled upon it when he went further into
+the matter. Lord Derby and Lord Palmerston had had a full discussion
+upon Lord Grey, and discarded him as quite impracticable.... After
+much farther discussion it was agreed that Lord Lansdowne should go
+up to Town this day, see first Lord Palmerston, then the Peelites,
+and lastly Lord John, and come to Buckingham Palace at two o'clock,
+prepared to give answers upon the question what was feasible and what
+not. He inclines to the belief that we shall have to go through the
+ceremony at least of entrusting Lord John with the formation of an
+Administration.
+
+Lord John was not without large following amongst the Whigs, and
+whatever was said about his late conduct in the higher circles,
+he believed that it is well looked upon by the lower classes. His
+expression was, that it would be found that the first and second class
+carriages in the railway train held opposite opinions.
+
+
+
+
+_Memorandum by Queen Victoria._
+
+BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _2nd February 1855._
+
+Lord Lansdowne arrived at two o'clock, and reported that he had seen
+all the persons intended, but he could not say that he saw his
+way more clearly. They all gave pledges generally to support any
+Government, but were full of difficulties as to their participation in
+one.
+
+Mr Gladstone would clearly not serve under Lord John--might possibly
+with him--if much pressed by Lord Aberdeen to do so. He would probably
+serve under Lord Palmerston. Mr S. Herbert expressed apprehension at
+the effect upon the prospects of peace which would be produced by Lord
+Palmerston's being at the head of the Government.
+
+Lord John Russell would not serve under Lord Palmerston, and fancies
+he might form a Whig Administration himself, of which Lord Palmerston,
+however, must be the chief member. Lord Palmerston would not like
+to serve under Lord John Russell--would be ready to form an
+Administration, which could not have duration, however, in his
+opinion, if Lord John Russell held aloof!
+
+He found Lord John fully impressed with the fact of his having
+brought the Queen into all these difficulties, and of owing her what
+reparation he could make. Lord Palmerston also felt that he had
+some amends to make to the Queen for former offences. We asked Lord
+Lansdowne whether they could not be combined under a third person. He
+felt embarrassed about the answer, having to speak of himself. Both
+expressed their willingness to serve under him--but then he was
+seventy-five years old, and crippled with the gout, and could not
+possibly undertake such a task except for a few months, when the whole
+Administration would break down--of which he did not wish to be the
+cause. In such a case, Lord John had stated to him that the man to be
+Leader of the House of Commons was Lord Palmerston, meaning himself
+to be transferred to the House of Lords, in his former office as
+President of the Council.
+
+Without presuming to give advice, Lord Lansdowne thought that under
+all circumstances it would do good if the Queen was to see Lord John
+Russell, and hear from himself what he could do. She could perfectly
+keep it in her power to commission whom she pleased hereafter, even if
+Lord John should declare himself willing to form a Government.
+
+VICTORIA R.
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: LORD JOHN RUSSELL SUMMONED]
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to Lord John Russell._
+
+BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _2nd February 1855._
+
+The Queen has just seen Lord Lansdowne. As what he could tell her has
+not enabled her to see her way out of the difficulties in which the
+late proceedings in Parliament have placed her, she wishes to see Lord
+John Russell in order to confer with him on the subject.
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: INTERVIEW WITH LORD JOHN]
+
+[Pageheading: NEGOTIATIONS]
+
+
+_Memorandum by Queen Victoria_[23]
+
+BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _2nd February 1855._
+
+Lord John Russell came at five o'clock.
+
+The Queen said she wished to consult him on the present crisis, and
+hear from him how the position of Parties stood at this moment. He
+said that immediately at the meeting of Parliament a general desire
+became manifest for a modification of the Government; that the
+Protectionists were as hostile to the Peelites as they had been in the
+year '46; that the old Whigs had with difficulty been made to support
+the late Government; that the dissatisfaction with the conduct of the
+war was general, and the country cried out for Lord Palmerston at the
+War Department; that he considered it of the greatest importance
+that Lord Clarendon should remain at the Foreign Office, where he had
+gained great reputation, and nobody could replace him. On the
+question whether Lord Palmerston would be supported if he formed an
+Administration, he said everybody would give a general support, but he
+doubted the Whigs joining him. He did not know what the Peelites
+would do, but they would be an essential element in the Government,
+particularly Mr Gladstone; the best thing would be if Lord Palmerston
+took the lead of the House of Commons. A Government formed by Lord
+Lansdowne or Lord Clarendon would ensure general support, but Lord
+Lansdowne had declared that he would not undertake it for more than
+three months, and then the Government would break down again; and we
+objected that Lord Clarendon ought, as he had said, not to be moved
+from the Foreign Office, to which he agreed. He himself would prefer
+to sit on the Fourth Bench and support the Government. The Queen asked
+him whether he thought he could form a Government. After having taken
+some time for reflection, he said he thought he could,[24] but he
+thought it difficult without the Peelites, and next to impossible
+without Lord Palmerston; he did not know whether both or either would
+serve with or under him; he would offer Lord Palmerston the choice
+between the Lead of the House of Commons and the War Department--and
+in case he should choose the former, ask himself to be removed to the
+House of Lords; he had been Leader of the House of Commons since '34,
+and as far as being able to support his title, he was enabled to do
+so, as his brother, the Duke of Bedford, intended to leave an estate
+of L5000 a year to his son. The Queen asked him whether he would do
+the same under the Administration of Lord Lansdowne, for instance;
+he begged to be allowed time to consider that. He acknowledged to the
+Queen--on her remark that he had contributed to bring her into the
+present difficulties--that he was bound to do what he could to help
+her out of them; and on the Queen's question what he could do, he
+answered that depended very much on what the Queen would wish him to
+do.
+
+    [Footnote 23: This Memorandum, though signed by the Queen, was
+    written by the Prince.]
+
+    [Footnote 24: Colonel Phipps thus describes Lord Aberdeen's
+    comment on Lord John Russell's words:--"I told Lord Aberdeen
+    that Lord John had said that he thought that he could form a
+    Government. He laughed very much, and said: 'I am not at all
+    surprised at that, but whom will he get to serve under him?
+    Has he at present any idea of the extent of the feeling that
+    exists against him?' I replied that I thought not, that it was
+    difficult for anybody to tell him, but that I thought that it
+    was right that he should know what the feeling was, and that
+    he would soon discover it when he began to ask people to join
+    his Government. Lord Aberdeen said that was very true...."]
+
+She commissioned him finally to meet Lord Lansdowne and Lord
+Palmerston, to consult together, and to let Lord Lansdowne bring her
+the result of their deliberation this evening, so that she might see a
+little more clearly where the prospect of a strong Government lay.
+
+We had some further discussion upon Mr Roebuck's Committee, which
+he thinks will not be as inconvenient as all his friends suppose.
+It would meet with great difficulties, and might be precluded from
+drawing up a report. On Lord Grey's Motion[25] and the Army question
+he declared that he held to his Memorandum of the 22nd January which
+the Duke of Newcastle had read to the House of Lords, and acknowledged
+the necessity of maintaining the office of the Commander-in-Chief,
+although subordinate to the Secretary of State, and retaining the Army
+Patronage distinct from the Political Patronage of the Government.
+
+    [Footnote 25: See _ante_, 30th January, 1855, note 17.]
+
+I omitted to mention that Lord John, in answer to the question whether
+Lord Clarendon would serve under Lord Palmerston, answered that he
+could not at all say whether he would; he had mentioned to him the
+possibility, when Lord Clarendon drew up and made a long face.
+
+VICTORIA R.
+
+
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to Lord John Russell._
+
+BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _2nd February 1855._
+
+The Queen has just seen Lord Lansdowne after his return from his
+conference with Lord John Russell and Lord Palmerston. As moments are
+precious, and the time is rolling on without the various consultations
+which Lord Lansdowne has had the kindness and patience to hold with
+the various persons composing the Queen's late Government having led
+to any positive result, she feels that she ought to entrust some one
+of them with the distinct commission to attempt the formation of a
+Government. The Queen addresses herself in this instance to Lord John
+Russell, as the person who may be considered to have contributed to
+the vote of the House of Commons, which displaced her late Government,
+and hopes that he will be able to present her such a Government
+as will give a fair promise successfully to overcome the great
+difficulties in which the country is placed. It would give her
+particular satisfaction if Lord Palmerston could join in this
+formation.
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: LORD JOHN RUSSELL'S ATTEMPT]
+
+
+_Lord John Russell to Queen Victoria._
+
+CHESHAM PLACE, _2nd February 1855._
+
+Lord John Russell presents his humble duty to your Majesty. He
+acknowledges that having contributed to the vote of the House of
+Commons, which displaced your Majesty's late Government (although the
+decision would in any case have probably been unfavourable), he is
+bound to attempt the formation of a Government.
+
+As your Majesty has now entrusted him with this honourable task, and
+desired that Lord Palmerston should join in it, Lord John Russell will
+immediately communicate with Lord Palmerston, and do his utmost to
+form a Government which will give a fair promise to overcome the
+difficulties by which the country is surrounded.
+
+Lord John Russell considers Lord Clarendon's co-operation in this task
+as absolutely essential.
+
+
+
+
+_Memorandum by the Prince Albert._
+
+BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _3rd February 1855._
+
+Lord John Russell arrived at half-past one o'clock, and stated that
+he had to report some progress and some obstacles. He had been to Lord
+Palmerston, and had a long and very free discussion with him. He (Lord
+Palmerston) told him although the general voice of the public had
+pointed him out as the person who ought to form a Government, he
+had no pretensions himself or personal views, and was quite ready to
+accept the lead of the House of Commons under Lord John in the House
+of Lords; but that he thought that, if the Queen would see him, now
+that she had seen Lord Derby, Lord John, and Lord Lansdowne, it would
+remove any impression that there were personal objections to him
+entertained by the Queen, which would much facilitate the position of
+the new Government. They then discussed the whole question of
+offices, agreed that Lord Panmure would be the best person for the War
+Department; that Lord Grey could not be asked to join, as his views
+on the Foreign Policy differed so much from theirs, and he had always
+been an intractable colleague; that if Mr Gladstone could not be
+prevailed upon to join, Mr Labouchere,[26] although an infinitely
+weaker appointment, might be Chancellor of the Exchequer, and Sir F.
+Baring replace Sir J. Graham, if he could not be got to stay.
+
+    [Footnote 26: He had been President of the Board of Trade in
+    the former administration of Lord John Russell.]
+
+Lord John then saw Mr S. Herbert, who declared to him that it was
+impossible for any of the Peelites to join his Government, connected
+as they were with Lord Aberdeen and the Duke of Newcastle, but that
+they would infinitely prefer a Government of Lord John's to one of
+Lord Palmerston, whose views on Foreign Policy, uncontrolled by Lord
+Aberdeen, they sincerely dreaded.
+
+Lord John then went to Lord Clarendon, and was surprised to find that
+he could not make up his mind to remain at the Foreign Office under
+his Government. Lord John thought that the expression of a wish on
+the part of the Queen would go a great way to reconcile him. His
+objections were that he had always received the handsomest support
+from the Peelites, and thought the Government too weak without their
+administrative ability.
+
+Lord John had seen none of his own friends, such as Sir G. Grey, Sir
+C. Wood, Lord Lansdowne, and Lord Granville, but had not the smallest
+doubt that they would cordially co-operate with him.
+
+Lord John is to come again at a quarter before six o'clock. The Queen
+has appointed Lord Palmerston for three o'clock, and Lord Clarendon at
+four.
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: ATTITUDE OF THE PEELITES]
+
+[Pageheading: THE FOREIGN OFFICE]
+
+[Pageheading: LORD CLARENDON]
+
+
+_Memorandum by Queen Victoria._[27]
+
+BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _3rd February 1855._
+
+    [Footnote 27: This Memorandum, though signed by the Queen, was
+    written by the Prince.]
+
+In the Audience which the Queen has just granted to Lord Palmerston,
+he thanked her for the message which she had sent him through Lord
+John Russell, and declared his readiness to serve her in any way he
+could under the present difficulties. He had preferred the lead of
+the House of Commons to the War Department, having to make a choice
+between two duties which no man could perform together.
+
+In answer to a question from the Queen, he said he hoped that the
+present irritation in the Whig party would subside, and that he would
+be able to complete a Government. He regretted that the Peelites
+thought it impossible for them to join, which would make it very
+difficult for Lord John. He had just heard from Count Walewski that
+Lord Clarendon was very much disinclined to remain at the Foreign
+Office under Lord John. They were to have a meeting at Lord John's at
+five, where he hoped to find that he had waived his objections; but he
+must say that if Lord Clarendon persisted he must himself withdraw, as
+he had indeed made it a condition with Lord John. The Queen asked him
+whether, if this attempt failed, she could reckon upon his services in
+any other combination. His answer was that it was better not to answer
+for more than one question at a time; we must now suppose that this
+will succeed.
+
+What he stated with reference to the Army question and the Committee
+of the House of Commons was perfectly satisfactory.
+
+
+Lord Clarendon, whom we saw at four o'clock, complained very much of
+the unfairness of Lord John in making him personally answerable for
+impeding the progress of Lord John's Government. The fact was that his
+opinion was only that of every other member of the late Government,
+and of the public at large; which could be heard and seen by anybody
+who chose to listen or to read. So impossible had it appeared to the
+public that Lord John should be blind enough to consider his being
+able to form a Government feasible, that it was generally supposed
+that he had been urged to do so by the Queen, in order to escape
+the necessity of Lord Palmerston. He acknowledged that the Queen's
+decision in that respect had been the perfectly correct and
+constitutional one, and perhaps necessary to clear the way; but he
+hoped that for her own sake, and to prevent false impressions
+taking root in the public mind, the Queen would give afterwards Lord
+Palmerston his fair turn also, though he could not say that he would
+be able to form an Administration. The Queen said that this was her
+intention, that she never had expected that Lord John would be able
+to form one, but that it was necessary that his eyes should be opened;
+Lord Clarendon only regretted the precious time that was lost.
+
+He must really say that he thought he could do no good in joining Lord
+John; his Government would be "a stillborn Government," which "the
+country would tread under foot the first day," composed as it would be
+of the same men who had been bankrupt in 1852, minus the two best men
+in it, viz. Lord Lansdowne and Lord Grey, and the head of it ruined
+in public opinion. If he were even to stay at the Foreign Office, his
+language to foreign countries would lose all its weight from being
+known not to rest upon the public opinion of England, and all this
+would become much worse when it became known that from the first day
+of Lord John's entering into Lord Aberdeen's Government, he had only
+had one idea, viz. that of tripping him up, expel the Peelites, and
+place himself at the head of an exclusive Whig Ministry. Besides,
+he felt that the conduct of all his colleagues had been most
+straightforward and honourable towards him, and he was not prepared
+"to step over their dead bodies to the man who had killed them." The
+attempt of Lord John ought _not_ to succeed if public morality were
+to be upheld in this country. He had avoided Lord John ever since his
+retirement, but he would have now to speak out to him, as when he was
+asked to embark his honour he had a right to count the cost.
+
+Lord Lansdowne had no intention to go to Lord John's meeting, as he
+had originally taken leave of public life, and had only entered the
+Coalition Government in order to facilitate its cohesion; among a
+Government of pure Whigs he was not wanted, for there was no danger
+of their not _cohering_. Sir C. Wood declared he had no business to be
+where Lord Lansdowne refused to go in.
+
+He thought Lord Palmerston would have equal difficulty in forming an
+administration, but when that had failed some solid combination would
+become possible.
+
+Lord Lansdowne had declared that he could not place himself at the
+head for more than three months, but that was a long time in these
+days.
+
+VICTORIA R.
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: FRESH DIFFICULTIES]
+
+
+_Memorandum by Queen Victoria._
+
+Lord John Russell returned at six o'clock from his meeting, much
+put out and disturbed. He said he had nothing good to report. Mr
+Gladstone, whom he had seen, had declined to act with him, saying that
+the country did not wish for Coalitions at this moment. Sir J. Graham,
+whom he had visited, had informed him that the feeling against him was
+very strong just now, precluding support in Parliament; he gave him
+credit for good intentions, but said the whole difficulty was owing
+to what he termed his (Lord John's) _rashness_. He felt he could not
+separate from Lord Aberdeen, and had no confidence in the views of
+Foreign Affairs of Lord Palmerston.
+
+He had then seen Sir George Grey, who told him he had no idea that
+a Government of Lord John's could stand at this moment; the country
+wanted Lord Palmerston either as War Minister or as Prime Minister.
+He must hesitate to engage himself in Lord John's Government, which,
+separated from the Peelites, would find no favour. Lord Clarendon
+had reiterated his objections, saying always that this must be gone
+through, and something new would come up at the end, when all these
+attempts had failed. He could not understand what this should be. Did
+Lord Clarendon think of himself as the head of the new combination? I
+asked what Lord Lansdowne had said. He answered he had a letter from
+him, which was not very agreeable either. He read it to us. It was
+to the purport--that as Lord John had been commissioned to form an
+Administration, and he did not intend to join it, he thought it better
+not to come to his house in order to avoid misconstruction. Lord John
+wound up, saying that he had asked Lord Clarendon and Sir G. Grey to
+reflect further, and to give their final answer to-morrow morning.
+The loss of the Peelites would be a great blow to him, which might
+be overcome, however; but if his own particular friends, like Lord
+Clarendon and Sir G. Grey, deserted him, he felt that he could go on
+no farther, and he hoped the Queen would feel that he had done all he
+could.
+
+VICTORIA R.
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: LORD JOHN'S FAILURE]
+
+
+_Memorandum by Queen Victoria._[28]
+
+BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _3rd February 1855._
+
+    [Footnote 28: This Memorandum, though signed by the Queen, was
+    written by the Prince.]
+
+Lord Lansdowne arrived at half-past nine in the evening, and met our
+question whether he had anything satisfactory to report, with the
+remark that he saw his way less than ever, and that matters had rather
+gone backward since he had been here in the morning. He had been
+in the afternoon at Sir James Graham's bedside, who had had a
+consultation with Mr Gladstone, and declared to him that the country
+was tired of Coalitions, and wanted a united Cabinet; that they (the
+Peelites) could not possibly serve under Lord John or even with him
+after what had happened; that he felt the strongest objections to
+serving under Lord Palmerston. They were one and all for the vigorous
+prosecution of the war, but in order to attain a speedy peace. Lord
+Palmerston was known to entertain ulterior views, on which he was
+secretly agreed with the Emperor of the French; and when it came to
+the question of negotiations, the Government was sure to break up on
+a ground most dangerous to the country. Lord Lansdowne could but agree
+in all this, and added he had been tempted to feel his pulse to know
+how much it had gone down since he had been with Sir James.
+
+The meeting between Lord Palmerston and Lord John had just taken place
+in his presence. They had discussed everything most openly, but being
+both very guarded to say nothing which could lead the other to believe
+that the one would serve under the other. He confessed everything was
+darker now than before. They both seemed to wish to form a Government,
+but he could really not advise the Queen what to do under the
+circumstances.
+
+I summed up that the Queen appeared to me reduced to the necessity
+of now entrusting one of the two with a _positive_ commission. It
+was very important that it should not appear that the Queen had any
+personal objection to Lord Palmerston; on the other hand, under such
+doubtful circumstances, it would be safest for the Queen to follow
+that course which was clearly the most constitutional, and this was,
+after having failed with Lord Derby, to go to Lord John, who was the
+other party to the destruction of the late Government. The Queen might
+write such a letter to Lord John as would record the political reasons
+which led to her determination. Lord Lansdowne highly approved of
+this, and suggested the addition of an expression of the Queen's hope
+of seeing Lord Palmerston associated in that formation.
+
+I drew up the annexed draft which Lord Lansdowne read over and
+entirely approved.
+
+He has no idea that Lord John will succeed in his task, but thinks it
+a necessary course to go through, and most wholesome to Lord John to
+have his eyes opened to his own position, of which he verily believed
+he was not the least aware.
+
+VICTORIA R.
+
+
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to the Earl of Aberdeen._
+
+WINDSOR CASTLE, _4th February 1855._
+
+The Queen quite approves of the pension to Sir G. Grey, which he has
+fully earned, but would wish Lord Aberdeen well to consider the exact
+moment at which to offer it to him, as Sir George is so very delicate
+in his feelings of honour. Lord John Russell will probably have
+to give up the task of forming an Administration on account of Sir
+George's declining to join him. If the pension were offered to him by
+Lord Aberdeen during the progress of negotiations, he could not help
+feeling, she thinks, exceedingly embarrassed.
+
+
+
+
+_Lord John Russell to Queen Victoria._
+
+CHESHAM PLACE, _4th February 1855._
+
+Lord John Russell presents his humble duty to your Majesty. He saw
+last night Sir George Grey, who is extremely averse to the formation
+of a purely Whig Government at this time. Since that time he has
+received the two notes enclosed: one from Lord Palmerston, the other
+early this morning from Lord Clarendon.[29]
+
+It only remains for him to acknowledge your Majesty's great kindness,
+and to resign into your Majesty's hands the task your Majesty was
+pleased to confide to him.
+
+    [Footnote 29: Lord Palmerston wrote:--
+
+    "144 PICCADILLY, _3rd February 1855._
+
+    "MY DEAR JOHN RUSSELL,--I certainly inferred from what
+    Clarendon said this afternoon at your house, that he had
+    pretty well made up his mind to a negative answer, and I could
+    only say to you that which I said to Derby when he asked me
+    to join him, that I should be very unwilling, in the present
+    state of our Foreign relations, to belong to any Government in
+    which the management of our Foreign Affairs did not remain in
+    Clarendon's hands.
+
+    "George Grey, by your account, seems to tend to the same
+    conclusion as Clarendon, and I think, from what fell from
+    Molesworth, whom I sat next to at the Speaker's dinner this
+    evening, that he would not be disposed to accept any offer
+    that you might make him.
+
+    --Yours sincerely, PALMERSTON."
+
+    Lord Clarendon wrote:--
+
+    "GROSVENOR CRESCENT, _3rd February 1855._
+
+    "MY DEAR LORD JOHN,--The more I reflect upon the subject, the
+    more I feel convinced that such a Government as you propose to
+    form would not satisfy the public nor command the confidence
+    of the Country.
+
+    "To yourself personally I am sure it would be most injurious
+    if you attempted to carry on the Government with inadequate
+    means at this moment of national danger.
+
+    "On public and on private grounds, therefore, I should wish to
+    take no part in an Administration that cannot in my opinion be
+    either strong or permanent. Yours sincerely,
+
+    CLARENDON."]
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: LORD PALMERSTON PREMIER]
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to Viscount Palmerston._
+
+WINDSOR CASTLE, _4th February 1855._
+
+Lord John Russell having just informed the Queen that he was obliged
+to resign the task which the Queen confided to him, she addresses
+herself to Lord Palmerston to ask him whether he can undertake to form
+an Administration which will command the confidence of Parliament and
+efficiently conduct public affairs in this momentous crisis? Should he
+think that he is able to do so, the Queen commissions him to undertake
+the task. She does not send for him, having fully discussed with him
+yesterday the state of public affairs, and in order to save time.
+The Queen hopes to receive an answer from Lord Palmerston as soon as
+possible, as upon this her own movements will depend.
+
+
+
+
+_Viscount Palmerston to Queen Victoria._
+
+144 PICCADILLY, _4th February 1855._
+
+Viscount Palmerston presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and with
+a deep sense of the importance of the commission which your Majesty
+asks whether he will undertake, he hastens to acknowledge the gracious
+communication which he has just had the honour to receive from your
+Majesty.
+
+Viscount Palmerston has reason to think that he can undertake with a
+fair prospect of success to form an Administration which will command
+the confidence of Parliament and effectually conduct public affairs in
+the present momentous crisis, and as your Majesty has been graciously
+pleased to say that if such is his opinion, your Majesty authorises
+him to proceed immediately to the accomplishment of the task, he will
+at once take steps for the purpose; and he trusts that he may be
+able in the course of to-morrow to report to your Majesty whether his
+present expectations are in the way to be realised.
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: WHIG SUPPORT]
+
+
+_Viscount Palmerston to Queen Victoria._
+
+PICCADILLY, _5th February 1855._
+            (5 P.M.)
+
+Viscount Palmerston presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and has
+had the honour to receive your Majesty's communication of to-day; and
+in accordance with your Majesty's desire, he begs to report the result
+of his proceedings up to the present time.
+
+The Marquis of Lansdowne, the Lord Chancellor, the Earl of Clarendon,
+the Earl Granville, Sir George Grey, Sir Charles Wood, have expressed
+their willingness to be members of the Administration which Viscount
+Palmerston is endeavouring to form, provided it can be constructed
+upon a basis sufficiently broad to give a fair prospect of duration.
+
+Mr Gladstone, Mr Sidney Herbert, and the Duke of Argyll have declined
+chiefly on the ground of personal and political attachment to the Earl
+of Aberdeen, against whom, as well as against the Duke of Newcastle,
+they say they consider the vote of the House of Commons of last week
+as having been levelled. Viscount Palmerston has not yet been able to
+ascertain the decision of Sir James Graham, but it will probably be
+the same as that of his three colleagues.
+
+Viscount Palmerston hopes, nevertheless, to be able to submit for your
+Majesty's consideration such a list as may meet with your Majesty's
+approval, and he will have the honour of reporting further to your
+Majesty to-morrow.
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: THE PEELITES]
+
+
+_Memorandum by Queen Victoria._
+
+BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _6th February 1855._
+
+We came to Town to hear the result of negotiations, and saw Lord
+Palmerston at one o'clock. He said there were circumstances which
+prevented him from submitting a List of the Cabinet, but would at all
+events be able to do so in the afternoon.
+
+Lords Lansdowne, Clarendon, Granville, Sir G. Grey, Sir C. Wood,
+Sir William Molesworth, and the Chancellor had consented to
+serve--unconditionally--having withdrawn their former conditions in
+consequence of the very general opinion expressed out of doors that
+the country could not much longer be left without a Government. He
+heard this had also made an impression upon the Peelites, who had
+refused to join. He submitted their letters (declining) to the
+Queen, of which copies are here annexed. They had been written after
+consultation with Sir J. Graham, but Lord Aberdeen and the Duke of
+Newcastle having heard of it, have since exerted themselves strongly
+to prevail upon them to change their opinion, and it was still
+possible that they would do so. Lord Clarendon had suggested that if
+Lord Aberdeen himself was invited to join the Government, and could
+be induced to do so, this would obviate all difficulty. He had in
+consequence asked Lord Lansdowne to see Lord Aberdeen on the subject,
+as his joining could only be agreeable to him. Many of the Peelites
+not in the late Cabinet had strongly disapproved of the decision
+taken by Mr Gladstone and friends, and offered their services, amongst
+others Lord Canning, Lord Elcho,[30] and Mr Cardwell.
+
+    [Footnote 30: Now Earl of Wemyss.]
+
+Lord Palmerston had been with Lord John Russell yesterday, and had had
+a very long conversation with him in a most friendly tone; he asked
+Lord John whether he would follow out the proposal which he had lately
+made himself, and take the lead in the House of Lords as President of
+the Council. He declined, however, saying he preferred to stay out of
+office and to remain in the House of Commons, which Lord Palmerston
+obviously much regretted. They went, however, together all over the
+offices and their best distribution. He would recommend Lord Panmure
+for the War Department and Mr Layard as Under Secretary.... Lord
+Palmerston was appointed to report further progress at five o'clock.
+
+VICTORIA R.
+
+
+
+
+_The Prince Albert to the Earl of Aberdeen._
+
+BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _6th February 1855_.
+
+MY DEAR LORD ABERDEEN,--It would be a great relief to the Queen if you
+were to agree to a proposal which we understand is being made to
+you to join the new Government, and by so doing to induce also Mr
+Gladstone, Mr S. Herbert, and Sir James Graham to do the same.
+
+Ever yours truly, ALBERT.
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: LORD ABERDEEN INTERVENES]
+
+
+_The Earl of Aberdeen to the Prince Albert._
+
+LONDON, _6th February 1855_.
+
+SIR,--I am sanguine in believing that the great object of the union of
+my friends with the new Government may be attained without the painful
+sacrifice to which your Royal Highness refers. Contrary to my advice,
+they yesterday declined to remain in the Cabinet, but I have renewed
+the subject to-day, and they have finally decided to place themselves
+in my hands. This rendered other explanations necessary, before I
+could undertake so great a responsibility. When I shall have the
+honour of seeing your Royal Highness, I will, with your Royal
+Highness's permission, communicate what has passed, so far as I am
+concerned.
+
+I venture to enclose the copy of a letter which I addressed to Mr
+Herbert this morning, in answer to one received from him late last
+night, in which he expressed his doubts of the propriety of the first
+decision at which they had arrived. I have the honour to be, Sir, your
+Royal Highness's most humble and devoted Servant,
+
+ABERDEEN.
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: MR SIDNEY HERBERT]
+
+
+[_Enclosure--Copy._]
+
+_The Earl of Aberdeen to Mr S. Herbert._
+
+ARGYLL HOUSE, _6th February 1855_.
+
+MY DEAR HERBERT,--I received your letter too late to answer it last
+night. In fact, I had gone to bed.
+
+You say that you are in a great difficulty as to the course you ought
+to take. I am in none whatever.
+
+I gave you my decided opinion yesterday that you ought to continue in
+Palmerston's Administration; and I endeavoured to support this opinion
+by the very arguments which you repeat in your letter to me. Surely
+this letter ought to have been addressed to Gladstone and Graham,
+and not to me. I fully concur in thinking that you came to a wrong
+conclusion yesterday, and I would fain hope that it would still be
+reversed.
+
+When you sent to me yesterday to attend your meeting, I certainly
+hoped it was with the intention of following my advice.
+
+Your reluctance to continue in Palmerston's Cabinet is chiefly founded
+on the apprehension that he will pursue a warlike policy beyond
+reasonable bounds. I have already told you that I have had some
+explanations with him on the terms of peace, with which I am
+satisfied. But whatever may be his inclinations, you ought to rely
+on the weight of your own character and opinions in the Cabinet. I am
+persuaded that the sentiments of the great majority of the Members of
+the Cabinet are similar to your own, and that you may fairly expect
+reason and sound policy to prevail in the question of peace and war.
+
+But above all I have recently had some very full conversations
+with Clarendon on the subject, and I am entirely satisfied with his
+disposition and intentions. I am sanguine in the belief that he will
+give effect to his present views.
+
+A perseverance in the refusal to join Palmerston will produce very
+serious effects, and will never be attributed to its true cause. The
+public feeling will be strongly pronounced against you, and you will
+greatly suffer in reputation, if you persevere at such a moment as
+this in refusing to continue in the Cabinet.
+
+In addition to the public necessity, I think you owe much to our late
+Whig colleagues, who behaved so nobly and generously towards us
+after Lord John's resignation. They have some right to expect this
+sacrifice.
+
+Although your arguments do not apply to me, for I yesterday adopted
+them all, you conclude your letter by pressing me to enter the
+Cabinet. Now there is really no sense in this, and I cannot imagine
+how you can seriously propose it. You would expose me to a gratuitous
+indignity, to which no one ought to expect me to submit. I say
+_gratuitous_, because I could not be of the slightest use in such a
+situation for the purpose you require.
+
+I can retire with perfect equanimity from the Government in
+consequence of the vote of the House of Commons; but to be stigmatised
+as the Head and tolerated as the subordinate member I cannot endure.
+
+If at any future time my presence should be required in a Cabinet, I
+should feel no objection to accept any office, or to enter it without
+office. But to be the Head of a Cabinet to-day, and to become a
+subordinate member of the very same Cabinet to-morrow, would be a
+degradation to which I could never submit, that I would rather die
+than do so--and indeed the sense of it would go far to kill me.
+
+If you tell me that your retaining your present offices, without the
+slightest sacrifice, but on the contrary with the approbation of all,
+is in any degree to depend on my taking such a course, I can only
+say that, as friends, I cannot believe it possible that you should be
+guilty of such wanton cruelty without any national object.
+
+I must, then, again earnestly exhort you to reconsider the decision of
+yesterday, and to continue to form part of the Government. I will do
+anything in my power to facilitate this. If you like, I will go to
+Palmerston and promote any explanation between him and Gladstone on
+the subject of peace and war. Or I will tell him that you have yielded
+to my strong recommendation. In short, I am ready to do anything in my
+power.
+
+I wish you to show this letter to Gladstone and to Graham, to whom, as
+you will see, it is addressed as much as to yourself.
+
+I hope to meet you this morning, and Gladstone will also come to the
+Admiralty. Yours, etc.
+
+ABERDEEN.
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: ADHESION OF THE PEELITES]
+
+
+_The Prince Albert to the Earl of Aberdeen._
+
+BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _6th February 1855_.
+
+MY DEAR LORD ABERDEEN,--We are just returning to Windsor. Lord
+Palmerston kissed hands after having announced that his Peelite
+colleagues also have agreed to keep their offices. The Queen is thus
+relieved from great anxiety and difficulty, and feels that she owes
+much to your kind and disinterested assistance. I can quite understand
+what you say in the letter which I return. You must make allowances
+also, however, for the wishes of your friends not to be separated from
+you. You will not be annoyed by further proposals from here.
+
+To-morrow we shall have an opportunity of further conversation with
+you upon the state of affairs. Believe me always, yours, etc.,
+
+ALBERT
+
+
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._
+
+BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _6th February 1855_.
+
+MY DEAREST UNCLE,--We are here again for a few hours in order to try
+and facilitate the formation of a Government, which seemed almost
+hopeless.
+
+Van de Weyer will have informed you of the successive failures of Lord
+Derby and _Lord John_ ... and of Lord Palmerston being now charged
+with the formation of a Government! I had _no_ other alternative. The
+Whigs _will_ join with him, and I have got hopes, _also_ the Peelites,
+which would be very important, and would tend to allay the _alarm_
+which his name will, I fear, produce abroad.
+
+I will leave this letter open to the last moment in the hope of giving
+you some decisive news before we return to Windsor....
+
+I am a good deal worried and knocked up by all that has passed; my
+nerves, which have suffered very severely this last year, have not
+been improved by what has passed during this trying fortnight--for it
+_will_ be a _fortnight_ to-morrow that the beginning of the mischief
+began....
+
+_Six o'clock p.m._--One word to say that _Lord Palmerston_ has just
+_kissed_ hands as _Prime_ Minister. ALL the _Peelites_ except poor
+dear Aberdeen (whom I am deeply grieved to lose) and the Duke of
+Newcastle, remain. It is _entirely_ Aberdeen's _doing_, and very
+patriotic and handsome of him. In haste, ever your devoted Niece,
+
+VICTORIA R.
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: A FAREWELL LETTER]
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to the Earl of Aberdeen._
+
+WINDSOR CASTLE, _7th February 1855_.
+
+Though the Queen hopes to see Lord Aberdeen at six, she seizes the
+opportunity of approving the appointment of the Hon. and Rev. A.
+Douglas[31] to the living of St Olave's, Southwark, to say what
+she hardly dares to do verbally without fearing to give way to her
+feelings; she wishes to say what a pang it is for her to separate from
+so kind and dear and valued a friend as Lord Aberdeen has ever been
+to her since she has known him. The day he became Prime Minister was
+a very happy one for her; and throughout his Ministry he has ever been
+the kindest and wisest adviser--one to whom she could apply on all and
+trifling occasions even. This she is sure he will still ever be. But
+the thought of losing him as her First Adviser in her Government
+is very painful. The pain is to a certain extent lessened by the
+knowledge of all he has done to further the formation of this
+Government, in so noble, loyal, and disinterested a manner, and by
+his friends retaining their posts, which is a great security against
+possible dangers. The Queen is sure that the Prince and herself
+may ever rely on his valuable support and advice in all times of
+difficulty, and she now concludes with the expression of her
+warmest thanks for all his kindness and devotion, as well as of her
+unalterable friendship and esteem for him, and with every wish for his
+health and happiness.
+
+    [Footnote 31: The Hon. Arthur Gascoigne Douglas (1827-1905),
+    son of the nineteenth Earl of Morton; Bishop of Aberdeen and
+    Orkney, 1883-1905.]
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: LEADERSHIP OF THE LORDS]
+
+[Pageheading: THE NEW CABINET]
+
+
+_Viscount Palmerston to Queen Victoria._
+
+PICCADILLY, _7th February 1855_.
+
+Viscount Palmerston presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and begs
+to state that a difficulty has arisen in regard to the reconstruction
+of the Administration, which your Majesty might perhaps be able to
+assist in removing. It is considered by the Members of the proposed
+Cabinet to be a matter of great importance that Lord Lansdowne should
+not only be a Member of the Cabinet, but that he should also be the
+Organ of the Government in the House of Lords.
+
+Viscount Palmerston pressed this upon Lord Lansdowne yesterday
+afternoon, and was under the impression that Lord Lansdowne had
+consented to be so acknowledged, with the understanding that Lord
+Granville, as President of the Council, should relieve him from the
+pressure of the daily business of the House, while Lord Clarendon
+would take the burthen of Foreign Office discussions, and that thus
+the ordinary duties of Leader of the House of Lords would be performed
+by others, while Lord Lansdowne would still be the directing chief,
+who would give a character and tone to the body. But Viscount
+Palmerston learns this morning from Lord Granville and Lord
+Bessborough that Lord Lansdowne does not so understand the matter,
+and is unwilling to assume the ostensible Leadership, even upon the
+above-mentioned arrangement, and that he wishes Lord Granville to be
+the Leader in the House of Lords.
+
+Lord Granville, however, with reason urges that there are many members
+of the House of Lords who would show to Lord Lansdowne, from his long
+standing and high political position, a deference which they would not
+show towards Lord Granville, so much younger a man. If Lord Lansdowne
+were in Town, Viscount Palmerston would have gone to him strongly to
+entreat him to be the person to announce in the House of Lords the
+formation of a Ministry, and to continue to be the organ of the
+Government in that House, at least till Easter, and upon such matters
+and occasions as might require the weight of his authority; but if
+your Majesty were to view the matter in the same light in which it has
+presented itself to Viscount Palmerston, to the Chancellor, to Lord
+Clarendon, to Lord Granville and others, and if your Majesty should
+think fit to express an opinion upon it to Lord Lansdowne, such an
+opinion would no doubt have great weight with Lord Lansdowne.
+
+Viscount Palmerston submits a list of the proposed Cabinet. Until Sir
+George Grey returns to Town this afternoon from Portsmouth, whither he
+went yesterday evening to take leave of his son, who has a commission
+in the Rifles,[32] and was to embark this morning for the Crimea,
+Viscount Palmerston will not know whether he prefers the Colonial
+Office or the Home Office. Whichever of the two he chooses, Mr Herbert
+will take the other. Viscount Palmerston does not submit to your
+Majesty the name of any person for the office of Secretary at War, as
+he proposes that that office shall merge in the office of Secretary of
+State for the War Department, and Viscount Palmerston suspends for
+the present any recommendation to your Majesty for the office of
+Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, as that office may be made
+available for giving strength either in the House of Lords or in the
+House of Commons according to circumstances.
+
+  PROPOSED CABINET.
+
+  _First Lord of Treasury_           Viscount PALMERSTON.
+  _Organ of the Government or_    }  Marquis of LANSDOWNE.
+    _Leader of the House of Lords_}
+  _Lord Chancellor_                  Lord CRANWORTH.
+  _President of the Council_         Earl GRANVILLE.
+  _Privy Seal_                       Duke of ARGYLL.
+  _Foreign Affairs_                  Earl of CLARENDON.
+  _War Department_                   Lord PANMURE.
+  _Home Office_                     {Mr SIDNEY HERBERT
+                                    {  or Sir GEORGE GREY.
+  _Colonial Department_             {Sir GEORGE GREY or
+                                    {  Mr SIDNEY HERBERT.
+  _Admiralty_                        Sir JAMES GRAHAM.
+  _Chancellor of Exchequer_          Mr GLADSTONE.
+  _India Board_                      Sir CHARLES WOOD.
+  _Board of Works_                   Sir WILLIAM MOLESWORTH.
+  _Post Office_                      VISCOUNT CANNING.
+
+    [Footnote 32: George Henry Grey, afterwards Lieut.-Colonel
+    of the Northumberland Militia, and Captain in the Grenadier
+    Guards; father of the present Sir Edward Grey, M.P. He
+    predeceased his father in 1874.]
+
+
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to Viscount Palmerston._
+
+WINDSOR CASTLE, _7th February 1855_.
+
+The Queen has just received Lord Palmerston's letter with the List of
+the Government, which she approves. She entirely agrees with him in
+the view he takes with respect to Lord Lansdowne's position in the
+House of Lords, and will write to him on the subject. From what he
+said, however, the Queen would hope that he would not be disinclined
+to make the announcement of the Government as well as to take the lead
+on all occasions of great importance.[33]
+
+The Queen approves that the office of Secretary at War should remain
+open at present; but as regards the question itself of these two
+offices, she reserves her judgment till the subject is submitted to
+her in a definite form.
+
+    [Footnote 33: Lord Lansdowne consented, on particular
+    occasions only, to represent the Government, but claimed to be
+    himself the judge of the expediency or necessity of his doing
+    so. The ministerial life of this _doyen_ of the Whig Party
+    spanned half a century, for he had, as Lord Henry Petty,
+    been Chancellor of the Exchequer in the ministry of "All the
+    Talents" in 1806-1807. Lord Granville now assumed the Liberal
+    leadership in the Lords, which, as Lord Fitzmaurice points
+    out, he held, with a brief exception of three years, till his
+    death in 1891].
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: THE VIENNA CONFERENCE]
+
+
+_The Earl of Clarendon to Queen Victoria._
+
+_10th February 1855._
+
+Lord Clarendon presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and humbly
+begs to say that, with the permission of Lord Palmerston, and at the
+urgent recommendation of Lord Aberdeen and Lord Lansdowne, he has made
+to Lord John Russell the proposal to act as our negotiator at Vienna,
+which your Majesty was pleased to sanction on Wednesday night.[34]
+
+Lord Clarendon thinks, that whether the negotiations end in peace or
+are suddenly to be broken off, no man is so likely as Lord John to
+be approved by the Country for whichever course of proceeding he may
+adopt, and it will be a great advantage that the negotiator himself
+should be able to vindicate his own conduct in Parliament.
+
+Lord Clarendon has this evening received a very kind and friendly
+answer from Lord John, who is disposed to accept, but desires another
+day to consider the proposal.
+
+As our relations with the United States are of the utmost importance
+at this moment, and as they have rather improved of late, Lord
+Clarendon humbly hopes he may be excused if he ventures to suggest to
+your Majesty the expediency of inviting Mr Buchanan[35] to Windsor.
+
+    [Footnote 34: In pursuance of the negotiations referred
+    to (_ante_, p. 65), a conference of the Powers was held at
+    Vienna. Lord John's view of the attitude which he hoped Great
+    Britain would take up is clearly stated in his letter of the
+    11th to Lord Clarendon, printed in Walpole's _Life of Lord
+    John Russell_, vol. ii. p. 242. He favoured the admission of
+    Prussia to the Conference.]
+
+    [Footnote 35: American Minister to Great Britain, afterwards
+    President of the United States.]
+
+
+
+
+_Viscount Palmerston to Queen Victoria._
+
+PICCADILLY, _10th February 1855_.
+
+Viscount Palmerston presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and begs
+to state that having been very kindly received at Paris by the Emperor
+of the French, he thought it would be useful to write to the Emperor
+on the formation of the present Government, and he submits a copy of
+the letter[36] which he addressed to the Emperor.
+
+The Emperor, when Viscount Palmerston took leave of him, signified his
+intention of writing occasionally to Viscount Palmerston, and that is
+the reason why Viscount Palmerston adverts to such communications in
+his letter.
+
+Viscount Palmerston has just had the honour to receive your Majesty's
+communication of this day, and will not fail to bear in mind the
+suggestions which it contains.
+
+    [Footnote 36: _Viscount Palmerston to the Emperor of the
+    French._
+
+    LONDRES, _8 Fevrier 1855_.
+
+    SIRE,--Appele par la Reine ma Souveraine au poste que
+    maintenant j'occupe, je m'empresse de satisfaire au besoin que
+    je sens d'exprimer a votre Majeste la grande satisfaction
+    que j'eprouve a me trouver en rapport plus direct avec le
+    Gouvernement de votre Majeste.
+
+    L'Alliance qui unit si heureusement la France et l'Angleterre
+    et qui promet des resultats si avantageux pour toute l'Europe,
+    prend son origine dans la loyaute, la franchise, et la
+    sagacite de votre Majeste; et votre Majeste pourra toujours
+    compter sur la loyaute et la franchise du Gouvernement
+    Anglais. Et si votre Majeste avait jamais une communication a
+    nous faire sur des idees non encore assez muries pour etre le
+    sujet de Depeches Officielles, je m'estimerais tres honore en
+    recevant une telle communication de la part de votre Majeste.
+
+    Nous allons mettre un peu d'ordre a notre Camp devant
+    Sevastopol, et en cela nous tacherons d'imiter le bel exemple
+    qui nous est montre par le Camp Francais. A quelque chose
+    cependant malheur est bon, et le mauvais etat de l'Armee
+    Anglaise a donne aux braves et genereux Francais l'occasion de
+    prodiguer a leurs freres d'armes des soins, qui ont excite la
+    plus vive reconnaissance tant en Angleterre qu'a Balaclava.
+    J'ai l'honneur d'etre, Sire, etc. etc.,
+
+    PALMERSTON.]
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: PALMERSTON AND THE EMPEROR]
+
+
+_Memorandum by the Prince Albert._
+
+WINDSOR CASTLE, _11th February 1855_.
+
+This letter gave us great uneasiness.... The sort of private
+correspondence which Lord Palmerston means to establish with the
+Emperor Napoleon is a novel and unconstitutional practice. If carried
+on behind the back of the Sovereign, it makes her Minister the Privy
+Councillor of a foreign Sovereign at the head of her affairs. How can
+the Foreign Secretary and Ambassador at Paris, the legitimate organs
+of communication, carry on their business, if everything has been
+privately preconcerted between the Emperor and the English Prime
+Minister? What control can the Cabinet hope to exercise on the Foreign
+Affairs under these circumstances?...
+
+
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to Viscount Palmerston._
+
+WINDSOR CASTLE, _11th February 1855_.
+
+The Queen thanks Lord Palmerston for his letter of the 10th, and for
+communicating to her the letter which he had addressed upon the 8th to
+the Emperor of the French on the formation of the present Government,
+the copy of which the Queen herewith returns.
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: THE ROEBUCK COMMITTEE]
+
+
+_Viscount Palmerston to Queen Victoria._
+
+PICCADILLY, _16th February 1855_. (_Friday night._)
+
+Viscount Palmerston presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and
+begs to state that after he had made his statement this afternoon,
+a conversation of some length took place, in which Mr Disraeli, Mr
+Roebuck, Mr Thomas Duncombe, and several other Members took part, the
+subject of discussion being whether Mr Roebuck's Committee should or
+should not be appointed.
+
+Viscount Palmerston is concerned to say that it was not only his own
+impression but the opinion of a great number of persons with whom he
+communicated in the course of the evening, including the Speaker,
+that the appointment of the Committee will be carried by a very great
+majority, perhaps scarcely less great than that by which the original
+Motion was affirmed; and it was also the opinion of good judges that
+a refusal to grant an enquiry would not be a good ground on which to
+dissolve Parliament and appeal to the Country. The general opinion was
+that the best way of meeting the Motion for naming the Committee
+which Mr Roebuck has fixed for next Thursday, would be to move some
+instruction to the Committee directing or limiting the range of its
+enquiry. This is a matter, however, which will be well considered at
+the meeting of the Cabinet to-morrow....
+
+The reason alleged for the determination of Members to vote for Mr
+Roebuck's Committee is the general desire throughout the Country
+that an enquiry should be instituted to ascertain the causes of the
+sufferings of your Majesty's troops in the Crimea.
+
+
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to the King of Prussia._ [_Translation._]
+
+BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _20th February 1855_.
+
+DEAREST BROTHER,--I must not let Lord John Russell visit Berlin
+without personally recommending him to your Majesty--an honour
+which he deserves in a high degree, as a statesman of wide outlook,
+well-informed, and moderate. At the same time I may be allowed to
+repeat my conviction, which I have expressed several times already,
+that it appears to me impossible to obtain peace so long as Prussia
+continues indisposed to maintain, in case of necessity by force
+of arms, the principles publicly expressed in concert with the
+belligerent Powers and Austria.
+
+Much blood, very much blood, has already been shed. Honour and justice
+force the belligerent Powers to make every sacrifice in continually
+defending those principles to the utmost. Whether diplomacy will
+succeed in saving Prussia from taking an active share in this
+defence--that remains the secret of the future, which the King of
+kings alone possesses!
+
+Albert presents his homage to your Majesty, and I beg to be most
+cordially remembered, and remain as ever, my dear Brother, your
+Majesty's faithful Servant and Friend,
+
+VICTORIA R.
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: MR GLADSTONE]
+
+
+_Memorandum by the Prince Albert._
+
+BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _21st February 1855_.
+
+I have just seen Mr Gladstone, who received my box so late that I did
+not wish to detain him more than a few minutes, as the Cabinet
+was waiting for him. I told him, however, the substance of Lord
+Palmerston's letter, and of the Queen's answer, the wisdom of which,
+he said, nobody could doubt for a moment, and added that the choice
+lying only between many evils, I hoped he and his friends would not
+strive to obtain an absolute good, and thereby lose the Queen the
+services of an efficient Government. He begged that I should rest
+assured that the first and primary consideration which would guide
+their determination would be the position of the Crown in these
+critical circumstances. He had had no opportunity of consulting these
+last days either Mr S. Herbert or Sir James Graham. But for himself he
+felt the greatest difficulty in letting the House of Commons succeed
+in what he must consider a most unconstitutional, most presumptuous,
+and most dangerous course, after which it would be impossible for
+the Executive ever to oppose again the most absurd and preposterous
+demands for enquiry.[37]
+
+    [Footnote 37: See _post_, 21st February, 1855, note 38.]
+
+I asked, "But can you stop it?"
+
+He answered: I believe Lord Palmerston made a mistake in not grappling
+with it from the first, and using all the power the Crown had
+entrusted to him, even ostentatiously, for the purpose. Now it might
+be most difficult--but it ought not to pass without a solemn protest
+on the part of the men who were not connected with the Government,
+and should not be supposed to have any other than the interests of
+the Country at heart. A Government was powerless in resisting such an
+encroachment of the House, where the whole Opposition, from personal
+motives, and the supporters of Government from fear of their
+constituents, were bent upon carrying it. Such a protest, however,
+might form a rallying-point upon which future resistance might be
+based, and the Country, now intoxicated by agitation, might come to
+its senses.
+
+As to the strength of the Government, he believed it had very little
+at this moment in the House, and that such would be the case with any
+Government Lord Palmerston could form, he had foretold him, when Lord
+Derby had made him the offer to join an Administration of his forming.
+At this moment the secession of the Peelites would rather strengthen
+the Government than otherwise, as, from their connection with Lord
+Aberdeen, they had been decried in the Country with him, and the Whigs
+looked upon them with all the personal feelings of men deprived of
+their offices by them.
+
+He agreed with me that in the present disruption of Parties, the
+difficulty of obtaining any strong Government consists, not in the
+paucity of men, but in the over-supply of Right Honourable gentlemen
+produced by the many attempts to form a Government on a more extended
+base. There were now at least three Ministers for each office, from
+which the two excluded were always cried up as superior to the one
+in power. He said this could not be amended until we got back to two
+Parties--each of them capable of presenting to the Queen an efficient
+Administration. Now the one Party did not support its Chief from
+personal rivalry--and the other, from the very feeling of its own
+incapacity, became reckless as to the course of its political actions.
+
+He concluded by saying he felt it right to reserve his final
+determination till the last moment at which it would become necessary.
+
+ALBERT.
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: RESIGNATION OF THE PEELITES]
+
+
+_Viscount Palmerston to Queen Victoria._
+
+DOWNING STREET, _21st February 1855_.
+
+Viscount Palmerston presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and
+feels extreme regret in having to state to your Majesty that Sir James
+Graham, Mr Gladstone, and Mr Sidney Herbert announced at the Cabinet
+Meeting to-day their determination to retire from the Government in
+consequence of their inability to consent to the nomination of Mr
+Roebuck's Committee.[38] _No other_ Member of the Government has
+as yet intimated any intention to retire. Viscount Palmerston will
+assemble the remaining Members of the Government to-morrow at twelve
+to take into consideration the steps to be taken for supplying the
+places of the retiring Members.[39]
+
+An endeavour has been made to induce Mr Roebuck to postpone the
+appointment of the Committee till Monday, but he will not consent to
+delay it beyond to-morrow, and he will insert in the votes to-night,
+to be printed to-morrow morning (in accordance with the rules of the
+House), the proposed list of names which have been settled between the
+Government and Mr Roebuck, and which seem to be unobjectionable, all
+things considered....
+
+    [Footnote 38: The retirement of the Peelites in a body from
+    Lord Palmerston's Ministry is a curious instance of the
+    tenacity of Party ties, since the prosecution of the enquiry
+    into the conduct of the war affected the Whig as much as the
+    Peelite section of the Aberdeen Cabinet. In reference to their
+    reason for resignation (_viz._ that the investigation was a
+    dangerous breach of a great constitutional principle, and that
+    similar enquiries could never thenceforward be refused), see
+    Parker's _Sir James Graham_, vol. ii. pp. 268-272.
+
+    The secession of the Peelites, however, did not make the
+    Ministry a Whig Government. The last Whig Administration was
+    that which left office early in 1852. Had Lord John Russell
+    succeeded in his attempt on the present occasion, the Whig
+    party might have endured _co nomine_; but Palmerston had,
+    notwithstanding Cobden's distrust, been popular with the
+    Radicals, and henceforward his supporters must be known as the
+    Liberal Party.]
+
+    [Footnote 39: Sir Charles Wood became First Lord of the
+    Admiralty (Mr. Vernon Smith succeeding him at the Board of
+    Control), Sir George Lewis succeeded Mr Gladstone at the
+    Exchequer, and the Colonial Office was offered to and accepted
+    by Lord John Russell, who was at the moment in Paris on his
+    way to attend the Vienna Conference.]
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: CRIMEAN HEROES]
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._
+
+BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _27th February 1855_.
+
+MY DEAREST UNCLE,--Since I last wrote to you, we have again had much
+trouble, as Van de Weyer will have informed you. We have lost our
+_three_ best men--certainly from the purest and best of motives--but
+the result is _unfortunate_. Altogether, affairs are very unsettled
+and very unsatisfactory. The good people here are really a little
+_mad_, but I am certain it _will_ right itself; one must only _not_
+give way to the nonsense and absurdity one hears.
+
+Lord John's return to office _under_ Lord Palmerston is very
+extraordinary![40] I hope he may do good in his mission; he is most
+anxious for it.
+
+Many thanks for your kind letter of the 23rd. The frost has left us,
+which personally I regret, as it agrees so well with me; but I believe
+it was very necessary on account of the great distress which was
+prevalent, so many people being thrown out of employment.
+
+The Emperor's meditated voyage[41]--though natural in him to wish--I
+think most alarming; in fact, I don't know how things are to go on
+without him, independent of the great danger he exposes himself
+to besides. I own it makes one tremble, for _his life_ is of such
+_immense importance_. I still hope that he may be deterred from it,
+but Walewski was in a great state about it.
+
+On Thursday we saw twenty-six of the wounded Coldstream Guards, and
+on Friday thirty-four of the Scotch Fusileers. A most interesting and
+touching sight--_such_ fine men, and so brave and patient! _so ready_
+to go back and "_be at them again_." A great many of them, I am glad
+to say, will be able to remain in the Service. Those who have lost
+their limbs cannot, of course. There were two poor boys of nineteen
+and twenty--the one had lost his leg, quite high up, by the bursting
+of a shell in the trenches, and the other his poor arm so shot that it
+is perfectly useless. Both had smooth girls' faces; these were in the
+Coldstream, who certainly look the worst. In the Scotch Fusileers,
+there were also two very young men--the one shot through the
+cheek, the other through the _skull_--but both recovered! Among the
+Grenadiers there is one very sad object, shot _dreadfully_, a ball
+having gone in through the cheek and behind the nose and eye and out
+through the other side! He is shockingly disfigured, but is recovered.
+I feel so much for them, and am _so fond_ of my dear soldiers--so
+_proud_ of them! We could not have avoided sending the Guards; it
+would have been their ruin if they had not gone....
+
+I must now conclude. Ever your devoted Niece,
+
+VICTORIA R.
+
+    [Footnote 40: For twenty years Lord John Russell had been
+    Leader of the Whig Party in the House, and Lord Palmerston
+    subordinate to him.]
+
+    [Footnote 41: The Emperor had announced his intention of
+    going to the Crimea, and assuming the conduct of the war. The
+    project was most unfavourably regarded by the Queen and the
+    Prince, by Lord Palmerston, and by the Emperor's own advisers.
+    But the intention, which had been carefully matured, was
+    arrived at in full loyalty to the Alliance with this country,
+    and had to be tactfully met. Accordingly, it was arranged
+    that when Napoleon was at the Camp in Boulogne in March, Lord
+    Clarendon should visit him there, and discuss the question
+    with him. Eventually, the Foreign Secretary persuaded the
+    Emperor to relinquish, or at any rate defer, his expedition; a
+    memorandum of what passed on the occasion was drawn up by the
+    Prince from the narration of Lord Clarendon, and printed by
+    Sir Theodore Martin. (_Life of the Prince Consort_, vol. iii.
+    p. 231.)]
+
+
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to the Earl of Clarendon._
+
+BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _1st March 1855_.
+
+The Queen thanks Lord Clarendon for his letter received this evening,
+and will return the enclosures to-morrow.
+
+The Queen gathers from what she has read that the Emperor is bent upon
+going, and that nothing in the shape of remonstrance or argument will
+turn him from his purpose.
+
+Should the Emperor's journey take place, Lord Cowley's accompanying
+him appears to the Queen in all respects a most useful step, and the
+Queen gives accordingly her permission for him to go.
+
+The Emperor's taking the management of the whole Campaign, as well as
+the command of our Forces, entirely into his own hands, involves so
+many considerations that it may be worth considering whether we
+ought not previously to come to a more direct and comprehensive
+understanding with him, such as full and verbal discussion would alone
+afford--to which, in some shape or other, his present stay at Boulogne
+might afford some facilities.
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: DEATH OF THE CZAR]
+
+
+_From Sir Ralph Abercromby._[42]
+
+THE HAGUE. _2nd March 1855_. (Received 3.45 P.M.)
+
+The Emperor Nicholas died this morning at 1 A.M. of Pulmonic Apoplexy,
+after an attack of Influenza.[43]
+
+    [Footnote 42: Who had married the sister of Lady John
+    Russell.]
+
+    [Footnote 43: Nothing had been known publicly of the Czar's
+    illness, and the startling news of his death caused a
+    sensation in England of tragedy rather than of joy. Mr
+    Kinglake has vividly depicted the feelings of agony and
+    mortification with which the news of the earlier Russian
+    reverses had been received by Nicholas. On the 1st of March,
+    he received the full account of the disaster at Eupatoria,
+    after which he became delirious, and died on the following
+    day. He had stated, in referring to the horrors of that
+    Crimean winter, that Russia had still two Generals on whom
+    she could rely: Generals Janvier and Fevrier; and Leech, with
+    matchless art, now made his famous cartoon--"General Fevrier
+    turned traitor," depicting Death, in the uniform of a Russian
+    officer, laying his bony hand on the Emperor's heart.]
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: THE COMMITTEE OF ENQUIRY]
+
+
+_Viscount Palmerston to Queen Victoria._
+
+HOUSE OF COMMONS, _2nd March 1855_.
+
+Viscount Palmerston presents his humble duty to your Majesty....
+
+The death of the Emperor of Russia may or may not produce important
+changes in the state of affairs. It is probable that the Grand Duke
+Hereditary will succeed quietly, notwithstanding the notion that a
+doubt would be started whether he, as son of the Grand Duke Nicholas,
+would not be superseded by his younger brother born son of the
+Czar.[44] It is possible that the new Emperor may revert to that
+peaceful policy which he was understood to advocate in the beginning
+of these transactions, but it is possible, on the other hand, that
+he may feel bound to follow out the policy of his father, and may be
+impelled by the headstrong ambition of his brother Constantine. At all
+events, this change at Petersburg should not for the present slacken
+the proceedings and the arrangements of the Allies.
+
+The House of Commons has been engaged in discussing Mr Roebuck's
+proposal that the Committee of Enquiry should be a secret one. This
+proposal was made by the majority of the Committee on the ground that
+they anticipated a difficulty in conducting their enquiries without
+trenching on the delicate and dangerous ground of questioning the
+proceedings of the French. The proposal was objected to by Lord
+Seymour[45] and Mr Ellice, members of the Committee, by Sir James
+Graham as unjust towards the Duke of Newcastle, and others whose
+conduct ought to be enquired into with all the safeguards which
+publicity secures for justice, and not before a Secret Tribunal in the
+nature of an Inquisition. The general sense of the House was against
+secrecy, and Viscount Palmerston expressed an opinion adverse to it,
+on the ground that it could not be enforced because the Committee
+could not gag the witnesses, and that the character of secrecy
+would excite suspicion and disappoint public expectation. Sir John
+Pakington, a member of the Committee, was for secrecy, Mr Disraeli
+spoke against it, and the Motion has been withdrawn.
+
+    [Footnote 44: The eldest son, the Grand Duke Alexander
+    (1818-1881), succeeded as Czar Alexander II.]
+
+    [Footnote 45: Lord Seymour (afterwards Duke of Somerset)
+    drafted the Report of the Committee.]
+
+
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to the Princess of Prussia._ [_Translation._]
+
+BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _4th March 1855_.
+
+DEAR AUGUSTA,--The astounding news of the death of your poor uncle the
+Emperor Nicholas reached us the day before yesterday at four o'clock.
+A few hours previously we had learnt that his condition was hopeless.
+The news is sudden and most unexpected, and we are naturally very
+anxious to learn details. His departure from life at the present
+moment cannot but make a particularly strong impression, and what
+the consequences of it may be the All-knowing One alone can foresee.
+Although the poor Emperor has died as our enemy, I have not forgotten
+former and more happy times, and no one has more than I regretted that
+he himself evoked this sad war.[46] To you I must address my request
+to express to the poor Empress, as well as to the family, my heartfelt
+condolence. I cannot do it officially, but you, my beloved friend, you
+will surely be able to convey it to your sister-in-law as well as to
+the present young Emperor in a manner which shall not compromise me. I
+have a deep, heartfelt desire to express this. To your dear, honoured
+mother convey, pray, my condolence on the death of her brother....
+
+    [Footnote 46: The Queen records, in the _Life of the Prince
+    Consort_, that she entertained a sincere respect for the
+    Emperor personally, and received the news of his death with
+    regret (vol. iii. p. 225, note).]
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: THE HOSPITAL QUESTION]
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to Lord Panmure._
+
+BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _5th March 1855_.
+
+The Queen is very anxious to bring before Lord Panmure the subject
+which she mentioned to him the other night, viz. that of Hospitals for
+our sick and wounded soldiers. This is absolutely necessary, and
+_now_ is the moment to have them built, for no doubt there would be no
+difficulty in obtaining the money requisite for this purpose, from the
+strong feeling now existing in the public mind for improvements of all
+kinds connected with the Army and the well-being and comfort of the
+soldier.
+
+Nothing can exceed the attention paid to these poor men in the
+Barracks at Chatham (or rather more Fort Pitt and Brompton), and they
+are in that respect very comfortable; but the buildings are bad--the
+wards more like prisons than hospitals, with the windows so high that
+no one can look out of them; and the generality of the wards are small
+rooms, with hardly space for you to walk between the beds. There is no
+dining-room or hall, so that the poor men must have their dinners in
+the same room in which they sleep, and in which some may be dying,
+and at any rate many suffering, while others are at their meals. The
+proposition of having hulks prepared for their reception will do very
+well at first, but it would not, the Queen thinks, do for any length
+of time. A hulk is a very gloomy place, and these poor men require
+their spirits to be cheered as much as their physical sufferings to be
+attended to. The Queen is particularly anxious on this subject, which
+is, he may truly say, constantly in her thoughts, as is everything
+connected with her beloved troops, who have fought so bravely and
+borne so heroically all their sufferings and privations.
+
+The Queen hopes before long to visit all the Hospitals at Portsmouth,
+and to see in what state they are.
+
+_When_ will the medals be ready for distribution?
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheader: LORD DALHOUSIE RESIGNS]
+
+
+_The Marquis of Dalhousie to Queen Victoria._
+
+OOTACAMUND, _14th March 1855_.
+
+The Governor-General presents his most humble duty to your Majesty;
+and in obedience to the command, which your Majesty was pleased to lay
+upon him, that he should keep your Majesty acquainted with the course
+of public events in India, he has the honour to inform your Majesty
+that he has now felt it to be his duty to request the President of
+the Board of Control to solicit for him your Majesty's permission to
+retire from the office of Governor-General of India about the close of
+the present year.
+
+The Governor-General begs permission respectfully to represent, that
+in January next, he will have held his present office for eight years;
+that his health during the last few months has seriously failed him;
+and that although he believes that the invigorating air of these hills
+will enable him to discharge all his duties efficiently during this
+season, yet he is conscious that the effects of an Indian climate have
+laid such a hold upon him that by the close of the present year he
+will be wholly unfit any longer to serve your Majesty.
+
+Lord Dalhousie, therefore, humbly trusts that your Majesty will
+graciously permit him to resign the great office which he holds before
+he ceases to command the strength which is needed to sustain it. He
+has the honour to subscribe himself, your Majesty's most obedient,
+most humble and devoted Subject and Servant,
+
+DALHOUSIE.
+
+
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to the Earl of Clarendon._
+
+BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _14th March 1855_.
+
+The Queen returns the letter and Despatches from Vienna. They don't
+alter her opinion as to our demands. Every concession in form and
+wording ought to be made which could save Russian _amour-propre_; but
+this ought in no way to trench upon the _substance_ of our demands, to
+which Austria must feel herself bound.[47]
+
+    [Footnote 47: As has already been stated, the "Four Points"
+    were the basis of the negotiations at Vienna; the third
+    alone, which the Allies and Austria had defined as intended
+    to terminate Russian preponderance in the Black Sea, caused
+    difficulty.]
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: THE VIENNA CONFERENCE]
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to the Earl of Clarendon._
+
+OSBORNE, _19th March 1855_.
+
+The Queen has read with the greatest interest Lord Cowley's three
+reports. The changeableness of the French views are most perplexing,
+although they have hitherto not prevented a steady course from being
+followed in the end. Lord Cowley seems to have been a little off his
+guard when he took the proposal of our taking Sinope as a second Malta
+or Gibraltar, for a mere act of generosity and confidence towards
+us. We must be careful not to break down ourselves the barrier of the
+"abnegation clause" of our original treaty.[48] The Austrian proposal
+can hardly be serious, for to require 1,200,000 men before going to
+war is almost ridiculous.
+
+The Queen read with much concern the two simultaneous proposals
+from the King of Prussia's simultaneous Plenipotentiaries--both
+inadmissible, in her opinion. A very civil answer would appear to the
+Queen as the best, to the effect that, as Prussia was evidently not
+now in a mood to resume her position amongst the great Powers with the
+responsibilities attaching to it, we could not hope to arrive at any
+satisfactory result by the present negotiations, but shall be ready
+to treat Prussia with the same regard with which we have always done,
+when she shall have something tangible to propose.
+
+    [Footnote 48: _I.e._ the formal renunciation by the Allies of
+    any scheme of territorial acquisition.]
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: THE BALTIC EXPEDITION]
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to Viscount Palmerston._
+
+OSBORNE, _19th March 1855_.
+
+With regard to the Expedition to the Baltic[49] the Queen concurs in
+believing it probable that we shall have to confine ourselves to a
+blockade, but this should be with the _certainty_ of its being done
+effectually and free from any danger to the squadron, from a sudden
+start of the Russian fleet. Twenty sail of the Line (to which add
+five French) would be a sufficient force if supported by the necessary
+complement of frigates, corvettes, and gunboats, etc., etc.; alone,
+they would be useless from their draught of water, and if twenty ships
+only are meant (not sail of the Line), the force would seem wholly
+inadequate. The Queen would therefore wish, before giving her sanction
+to the proposed plan of campaign, to have a complete list submitted
+to her of what it is intended to constitute the Baltic Fleet.[50]
+We ought likewise not to leave ourselves destitute of any Reserve at
+home, which the uncertain contingencies of another year's war may call
+upon at any moment.
+
+The Queen regrets Lord Shaftesbury's declining office, and approves of
+Lord Elgin's selection in his place.[51]
+
+She thanks Lord Palmerston for the clear and comprehensive explanation
+of Sir George Lewis's Stamp Duties Bill,[52] and approves of Lord
+Palmerston's proposal for the adjournment of Parliament for the Easter
+holidays.
+
+    [Footnote 49: The expedition was commanded by Rear-Admiral
+    Richard Dundas. About the same time Vice-Admiral Sir James
+    Dundas retired from the Mediterranean Command, in favour of
+    Sir Edmund Lyons.]
+
+    [Footnote 50: The allied fleet comprised 23 line-of-battle
+    ships, 31 frigates and corvettes, 29 smaller steamers and
+    gunboats, and 18 other craft.]
+
+    [Footnote 51: As Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster; Mr
+    Matthew Talbot Baines was ultimately appointed.]
+
+    [Footnote 52: Imposing a penny stamp upon bankers' cheques,
+    if drawn within fifteen miles of the place where they were
+    payable.]
+
+
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to Lord Panmure._
+
+OSBORNE, _22nd March 1855_.
+
+The other day, when the Queen spoke to Lord Panmure on the subject of
+the distribution of the _Medal_ for the _Crimean_ Campaign amongst the
+Officers, and those who _are_ in _this_ country, no decision was come
+to as to how this should be done. The Queen has since thought that
+the value of this Medal would be greatly enhanced if _she_, were
+_personally_ to deliver it to the officers and a certain number of men
+(selected for that purpose). The valour displayed by our troops,
+as well as the sufferings they have endured, have never been
+surpassed--perhaps hardly equalled; and as the Queen has been a
+witness of _what_ they have gone through, having visited them in their
+hospitals, she would _like_ to be able _personally_ to give them
+the reward they have earned so well, and will value so much. It will
+likewise have a very beneficial effect, the Queen doubts not, on the
+recruiting. The manner in which it should be done, and the details
+connected with the execution of this intention of hers, the Queen will
+settle with Lord Panmure, when she sees him in Town.
+
+Will the Medals now be soon ready?
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: THE IMPERIAL VISIT]
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._
+
+WINDSOR CASTLE, _17th April 1855_.
+
+DEAREST UNCLE,--Your kindness will, I know, excuse any description of
+all that has passed, and _is_ passing, and I leave it to Charles. The
+impression is very favourable.[53] There is great fascination in the
+quiet, frank manner of the Emperor, and _she_ is very pleasing, very
+graceful, and very unaffected, but very delicate. She _is_ certainly
+very pretty and very uncommon-looking. The Emperor spoke very amiably
+of you. The reception by the public was _immensely_ enthusiastic. I
+must end here. Ever your devoted Niece,
+
+VICTORIA R.
+
+    [Footnote 53: The Emperor and Empress of the French arrived
+    on the 16th of April, on a visit to England. They were
+    enthusiastically received both at Dover (notwithstanding a
+    dense fog, which endangered the safety of the Imperial yacht)
+    and on their progress from the South-Eastern terminus to
+    Paddington. In passing King Street, the Emperor was observed
+    to indicate his former residence to the Empress.]
+
+
+
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._
+
+BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _19th April 1855_.
+
+DEAREST UNCLE,... I have not a moment to myself, being of course
+entirely occupied with our Imperial guests, with whom I am much
+pleased, and who behave really with the greatest tact.[54] The
+Investiture went off very well, and to-day (we came from Windsor) the
+enthusiasm of the thousands who received him in the City was immense.
+He is much pleased. Since the time of my Coronation, with the
+exception of the opening of the great Exhibition, I don't remember
+anything like it. To-night we go in state to the Opera. In haste, ever
+your devoted Niece,
+
+VICTORIA R.
+
+    [Footnote 54: A review of the Household troops in Windsor Park
+    was held on the 17th, and a ball was given at the Castle in
+    the evening. A Council of War on the 18th was attended by
+    the Prince, the Emperor, and some of their Ministers; in the
+    afternoon the Queen invested the Emperor with the Garter. On
+    the following day the Emperor received an address at Windsor
+    from the Corporation of London, and lunched at the Guildhall;
+    the Queen and Prince and their guests paid a State visit to
+    Her Majesty's Theatre in the evening to hear _Fidelio_. On the
+    20th the party, with brilliant ceremonial, visited the Crystal
+    Palace at Sydenham, and were enthusiastically received by an
+    immense multitude; another important Council, relative to the
+    future conduct of the war, was held in the evening.]
+
+
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._
+
+BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _24th April 1855_.
+
+MY DEAREST UNCLE,--Many thanks for your kind letter of the 19th and
+20th, by which I am glad to see that you were well. Our great visit
+is past, like a brilliant and most successful dream, but I think the
+effect on the visitors will be a good and lasting one; they saw in our
+reception, and in that of the whole Nation, nothing _put on_, but a
+warm, hearty welcome to a faithful and steady Ally. I think also that
+for Belgium this visit will be very useful, for it will increase the
+friendly feelings of the Emperor towards my dear Uncle, and towards a
+country in which England takes so deep an interest.
+
+The negotiations are broken off, and Austria has been called upon
+to act according to the Treaty of the 2nd December. She intends, I
+believe, to make some proposal, but we know nothing positive as yet.
+In the meantime I fear the Emperor (I mean Napoleon) _will_ go to the
+Crimea, which makes one anxious.... Ever your devoted Niece,
+
+VICTORIA R.
+
+
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to Viscount Palmerston._
+
+BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _25th April 1855_.
+
+The Queen has read the letter of Lady ---- to Lady Palmerston, and now
+returns it to Lord Palmerston.
+
+She has to observe that it has been with her an invariable rule
+never to take upon herself the office of sitting in judgment upon
+accusations or reports against private character. No person therefore
+can have any reason to suppose that she will by marked neglect or
+manner appear to pronounce a verdict upon matters in which she is not
+the proper Court of Appeal.
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: THE EMPEROR'S LETTER]
+
+
+_The Emperor of the French to Queen Victoria._
+
+PALAIS DES TUILERIES, _le 25 Avril 1855_.
+
+MADAME ET BONNE S[OE]UR,--A Paris depuis trois jours, je suis encore
+aupres de votre Majeste par la pensee, et mon premier besoin est
+de Lui redire combien est profonde l'impression que m'a laissee son
+accueil si plein de grace et d'affectueuse bonte. La politique nous a
+rapproches d'abord, mais aujourd'hui qu'il m'a ete permis de connaitre
+personnellement votre Majeste c'est une vive et respectueuse sympathie
+qui forme desormais le veritable lien qui m'attache a elle. Il est
+impossible en effet de vivre quelques jours dans votre intimite sans
+subir le charme qui s'attache a l'image de la grandeur et du bonheur
+de la famille la plus unie. Votre Majeste m'a aussi bien touche par
+ses prevenances delicates envers l'Imperatrice; car rien ne fait plus
+de plaisir que de voir la personne qu'on aime devenir l'objet d'aussi
+flatteuses attentions.
+
+Je prie votre Majeste d'exprimer au Prince Albert les sentiments
+sinceres que m'inspirent sa franche amitie, son esprit eleve et la
+droiture de son jugement.
+
+J'ai rencontre a mon retour a Paris bien des difficultes diplomatiques
+et bien d'autres intervenants au sujet de mon voyage en Crimee. Je
+dirai en confidence a votre Majeste que ma resolution de voyage s'en
+trouve presque ebranlee. En France tous ceux qui possedent sont bien
+peu courageux!
+
+Votre Majeste voudra bien me rappeler au souvenir de sa charmante
+famille et me permettre de Lui renouveler l'assurance de ma
+respectueuse amitie et de mon tendre attachement. De votre Majeste, le
+bon Frere,
+
+NAPOLEON.
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: THE QUEEN'S REPLY]
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to the Emperor of the French._
+
+BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _le 27 Avril 1855_.
+
+SIRE ET MON CHER FRERE,--Votre Majeste vient de m'ecrire une bien
+bonne et affectueuse lettre que j'ai recue hier et qui m'a vivement
+touchee. Vous dites, Sire, que vos pensees sont encore aupres de nous;
+je puis Vous assurer que c'est bien reciproque de notre part et que
+nous ne cessons de repasser en revue et de parler de ces beaux jours
+que nous avons eu le bonheur de passer avec Vous et l'Imperatrice et
+qui se sont malheureusement ecoules si vite. Nous sommes profondement
+touches de la maniere dont votre Majeste parle de nous et de notre
+famille, et je me plais a voir dans les sentiments que vous nous
+temoignez un gage precieux de plus pour la continuation de ces
+relations si heureusement et si fermement etablies entre nos deux
+pays.
+
+Permettez que j'ajoute encore, Sire, combien de prix j'attache a
+l'entiere franchise avec laquelle Vous ne manquez d'agir envers nous
+en toute occasion et a laquelle Vous nous trouverez toujours prets a
+repondre, bien convaincus que c'est le moyen le plus sur pour
+eloigner tout sujet de complication et de mesentendu entre nos deux
+Gouvernements vis-a-vis des graves difficultes que nous avons a
+surmonter ensemble.
+
+Depuis le depart de votre Majeste les complications diplomatiques ont
+augmente bien peniblement et la position est assurement devenue bien
+difficile mais le Ciel n'abandonnera pas ceux qui n'ont d'autre but
+que le bien du genre humain.
+
+J'avoue que la nouvelle de la possibilite de l'abandon de votre voyage
+en Crimee m'a bien tranquillisee parce qu'il y avait bien des causes
+d'alarmes en vous voyant partir si loin et expose a tant de dangers.
+Mais bien que l'absence de votre Majeste en Crimee soit toujours
+une grande perte pour les operations vigoureuses dont nous sommes
+convenus, j'espere que leur execution n'en sera pas moins vivement
+poussee par nos deux Gouvernements.
+
+Le Prince me charge de vous offrir ses plus affectueux hommages et
+nos enfants qui sont bien flattes de votre gracieux souvenir, et qui
+parlent beaucoup de votre visite, se mettent a vos pieds.
+
+Avec tous les sentiments de sincere amitie et de haute estime, je me
+dis, Sire et cher Frere, de V.M.I. la bien bonne S[oe]ur,
+
+VICTORIA R.
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: RUSSIA AND THE BLACK SEA]
+
+[Pageheading: AUSTRIAN PROPOSALS]
+
+
+_Viscount Palmerston to Queen Victoria._[55]
+
+PICCADILLY, _26th April 1855_.
+
+Viscount Palmerston presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and begs
+to state that the Members of the Cabinet who met yesterday evening at
+the Chancellor's were of opinion that the Austrian proposal adopted by
+M. Drouyn de Lhuys, even with his pretended modification, could not
+be described more accurately than in the concise terms of H.R.H.
+the Prince Albert, namely, that instead of making to cease the
+preponderance of Russia in the Black Sea, it would perpetuate and
+legalise that preponderance, and that instead of establishing a secure
+and permanent Peace, it would only establish a prospective case for
+war. Such a proposal therefore your Majesty's Advisers could not
+recommend your Majesty to adopt; but as the step to be taken seems
+rather to be to make such a proposal to Austria than to answer such
+a proposal which Austria has not formally made, and as M. Drouyn's
+telegraphic despatch stated that he thought that Lord John Russell
+would recommend such an arrangement to his colleagues, the Cabinet
+were of opinion that the best course would be simply to take no
+step at all until Lord John Russell's return, which may be expected
+to-morrow or next day, especially as Lord Clarendon had already, by
+telegraphic message of yesterday, intimated to the French Government
+that such an arrangement as that proposed by M. Drouyn, and which
+would sanction a Russian Fleet in the Black Sea to any amount short by
+one ship of the number existing in 1853, could not be agreed to by
+the British Government. Such an arrangement would, in the opinion of
+Viscount Palmerston, be alike dangerous and dishonourable; and as
+to the accompanying alliance with Austria for the future defence of
+Turkey and for making war with Russia, if she were to raise her Black
+Sea Fleet up to the amount of 1853, what reason is there to believe
+that Austria, who shrinks from war with Russia now that the Army
+of Russia has been much reduced by the losses of the last twelve
+months--now that her Forces are divided and occupied elsewhere than on
+the Austrian frontier, and now that England and France are actually in
+the field with great Armies, supported by great Fleets, what reason
+is there to believe that this same Austria would be more ready to
+make war four or five years hence, when the Army of Russia shall have
+repaired its losses and shall be more concentrated to attack
+Austria, when the Austrian Army shall have been reduced to its Peace
+Establishment, and when the Peace Establishments of England and
+France, withdrawn within their home stations, shall be less ready to
+co-operate with Austria in war? What reason, moreover, is there for
+supposing that Austria, who has recently declared that though prepared
+for war she will not make war for ten sail of the Line more or less
+in the Russian Black Sea Fleet, will some few years hence, when
+unprepared for war, draw the sword on account of the addition of one
+ship of war to the Russian Fleet in the Black Sea?
+
+Such proposals are really a mockery.
+
+    [Footnote 55: It had long become evident that Russia
+    would refuse assent to the Third Point, terminating her
+    preponderance in the Black Sea, but Austria now came forward
+    with a proposal to limit the Russian force there to the number
+    of ships authorised before the war. This was rejected by
+    Russia, whereupon the representatives of England and France
+    withdrew from the negotiations. Count Buol, representing
+    Austria, then came forward again with a scheme the salient
+    features of which were that, if Russia increased her Black Sea
+    fleet beyond its existing strength, Turkey might maintain a
+    force equal to it, and England and France might each have a
+    naval force in the Black Sea equal to half the Russian force,
+    while the increase of the Russian fleet beyond its strength
+    in 1853 would be regarded by Austria as a _casus belli_. These
+    terms were satisfactory neither to the British Government
+    nor to the French Emperor, so that it was learned with some
+    surprise that Lord John Russell and M. Drouyn de Lhuys (the
+    French Plenipotentiary) had approved of them. Upon the
+    Emperor definitely rejecting the proposals, M. Drouyn de
+    Lhuys resigned; he was succeeded as Foreign Minister by Count
+    Walewski, M. de Persigny becoming Ambassador in London.
+    Lord John Russell tendered his resignation, but, at Lord
+    Palmerston's solicitation, and most unfortunately for himself,
+    he withdrew it.]
+
+
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to the Earl of Clarendon._
+
+BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _28th April 1855_.
+
+The Queen returns these very important letters. She thinks that it
+will be of great use to ask the Emperor to send M. Drouyn de Lhuys
+over here after having discussed the plans of peace with him, in order
+that he should hear our arguments also, and give us his reasons
+for thinking the terms acceptable. The influence of distance and
+difference of locality upon the resolves of men has often appeared to
+the Queen quite marvellous.
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: THE IMPERIAL VISIT]
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._
+
+BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _1st May 1855_.
+
+MY DEAREST UNCLE,--On this day, the fifth birthday of our darling
+little Arthur--the anniversary of the opening of the Great
+Exhibition--the _once_ great day at Paris, viz. the poor King's
+name-day--and also the birthday of the dear old Duke--I write to
+thank you for your kind and affectionate letter of the 27th. The
+_attentat_[56] on the Emperor will have shocked you, as it did us; it
+shocked me _the more_ as we had _watched over_ him with such anxiety
+while he was with us.
+
+It has produced an immense sensation in France, we hear, and many of
+_his_ political _enemies_, he says, cheered him loudly as he returned
+to the Tuileries. As you say, he is _very personal_, and _therefore_
+kindness _shown_ him _personally_ will make a _lasting_ effect on his
+mind, peculiarly susceptible to _kindness_. Another feature in his
+character is that _il ne fait pas de phrases_--and _what_ is said
+is the result of deep reflection. I therefore send you (in _strict
+confidence_) a copy of the really very kind letter he wrote me,
+and which I am sure is _quite sincere_. He felt the simple and kind
+treatment of him and her _more_ than _all_ the outward homage and
+display.
+
+Please kindly to return it when you have done with it.
+
+I am sure you would be charmed with the Empress; it is not such great
+beauty, but such grace, elegance, sweetness, and _nature_. Her manners
+are charming; the _profile_ and figure beautiful and particularly
+_distingues_.
+
+You will be pleased (as I was) at the abandonment of the journey to
+the Crimea, though I think, as regarded the Campaign, it would have
+been a good thing....
+
+Lord John is returned. I can't say more to-day, but remain, ever your
+devoted Niece,
+
+VICTORIA R.
+
+We have a Childs' _Ball_ to-night.
+
+    [Footnote 56: An Italian, Giacomo Pianori, fired twice at the
+    Emperor, while he was riding in the Champs Elysees, on the
+    29th of April; the Emperor was uninjured.]
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: THE QUEEN'S IMPRESSIONS]
+
+[Pageheading: LOUIS PHILIPPE AND NAPOLEON III]
+
+[Pageheading: ISOLATION OF THE EMPEROR]
+
+[Pageheading: THE FRENCH ALLIANCE]
+
+
+_Memorandum by Queen Victoria._
+
+BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _2nd May 1855_.
+
+The recent visit of the Emperor Napoleon III. to this country is a
+most curious page of history, and gives rise to many reflections. A
+remarkable combination of circumstances has brought about the very
+intimate alliance which now unites England and France, for so many
+centuries the bitterest enemies and rivals, and this, under the reign
+of the present Emperor, the nephew of our greatest foe, and bearing
+his name, and brought about by the policy of the late Emperor of
+Russia, who considered himself as the head of the European Alliance
+against France!
+
+In reflecting on the character of the present Emperor Napoleon, and
+the impression I have conceived of it, the following thoughts present
+themselves to my mind:
+
+That he _is_ a very _extraordinary_ man, with great qualities
+there can be _no_ doubt--I might almost say a mysterious man. He is
+evidently possessed of _indomitable courage_, _unflinching firmness
+of purpose_, _self-reliance_, _perseverance_, and _great secrecy_; to
+this should be added, a great reliance on what he calls his _Star_,
+and a belief in omens and incidents as connected with his future
+destiny, which is almost romantic--and at the same time he is endowed
+with wonderful _self-control_, great _calmness_, even _gentleness_,
+and with a _power_ of _fascination_, the effect of which upon
+all those who become more intimately acquainted with him is _most
+sensibly_ felt.
+
+How far he is actuated by a strong _moral_ sense of _right_ and
+_wrong_ is difficult to say. On the one hand, his attempts at
+Strasbourg and Boulogne, and this last after having given a solemn
+promise never to return or make a similar attempt--in which he openly
+called on the subjects of the then King of the French to follow him
+as the successor of Napoleon, the _Coup d'Etat_ of December 1851,
+followed by great ... severity and the confiscation of the property of
+the unfortunate Orleans family, would lead one to believe that he is
+not. On the other hand, his kindness and gratitude towards all those,
+whether high or low, who have befriended him or stood by him through
+life, and his straightforward and steady conduct towards us throughout
+the very difficult and anxious contest in which we have been engaged
+for a year and a half, show that he is possessed of noble and right
+feelings.
+
+My impression is, that in all these apparently inexcusable acts, he
+has invariably been guided by the belief that he is _fulfilling a
+destiny_ which God has _imposed_ upon him, and that, though cruel or
+harsh in themselves, they were _necessary_ to obtain the result which
+he considered _himself_ as _chosen_ to carry out, and _not_ acts of
+_wanton_ cruelty or injustice; for it is impossible to know him and
+not to see that there is much that is truly amiable, kind, and honest
+in his character. Another remarkable and important feature in his
+composition is, that everything he says or expresses is the _result_
+of deep reflection and of settled purpose, and not merely _des phrases
+de politesse_, consequently when we read words used in his speech
+made in the City, we may feel sure that he _means_ what he says; and
+therefore I would rely with confidence on his behaving honestly and
+faithfully towards us. I am not able to say whether he is deeply
+versed in History--I should rather think not, as regards it
+_generally_, though he may be, and probably is, well informed in
+the history of his own country, certainly fully so in that of the
+_Empire_, he having made it his special study to contemplate and
+reflect upon all the acts and designs of his great uncle. He is very
+well read in German literature, to which he seems to be very partial.
+It is said, and I am inclined to think with truth, that he reads but
+little, even as regards despatches from his own foreign Ministers, he
+having expressed his surprise at my reading them daily. He seems to
+be singularly ignorant in matters not connected with the branch of
+his _special_ studies, and to be ill informed upon them by those who
+surround him.
+
+If we compare him with poor King Louis Philippe, I should say that the
+latter (Louis Philippe) was possessed of vast knowledge upon all and
+every subject, of immense experience in public affairs, and of great
+activity of mind; whereas the Emperor possesses greater judgment and
+much greater firmness of purpose, but no experience of public affairs,
+nor mental application; he is endowed, as was the late King, with much
+fertility of imagination.
+
+Another great difference between King Louis Philippe and the
+Emperor is, that the poor King was _thoroughly French_ in character,
+possessing all the liveliness and talkativeness of that people,
+whereas the Emperor is as _unlike_ a _Frenchman_ as possible, being
+much more _German_ than French in character.... How could it be
+expected that the Emperor _should_ have any _experience_ in _public
+affairs_, considering that till six years ago he lived as a poor
+exile, for some years even in prison, and never having taken the
+slightest part in the _public_ affairs of _any_ country?
+
+It is therefore the more astounding, indeed almost incomprehensible,
+that he should show all those powers of Government, and all that
+wonderful tact in his conduct and manners which he evinces, and which
+many a King's son, nurtured in palaces and educated in the midst of
+affairs, never succeeds in attaining. I likewise believe that he would
+be incapable of such tricks and over-reachings as practised by poor
+King Louis Philippe (for whose memory, as the old and kind friend of
+my father, and of whose kindness and amiable qualities I shall ever
+retain a lively sense), who in great as well as in small things took
+a pleasure in being cleverer and more cunning than others, often
+when there was no advantage to be gained by it, and which was,
+unfortunately, strikingly displayed in the transactions connected with
+the Spanish marriages, which led to the King's downfall and ruined
+him in the eyes of all Europe. On the other hand, I believe that the
+Emperor Napoleon would not hesitate to do a thing by main force,
+even if in itself unjust and tyrannical, should he consider that the
+_accomplishment of his destiny_ demanded it.
+
+The _great advantage_ to be derived for the permanent alliance
+of England and France, which is of such vital importance to both
+countries, by the Emperor's recent visit, I take to be this: that,
+with his peculiar character and views, which are very personal, a
+kind, unaffected, and hearty reception by us _personally_ in our own
+family will make a lasting impression upon his mind; he will see
+that he can rely upon our friendship and honesty towards him and his
+country so long as he remains faithful towards us; naturally frank,
+he will see the advantage to be derived from continuing so; and if he
+reflects on the downfall of the former dynasty, he will see that it
+arose _chiefly_ from a _breach_ of pledges,... and will be sure, if I
+be not very much mistaken in his character, to _avoid_ such a course.
+It must likewise not be overlooked that this kindly feeling towards
+us, and consequently towards England (the interests of which are
+_inseparable_ from us), must be increased when it is remembered that
+_we_ are almost the only people in _his_ own position with whom he has
+been able to be on any terms of intimacy, consequently almost the only
+ones to whom he could talk easily and unreservedly, which he cannot
+do naturally with his inferiors. He and the Empress are in a most
+isolated position, unable to trust the only relations who are near
+them in France, and surrounded by courtiers and servants, who from
+fear or interest do not tell them the truth. It is, therefore, natural
+to believe that he will not willingly separate from those who, like
+us, do not scruple to put him in possession of the real facts, and
+whose conduct is guided by justice and honesty, and this the more
+readily as he is supposed to have always been a searcher after truth.
+I would go still further, and think that it is in our power to _keep_
+him in the right course, and to protect him against the extreme
+flightiness, changeableness, and to a certain extent want of honesty
+of his own servants and nation. We should never lose the opportunity
+of checking in the bud any attempt on the part of his agents or
+ministers to play us false, frankly informing him of the facts, and
+encouraging him to bring forward in an equally frank manner whatever
+he has to complain of. This is the course which we have hitherto
+pursued, and as he is France in his own sole person, it becomes of the
+utmost importance to encourage by every means in our power that very
+open intercourse which I must say has existed between him and Lord
+Cowley for the last year and a half, and now, since our personal
+acquaintance, between ourselves.
+
+As I said before, the words which fall from his lips are the result of
+deep reflection, and part of the deep plan which he has staked out
+for himself, and which he intends to carry out. I would therefore lay
+stress on the following words which he pronounced to me immediately
+after the investiture of the Order of the Garter: "_C'est un lien de
+plus entre nous, j'ai prete serment de fidelite a votre Majeste et
+je le garderai soigneusement. C'est un grand evenement pour moi, et
+j'espere pouvoir prouver ma reconnaissance envers votre Majeste et son
+Pays._" In a letter said to be written by him to Mr F. Campbell, the
+translator of M. Thiers's _History of the Consulate and Empire_, when
+returning the proof-sheets in 1847, he says "Let us hope the day may
+yet come when I shall carry out the intentions of my Uncle by uniting
+the policy and interests of England and France in an indissoluble
+alliance. That hope cheers and encourages me. It forbids my repining
+at the altered fortunes of my family."
+
+If these be truly his words, he certainly has acted up to them, since
+he has swayed with an iron hand the destinies of that most versatile
+nation, the French. That he should have written this at a moment when
+Louis Philippe had succeeded in all his wishes, and seemed securer
+than ever in the possession of his Throne, shows a calm reliance in
+his destiny and in the realisation of hopes entertained from his very
+childhood which borders on the supernatural.
+
+These are a few of the many reflections caused by the observation and
+acquaintance with the character of this most extraordinary man, in
+whose fate not only the interests of this country, but the whole of
+Europe are intimately bound up. I shall be curious to see if, after
+the lapse of time, my opinion and estimate of it has been the right
+one.
+
+VICTORIA R.
+
+
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to the Earl of Clarendon._
+
+BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _10th May 1855_.
+
+The Queen returns these interesting letters to Lord Clarendon. When
+the Emperor expresses a wish that positive instructions should be sent
+to Lord Raglan to join in a general forward movement about to take
+place, he should be made aware that Lord Raglan has been ready and
+most anxious for the assault taking place on the 26th, and that he
+only consented to postpone it for a few days at General Canrobert's
+earnest desire, who wished to wait for the army of Reserve. It should
+be kept in mind, however, that the English cannot proceed farther as
+long as the Mamelon has not been taken, and that as long as the
+French refuse to do this they must not complain of Lord Raglan's not
+advancing. The refusal to undertake this has, the Queen is sorry to
+say, produced a bad feeling amongst many of our officers and men,
+which she owns alarms her.[57]
+
+    [Footnote 57: General Canrobert was deficient in dash and
+    initiative; he knew his defects, and was relieved of his
+    command at his own request, being succeeded by General
+    Pelissier.
+
+    On the 24th of May (the Queen's Birthday) a successful
+    expedition was made against Kertsch, the granary of
+    Sebastopol, and vast quantities of coal, corn, and flour were
+    either seized by the Allies, or destroyed in anticipation of
+    their seizure by the Russians.
+
+    On the 7th of June, the Mamelon (a knoll crowned by a redoubt
+    and protected by the Rifle Pits) was taken by the French,
+    and the Gravel Pits, an outwork in front of the Redan, by the
+    English.]
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: THE CRIMEAN MEDAL]
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._
+
+BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _22nd May 1855_.
+
+MY DEAREST, KINDEST UNCLE,--... The state of affairs is uncomfortable
+and complicated just now, but our course is _straight_; we _cannot_
+come to any peace unless we have such guarantees by _decided_
+limitation of the Fleet, which would secure us against Russian
+preponderance for the future.[58]
+
+Ernest will have told you what a _beautiful_ and _touching_ sight
+and ceremony (the first of the kind ever witnessed in England) the
+distribution of the Medals was. From the highest Prince of the Blood
+to the lowest Private, all received the same distinction for the
+bravest conduct in the severest actions, and the rough hand of the
+brave and honest private soldier came for the first time in contact
+with that of their Sovereign and their Queen! Noble fellows! I own I
+feel as if they were _my own children_; my heart beats for _them_ as
+for my _nearest and dearest_. They were so touched, so pleased; many,
+I hear, cried--and they won't hear of giving up their Medals, to have
+their names engraved upon them, for fear they should _not_ receive the
+_identical one_ put into _their hands by me_, which is quite touching.
+Several came by in a sadly mutilated state. None created more interest
+or is more gallant than young Sir Thomas Troubridge, who had, at
+Inkerman, _one leg_ and the _other foot_ carried away by a round shot,
+and continued commanding his battery till the battle was won, refusing
+to be carried away, only desiring his shattered limbs to be raised in
+order to prevent too great a hemorrhage! He was dragged by in a bath
+chair, and when I gave him his medal I told him I should make him one
+of my Aides-de-camp for his very gallant conduct, to which he replied:
+"I am amply repaid for everything!"[59]
+
+_One must_ revere and love such soldiers as those! The account in the
+_Times_ of Saturday is very correct and good.
+
+I must, however, conclude now, hoping soon to hear from you again.
+Could you kindly tell me if you could in a few days forward some
+letters and papers with _safety_ to good Stockmar. Ever your devoted
+Niece,
+
+VICTORIA R.
+
+    [Footnote 58: Prince Albert, in a Memorandum dated the 25th of
+    May, emphasised the difficulties in the way of peace caused
+    by the attitude of Austria, and the possibility of her passing
+    from the one alliance to the other.]
+
+    [Footnote 59: He was made a C.B. and a Brevet-Colonel; and
+    also received the Legion of Honour.]
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: SUCCESSOR TO LORD DALHOUSIE]
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to Mr Vernon Smith._
+
+BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _19th June 1855_.
+
+The Queen has received Mr Vernon Smith's letter on the subject of Lord
+Dalhousie's resignation and the appointment of a successor. She
+was somewhat astonished that the name of a successor to that most
+important appointment should for the first time be brought before her
+after all official steps for carrying it out had been completed.
+If the selection should now not receive the Queen's approval, it is
+evident that great awkwardness must arise.[60]
+
+    [Footnote 60: Mr Vernon Smith, in reply, referred to the
+    statutory power then existing of the Directors of the East
+    India Company to nominate a Governor-General, subject to the
+    approbation of the Crown.]
+
+
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to Mr Vernon Smith._
+
+BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _20th June 1855_.
+
+The Queen received Mr V. Smith's letter yesterday evening after her
+return from Chatham. She readily acquits him of any _intentional_
+want of respect towards her, or of any neglect in going through the
+prescribed forms with regard to the appointment in question, neither
+of which she meant to insinuate by her letter. But she does not
+look upon the question as one of form. She takes a deep and natural
+interest in the welfare of her Indian Empire, and must consider the
+selection of the fittest person for the post of Governor-General as
+of paramount importance. She had frequently discussed this point with
+Lord Palmerston, but the name of Lord Canning never occurred amongst
+the candidates alluded to. The Queen is even now quite ignorant as to
+the reasons and motives which led to his selection in preference to
+those other names, and Mr V. Smith will see at once that, were the
+Queen inclined to object to it, she could not _now_ do so without
+inflicting a deep, personal injury on a public man, for whose personal
+qualities and talents the Queen has a high regard.
+
+She accordingly approves the recommendation, but must repeat her
+regret that no opportunity had been given to her to discuss the
+propriety of it with her Ministers previous to the intention of the
+recommendation becoming known to all concerned in it.
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: DEATH OF LORD RAGLAN]
+
+
+_General Simpson to Lord Panmure._[61]
+[_Telegram._]
+
+_29th June 1855._
+(8.30 A.M.)
+
+Lord Raglan had been going on favourably until four in the afternoon
+yesterday, when very serious symptoms made their appearance.
+Difficulty of breathing was experienced, which gradually increased.
+Up to five o'clock he was conscious, and from this time his strength
+declined almost imperceptibly until twenty-five minutes before nine,
+when he died. I have assumed the command, as Sir George Brown is too
+ill on board ship.
+
+    [Footnote 61: On the 18th of June, the fortieth anniversary of
+    Waterloo, a combined attack by the English on the Redan, and
+    the French on the Malakhoff, was repulsed with heavy losses.
+    The scheme was that of Pelissier, and Lord Raglan acquiesced
+    against his better judgment. The result depressed him greatly;
+    he was attacked with cholera, and died on the 28th.]
+
+
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to General Simpson._
+
+BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _30th June 1855_.
+
+Not being aware whether Sir George Brown is well enough by this
+time to assume the command of the Army, the Queen writes to General
+Simpson, as the Chief of his Staff, to express to him, and _through_
+him to the Army, her deep and _heartfelt grief_ at the irreparable
+loss of their gallant and excellent Commander, Lord Raglan, which has
+cast a gloom over us all, as it must do over the whole Army.
+
+But, at the same time, the Queen wishes to express her earnest hope
+and confident trust that every one will more than ever now do their
+duty, as they have hitherto so nobly done, and that she may continue
+to be as proud of her beloved Army as she has been, though their brave
+Chief who led them so often to victory and to glory, has been taken
+from them.
+
+Most grievous and most truly melancholy it is that poor Lord Raglan
+should die _thus_--from sickness--on the eve, as we have every
+reason to hope, of the glorious result of so much labour, and so much
+anxiety, and not be allowed to witness it.
+
+The Queen's prayers will be more than ever with her Army, and most
+fervently do we trust that General Simpson's health, as well as that
+of the other Generals, may be preserved to them unimpaired!
+
+
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to Lady Raglan._
+
+BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _30th June 1855_.
+
+DEAR LADY RAGLAN,--Words _cannot_ convey _all_ I feel at the
+irreparable loss you have sustained, and I and the Country have, in
+your noble, gallant, and excellent husband, whose loyalty and devotion
+to his Sovereign and Country were unbounded. We both feel _most
+deeply_ for you and your daughters, to whom this blow must be most
+severe and sudden. He was so strong, and his health had borne the bad
+climate, great fatigues, and anxieties so well, ever since he left
+England, that, though we were much alarmed at hearing of his illness,
+we were full of hopes of his speedy recovery.
+
+We must bow to the will of God; but to be taken away thus, on the eve
+of the successful result of so much labour, so much suffering, and so
+much anxiety, is cruel indeed!
+
+We feel much, too, for the brave Army, whom he was so proud of, who
+will be sadly cast down at losing their gallant Commander, who had led
+them so often to victory and glory.
+
+If sympathy can be any consolation, you have it, for _we all_ have
+_alike_ to mourn, and no one more than I, who have lost a faithful and
+devoted Servant, in whom I had the greatest confidence.
+
+We both most anxiously hope that your health, and that of your
+daughters, may not materially suffer from this dreadful shock. Believe
+me always, my dear Lady Raglan, yours very sincerely,
+
+VICTORIA R.
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: GENERAL SIMPSON TAKES COMMAND]
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to General Simpson._
+
+BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _7th July 1855_.
+
+When the Queen last wrote to General Simpson to express to him, and
+through him to her Army in the Crimea, her _deep_ grief at the loss
+of their noble, gallant, and excellent Commander, it was not yet known
+that Sir George Brown would return home, and that the command of the
+Army would devolve upon General Simpson. She writes to him, therefore,
+to-day, for the _first_ time as the Commander-in-Chief of her heroic
+Army in the East, to assure him of her confidence and support. It is
+as proud a command as any soldier could desire, but its difficulties
+and responsibilities are also very great.
+
+General Simpson knows well how admirably his lamented predecessor
+conducted all the communications with our Allies the French, and he
+cannot do better than follow in the same course. While showing the
+greatest readiness to act with perfect cordiality towards them, he
+will, the Queen trusts, never allow her Army to be unduly pressed
+upon, which would only injure both Armies.
+
+The Queen feels very anxious lest the fearful heat which the Army
+is exposed to should increase cholera and fever. Both the Prince and
+herself, the Queen can only repeat, have their minds _constantly_
+occupied with the Army, and count the days and hours between the
+mails, and it would be a relief to the Queen to hear herself directly
+from General Simpson from time to time when he has leisure to write.
+
+The Prince wishes to be most kindly named to General Simpson, and
+joins with the Queen in every possible good wish for himself and her
+brave and beloved troops.
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: LORD JOHN RUSSELL'S UNPOPULARITY]
+
+
+_Viscount Palmerston to Queen Victoria._
+
+PICCADILLY, _12th July 1855_.
+
+Viscount Palmerston presents his humble duty to your Majesty....
+
+Viscount Palmerston very much regrets to have to say that the adverse
+feeling in regard to Lord John Russell grows stronger and spreads
+wider every day, and there is a general desire that he should
+resign.[62] This desire is expressed by the great bulk of the
+steadiest supporters of the Government, and was conveyed to Lord John
+this evening in the House of Commons by Mr Bouverie on behalf of those
+members of the Government who are not in the Cabinet. Lord John has
+himself come to the same conclusion, and informed Viscount Palmerston
+this evening in the House of Commons that he has finally determined to
+resign, and will to-morrow or next day write a letter to that effect
+to be laid before your Majesty. Viscount Palmerston told him that
+however great would be the loss of the Government by his resignation,
+yet as this is a question which more peculiarly regards Lord John
+personally, his course must be decided by his own judgment and
+feelings; but that if he did not think necessary to resign, Viscount
+Palmerston would face Sir Edward Bulwer's Motion with the Government
+as it is.[63] He asked Lord John, however, whether, if he determined
+to resign, there was any arrangement which he would wish to have
+submitted for your Majesty's consideration, and especially whether, if
+your Majesty should be graciously pleased to raise him to the Peerage,
+such an Honour would be agreeable to him. He said that perhaps in the
+autumn such an act of favour on the part of your Majesty might fall in
+with his views and would be gratefully received, but it would not do
+at present, and should not be mentioned....
+
+    [Footnote 62: Lord John Russell had, as stated above, favoured
+    the proposals of Count Buol at Vienna, compromising the Third
+    Point to the advantage of Russia. The Ministry had disavowed
+    this view, but Lord John had remained in office. On the 24th
+    of May, Mr Disraeli moved a vote of censure on the Government
+    for its conduct of the war, fiercely assailing Lord John for
+    his proceedings both at Vienna and as Minister. In repelling
+    the charge, Lord John made a vigorous speech disclosing no
+    disposition to modify the British attitude towards Russian
+    preponderance in the Black Sea, and Mr Disraeli's Motion was
+    lost by a majority of 100. On a subsequent night he made a
+    further speech strongly antagonistic to Russia, his attitude
+    as to the Austrian proposals being still undisclosed to the
+    public. But these speeches caused Count Buol to reveal the
+    favourable view taken of his proposals by the English
+    and French Plenipotentiaries, and Lord John Russell's
+    inconsistency aroused widespread indignation.]
+
+    [Footnote 63: This Motion was one of censure on Lord John
+    Russell for his conduct at Vienna, and it was deeply galling
+    to be informed by subordinate members of the Government that,
+    unless he resigned, they would support the vote of censure.
+    Lord John bowed before the storm and retired from office.]
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: LORD JOHN RUSSELL RESIGNS]
+
+
+_Viscount Palmerston to Queen Victoria._
+
+PICCADILLY, _13th July 1855_.
+
+Viscount Palmerston presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and
+submits for your Majesty's gracious acceptance the resignation of Lord
+John Russell's office, which Viscount Palmerston trusts your Majesty
+will think is expressed in terms highly honourable to Lord John
+Russell's feelings as a man and as a Minister.
+
+The step, Viscount Palmerston regrets to say, has become unavoidable.
+The storm of public opinion, however much it may exceed any just or
+reasonable cause, is too overbearing to be resisted, and Lord John
+Russell has no doubt best consulted his own personal interests in
+yielding to it. After a time there will be a reaction and justice will
+be done; but resistance at present would be ineffectual, and would
+only increase irritation.
+
+Viscount Palmerston is not as yet prepared to submit for your
+Majesty's consideration the arrangement which will become necessary
+for filling up the gap thus made in the Government....
+
+
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to Viscount Palmerston._
+
+OSBORNE, _13th July 1855_.
+
+The Queen is much concerned by what Lord Palmerston writes respecting
+the feeling of the House of Commons. Lord John's resignation, although
+a severe loss, may possibly assuage the storm which he had chiefly
+produced. But she finds that Sir E. Lytton's Motion will be equally
+applicable to the Government after this event as it would have been
+before it. She trusts that no stone will be left unturned to defeat
+the success of that Motion, which would plunge the Queen and the
+executive Government of the Country into new and most dangerous
+complications. These are really not times to play with the existence
+of Governments for personal feeling or interests!
+
+
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to Viscount Palmerston._
+
+OSBORNE, _14th July 1855_.
+
+The Queen has received Lord Palmerston's letter of yesterday, and
+returns Lord John Russell's letter,[64] which reflects the greatest
+credit on him. The resignation had become unavoidable, and Lord
+Palmerston will do well to let the Debate go by before proposing a
+successor, whom it will be difficult to find under any circumstances.
+Having expressed her feelings on the position of affairs in her letter
+of yesterday, she will not repeat them here.
+
+She grants her permission to Lord Palmerston to state in Parliament
+what he may think necessary for the defence of the Cabinet. She could
+have the Council here on Wednesday, which day will probably be the
+least inconvenient to the Members of the Government.
+
+The Queen has just received Lord Palmerston's letter of last night,
+which gives a more cheering prospect.[65]
+
+    [Footnote 64: Stating that his continuance in office would
+    embarrass and endanger the Ministry.]
+
+    [Footnote 65: In consequence of Lord John's resignation, the
+    motion of censure was withdrawn.]
+
+
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._
+
+OSBORNE, _24th July 1855_.
+
+MY DEAREST UNCLE,--I feel _quite_ grieved that it must again be _by
+letter_ that I express to you all my feelings of love and affection,
+which yesterday morning I could still do _de vive voix_. It was indeed
+a _happy_ time; I only fear that I was a dull companion--silent,
+absent, stupid, which I feel I have become since the War; and the
+constant anxiety and preoccupation which that odious Sebastopol causes
+me and my dear, brave Army, added to which the last week, or
+indeed the _whole fortnight_ since we arrived here, was one of such
+uncertainty about this tiresome scarlatina, that it made me still more
+_preoccupee_.
+
+The _only_ thing that at all lessened my sorrow at seeing you depart
+was my thankfulness that you got safe _out_ of our _Hospital_.... Ever
+your devoted Niece and Child,
+
+VICTORIA R.
+
+
+
+
+[Pagheading: AFFAIRS OF SWEDEN]
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to the Earl of Clarendon._
+
+OSBORNE, _27th July 1855_.
+
+The Queen has delayed answering Lord Clarendon's letter respecting
+Sweden till she received the first letter from Mr Magenis,[66]
+omitted in Lord Clarendon's box. Now, having read the whole of these
+documents, she confesses that she requires some explanation as to the
+advantages which are to arise to England from the proposed Treaty,
+before she can come to any decision about it. When a Treaty with
+Sweden was last in contemplation, she was to have joined in the war
+against Russia and to have received a guarantee of the integrity of
+her dominions by England and France in return; yet this clause was
+found so onerous to this Country, and opening so entirely a new field
+of questions and considerations, that the Cabinet would not
+entertain it. Now the same guarantee is to be given by us without the
+counterbalancing advantage of Sweden giving us her assistance in the
+war.
+
+    [Footnote 66: Mr (afterwards Sir) Arthur Charles Magenis,
+    Minister at Stockholm (and afterwards at Lisbon), had written
+    to say that an attempt was being made to change the partial
+    guarantee of Finmark into a general guarantee on behalf of
+    Sweden and Norway. An important Treaty was concluded between
+    Sweden and Norway, and the Western Powers, in the following
+    November, which secured the integrity of Sweden and Norway.]
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: GENERAL SIMPSON'S DIFFICULTIES]
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to Lord Panmure._
+
+OSBORNE, _30th July 1855_.
+
+The Queen has received Lord Panmure's letter of yesterday evening,
+and has signed the dormant Commission for Sir W. Codrington. A similar
+course was pursued with regard to Sir George Cathcart. The Queen hopes
+that General Simpson may still rally. He must be in a great state of
+helplessness at this moment, knowing that he wants, as everybody out
+there, the advantages which Lord Raglan's name, experience, position,
+rank, prestige, etc., etc., gave him, having his Military Secretary
+ill on board, the head of the Intelligence Department dead, and no
+means left him whereby to gather information or to keep up secret
+correspondence with the Tartars--Colonel Vico[67] dead, who, as Prince
+Edward told the Queen, had become a _most important_ element in the
+good understanding with the French Army and its new Commander, and
+not possessing military rank enough to make the Sardinian General[68]
+consider him as his Chief. If all these difficulties are added to
+those inherent to the task imposed upon him, one cannot be surprised
+at his low tone of hopefulness. As most of these will, however, meet
+every Commander whom we now can appoint, the Queen trusts that means
+will be devised to assist him as much as possible in relieving him
+from too much writing, and in the diplomatic correspondence he has to
+carry on. The Queen repeats her opinion that a _Chef de Chancellerie
+Diplomatique_, such as is customary in the Russian Army, ought to be
+placed at his command, and she wishes Lord Panmure to show this letter
+to Lords Palmerston and Clarendon, and to consult with them on the
+subject. Neither the Chief of the Staff nor the Military Secretary
+can supply that want, and the General himself must feel unequal to it
+without any experience on the subject, and so will his successor.
+
+Prince Edward told the Queen _in strict confidence_ that General
+Simpson's position in Lord Raglan's Headquarters had been anything
+but pleasant, that the Staff had been barely civil to him; he was
+generally treated as an interloper, so that the Sardinian and French
+Officers attached to our Headquarters observed upon it as a strange
+thing which would not be tolerated in their Armies, and that General
+Simpson showed himself grateful to them for the civility which they
+showed to a General Officer of rank _aux cheveux blancs_. These little
+details, considered together with the General's extreme modesty,
+enable one to conceive what his present feelings must be.[69]
+
+    [Footnote 67: Colonel Vico, the French Commissioner attached
+    to Lord Raglan's staff, had died on the 10th.]
+
+    [Footnote 68: General La Marmora.]
+
+    [Footnote 69: The Russian resources for the defence of
+    Sebastopol, both as to ammunition and provisions, were
+    becoming exhausted, and a supreme effort was to be made,
+    by massing more Russian troops in the Crimea, to inflict a
+    decisive blow on the besieging forces of the Allies. Early on
+    the morning of the 16th of August Prince Gortschakoff attacked
+    the French and Piedmontese at the River Tchernaya. The attack
+    on the left was repulsed by the French with the utmost spirit
+    and with very little loss; while the Russian loss, both in
+    killed and wounded, was severe. The Sardinian army, under
+    General La Marmora, were no less successful on the right. The
+    news of this victory did not reach England until the Queen and
+    Prince had left for their visit to Paris.]
+
+
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to Viscount Palmerston._
+
+[OSBORNE, _7th August 1855_.]
+
+The Queen has read Sir B. Hall's[70] letter, and must say that she
+quite concurs in the advantage resulting from the playing of a band
+in Kensington Gardens on Sunday afternoon, a practice which has been
+maintained on the Terrace at Windsor through good and evil report,
+and she accordingly sanctions this proposal.[71] [She would wish Lord
+Palmerston, however, to notice to Sir B. Hall that Hyde Park, although
+under the management of the Board of Works, is still a Royal Park,
+and that all the Regulations for opening and shutting gates, the
+protection of the grounds and police regulations, etc., etc., stand
+under the Ranger, who alone could give the order Sir B. Hall proposes
+to issue....][72]
+
+    [Footnote 70: First Commissioner of Public Works; afterwards
+    Lord Llanover.]
+
+    [Footnote 71: The Government granted permission for the
+    Band to play, but the practice was discontinued in 1856.
+    See _post_, 1st June, 1856, note 31.]
+
+    [Footnote 72: The portion of the letter within brackets was
+    struck out of the draft by the Queen.]
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: VISIT TO PARIS]
+
+[Pageheading: ENTHUSIASTIC RECEPTION]
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._
+
+ST CLOUD[73] _23rd August 1855_.
+
+MY DEAREST UNCLE,--I do not intend to attempt any description, for I
+have no time for anything of the sort; besides, I have no doubt you
+will read the papers, and I know good Van de Weyer has written _au
+long_ to you about it all. I will therefore only give in a few words
+my impressions.
+
+I am _delighted_, _enchanted_, _amused_, and _interested_, and think
+I never saw anything more _beautiful_ and gay than Paris--or more
+splendid than all the Palaces. Our reception is _most_ gratifying--for
+it is enthusiastic and really kind in the highest degree; and Marechal
+Magnan[74] (whom you know well) says that such a reception as I have
+received _every day here_ is much greater and much more enthusiastic
+even than Napoleon on his return from his victories had received! Our
+entrance into Paris was a scene which was _quite feenhaft_, and
+which could hardly be seen anywhere else; was quite _overpowering_--
+splendidly decorated--illuminated--immensely
+crowded--and 60,000 troops out--from the Gare de Strasbourg to St
+Cloud, of which 20,000 Gardes Nationales, who had come great distances
+to see me.
+
+The Emperor has done wonders for Paris, and for the Bois de Boulogne.
+Everything is beautifully _monte_ at Court--_very_ quiet, and
+in excellent order; I must say we are both much struck with the
+difference between this and the poor King's time, when the noise,
+confusion, and bustle were great. We have been to the Exposition,
+to Versailles--which is most splendid and magnificent--to the Grand
+Opera, where the reception and the way in which "God save the Queen"
+was sung were _most magnificent_. Yesterday we went to the Tuileries;
+in the evening _Theatre ici_; to-night an immense ball at the Hotel de
+Ville. They have asked to call a new street, which we opened, _after
+me!_
+
+The heat is very great, but the weather splendid, and though the sun
+may be hotter, the air is certainly _lighter_ than ours--and I have no
+headache.
+
+The _Zouaves_ are on guard here, and you can't see finer men; the Cent
+Gardes are splendid too.
+
+We drove to look at poor Neuilly on Sunday, the Emperor and Empress
+proposing it themselves; and it was a most _melancholy sight_, all in
+ruins. At _le grand Trianon_ we saw the pretty chapel in which poor
+Marie was married; at the Tuileries the Cabinet where the poor King
+signed his fatal abdication. I wish _you_ would take an opportunity of
+telling the poor Queen that we had thought much of her and the family
+here, had visited those spots which were connected with them in
+particular, and that we had greatly admired the King's great works at
+Versailles, which have been left _quite intact_. Indeed, the Emperor
+(as in everything) has shown _great_ tact and good feeling about all
+this, and spoke without any bitterness of the King.
+
+I still mean to visit (and this was _his_ proposition) the Chapelle de
+St Ferdinand, which I hope you will likewise mention to the Queen....
+
+The children are so fond of the Emperor, who is so very kind to them.
+He _is_ very _fascinating_, with that great quiet and gentleness. He
+has certainly excellent manners, and both he and the dear and _very_
+charming Empress (whom Albert likes particularly) do the _honneurs
+extremely_ well and _very_ gracefully, and are full of _every kind_
+attention....
+
+Instead of my short letter I have written you a very long one, and
+must end. Many thanks for your kind letter of the 17th.
+
+How beautiful and how enjoyable is this place! Ever your devoted
+Niece,
+
+VICTORIA R.
+
+    [Footnote 73: The Queen and Prince left Osborne early on the
+    18th in their new yacht, _Victoria and Albert_, for Boulogne,
+    and the visit to France, which lasted nine days, was
+    brilliantly successful. The Queen, in her Journal, recorded
+    with great minuteness the details of this interesting time,
+    and some extracts are printed by Sir Theodore Martin in _The
+    Life of the Prince Consort_.]
+
+    [Footnote 74: Marshal Magnan had repressed an insurrection in
+    Lyons in 1849, and aided in the _Coup d'Etat_ of 1851.]
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: LETTER TO THE EMPEROR]
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to the Emperor of the French._
+
+OSBORNE, _le 29 Aout 1855_.
+
+SIRE ET MON CHER FRERE,--Une de mes premieres occupations en arrivant
+ici est d'ecrire a votre Majeste et d'exprimer du fond de mon c[oe]ur
+combien nous sommes penetres et touches de l'accueil qui nous a ete
+fait en France d'abord par votre Majeste et l'Imperatrice ainsi
+que par toute la Nation. Le souvenir ne s'effacera jamais de notre
+memoire, et j'aime a y voir un gage precieux pour le futur de la
+cordialite qui unit nos deux Gouvernements ainsi que nos deux peuples.
+Puisse cette heureuse union, que nous devons surtout aux qualites
+personnelles de votre Majeste, se consolider de plus en plus pour le
+bien-etre de nos deux nations ainsi que de toute l'Europe.
+
+C'etait avec le c[oe]ur bien gros j'ai pris conge de vous, Sire, apres
+les beaux et heureux jours que nous avons passes avec vous et que vous
+avez su nous rendre si agreables. Helas! comme toute chose ici-bas,
+ils se sont ecoules trop vite et ces dix jours de fetes paraissent
+comme un beau reve, mais ils nous restent graves dans notre memoire
+et nous aimons a passer en revue tout ce qui s'est presente a nos yeux
+d'interessant et de beau en eprouvant en meme temps le desir de les
+voir se renouveler un jour.
+
+Je ne saurais vous dire assez, Sire, combien je suis touchee de toutes
+vos bontes et de votre amitie pour le Prince et aussi de l'affection
+et de la bienveillance dont vous avez comble nos enfants. Leur sejour
+en France a ete la plus heureuse epoque de leur vie, et ils ne cessent
+d'en parler.
+
+Nous avons trouve tous les autres enfants en bonne sante, et le petit
+Arthur se promene avec son bonnet de police qui fait son bonheur et
+dont il ne veut pas se separer. Que Dieu veille sur votre Majeste et
+la chere Imperatrice pour laquelle je forme bien des v[oe]ux.
+
+Vous m'avez dit encore du bateau "au revoir," c'est de tout mon
+c[oe]ur que je le repete aussi!
+
+Permettez que j'exprime ici tous les sentiments de tendre amitie et
+d'affection avec lesquelles je me dis, Sire et cher Frere, de votre
+Majeste Imperiale, la bien bonne et affectionnee S[oe]ur et Amie,
+
+VICTORIA R.
+
+Je viens a l'instant meme de recevoir la si aimable depeche
+telegraphique de votre Majeste. Recevez-en tous mes remerciments les
+plus affectueux.
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: AN _ENTENTE CORDIALE_]
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._
+
+OSBORNE, _29th August 1855_.
+
+MY DEAREST UNCLE,--Here we are again, after the _pleasantest_ and
+_most interesting_ and triumphant ten days that I think I ever passed.
+So complete a success, so very hearty and kind a reception with and
+from so _difficile_ a people as the French is indeed _most_ gratifying
+and _most_ promising for the future. The Army were most friendly and
+amicable towards us also.
+
+In short, the _complete_ Union of the two countries is stamped and
+sealed in the most satisfactory and solid manner, for it is not _only_
+a Union of the two Governments--the two Sovereigns--it is that of
+the _two Nations!_ Albert has told you of all the very extraordinary
+combinations of circumstances which helped to make all so interesting,
+so satisfactory. Of the splendour of the _Fete_ at Versailles I can
+really give _no_ faint impression, for it exceeded all imagination! I
+have formed a _great_ affection for the Emperor, and I believe it is
+very reciprocal, for he showed us a confidence which we must feel
+as very gratifying, and spoke to us on all subjects, even the _most
+delicate_. I find _no_ great personal rancour towards the Orleans. He
+has destroyed nothing that the King did, even to the Gymnastics of the
+children at St Cloud, and showed much kind and good feeling in taking
+us to see poor Chartres' monument, which is beautiful. Nothing could
+exceed his tact and kindness. I find I must end in a great hurry, and
+will say more another day. Ever your devoted Niece,
+
+VICTORIA R.
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: PERSONAL FRIENDSHIP]
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to Baron Stockmar._
+
+OSBORNE, _1st September 1855_.
+
+You continue to refuse to answer me, but I am _not_ discouraged by it;
+but on the contrary _must_ write to you to give _vent_ to my _delight_
+at our triumphant, most interesting, and most enjoyable visit to
+Paris! The Prince has written to you, and given you some general
+accounts, which will please you, and the _Times_ has some descriptions
+... of the wonderful beauty and magnificence of _every_thing. I never
+enjoyed myself more, or was more delighted or more interested, _and
+I can think_ and talk of nothing else. I am _deeply_ touched by the
+extraordinary warmth, heartiness, and enthusiasm with which we have
+been received by _all_ ranks, and the kindness shown to every one
+has brought us all back--beginning with ourselves and ending with
+the lowest of our servants--full of gratitude, pleasure, admiration,
+regret at its being over, and a great desire to see such a visit
+renewed! It was touching and pleasing in the extreme to see the
+alliance sealed so completely, and without lowering _either_ Country's
+pride, and to see old enmities and rivalries _wiped out_ over the tomb
+of Napoleon I., before whose coffin I stood (by torchlight) at the arm
+of Napoleon III., now my nearest and dearest ally! We have come back
+with feelings of _real_ affection for and interest in _France_--and
+indeed how could it be otherwise when one saw _how_ much was done to
+_please_ and delight us? The Army too (such a fine one!) I feel a real
+affection for, as the companions of my beloved troops!
+
+For the Emperor _personally_ I have conceived a _real_ affection and
+friendship, and so I may truly say of the Prince. You know what _I
+felt_ the moment I saw him and became acquainted with him, what I
+wrote down about him, etc. Well, we have now seen him for full _ten
+days_, from twelve to fourteen hours every day--often alone; and I
+cannot say _how_ pleasant and easy it is to live with him, or how
+attached one becomes to him. I know _no_ one who puts me more at my
+ease, or to whom I felt more inclined to talk unreservedly, or in whom
+involuntarily I should be more inclined to confide, than the Emperor!
+He was entirely at his ease with us--spoke most openly and frankly
+with us on all subjects--EVEN the _most_ delicate, viz. the Orleans
+Family (this was with _me_, for I was driving alone with him), and I
+am happy to _feel_ that there is nothing now between us which could
+_mar_ our personal good _entente_ and friendly and intimate footing.
+He is so simple, so _naif_, never making _des phrases_, or paying
+compliments--so full of tact, good taste, high breeding; his
+attentions and respect towards us were so simple and unaffected, his
+kindness and friendship for the Prince so natural and so gratifying,
+_because_ it is _not_ forced, not _pour faire des compliments_. He
+is quite _The Emperor_, and yet in _no_ way playing it; the Court and
+whole house infinitely more _regal_ and better managed than in poor
+Louis Philippe's time, when all was in great noise and confusion, and
+there was _no_ Court. We parted with _mutual_ sorrow, and the Emperor
+expressed his hope that we shall frequently meet and "pas avec de si
+grandes ceremonies"!
+
+What I write here is my feeling and conviction: wonderful it is that
+this _man_--whom certainly we were _not_ over well-disposed to--should
+by _force_ of _circumstances_ be drawn into such close connection with
+us, and become _personally_ our friend, and _this_ entirely by his
+_own personal_ qualities, in spite of so much that _was and could_ be
+said against him! To the children (who behaved beautifully, and had
+the most extraordinary success) his kindness, and judicious kindness,
+was _great_, and they are _excessively_ fond of him. In short, without
+_attempting_ to do anything particular to _make_ one like him, or
+ANY personal attraction in outward appearance, he _has_ the power
+of _attaching_ those to him who come near him and know him, which is
+_quite incredible_. He is excessively kind in private, and so very
+quiet. I shall always look back on the time passed not only in France,
+but with _him_ personally, as _most_ agreeable. The Prince, though
+less enthusiastic than I am, I can see well, shares this feeling, and
+I think it is very reciprocal on the Emperor's part; he is very fond
+of the Prince and truly appreciates him. With respect to the War,
+nothing can be more frank and fair and honest than he is about it, but
+it makes him unhappy and anxious.
+
+The dear Empress, who was all kindness and goodness, whom we are all
+very fond of, we saw comparatively but little of, as for _really_ and
+_certainly very_ good reasons she must take great care of herself....
+
+VICTORIA R.
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: MISGOVERNMENT AT NAPLES]
+
+[Pageheading: CO-OPERATION OF THE POWERS]
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to the Earl of Clarendon._
+
+OSBORNE, _3rd September 1855_.
+
+The Queen has read the enclosed papers, and must express her strongest
+objection to a Naval Demonstration (which to be effectual must be
+prepared to pass on to measures of hostility), in order to obtain
+changes in the _internal system of Government_ of the Kingdom of
+Naples.[75] England would thereby undertake a responsibility which
+she is in no way capable of bearing, unless she took the Government
+permanently into her own hands. The plea on which the interference is
+to be based, viz. that the misgovernment at Naples brings Monarchical
+institutions into disrepute, and might place weapons in the hands of
+the democracy (as put forth by Sir W. Temple),[76] would be wholly
+_insufficient_ to justify the proceeding. Whether such an armed
+interference in favour of the people of Naples against their
+Government would lead to a Revolution or not, as apprehended by the
+French Government and disbelieved by Lord Palmerston, must be so
+entirely a matter of chance that it would be idle to predict the
+exact consequences. If 99 out of every 100 Neapolitans, however, are
+dissatisfied with their Government (as Lord Palmerston states), it
+is not unreasonable to expect that our demonstration may give them
+confidence enough to rise, and if beat down by the King's troops
+in presence of our ships, our position would become exceedingly
+humiliating.
+
+Any insult offered to the British Government, on the other hand, it
+has a perfect right to resent, and to ask reparation for. The case,
+however, is a very unpleasant one. The Neapolitan Government deny
+having intended any slight on the British Legation by the order
+respecting the Box of the "Intendant du Theatre," which they state to
+have been general, and deny any intention to interfere with the free
+intercourse of the members of our Legation with Neapolitans, to which
+Sir W. Temple merely replies that notwithstanding the denial such an
+intention is believed by the public to exist.
+
+The case becomes therefore a very delicate one, requiring the greatest
+care on our part not to put ourselves in the wrong.
+
+It will be of the greatest importance to come to a thorough
+understanding with France, and if possible also with Austria, on the
+subject.
+
+    [Footnote 75: Lord Palmerston had suggested co-operation
+    by England and France in obtaining the dismissal of the
+    Neapolitan Minister of Police as an _amende_ for an
+    affront offered to this country, to be enforced by a naval
+    demonstration, coupled with a demand for the liberation of
+    political prisoners.]
+
+    [Footnote 76: The Hon. Sir William Temple, K.C.B. [_d._ 1856],
+    only brother of Lord Palmerston, Minister Plenipotentiary to
+    the Court of Naples.]
+
+
+
+
+_Lord Panmure to Earl Granville._[77]
+
+[_Telegram._]
+
+_10th September 1855._
+
+Telegram from General Simpson, dated Crimea, nine September, one
+eight five five, ten nine A.M. "Sebastopol is in the possession of the
+Allies. The enemy during the night and this morning have evacuated
+the south side after exploding their Magazines and setting fire to the
+whole of the Town. All the men-of-war were burnt during the night with
+the exception of three Steamers, which are plying about the Harbour.
+The Bridge communicating with the North side is broken."
+
+War Department, tenth September, one eight five five, four forty-five
+P.M....
+
+    [Footnote 77: Minister in attendance at Balmoral. The Queen
+    and Prince occupied their new home for the first time on the
+    7th of September; it was not yet completed, but, the Queen
+    wrote, "the house is charming, the rooms delightful, the
+    furniture, papers, everything, perfection."]
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: FALL OF SEBASTOPOL]
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._
+
+BALMORAL CASTLE, _11th September 1855_.
+
+MY DEAREST UNCLE,--The great event has at length taken
+place--_Sebastopol has fallen!_ We received the news here last night
+when we were sitting quietly round our table after dinner. We did what
+we could to celebrate it; but that was but little, for to my grief
+we have not _one_ soldier, no band, nothing here to make any sort
+of demonstration. What we did do was in Highland fashion to light
+a _bonfire_ on the top of a hill opposite the house, which had been
+built last year when the premature news of the fall of Sebastopol
+deceived every one, and which we had to leave _unlit_, and found here
+on our return!
+
+On Saturday evening we heard of one Russian vessel having been
+destroyed, on Sunday morning of the destruction of another,
+yesterday morning of the fall of the Malakhoff Tower--and _then_ of
+_Sebastopol!_ We were not successful against the Redan on the 8th,
+and I fear our loss was considerable. Still the _daily_ loss in the
+trenches was becoming so serious that no loss in achieving such a
+result is to be compared to that. This event will delight my brother
+and faithful ally--and _friend_, Napoleon III.--I may add, for we
+really are _great friends_; this attempt,[78] though that of a madman,
+is very distressing and makes one _tremble_....
+
+We expect the young Prince Fritz Wilhelm[79] of Prussia on a little
+visit here on Friday.
+
+I must now conclude. With Albert's love, ever your devoted Niece,
+
+VICTORIA R.
+
+    [Footnote 78: As he was about to enter the Opera House on the
+    evening of the 7th, the Emperor was fired at without effect by
+    one Bellegarde, who had been previously convicted of fraud,
+    on which occasion his punishment had been mitigated by
+    the Emperor's clemency; he was now sentenced to two years'
+    imprisonment.]
+
+    [Footnote 79: Only son of the Prince of Prussia, and
+    afterwards the Emperor Frederick.]
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: THE MALAKHOFF]
+
+
+_Lord Panmure to General Simpson._
+
+[_Telegram._]
+
+_12th September 1855._
+
+The Queen has received, with deep emotion, the welcome intelligence of
+the fall of Sebastopol.
+
+Penetrated with profound gratitude to the Almighty, who has vouchsafed
+this triumph to the Allied Armies, Her Majesty has commanded me to
+express to yourself, and through you to the Army, the pride with which
+she regards this fresh instance of its heroism.
+
+The Queen congratulates her Troops on the triumphant issue of this
+protracted siege, and thanks them for the cheerfulness and fortitude
+with which they have encountered its toils, and the valour which has
+led to its termination.
+
+The Queen deeply laments that this success in not without its alloy in
+the heavy losses which have been sustained; and while she rejoices in
+the victory, Her Majesty deeply sympathises with the noble sufferers
+in their country's cause.
+
+You will be pleased to congratulate General Pelissier in Her Majesty's
+name upon the brilliant result of the assault on the Malakhoff, which
+proves the irresistible force as well as indomitable courage of her
+brave Allies.
+
+
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to General Simpson._
+
+BALMORAL, _14th September 1855_.
+
+With a heart full of gratitude and pride, as well as of sorrow for the
+many valuable lives that have been lost, the Queen writes to General
+Simpson to congratulate him, as well on her own part as on that of
+the Prince, on the glorious news of the _Fall of Sebastopol!_ General
+Simpson must indeed _feel proud_ to have commanded the Queen's noble
+Army on _such_ an occasion.
+
+She wishes him to express to that gallant Army her high sense of their
+gallantry, and her joy and satisfaction at their labours, anxieties,
+and cruel sufferings, for nearly a year, having _at length_ been
+crowned with such success.
+
+To General Pelissier[80] also, and his gallant Army, whom the Queen
+ever unites in her thoughts and wishes with her own beloved troops,
+she would wish General Simpson to convey the expression of her
+personal warm congratulations, as well as of her sympathy for their
+losses.
+
+The Queen intends to mark her sense of General Simpson's services by
+conferring upon him the Grand Cross of the Bath.
+
+We are _now_ most anxious that not a moment should be lost in
+following up this great victory, and in driving the Russians, while
+still under the depressing effect of their failure, from the Crimea!
+
+    [Footnote 80: He now became Duke of Malakhoff, and a Marshal
+    of the French Army.]
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: ATTITUDE OF AUSTRIA]
+
+
+_Earl Granville to the Earl of Clarendon._
+
+BALMORAL, _14th September 1855_.
+
+MY DEAR CLARENDON,--I was sent for after breakfast. The Queen and the
+Prince are much pleased with the draft of your Despatch to Naples;
+they think it good and dignified. With respect to the draft to Lord
+Stratford, instructing him to recommend to the Porte an application
+to the Austrian Government for the withdrawal or diminution of the
+Austrian troops in the Principalities, I have been commanded to write
+what the Queen has not time this morning to put on paper. Her Majesty
+does not feel that the objects of this proposed Despatch have been
+sufficiently explained. It does not appear to Her Majesty that, in
+a military point of view, the plans of the Allies are sufficiently
+matured to make it clear whether the withdrawal of the Austrian Army
+would be an advantage or a disadvantage. If the Allies intend to
+march through the Principalities, and attack Russia on that side, the
+presence of the Austrians might be an inconvenience. If, on the other
+hand, they advance from the East, it is a positive advantage to have
+the Russians contained on the other flank, by the Austrians in their
+present position. Looking at the political bearing of this move, Her
+Majesty thinks that it will not fail to have an unfavourable effect on
+Austria, who will be hurt at the Allies urging the Porte to endeavour
+to put an end to an arrangement entered into at the suggestion, or at
+all events with the approval, of the Allies. It cannot be an object
+at this moment, when extraneous circumstances have probably acted
+favourably for us on the minds of the Emperor of Austria and his
+Government, to check that disposition, make them distrust us, and
+incline them to throw themselves towards Russia, who now will spare no
+efforts to gain them. Her Majesty sees by your proposed Despatch you
+do not expect the Austrians to comply with this demand. Even if they
+consented to diminish the numbers of their Troops, they would do so
+only to suit their own convenience, and such diminution would in no
+ways decrease the evils of the occupation. Lastly, the Queen is of
+opinion that if such a proposal is to be made, it ought not to be done
+through Lord Stratford and the Porte, but that the subject should
+be broached at Vienna and the Austrian Government asked what their
+intentions are; that this would be the more friendly, more open, and
+more dignified course, and more likely than the other plan of being
+successful. Her Majesty, however, doubts that any such demand will be
+acceded to by the Austrians, and believes that their refusal will put
+the Allies in an awkward position.
+
+This is, I believe, the pith of Her Majesty's opinions--there appears
+to me to be much sense in them--and they are well deserving of your
+and Palmerston's consideration. Yours sincerely,
+
+GRANVILLE.
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: LIFE PEERAGES]
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to Viscount Palmerston._
+
+BALMORAL, _19th September 1855_.
+
+The Queen has to thank Lord Palmerston for his letter of the 16th. The
+want of Law Lords in the Upper House has often been complained of, and
+the Queen has long been of opinion that in order to remedy the same
+without adding permanently to the Peerage, the Crown ought to use its
+prerogative in creating Peers for life only. Lord Lansdowne coincided
+with this view, and Lord John Russell actually proposed a "Life
+Peerage" to Dr. Lushington, who declined it, however, from a dislike
+to become the first of the kind. Mr Pemberton Leigh has _twice_
+declined a Peerage, but the Queen can have no objection to its being
+offered to him again.[81]...
+
+    [Footnote 81: See _ante_, vol. ii., 25th January, 1851, note 1.]
+
+
+
+
+_Viscount Palmerston to Queen Victoria._
+
+PICCADILLY, _20th September 1855_.
+
+Viscount Palmerston presents his humble duty to your Majesty....
+
+A Blue Ribbon has become vacant by the death of the late Duke of
+Somerset, and Viscount Palmerston having communicated with Lord
+Lansdowne and Lord Clarendon on the subject, would beg to submit for
+your Majesty's gracious consideration that this honour might be well
+conferred upon the Duke of Newcastle, who has been the object of much
+undeserved attack, though certainly from inexperience not altogether
+exempt from criticism, and who since his retirement from office
+has shaped his public course in a manner honourable to himself, and
+advantageously contrasting with the aberrations of some of his former
+colleagues.[82]
+
+Your Majesty must no doubt have been struck with the vast accumulation
+of warlike stores found at Sebastopol. That there should have remained
+there four thousand cannon, after the wear and tear of the Siege,
+proves the great importance attached by the Russian Government to that
+Arsenal over which your Majesty's Flag is now triumphantly flying.
+
+    [Footnote 82: He had gone out to the Crimea, and entered
+    Sebastopol with General Simpson. The Duke did not at this time
+    accept the Garter, which was bestowed on Earl Fortescue. See
+    _post_, 26th November, 1855, note 98.]
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: DISTRIBUTION OF HONOURS]
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to Viscount Palmerston._
+
+BALMORAL, _21st September 1855_.
+
+The Queen is anxious to mark her sense of the services of the Army and
+Military Departments at home by conferring the rank of Field-Marshal
+on Lord Hardinge, who, from his position as Commander-in-Chief,
+and his long, distinguished services, has a strong claim to such an
+honour. Moreover, Marshal Vaillant receiving the G.C.B., whilst it
+has been thought more prudent not to accept the _Legion d'Honneur_ for
+Lord Hardinge, makes it the more desirable. The Prince is now again
+the only Field-Marshal in the Army, which has always had several. The
+Queen thinks that Lord Combermere, being the second senior officer of
+the whole Army, a full General of 1825, might expect not to be passed
+over when Lord Hardinge is made. The only other General of distinction
+and seniority might be Lord Strafford, but he is only a full General
+of 1841. On this point Lord Palmerston might consult Lord Hardinge
+himself. If he and Lord Combermere alone are made, the honour is the
+greater for him.[83]
+
+The Queen thinks likewise that Lord Panmure ought to receive a mark
+of favour and approval of his conduct on the occasion of the Fall of
+Sebastopol; either the Civil G.C.B. or a step in the Peerage--that of
+Viscount.[84]
+
+Lord Palmerston would perhaps, without delay, give his opinion
+on these subjects to the Queen; the honours she would wish then
+_personally_ to bestow upon the recipients, and she thinks the arrival
+of the official Despatches the right moment for doing so.
+
+    [Footnote 83: Lord Hardinge, Lord Strafford, and Lord
+    Combermere were all made Field-Marshals.]
+
+    [Footnote 84: He received the G.C.B.]
+
+
+
+
+_The Prince Albert to the Earl of Clarendon._
+
+BALMORAL, _21st September 1855_.
+
+MY DEAR LORD CLARENDON,--The Queen wishes me to send you the enclosed
+letters, with the request that they may be sent by messengers to
+Coblentz.[85]
+
+I may tell you in the strictest confidence that Prince Frederic
+William has yesterday laid before us his wish for an alliance with the
+Princess Royal with the full concurrence of his parents, as well as
+of the King of Prussia. We have accepted his proposal as far as we are
+personally concerned, but have asked that the child should not be
+made acquainted with it until after her confirmation, which is to take
+place next Spring, when he might make it to her himself, and receive
+from her own lips the answer which is only valuable when flowing
+from those of the person chiefly concerned. A marriage would not be
+possible before the completion of the Princess's seventeenth year,
+which is in two years from this time. The Queen empowers me to say
+that you may communicate this event to Lord Palmerston, but we beg
+that under present circumstances it may be kept a strict secret. What
+the world may say we cannot help. Ever yours, etc.,
+
+ALBERT.
+
+    [Footnote 85: The Prince and Princess of Prussia were then at
+    Coblentz.]
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: PRINCE FREDERICH WILLIAM]
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._
+
+BALMORAL, _22nd September 1855_.
+
+MY DEAREST UNCLE,--I profit by your own messenger to confide to _you_,
+and to _you alone_, begging you not to mention it to your children,
+that _our_ wishes on the subject of a future marriage for Vicky _have_
+been realised in the _most gratifying_ and _satisfactory_ manner.
+
+On Thursday (20th) after breakfast, Fritz Wilhelm said he was anxious
+to speak of a subject which _he_ knew his parents had never broached
+to us--which _was to belong to our_ Family; that this had long been
+his wish, that he had the entire concurrence and _approval_ not
+only of his parents but of the King--and that finding Vicky _so
+allerliebst_, he could delay _no_ longer in making this proposal. I
+need _not_ tell you with _what_ joy _we_ accepted him _for_ our
+part; but the child herself is to know nothing till _after_ her
+confirmation, which is to take place next Easter, when he probably
+will come over, and, as he wishes himself, make her the proposal,
+which, however, I have little--indeed no--doubt she will gladly
+_accept_. He is a dear, excellent, charming young man, whom we shall
+give our dear child to with perfect confidence. What pleases us
+greatly is to see that he is really delighted with Vicky.
+
+Now, with Albert's affectionate love, and with the prayer that _you_
+will give _your_ blessing to this alliance, as you have done to ours,
+ever your devoted Niece and Child,
+
+VICTORIA R.
+
+
+
+
+_Viscount Palmerston to Queen Victoria._
+
+PICCADILLY, _22nd September 1855_.
+
+Viscount Palmerston presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and
+begs, in the first place, to be allowed to offer to your Majesty his
+most sincere congratulations upon the prospective arrangement which
+His Royal Highness the Prince Albert announced in his letter to Lord
+Clarendon, but which, for obvious reasons, should be left to public
+conjecture for the present. Viscount Palmerston trusts that the event,
+when, it takes place, will contribute as much to the happiness of
+those more immediately concerned, and to the comfort of your Majesty
+and of the Royal Family, as it undoubtedly will to the interests of
+the two countries, and of Europe in general....
+
+Viscount Palmerston begs to state that the Professorship of Greek
+at the University of Oxford, which was held by the late Dean of
+Christchurch,[86] is still vacant, Viscount Palmerston having
+doubts as to the best person to be appointed. The present Dean of
+Christchurch admitted that the Professorship ought to be separated
+from the Deanery; he has now recommended for the Professorship the
+Rev. B. Jowett, Fellow and Tutor of Balliol College, who is an
+eminent Greek scholar and won the Hertford Scholarship; and Viscount
+Palmerston submits, for your Majesty's gracious approval, that Mr
+Jowett may be appointed.
+
+    [Footnote 86: The Very Rev. Thomas Gaisford, D.D., who was
+    appointed Regius Professor of Greek in 1811, and Dean of
+    Christchurch in 1831.]
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: THE COLONIAL OFFICE]
+
+
+_Viscount Palmerston to Queen Victoria._
+
+PICCADILLY, _31st October 1855_.
+
+Viscount Palmerston presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and begs
+to state that he has this morning seen Lord Stanley, and offered to
+him the post of Secretary of State for the Colonies.[87] Lord Stanley
+expressed himself as highly gratified personally by an offer which
+he said he was wholly unprepared to receive, and which was above
+his expectations and pretensions; but he said that as he owed to his
+father Lord Derby whatever position he may have gained in public
+life, he could not give an answer without first consulting Lord Derby.
+Viscount Palmerston said that of course in making the proposal, he had
+taken for granted that Lord Stanley would consult Lord Derby first,
+because a son would not take a decision on such a subject without
+consulting his father, even if that father were merely in private
+life; and next because such a course would be still more natural in
+this case, considering Lord Derby's political position with reference
+to those with whom Lord Stanley has more or less been generally
+acting. Lord Stanley said that he should go down to Knowsley by the
+five o'clock train this afternoon, and that he would at an early
+moment communicate his answer to Viscount Palmerston; but he said
+that if he was to state now his anticipation of what Lord Derby would
+recommend and wish him to do, it would rather be to decline the offer.
+
+    [Footnote 87: Sir William Molesworth, who had represented
+    Radicalism in the Cabinets of Lord Aberdeen and Lord
+    Palmerston, died on the 22nd, at the age of forty-five. The
+    Premier thereupon offered the vacant place to Lord Stanley,
+    one of his political opponents, then only twenty-eight, who
+    was the son of the leader of the Conservative Opposition,
+    and had already held office under his father. Lord Stanley's
+    temperament was, in fact, more inclined to Liberalism than
+    that of Lord Palmerston himself, and, twenty-seven years
+    later, he took the office in a Liberal Government which he now
+    declined.]
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: MR SIDNEY HERBERT]
+
+
+_Viscount Palmerston to Queen Victoria._
+
+PICCADILLY, _10th November 1855_.
+
+Viscount Palmerston presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and
+begs to state that in consequence of some things that passed in
+conversation at Sir Charles Wood's two days ago, when Mr and Mrs
+Sidney Herbert dined there, Sir Charles Wood is under a strong
+impression that Mr Herbert would be willing to separate himself from
+Mr Gladstone and Sir James Graham, and the Peace Party, and to join
+the present Government. Viscount Palmerston having well considered
+the matter in concert with Sir Charles Wood and Sir George Grey, is
+of opinion that it would be advantageous not only for the present, but
+also with a view to the future, to detach Mr Herbert from the clique
+with which accidental circumstances have for the moment apparently
+associated him, and to fix him to better principles of action than
+those by which Mr Gladstone and Sir James Graham appear to be guided.
+For this purpose Viscount Palmerston proposes with your Majesty's
+sanction to offer to Mr Herbert to return to the Colonial Office,
+which he held on the formation of the present Government.
+
+Mr Herbert is the most promising man of his standing in the House of
+Commons, and is personally very popular in that House; he is a good
+and an improving speaker, and his accession to the Government would
+add a good speaker to the Treasury Bench, and take away a good speaker
+from ranks that may become hostile.
+
+He would also supply the place of Lord Canning as a kind of link
+between the Government and some well-disposed members of both Houses
+who belonged more or less to what is called the Peel Party. It would
+be necessary, of course, to ascertain clearly that Mr Herbert's views
+about the war and about conditions of peace are the same as they were
+when he was a Member of the Government, and not such as those which Mr
+Gladstone and Sir James Graham have of late adopted.
+
+If Mr Herbert were to accept, Sir George Grey, who has a strong
+disinclination for the Colonies, would remain at the Home Office; and
+if Lord Harrowby would take the Post Office, which must be held by a
+Peer, the Duchy of Lancaster, which may be held by a Commoner, might
+be offered to Mr Baines[88] with a seat in the Cabinet, and Mr Baines
+might perhaps, with reference to his health, prefer an office not
+attended with much departmental business of detail, while he would be
+thus more free to make himself master of general questions. Such an
+arrangement would leave the Cabinet, as stated in the accompanying
+paper, seven and seven; and if afterwards Lord Stanley of Alderley
+were added in the Lords, and Sir Benjamin Hall in the Commons, which,
+however, would be a matter entirely for future consideration, the
+equality of division would still be preserved.[89]
+
+Viscount Palmerston finds that Mr Herbert is gone down to Wilton, and
+as Viscount Palmerston is going this afternoon to Broadlands to
+remain there till Tuesday morning, he proposes during the interval to
+communicate with Mr Herbert, Wilton being not much more than an hour's
+distance from Broadlands by the Salisbury railway.
+
+    [Footnote 88: Mr. Matthew Talbot Baines died prematurely in
+    1860. His abilities were of a solid rather than a brilliant
+    kind.]
+
+    [Footnote 89: Mr. Labouchere became Colonial Secretary. See
+    List of Cabinet as it stood in 1858, _post_, 25th February, 1858.]
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: MR HERBERT DECLINES OFFICE]
+
+
+_Viscount Palmerston to Queen Victoria._
+
+BROADLANDS, _11th November 1855_.
+
+Viscount Palmerston presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and begs
+to state that he has seen Mr Sidney Herbert, who declines joining the
+Government, because he thinks that his doing so would expose both him
+and the Government to the suspicion of having altered their opinions.
+The difference between him and the Government is not as to the
+necessity of prosecuting the war with vigour, but as to the conditions
+of peace with which he would be satisfied. He would consent to accept
+conditions which he is aware that the country would not approve, and
+to which he does not expect that the Government would agree. Viscount
+Palmerston will have to consider with his Colleagues on Tuesday what
+arrangement it will be best for him to submit for the sanction of your
+Majesty.
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: PEACE NEGOTIATIONS]
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to the Earl of Clarendon._
+
+WINDSOR CASTLE, _13th November 1855_.
+
+The Queen returns the enclosed most important letters. She has read
+them with much interest, but not without a very anxious feeling that
+great changes are taking place in the whole position of the Eastern
+Question and the War, without our having the power to direct them
+or even a complete knowledge of them.[90] Should Austria really be
+sincere,--if the Emperor Napoleon is really determined not to carry on
+the war on a large scale without her joining, we shall be obliged by
+common prudence to follow him in his negotiations. He may mistrust our
+secrecy and diplomacy, and wish to obtain by his personal exertions
+a continental league against Russia. The missions to Stockholm and
+Copenhagen, the language to Baron Beust and M. von der Pfordten and M.
+de Bourqueney's single-handed negotiation, seem to point to this.
+Can Russia have secretly declared her readiness to accept the
+"Neutralisation"? It is hardly possible, and if so it would be a
+concession we cannot refuse to close upon. Whatever may be the case,
+the Queen thinks it the wisest course not to disturb the Emperor's
+plans, or to show suspicion of them, but merely to insist upon the
+importance of the Army in the Crimea being kept so imposing that
+Russia cannot safely arrange her plans on the supposition of a change
+of policy on the part of the Western Powers.
+
+Had the Queen known of Lord Cowley's letter a few hours earlier, she
+could have spoken to the Duke of Cambridge, who was here; as it was,
+both she and the Prince were very cautious and reserved in what they
+told him.
+
+The Queen thought it right to let Sir Hamilton Seymour, who is staying
+here, see the letters, as his thorough acquaintance with the present
+position of affairs is most important.
+
+    [Footnote 90: The Emperor was now bent on the termination
+    of hostilities, and the French and Austrian Governments had
+    concerted proposals for peace to be submitted to Russia, with
+    which they somewhat peremptorily demanded that England should
+    concur. Lord Palmerston announced that, rather than make an
+    unsatisfactory peace, he would continue the war without the
+    aid of France. States such as Saxony and Bavaria favoured
+    Russia, and Baron Beust and M. von der Pfordten, their
+    respective Prime Ministers, had interviews with the Emperor,
+    who was anxious for peace on the basis of the Third Point,
+    on which, since the fall of Sebastopol, the Allies were in a
+    better position to insist.]
+
+
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to Sir Charles Wood._
+
+WINDSOR CASTLE, _16th November 1855_.
+
+The Queen wishes to draw Sir Charles Wood's attention to a subject
+which may become of much importance for the future. It is the absence
+of any Dockyard for building and repairing out of the Channel,
+with the exception of Pembroke. Should we ever be threatened by
+a combination of Russia and France, the absence of a Government
+establishment in the north would be very serious. It strikes the Queen
+that the present moment, when our yards hardly supply the demands
+made upon them, and when attention is directed to the Baltic, is a
+particularly favourable one to add an establishment in the Firth of
+Forth, for which the Queen believes the Government possess the ground
+at Leith. Such a measure would at the same time be very popular in
+Scotland, and by making the Queen's Navy known there, which it hardly
+is at present, would open a new field for recruiting our Marine.
+
+Whether Cork in Ireland should not also be made more available is very
+well worth consideration.
+
+The Queen would ask Sir Charles to communicate this letter to Lord
+Palmerston, who has always had the state of our powers of defence so
+much at heart.
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: THE AUSTRIAN ULTIMATUM]
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to the Earl of Clarendon._
+
+WINDSOR CASTLE, _19th November 1855_.
+
+The Queen has attentively perused the voluminous papers, which she now
+returns according to Lord Clarendon's wish.
+
+An anxious consideration of their contents has convinced her that it
+would be the height of impolicy if we were not to enter fairly and
+unreservedly into the French proposal, and she wishes Lord Clarendon
+to express this her opinion to the Cabinet.
+
+The terms of the Austrian Ultimatum are clear and complete and very
+favourable to us, if accepted by Russia.[91] If refused, which they
+almost must be, rupture of diplomatic relations between Austria and
+Russia is a decided step gained by us, and will produce a state of
+things which can scarcely fail to lead them to war.
+
+A refusal to entertain the proposal may induce and perhaps justify the
+Emperor of the French in backing out of the War, which would leave us
+in a miserable position.
+
+If we are to agree to the Emperor's wishes, it must be politic not to
+risk the advantage of the whole measure by a discussion with Austria
+upon minor points of detail, which will cost time, and may lead to
+differences.
+
+    [Footnote 91: The Queen and her Ministers, however, insisted
+    that the neutralisation clause (the Third Point) should be
+    made effective, not left illusory, and incorporated in the
+    principal and not in a supplementary treaty. Modified in this
+    and other particulars, an ultimatum embodying the Austrian
+    proposals, which stipulated, _inter alia_, for the cession of
+    a portion of Bessarabia, was despatched to St Petersburg on
+    the 15th of December, and the 18th of January was fixed as the
+    last day on which a reply would be accepted.]
+
+
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to Viscount Hardinge._
+
+WINDSOR CASTLE, _22nd November 1855_.
+
+The Queen informs Lord Hardinge that on speaking to Sir Colin Campbell
+yesterday, and informing him how much she wished that his valuable
+services should not be lost to her Army in the Crimea, he replied in
+the handsomest manner, that he would return immediately--"for that, if
+the Queen wished it, he was ready to serve under a Corporal"!
+Conduct like this is very gratifying, and will only add to Sir Colin
+Campbell's high name; but, as by Lord Hardinge's and Lord Panmure's
+advice, the Queen has obtained from him this _sacrifice_ of _his
+own_ feelings to _her_ wishes, _she_ feels personally bound _not_
+to _permit_ him to be passed over a _second_ time should the Command
+again become vacant.
+
+The Queen has had a good deal of conversation with him, and from what
+he told her, as well as from what she has heard from others, there
+seems to be a good deal of laxity of discipline--particularly as
+regards the officers--in the Army in the Crimea; and she thinks Lord
+Hardinge should give an order to prevent so many officers coming home
+on leave except when _really ill_. The effect of this on the French
+is very bad, and the Prince had a letter only two days ago from the
+Prince of Prussia, saying that every one was shocked at the manner in
+which our officers came home, and that it lowered our Army very much
+in the eyes of foreign Armies, and generally decreased the
+sympathy for our troops. We deeply regret the death of poor General
+Markham.[92]
+
+    [Footnote 92: He commanded the 2nd Division of the Army at
+    the attack on the Redan, and after the fall of Sebastopol, his
+    health, already shattered, broke down completely; he returned
+    home, and died on the 21st of November.]
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: FRANCE AND AUSTRIA]
+
+[Pageheading: THE NEUTRALISATION CLAUSE]
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to the Earl of Clarendon._
+
+WINDSOR CASTLE, _23rd November 1855_.
+
+The Queen has received Lord Clarendon's letter, and returns the very
+satisfactory enclosures from Lord Cowley. Count Walewski remains true
+to himself; yet the admission that the Neutralisation Clause ought to
+be part of the European treaty, and not an annex, which _he makes_, is
+the most important concession which we could desire. That the Sea
+of Azov is to be dropped the Queen is glad of, as it would appear so
+humiliating to Russia that Austria would probably decline proposing
+it. What the Queen is most afraid of, and what she believes actuates
+the Emperor also, is the consideration that Austria, made aware of
+the intense feeling for Peace _a tout prix_ in France, might get
+frightened at the good terms for us she meant to propose to Russia,
+and might long for an opportunity given by us, in any unreasonable
+demand for modification, to back out of her proposal altogether. Lord
+A. Loftus in his last letter states that Baron Manteuffel[93] even was
+afraid of having admitted as proper, terms too hard upon Russia, since
+peace is wanted at Paris.
+
+The course intended to be pursued by Lord Clarendon in summing up the
+whole question in a public Despatch seems quite the right one, as it
+would never do, on the other hand, to let England be considered as
+merely _a la remorque_ of France, an impression unfortunately very
+prevalent on the Continent at this moment.[94]
+
+As to Marshal Pelissier, the best thing the Emperor could do would be
+to recall him, and to put a younger and more enterprising man in his
+place. As we have got our hero coming home, his French colleague might
+be recalled also.
+
+The Duke of Newcastle's letter is very interesting; the Queen will
+return it this evening. It confirms the truth of the axiom that a
+_settled policy_ ought to precede a military plan of campaign, for
+which the Prince is always contending.
+
+We have been much pleased with old Sir Colin Campbell, who is a
+thorough soldier, and appears not at all wanting in good sense. On
+asking him about our rising men, and the officer whom _he_ would point
+out as the one of most promise, he said that Colonel Mansfield[95] was
+without comparison the man from whom great services could be expected
+both in the Field and as an Administrator. Lord Clarendon will be
+pleased to hear this, but will also not be surprised if the Queen
+should look out for an opportunity to reclaim him for the Army from
+the Foreign Office.
+
+    [Footnote 93: President of the Prussian Ministry.]
+
+    [Footnote 94: Lord Clarendon, in the letter to which this
+    was a reply, observed that he had asked Lord Cowley to inform
+    Count Walewski that he would have to learn that England was a
+    principal in the matter, and "not a political and diplomatic
+    Contingent."]
+
+    [Footnote 95: He had distinguished himself in the first
+    Sikh War, and was in 1855 Military Adviser to the British
+    Ambassador at Constantinople.]
+
+
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to the Earl of Clarendon._
+
+WINDSOR CASTLE, _24th November 1855_.
+
+The Queen returns Lord Cowley's letter and General Pelissier's
+telegram. Lord Cowley is quite right in insisting upon a clear
+understanding between England and France before negotiations are
+entered into with Austria. To come to a speedy agreement, it will be
+wise to drop the minor points and _insist_ upon the most important.
+These the Queen takes to be the incorporation of the _Neutralisation_
+Clause in the general Treaty, and the promise on the part of Austria
+not to accept and communicate to us counter-proposals from Russia. If
+France agreed to this, we might agree to the rest of the arrangement.
+General Pelissier's plan has the advantage of setting us free, but
+deprives us of the Sardinians in the field, an object the French
+have kept steadily in view. The Duke of Cambridge will come down here
+to-night, and we may then hear more on the subject.
+
+The Queen of the French has been taken dangerously ill at Genoa; the
+Duc d'Aumale and Prince de Joinville have been summoned by telegraph.
+The Queen has asked the Foreign Office to telegraph to enquire after
+the Queen's state.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: SIR WILLIAM CODRINGTON]
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to Sir William Codrington._[96]
+
+WINDSOR CASTLE, _26th November 1855_.
+
+The first Despatches of Sir William Codrington, acknowledging his
+appointment to the Command of the Queen's gallant Army in the East,
+having arrived, she will no longer delay writing herself to Sir
+William, to assure him of her support and confidence in his new,
+proud, and important, though at the same time difficult position.
+She wishes to assure him of her confidence and support. It is with
+pleasure that she sees the son of her old friend and devoted servant,
+himself so distinguished in the sister Service, raised by his own
+merits to so exalted a position. Sir William knows the Queen's pride
+in her beloved Troops, as well as her unceasing solicitude for their
+welfare and glory, and she trusts he will on all occasions express
+these feelings from herself personally.
+
+The Queen feels certain that Sir William Codrington will learn, with
+great satisfaction, that that distinguished and gallant officer, Sir
+Colin Campbell, has most readily and handsomely complied with the
+Queen's wishes that he should return to the Crimea and take command
+of the First Corps d'Armee. His presence and his assistance will be
+of essential service to Sir William Codrington, who, the Queen knows,
+entertains so high an opinion of him.
+
+The Prince wishes his sincere congratulations and kind remembrance to
+be conveyed to Sir William Codrington.
+
+The Queen would be glad if Sir William could--when he has leisure to
+do so--from time to time write to her himself, informing her of the
+state of her Army, and of affairs in the Crimea.
+
+She concludes with every wish for his welfare and success.
+
+    [Footnote 96: Considerable difficulty had been found in
+    appointing a successor to General Simpson, who had resigned
+    a task which he found overtaxed his powers. Sir William
+    Codrington was junior to three other Generals, who might
+    have felt aggrieved by being passed over. The sagacity of the
+    Prince found a way out of the difficulty by appointing two
+    of the three to the commands of the two _corps d'armee_ into
+    which the Army had, at his instance, been subdivided. See
+    _ante._ 22nd November, 1855, note 92.]
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: VISIT OF KING OF SARDINIA]
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._
+
+WINDSOR CASTLE, _5th December 1855_.
+
+MY DEAREST UNCLE,--I must make many excuses for not writing to you
+yesterday, to thank you for your kind letter of the 30th, as on Friday
+and Saturday my time was entirely taken up with my _Royal_ brother,
+the King of Sardinia,[97] and I had to make up for loss of time
+these last days. He leaves us to-morrow at an extraordinary hour--four
+o'clock in the morning (which you did once or twice)--wishing to be at
+Compiegne to-morrow night, and at Turin on Tuesday. He is _eine ganz
+besondere, abenteuerliche Erscheinung_, startling in the extreme in
+appearance and manner when you _first_ see him, but, just as Aumale
+says, _il faut l'aimer quand on le connait bien_. He is so frank,
+open, just, straightforward, liberal and tolerant, with much sound
+good sense. He never breaks his word, and you may rely on him, but
+wild and extravagant, courting adventures and dangers, and with a very
+strange, short, rough manner, an exaggeration of that short manner of
+speaking which his poor brother had. He is shy in society, which makes
+him still more brusque, and he does not know (never having been out of
+his own country or even out in Society) what to say to the number
+of people who are presented to him here, and which is, I know from
+experience, a most odious thing. He is truly attached to the Orleans
+family, particularly to Aumale, and will be a friend and adviser to
+them. To-day he will be invested with the Order of the Garter. He is
+more like a Knight or King of the Middle Ages than anything one knows
+nowadays.
+
+On Monday we go to Osborne till the 21st.
+
+One word about Vicky. I must say that she has a quick discernment of
+character, and I have never seen her take _any_ predilection for a
+person which was _not motive_ by personal amiability, goodness, or
+distinction of some kind or other. You need be under no apprehension
+whatever on this subject; and she has, moreover, great tact and
+_esprit de conduite_. It is quite extraordinary how popular she is in
+Society--and again now, all these Foreigners are so struck with her
+sense and _conversation_ for her age.
+
+Hoping soon to hear from you again, and wishing that naughty Stockmar
+may yet be brought to come, believe me ever your devoted Niece,
+
+VICTORIA R.
+
+    [Footnote 97: King Victor Emmanuel was received with
+    great cordiality by the English people, grateful for his
+    co-operation and for the gallantry of his soldiers at the
+    Tchernaya. Count Cavour accompanied him, and drafted the
+    reply read by the King at Guildhall to the address of the
+    Corporation.]
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: GARTER FEES]
+
+
+_Viscount Palmerston to Queen Victoria._
+
+DOWNING STREET, _11th December 1855_.
+
+Viscount Palmerston presents his humble duty to your Majesty and
+submits a letter which he received a few days ago from the Duke of
+Newcastle declining the Garter. Viscount Palmerston on his return
+from Woburn, where he was for two days, saw the Duke of Newcastle, but
+found that the enclosed letter expressed the intention which he had
+formed. Viscount Palmerston would propose to your Majesty the Earl
+of Fortescue as a deserving object of your Majesty's gracious favour;
+Lord Fortescue held the high office of Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland, and
+is a person highly and universally respected.[98]
+
+Viscount Palmerston cannot refrain from saying on this occasion that
+he is not without a misgiving that the high amount of fees which he
+understands is paid by persons who are made Knights of the Garter may
+have some effect in rendering those whose incomes are not very large
+less anxious than they would otherwise be to receive this distinction;
+and he cannot but think that it is unseemly in general that persons
+upon whom your Majesty may be disposed to confer dignities and
+honours, either as a mark of your Majesty's favour or as a reward for
+their public services, should on that account be subject to a heavy
+pecuniary fine; and he intends to collect information with a view to
+consider whether all such fees might not be abolished, the officers to
+whom they are now paid receiving compensation in the shape of adequate
+fixed salary.[99] ...
+
+    [Footnote 98: Earl Fortescue received the Garter; he died in
+    1861.]
+
+    [Footnote 99: This reform was effected in 1905.]
+
+
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to Lord Panmure._
+
+WINDSOR CASTLE, _22nd December 1855_.
+
+The Queen has received Lord Panmure's answer to her letter from
+Osborne, and is glad to see from it that he is quite agreed with the
+Queen on the subject of the Land Transport Corps. She would _most
+strongly_ urge Lord Panmure to give at once _carte blanche_ to Sir
+W. Codrington to organise it as he thinks best, and to make him
+personally responsible for it. We have only eight weeks left to the
+beginning of spring; a few references home and their answers would
+consume the whole of that time! The Army has now to carry their huts
+on their backs up to the Camp; if it had been fighting, it would have
+perished for want of them, like the last winter. If each Division,
+Brigade, and Battalion has not got within itself what it requires for
+its daily existence in the field, a movement will be quite impossible.
+
+The Queen approves the intended increase of Artillery and Sappers
+and Miners; but hopes that these will be taken from the _nominal_ and
+_not_ the existing strength of the Army.
+
+
+
+
+INTRODUCTORY NOTE
+
+TO CHAPTER XXV
+
+
+After two years' duration, the Crimean War was terminated in March
+1856, at a Conference of the Powers assembled at Paris, by a treaty
+the principal terms of which provided for the integrity of Turkey,
+and her due participation in the public law and system of Europe,
+the neutralisation of the Black Sea, and the opening of its waters to
+commerce (with the interdiction, except in a limited degree, of the
+flag of war of any nation, and of the erection by either Russia or
+Turkey of arsenals), free navigation of the Danube, cession of a
+portion of Bessarabia by Russia, and the reciprocal evacuation of
+invaded territories; the Principalities to be continued in their
+existing privileges under the suzerainty of the Porte and a guarantee
+of the Contracting Powers. No European protectorate was to be
+established over the Sultan's Christian subjects. Certain general
+principles of International Law were also agreed upon. In the course
+of the summer, the Guards made a public re-entry into London; and the
+Crimea was finally evacuated; great reviews of the returned troops
+taking place at Aldershot. The thanks of Parliament were accorded to
+the soldiers and sailors engaged, and peace-rejoicings celebrated on a
+great scale.
+
+The Commissioners who had been sent out, nearly a year before, to the
+Crimea, to investigate the causes of the breakdown in various military
+departments, presented a Report, censuring several high officials;
+a Military Commission was accordingly appointed to investigate the
+Report, and after sitting for some months at Chelsea, completely
+exonerated the officials in question.
+
+The Government having resolved to strengthen the administration of the
+appellate jurisdiction of the House of Lords, Letters Patent were made
+out purporting to create Sir James Parke, an ex-Judge, a Baron for
+his life, under the title of Lord Wensleydale. After frequent and
+protracted debates on this question, the Peers decided that such
+a patent conferred no right to sit and vote in Parliament. The
+Government gave up the contest by creating Sir James (who had no son)
+a hereditary peer.
+
+The Czar Alexander was crowned at Moscow in September with great
+ceremonial, the Sultan being duly represented, while Lord Granville
+was present as special Ambassador for the Queen. The discovery of
+the cruelty with which political offenders were being treated in
+Neapolitan prisons led to the rupture of diplomatic relations between
+England in union with France on the one hand, and King Ferdinand on
+the other; while a dispute as to the enlistment of recruits for the
+English Army in the United States led to the dismissal of the British
+Minister at Washington, and to temporary friction between the two
+countries.
+
+The provisions of the Treaty of Paris were not carried out without
+considerable procrastination on the part of Russia, which, by its
+method of evacuating Kars and surrendering Ismail and Reni, and by
+laying claim to Serpent's Island at the mouth of the Danube, compelled
+England to send a fleet to the Black Sea, to enforce strict observance
+of the Treaty. By the end of the year the matter was arranged, though
+in the meantime the possibility of Great Britain being represented at
+the Czar's coronation had been imperilled.
+
+The abuses which had long existed in the Government of Oudh induced
+the Governor-General of India, early in the year, to issue a
+proclamation placing that kingdom permanently under the authority of
+the British Crown. Lord Dalhousie at this time retired from the office
+(which he had held for eight years) of Governor-General, and was
+succeeded by Lord Canning. It fell to the lot of the latter to
+announce the commencement of hostilities between this country and
+Persia, on the ground that the latter was endeavouring, in defiance
+of Treaties, to subvert the independence of Herat. The Shah had laid
+siege to the town, when, in December, the English fleet, under Admiral
+Sir Henry Leeke, attacked and captured Bushire on the Persian Gulf.
+Soon afterwards, Sir James Outram arrived on the scene from Bombay,
+and assumed the command.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXV
+
+1856
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to Lord Panmure._
+
+WINDSOR CASTLE, _5th January 1856_.
+
+The Queen returns the drawings for the "Victoria Cross." She has
+marked the one she approves with an X; she thinks, however, that it
+might be a trifle smaller. The motto would be better "For Valour" than
+"For the Brave," as this would lead to the inference that only those
+are deemed brave who have got the Victoria Cross.
+
+
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to the Earl of Clarendon._
+
+WINDSOR CASTLE, _7th January 1856_.
+
+The Queen has received Lord Clarendon's letter, and in answer to his
+question expresses her opinion that Lord Cowley's presence at the
+Council of War will be absolutely necessary.[1] She believes Lord
+Clarendon to be agreed with her, that the value of a plan of military
+campaign is entirely dependent upon the _general policy_ which the
+Government intends to pursue. As none of our Commissioners at the
+Council of War are in the least acquainted with the latter, they might
+be drawn into plans which would not at all agree with it. Lord Cowley
+would take that part of the question into his own hands, in which
+it will be quite safe. The Queen thinks that it is of secondary
+importance whether Count Walewski attends or not, but that the Emperor
+cannot have the same need of his presence which we have of that of our
+Ambassador.
+
+    [Footnote 1: A satisfactory and speedy conclusion of
+    hostilities appearing at this time far from probable, a
+    Council of War to settle the course of operations was, at the
+    Emperor's suggestion, summoned to meet at Paris. Lord Cowley,
+    Count Walewski, Prince Jerome Bonaparte, and others, were
+    present, besides Naval and Military representatives of the
+    Allies, among whom was the Duke of Cambridge.]
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: POLICY OF CAVOUR]
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to the Earl of Clarendon._
+
+WINDSOR CASTLE, _9th January 1856_.
+
+The Queen has read Sir J. Hudson's[2] letter with much interest.
+There is much truth in what Count Cavour says, and it must ever be our
+object and our interest to see Sardinia independent and strong; as
+a Liberal constitutional country, opposing a barrier alike to
+unenlightened and absolute as well as revolutionary principles--and
+this she has a right to expect us to support her in.
+
+But _what_ she wants to obtain from Austria is not clear. She has no
+right, however, to expect further assurances from us on wishes which
+she seems even to be afraid to state distinctly.
+
+It is clearly impossible to ask Austria to give up a portion of Italy
+to her, if nothing has occurred to make this necessary to Austria. At
+any rate Sardinia can have lost nothing, but on the contrary must
+have gained by the position which she is placed in as an ally of the
+Western Powers.
+
+    [Footnote 2: British Minister at Turin, and an enthusiastic
+    sympathiser with Cavour. The latter had complained to him that
+    if the Austrian proposals were accepted, and peace were made,
+    Sardinia could expect no realisation of her cherished hopes,
+    viz. Anglo-French support against Austria and against Papal
+    aggression, increased political consideration in Europe, and
+    the development of Constitutional Government.]
+
+
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to the Earl of Clarendon._
+
+WINDSOR CASTLE, _11th January 1856_.
+
+The Queen now returns the draft[3] to Lord Bloomfield, which she could
+only write about in haste yesterday, as being of a nature not to be
+sanctioned by her. It is quite natural and excusable that our patience
+should at last be worn out by the miserable policy which Prussia is
+pursuing, but it can never be our interest openly to quarrel with her.
+This would be simply playing the game of Russia, who would thus be
+relieved from all attacks upon her and see the theatre of the war
+transferred to Germany; all other complications (which would arise
+therefrom)--ruinous to the best interests of the Western Powers
+as they would be--the Queen need not refer to. But when the draft
+concludes with a declaration to Prussia that England "_considers her
+neutrality as now at an end_," this is tantamount to a declaration of
+_war!_ The late articles in our newspapers, and the language of Count
+Walewski to Lord Cowley, make the Queen doubly anxious to warn the
+Government not to let themselves be drawn on to such a policy.
+
+    [Footnote 3: The draft expressed disapproval of the silence
+    maintained by the Prussian Government towards England with
+    regard to the Austrian proposals, of the active measures
+    adopted to induce the German Powers not to take part with
+    Austria, as well as of the extended facilities afforded by
+    Prussia to Russia for carrying on the war.]
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: LETTER FROM NAPOLEON III]
+
+[Pageheading: THE EMPEROR AND PEACE]
+
+
+_The Emperor of the French to Queen Victoria._
+
+TUILERIES, _le 14 Janvier 1856_.
+
+MADAME ET CHERE S[OE]UR,--Votre Majeste m'ayant permis de lui parler
+a c[oe]ur ouvert toutes les fois que des circonstances graves se
+presenteraient, je viens aujourd'hui profiter de la faveur qu'elle a
+bien voulu m'accorder.
+
+Je viens de recevoir aujourd'hui la nouvelle de la reponse de la
+Russie a l'Ultimatum de Vienne, et avant d'avoir manifeste mon
+impression a qui que ce soit, pas meme a Walewski, je viens la
+communiquer a votre Majeste pour avoir son avis.
+
+Je resume la question: La Russie accepte tout l'Ultimatum autrichien
+sauf la rectification de frontiere de la Bessarabie, et sauf le
+paragraphe relatif aux conditions _particulieres_ qu'elle declare ne
+pas connaitre. De plus, profitant du succes de Kars, elle s'engage a
+rendre cette forteresse et le territoire occupe en echange des points
+que nous possedons en Crimee et ailleurs.
+
+Dans quelle position allons-nous nous trouver? D'apres la convention,
+l'Autriche est obligee de retirer son ambassadeur, et nous, nous
+poursuivons la guerre! Mais dans quel but allons-nous demander a nos
+deux pays de nouveaux sacrifices d'hommes et d'argent? Pour un interet
+purement autrichien et pour une question qui ne consolide en rien
+l'empire ottoman.
+
+Cependant nous y sommes obliges et nous ne devons pas avoir l'air
+de manquer a nos engagements. Nous serions donc places dans une
+alternative bien triste si l'Autriche elle-meme ne semblait pas deja
+nous inviter de ne point rompre toute negociation. Or en reflechissant
+aujourd'hui a cette situation, je me disais: ne pourrait-on pas
+repondre a l'Autriche ceci: La prise de Kars a tant soit peu change
+nos situations; puisque la Russie consent a evacuer toute l'Asie
+Mineure nous nous bornons a demander pour la Turquie, au lieu de la
+rectification de frontiere, les places fortes formant _tete de pont_
+sur le Danube, tels que Ismail et Kilia. Pour nous, nous demandons en
+fait de conditions particulieres, l'engagement de ne point retablir
+les forts des iles d'Aland et une amnistie pour les Tartares. Mon
+sentiment est qu'a ces conditions-la la paix serait tres desirable;
+car sans cela je ne puis pas m'empecher de redouter l'opinion publique
+quand elle me dira: "Vous aviez obtenu le but reel de la guerre, Aland
+etait tombe et ne pouvait plus se relever, Sebastopol avait eu le
+meme sort, la flotte Russe etait aneantie, et la Russie promettait non
+seulement de ne plus la faire reparaitre dans la Mer Noire, mais meme
+de ne plus avoir d'arsenaux maritimes sur toutes ses rives; la Russie
+abandonnait ses conquetes dans l'Asie Mineure, elle abandonnait son
+protectorat dans les principautes, son action sur le cours du Danube,
+son influence sur ces correligionnaires sujets du Sultan, etc.,
+etc. Vous aviez obtenu tout cela non sans d'immenses sacrifices et
+cependant vous allez les continuer, compromettre les finances de la
+France, repandre ses tresors et son sang et pourquoi: pour obtenir
+quelques landes de la Bessarabie!!!"
+
+Voila, Madame, les reflexions qui me preoccupent; car autant je me
+sens de force quand je crois etre dans le vrai pour inculquer mes
+idees a mon pays et pour lui faire partager ma persuasion, autant je
+me sentirais faible si je n'etais pas sur d'avoir raison ni de faire
+mon devoir.
+
+Mais ainsi que je l'ai dit en commencant a votre Majeste je n'ai
+communique ma premiere impression qu'au Duc de Cambridge, et autour de
+moi au contraire j'ai dit qu'il fallait continuer la guerre. J'espere
+que votre Majeste accueillera avec bonte cette lettre ecrite a la
+hate et qu'elle y verra une nouvelle preuve de mon desir de m'entendre
+toujours avec elle avant de prendre une resolution. En remerciant
+votre Majeste de l'aimable lettre que S.A.R. le Duc de Cambridge m'a
+remise de sa part, je la prie de recevoir la nouvelle assurance de mes
+sentiments de tendre et respectueux attachement avec lesquels je suis
+de votre Majeste, le bon frere et ami,
+
+NAPOLEON.
+
+Je remercie bien le Prince Arthur de son bon souvenir.
+
+
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to the Earl of Clarendon._
+
+WINDSOR CASTLE, _15th January 1856_.
+
+... The Queen will send her letter to the Emperor this evening for
+transmission to Paris. She will enclose it _open_ to Lord Clarendon,
+who will seal and send it after having read it.
+
+The Queen cannot conceal from Lord Clarendon what _her own_ feelings
+and wishes at this moment are. They _cannot_ be for peace _now_, for
+she is _convinced_ that this country would _not_ stand in the eyes of
+Europe as she _ought_, and as the Queen is convinced she _would_ after
+_this_ year's campaign. The honour and glory of her dear Army is as
+_near_ her heart as almost anything, and she cannot _bear_ the thought
+that "the failure on the Redan" should be our _last fait d'Armes_, and
+it would cost her more than words can express to conclude a peace with
+_this_ as the end. However, what is best and wisest must be done.
+
+The Queen cannot yet bring herself to believe that the Russians are at
+all sincere, or that it will _now_ end in peace.
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: THE QUEEN'S REPLY]
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to the Emperor of the French._
+
+WINDSOR CASTLE, _le 15 Janvier 1856_.
+
+SIRE ET CHER FRERE,--La bonne et aimable lettre que je viens de
+recevoir de la main de votre Majeste m'a cause un tres-vif plaisir.
+J'y vois une preuve bien satisfaisante pour moi que vous avez apprecie
+tous les avantages de ces epanchements sans reserve, et que votre
+Majeste en sent comme moi le besoin dans les circonstances graves ou
+nous sommes. Je sens aussi toute la responsabilite que votre confiance
+m'impose, et c'est dans la crainte qu'une opinion formee et exprimee
+par moi trop a la hate pourrait nuire a la decision finale a prendre
+que je me vois obligee de differer pour le moment la reponse plus
+detaillee sur les considerations que vous avez si clairement et si
+consciencieusement developpees. Cependant, je ne veux point tarder de
+vous remercier de votre lettre, et de vous soumettre de mon cote les
+reflexions qui me sont venues en la lisant. La Reponse Russe ne nous
+est pas encore arrivee; nous n'en connaissons pas exactement les
+termes; par consequent, il serait imprudent de former une opinion
+definitive sur la maniere d'y repondre, surtout comme le Prince
+Gortschakoff parait avoir demande un nouveau delai du Gouvernement
+Autrichien et de nouvelles instructions de St Petersbourg, et comme M.
+de Bourqueney parait penser que la Russie n'a pas dit son dernier
+mot. Nous pourrions donc perdre une chance d'avoir de meilleures
+conditions, en montrant trop d'empressement a accueillir celles
+offertes dans ce moment. Celles-ci arriveront peut-etre dans le
+courant de la journee, ou demain, quand mon Cabinet sera reuni pour
+les examiner. Nous sommes au 15; le 18 les relations diplomatiques
+entre l'Autriche et la Russie doivent etre rompues; je crois que
+notre position vis-a-vis de la Russie sera meilleure en discutant
+ses propositions apres la rupture et apres en avoir vu les effets.
+En attendant, rien ne sera plus utile a la cause de la paix que la
+resolution que vous avez si sagement prise de dire a tous ceux qui
+vous approchent qu'il faut continuer la guerre. Soyez bien sur que
+dans l'opinion finale que je me formerai, votre position et votre
+persuasion personnelle seront toujours presentes a mon esprit et
+auront le plus grand poids.
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: THE BRITISH ARMY]
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to the Earl of Clarendon._
+
+WINDSOR CASTLE, _17th January 1856_.
+
+The Queen returns the Duke of Cambridge's and Lord Cowley's letters,
+which together with the account which Lord Clarendon gives of his
+interview with M. de Persigny causes the Queen no little anxiety. If
+negotiations on a vague basis are allowed to be begun, the Russian
+negotiator is sure to find out that the French are ready to grant
+anything....
+
+However, whatever happens, one consolation the Queen ever will have,
+which is--that with the one exception of that failure on the _Redan_,
+her noble Army--in spite of every possible disadvantage which any army
+could labour under, _has_ invariably been victorious, and the Russians
+have always and everywhere been beaten excepting at Kars, where
+_famine_ alone enabled them to succeed.
+
+Let us therefore not be (as alas! we have often been) its detractors
+by our croaking.
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: POSITION OF THE EMPEROR]
+
+
+_Viscount Palmerston to Queen Victoria._
+
+PICCADILLY, _17th January 1856_.
+
+Viscount Palmerston presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and
+concludes that Lord Lansdowne informed your Majesty that the Cabinet,
+after hearing from Lord Clarendon a statement of the course of
+the recent negotiations as explained by the despatches which Lord
+Clarendon read, came to the decision that no further step should be
+taken, and no further communication should be made to the Government
+of France on the matters at issue, until the final decision of the
+Russian Government on the pure and simple adoption of the Austrian
+ultimatum[4] should be known. Viscount Palmerston begs to congratulate
+your Majesty upon the telegraphic message received this morning from
+Sir Hamilton Seymour, announcing that the Russian Government has
+adopted that Austrian ultimatum. So far so well, and the success which
+has attended firmness and steadiness of purpose in regard to those
+conditions may be looked upon as a tolerably sure indication that a
+perseverance in the same course will bring the Russian Government to
+consent to those remaining conditions which the Austrian Government
+has not yet (as it says) made known to the Cabinet of Petersburg.
+
+With regard to the letter of the Emperor of the French to your
+Majesty, and the statements made to Lord Clarendon by the Count de
+Persigny as to the difficulties of the Emperor's internal position
+with respect to finance, and a general desire for peace throughout
+the Nation, Viscount Palmerston expressed his opinion to the Cabinet
+yesterday that all those representations were greatly exaggerated. He
+is convinced that the Emperor of the French is perfectly master of his
+own position, and that he can as to peace or war take the course which
+he may determine to adopt.
+
+The cabal of stock-jobbing politicians, by whom he is surrounded,
+_must_ give way to him if he is firm. They have no standing place in
+the confidence and respect of their fellow-countrymen, they represent
+nothing but the Stock Exchange speculations in which they are engaged,
+and the Emperor's throne would probably be stronger, rather than
+weaker, if they were swept away, and better men put in their places.
+And it is a very remarkable circumstance that at the very moment when
+your Majesty and your Majesty's Government were being told that
+the Emperor would be unable to go on with the war on account of the
+difficulty of finding money, the French Government was putting forth
+in the _Moniteur_ an official statement showing that they have a
+reserve surplus of twenty-one millions sterling for defraying the
+expenses of a campaign in the ensuing spring, without the necessity of
+raising any fresh loan.
+
+Viscount Palmerston fully concurs in the sentiment of regret expressed
+by your Majesty to Lord Clarendon that the last action of the war in
+which your Majesty's troops have been engaged, should, if peace be now
+concluded, have been the repulse at the Redan; but however it may suit
+national jealousy, which will always be found to exist on the other
+side of the Channel, to dwell upon that check, yet your Majesty may
+rely upon it that the Alma and Inkerman have left recollections which
+will dwell in the memory of the living and not be forgotten in the
+page of history; and although it would no doubt have been gratifying
+to your Majesty and to the Nation that another summer should have
+witnessed the destruction of Cronstadt by your Majesty's gallant Navy,
+and the expulsion of the Russians from the countries south of the
+Caucasus by your Majesty's brave Army, yet if peace _can_ now be
+concluded on conditions honourable and secure, it would, as your
+Majesty justly observes, not be right to continue the war for the
+mere purpose of prospective victories. It will, however, be obviously
+necessary to continue active preparations for war up to the moment
+when a definite Treaty of Peace is signed, in order that the Russians
+may not find it for their interest to break off negotiations when the
+season for operations shall approach, emboldened by any relaxation
+on the part of the Allies induced by too ready confidence in the good
+faith of their adversary....
+
+    [Footnote 4: See _ante_, 19th November, 1855, note 91.]
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE AT PARIS]
+
+
+_The Duke of Cambridge to Queen Victoria._
+
+TUILERIES, _20th January 1856_.
+
+MY DEAR COUSIN,--Your letters of the 14th and 18th have reached me,
+and I am happy to find by them that you approve in conjunction with
+the Government with what has been done by me and my colleagues whilst
+at Paris.[5] I have given all the messages and carried out all the
+instructions as contained in your letters, and I trust as far as
+possible I have been enabled to do some good. On the other hand, I
+cannot deny that the feelings universally expressed here as to the
+prospects of a speedy peace are so different from those felt in
+England, that it is extremely difficult to produce any impression in
+the sense that we could wish it. France wishes for peace more than
+anything else on earth, and this feeling does not confine itself
+to Walewski or the Ministers--it extends itself to all classes. The
+Emperor alone is reasonable and sensible in this respect, but his
+position is a most painful one, and he feels it very much. The fact
+is that public opinion is much more felt and more loudly expressed
+in this country than anybody in England at all imagines. No doubt the
+Emperor can do much that he wishes, but still he cannot go altogether
+against a feeling which so loudly expresses itself on all occasions,
+without thereby injuring his own position most seriously. I have
+written to Clarendon very fully on this subject, and have explained to
+him my reasons for wishing to return to England as soon as possible,
+now that our military mission is concluded. It is essential that
+I should see the members of the Government, and that I should
+communicate to them the exact state of feeling here and the views of
+the Emperor as to the mode of smoothing down all difficulties. This
+can only be done by a personal interview on the part of somebody
+thoroughly aware of the present position of affairs. Probably at this
+moment I am in a better position to do this than anybody else, from
+the peculiar circumstances in which I have been placed while here, and
+it is this feeling which makes me desirous to return to England with
+the least possible delay. It is my intention therefore to start
+with my colleagues to-morrow, Monday night, for England, to which
+arrangement the Emperor has given his sanction, and by which time he
+will be prepared to tell me what he thinks had best be done, from his
+view of the question. I think it my duty to communicate this to you,
+and hope that you will give my resolution your sanction. I beg to
+remain, my dear Cousin, your most dutiful Cousin,
+
+GEORGE.
+
+    [Footnote 5: At the Council of War. See _ante_, 7th January, 1856,
+    note 1.]
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: ENGLAND AND FRANCE]
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to the Earl of Clarendon._
+
+WINDSOR CASTLE, _28th January 1856_.
+
+The Queen sends a letter which she wishes Lord Clarendon to give to
+General La Marmora.[6] We have been extremely pleased with him (indeed
+he is a universal favourite) and found him so sensible, mild, and
+right-minded, in all he says--and a valuable adviser to the King.
+The Queen wishes _just_ to mention to Lord Clarendon that the Duke of
+Cambridge told her that the Emperor had spoken to _him_ about what the
+King of Sardinia had said relative to _Austria and France_, asking
+the Duke whether such a thing had been said.[7] The Duke seems to have
+answered as we could wish, and the Queen pretended _never_ to have
+_heard_ the report, merely saying that as the proposed ultimatum
+was then much talked of, it was very possible the King might
+unintentionally have mistaken the observations of the Ministers and
+ourselves as to our being _unable_ to _agree_, without great caution,
+to what appeared to be _agreed_ on beforehand between _France_ and
+_Austria_, and possibly _might_ have in his blunt way stated something
+which alarmed the Emperor--but that she could not imagine it could be
+anything else. There seems, however, really no _end_ to _cancans_ at
+_Paris_; for the Duke of Cambridge seems to have shared the same fate.
+The two atmospheres of France and England, as well as the Society, are
+so different that people get to talk differently. It seems also that
+the King got frightened lest he should at Paris be thought too liberal
+in his _religious_ views (having been complimented for it) which he
+was very proud of--and thought it necessary to tell the _Emperor_ he
+was a _good Catholic_. This is not unnatural in his peculiar position.
+When Lord Clarendon goes to Paris, he will be able to _silence_ any
+further allusion to these idle stories which only lead to mischief,
+and which even Lord Cowley seems to have made more of (as to his own
+feelings upon them) than was necessary, but that is equally natural.
+Speaking of his King--General La Marmora said: "Il ne dira jamais ce
+qu'il ne pense pas, mais il dit quelquefois ce qui serait mieux qu'il
+ne dit pas." He more than any other regrets the King's not having seen
+more of the world, and says his journey had done him a _great_ deal of
+good.
+
+    [Footnote 6: The Sardinian Commander had been attending the
+    Council of War at Paris.]
+
+    [Footnote 7: The King of Sardinia was reported to have told
+    the Emperor that the latter's loyalty to the Alliance was
+    questioned by Great Britain, and that it was conjectured in
+    London that he was in favour of co-operation with Austria
+    instead.]
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: THE SPEECH FROM THE THRONE]
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to Viscount Palmerston._
+
+_28th January 1856._
+
+The Queen returns to Lord Palmerston the draft of the speech, which
+she thinks _extremely well_ worded, and which she therefore trusts
+will be (with the exception of those passages marked) as little
+altered as possible. Lord John Russell used to say that as soon as
+a speech was discussed in the Cabinet, it was so much _pruned_ and
+altered as to lose all its force. The Queen must own that she is
+_much_ alarmed at hearing that the _papers_ of the War Council were to
+be printed and circulated amongst the Cabinet, as she fears that the
+secrecy, which is so necessary, upon which the Emperor laid so _much
+stress_, will be very difficult to be maintained. The Emperor's
+opinion at least, the Queen hopes, will _not_ be printed or generally
+circulated?
+
+The Queen must again press for a very early decision on the subject.
+If this is allowed to _drag_, it will appear, particularly to the
+_Emperor_, as if we were not really in earnest, though we stickled so
+much for our additional conditions, which might lessen the hopes
+of peace. Of course the Government must not give any answer on this
+subject--should Parliament be so indiscreet as to ask _what_ the
+result of the deliberations of the Council of War has been.
+
+
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._
+
+Windsor Castle, _29th January 1856_.
+
+MY DEAREST UNCLE,--You will kindly forgive my letter being short, but
+we are going to be present this morning at the wedding of Phipps's
+daughter[8] with that handsome lame young officer whom you remember
+at Osborne. It is quite an event at Windsor, and takes place in St
+George's Chapel, which is very seldom the case.
+
+Many thanks for your kind letter of the 25th, by which I am glad to
+see that dear good Philip has arrived safe and well and brought back
+_de bons souvenirs_. We shall always be _happy_ to see him.
+
+The _peace negotiations_ occupy every one; _if_ Russia is _sincere_,
+they will end most probably in peace; but _if_ she is _not_, the war
+will be _carried_ on with _renewed vigour_. The recollection of last
+year makes one _very distrustful_.
+
+England's policy throughout has been the _same_, _singularly
+unselfish_, and _solely_ actuated by the _desire_ of _seeing Europe
+saved_ from the _arrogant_ and _dangerous pretensions_ of that
+_barbarous power_ Russia--and of having _such safeguards_ established
+for the _future_, which may ensure us against a _repetition_ of
+similar _untoward events_.
+
+I repeat now, what we have said from the beginning, and what I have
+_repeated_ a _hundred_ times, _if Prussia_ and _Austria_ had held
+_strong and decided_ language to _Russia in_ '53, we should _never_
+have had _this war!_
+
+Now I must conclude. With Albert's best love, ever your devoted Niece,
+
+VICTORIA R.
+
+    [Footnote 8: Maria Henrietta Sophia, daughter of Sir Charles
+    Beaumont Phipps, K.C.B., Keeper of the Privy Purse, married
+    Captain Frederick Sayer, 23rd Royal Welsh Fusiliers.]
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: MISS NIGHTINGALE]
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to Miss Florence Nightingale._
+
+WINDSOR CASTLE, _[January] 1856_.
+
+DEAR MISS NIGHTINGALE,--You are, I know, well aware of the high sense
+I entertain of the Christian devotion which you have displayed during
+this great and bloody war, and I need hardly repeat to you how warm my
+admiration is for your services, which are fully equal to those of my
+dear and brave soldiers, whose sufferings you have had the _privilege_
+of alleviating in so merciful a manner. I am, however, anxious of
+marking my feelings in a manner which I trust will be agreeable to
+you, and therefore send you with this letter a brooch, the form and
+emblems of which commemorate your great and blessed work, and which,
+I hope, you will wear as a mark of the high approbation of your
+Sovereign![9]
+
+It will be a very great satisfaction to me, when you return at last to
+these shores, to make the acquaintance of one who has set so bright an
+example to our sex. And with every prayer for the preservation of your
+valuable health, believe me, always, yours sincerely,
+
+VICTORIA R.
+
+    [Footnote 9: The presentation took place on the 29th of
+    January. The jewel resembled a badge rather than a brooch,
+    bearing a St George's Cross in red enamel, and the Royal
+    cypher surmounted by a crown in diamonds. The inscription
+    "Blessed are the Merciful" encircled the badge which also bore
+    the word "Crimea."]
+
+
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to the Earl of Clarendon._
+
+WINDSOR CASTLE, _7th February 1856_.
+
+With respect to Lord Clarendon's observation that he hopes that the
+Queen "will approve of his upholding the Sardinians in the Conference
+and in all other respects," she can only assure him that she is _most
+sincerely_ anxious that he should do so, as the Queen has the greatest
+respect for that noble little country, which, since it has possessed
+an honest, straightforward as well as courageous King, has been a
+bright example to all Continental States.
+
+The Queen rejoices to hear that Count Cavour is coming to Paris.
+The Queen hopes that the determination not to admit Prussia will be
+adhered to.[10] She hears that Baron Beust[11] means to go to Paris
+to represent the German Confederation; this should be prevented by all
+means.
+
+    [Footnote 10: Prussia was not admitted to the sitting of the
+    Conference until a later stage.]
+
+    [Footnote 11: Prime Minister of Saxony.]
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: BELGIAN NEUTRALITY]
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._
+
+BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _13th February 1856_.
+
+MY DEAREST UNCLE,--I had the happiness of receiving your kind letter
+of the 8th on Saturday, and thank you much for it. I gave your kind
+message to Colonel Phipps, who was much gratified by it. We came here
+in wretched weather yesterday, leaving Mamma _still_ at Frogmore.
+
+The Conferences will begin very shortly; Lord Clarendon starts for
+Paris on Friday. _No_ one but him could undertake these difficult
+negotiations. _No_ one can tell _what_ the result will be--and I will
+say nothing, for I have _too strong_ personal feelings to speak upon
+the subject.
+
+With respect to your answer respecting your _neutrality_, and the
+possibility of your being obliged to break it, I must repeat that I
+see _no possibility_ or _eventuality_ that _could oblige_ you to do
+so. _Belgium_ of its own accord bound itself to remain neutral, and
+its very existence is _based_ upon that neutrality, which the other
+Powers have guaranteed and are bound to maintain _if Belgium keeps_
+her engagements. I cannot at all see HOW you could _even_ entertain
+the question, for, as I just said, the _basis_ of the _existence_ of
+Belgium is her _neutrality_.
+
+The weather is so mild that we should almost hope Stockmar would start
+soon. If _he_ can't come himself, he should send his son for a few
+days, who could bring us any confidential communication from his
+father, and could be the bearer of any from us. Something of this kind
+is most necessary, for it is overwhelming to write to one another upon
+so many details which require immediate answer....
+
+With Albert's love, and ours to your young people, believe me, always,
+your devoted Niece,
+
+VICTORIA R.
+
+
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to Viscount Palmerston._
+
+_14th February 1856._
+
+The Queen has seen in the reports of the House of Commons that a
+return has been moved for of all the decorations of the Bath given
+since the war. The Queen hopes the Government will not allow the House
+of Commons so much further to trespass upon the prerogatives of
+the Crown as now _virtually_ to take also the control over the
+distribution of honours and rewards into their hands.
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: TERMS OF PEACE]
+
+
+_The King of the Belgians to Queen Victoria._
+
+LAEKEN, _15th February 1856_.
+
+MY DEAREST VICTORIA,--I have to thank you for your dear kind letter of
+the 12th. Madame de Sevigne says, with great truth, that a letter to
+be a good letter ought to be as if one heard the person speak; your
+dear letters are always so, and you would therefore be praised by
+Madame de Sevigne, and that very deservedly. Lord Clarendon is, Heaven
+be praised, well calculated to bring matters to a happy conclusion. I
+will try to make some impression on the mind of the Emperor Alexander,
+his best policy will be the most honest. By all I can learn they
+wish most sincerely the conclusion of this war. If on the side of the
+Allies only the things which really protect the territories of
+the present Turkish Empire are asked, the Russians ought not to
+man[oe]uvre, but grant it, and the Allies also ought to be moderate.
+You are very properly never to be contradicted, but there are a few
+things to be remarked. This neutrality was in the real interest of
+this country, but our good Congress here did _not_ wish it, and even
+opposed it; it was _impose_ upon them. A neutrality to be respected
+must be _protected_. France at all time in cases of general war can
+put an end to it, by declaring to us _Vous devez etre avec nous ou
+contre nous_. If we answer _Nous sommes neutres_, they will certainly
+try to occupy us; then the case of self-defence arises and the claim
+to be protected by the other powers....
+
+My beloved Victoria, your devoted Uncle,
+
+LEOPOLD R.
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: THE CONFERENCE]
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to the Emperor of the French._
+
+BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _le 15 Fevrier 1856_.
+
+SIRE ET CHER FRERE,--Mes Commissaires pour le Conseil de Guerre sont
+a peine revenus de Paris et notre plan de campagne est a peine arrete,
+que mes Plenipotentiaires pour la Conference de paix se mettent
+en route pour assister sous les yeux de V.M. a l'[oe]uvre de la
+pacification. Je n'ai pas besoin de vous recommander Lord Clarendon,
+mais je ne veux pas le laisser partir sans le rendre porteur de
+quelques mots de ma part.
+
+Quoique bien convaincue qu'il ne pourra dans les discussions
+prochaines s'elever de questions sur lesquelles il y aurait divergence
+d'opinions entre nos deux Gouvernements, j'attache toutefois le plus
+haut prix a ce que l'accord le plus parfait soit etabli avant que les
+conferences ne soient ouvertes; et c'est dans ce but que j'ai charge
+Lord Clarendon de se rendre a Paris quelques jours avant, afin qu'il
+put rendre un compte exact des opinions de mon Gouvernement, et jouir
+de l'avantage de connaitre _a fond_ la pensee de V.M.
+
+J'eprouverai un sentiment d'intime satisfaction dans ce moment
+critique, et je le regarderai comme une preuve toute particuliere
+de votre amitie, si vous voulez permettre a Lord Clarendon de vous
+exposer personnellement mes vues et d'entendre les Votres de Votre
+proper bouche.
+
+Les operations de nos armees et de nos flottes combinees, sous un
+commandement divise, ont ete sujettes a d'enormes difficultes; mais
+ces difficultes ont ete heureusement vaincues. Dans la Diplomatie
+comme a la guerre, les Russes auront sur Nous le grand avantage de
+l'unite de plan et d'action, et je les crois plus forts sur ce terrain
+que sur le champ de bataille; mais a coup sur, nous y resterons
+egalement victorieux, si nous reussissons a empecher l'ennemi de
+diviser nos forces et de nous battre en detail.
+
+Sans vouloir jeter un doute sur la sincerite de la Russie en acceptant
+nos propositions, il est impossible d'avoir a ce sujet une conviction
+pleine et entiere. J'ai tout lieu de croire cependant que nul effort
+et nul stratageme ne seront negliges pour rompre, s'il etait possible,
+ou au moins pour affaiblir notre alliance. Mais je repose a cet egard
+dans la fermete de V.M. la meme confiance qui saura detruire
+toutes ces esperances, que j'ai dans la mienne et dans celle de mes
+Ministres. Cependant, on ne saurait attacher trop d'importance a
+ce que cette commune fermete soit reconnue et appreciee des le
+commencement des negociations, car de la dependra, j'en ai la
+conviction, la solution, si nous devons obtenir une paix dont les
+termes pourront etre consideres comme satisfaisants pour l'honneur de
+la France et de l'Angleterre, et comme donnant une juste compensation
+pour les enormes sacrifices que les deux pays ont faits. Une autre
+consideration encore me porte a attacher le plus haut prix a cet
+accord parfait, c'est que si, par son absence, nous etions entraines
+dans une paix qui ne satisferait point la juste attente de nos
+peuples, cela donnerait lieu a des plaintes et a des recriminations
+qui ne pourraient manquer de fausser les relations amicales des deux
+pays au lieu de les cimenter davantage comme mon c[oe]ur le desire
+ardemment.
+
+D'ailleurs, je ne doute pas un moment qu'une paix telle que la France
+et l'Angleterre ont le droit de la demander sera bien certainement
+obtenue par une determination inebranlable de ne point rabaisser les
+demandes moderees que nous avons faites.
+
+Vous excuserez, Sire, la longueur de cette lettre, mais il m'est si
+doux de pouvoir epancher mes sentiments sur toutes ces questions si
+importantes et si difficiles, avec une personne que je considere non
+seulement comme un Allie fidele, mais comme un ami sur lequel je puis
+compter en toute occasion, et qui, j'en suis sure, est anime envers
+nous des memes sentiments.
+
+Le Prince me charge de vous offrir ses hommages les plus affectueux,
+et moi je me dis pour toujours, Sire et cher Frere, de V.M.I., la tres
+affectionnee S[oe]ur et Amie,
+
+VICTORIA R.
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: THE CRIMEAN ENQUIRY]
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to Viscount Palmerston._
+
+BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _16th February 1856_.
+
+The subject to which Lord Palmerston refers in his letter of last
+night, and upon which the Cabinet is going to deliberate to-day, has
+also caused the Queen much anxiety.
+
+A Civil Commission is sent out by the Government to enquire into the
+conduct of the officers in command in the Crimea; this is done without
+any consultation with the Commander-in-Chief. They report to the
+Government, inculpating several general officers and others in high
+command; this report is not communicated to the military authorities,
+nor to the persons affected by it, but is laid on the table of both
+Houses of Parliament.[12] These officers then for the first time
+find themselves accused under the authority of Government, and that
+accusation communicated to the Legislature without ever having been
+heard in answer or allowed an opportunity to defend themselves. It
+is stated in both Houses by the Government that the officers may send
+papers in reply if they choose! But who is to be the Judge on the
+trial? The Press, of course, and the _Times_ at the head, have already
+judged and condemned, and the House of Commons is now moving _in
+default of another Judge_ to constitute its tribunal by a Committee of
+Enquiry.
+
+It is quite evident if matters are left so, and military officers of
+the Queen's Army are to be judged as to the manner in which they have
+discharged their military duties before an enemy by a Committee of the
+House of Commons, the command of the Army is at once transferred from
+the Crown to that Assembly.
+
+This result is quite inevitable if the Government appear as accusers,
+as they do by the report of their Commission, and then submit the
+accusation for Parliament to deal with, without taking any steps of
+their own!
+
+The course suggested by Sir James Graham and alluded to by Lord
+Palmerston, of following the precedent of the enquiry into the
+Convention of Cintra,[13] appears therefore to the Queen to be the
+only prudent one.
+
+The Queen thinks it most unfair to the officers to publish their
+statements beforehand, as these will not go before judges feeling
+the weight of their responsibility, but before the newspapers who are
+their sworn enemies and determined to effect their ruin, for which
+they possess unlimited means.
+
+The Queen wishes Lord Palmerston to read this letter to the Cabinet.
+
+    [Footnote 12: Sir John MacNeill and Colonel Tulloch had
+    been sent out to the Crimea early in 1855 to investigate the
+    breakdown of various military departments. They had issued a
+    preliminary report in the summer of 1855, and a final one in
+    January 1856, which was presented to Parliament. The officers
+    specially censured were Lord Lucan (who had been given the
+    command of a Regiment), Lord Cardigan, Inspector of Cavalry,
+    Sir Richard Airey, Quartermaster-General, and Colonel Gordon,
+    Deputy Quartermaster-General. Lord Panmure wrote on the 17th
+    of February that the Government recommended the appointment
+    of a Commission of Enquiry, consisting of General Sir Howard
+    Douglas and six other high military officers. The Commission
+    sat at Chelsea, and made its report in July, exonerating the
+    officers censured.]
+
+    [Footnote 13: The Convention of Cintra was concluded on
+    the 30th of August 1808. It was founded on the basis of an
+    armistice agreed upon between Sir Arthur Wellesley and General
+    Kellerman, on the day after the battle of Vimiera, and some of
+    its provisions were considered too favourable to the French. A
+    Board of Enquiry, under the presidency of Sir David Dundas,
+    in the first instance exculpated the British officers; but the
+    Government having instructed the members of the Board to give
+    their opinions individually, four were found to approve and
+    three to disapprove the armistice and convention.]
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: THE EMPEROR'S CORDIALITY]
+
+
+_The Earl of Clarendon to Queen Victoria._
+
+PARIS, _18th February 1856_.
+
+Lord Clarendon presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and humbly
+begs to say that he dined last night at the Tuileries, and had a
+conversation of two hours with the Emperor, which was in all respects
+satisfactory. On no occasion has Lord Clarendon heard the Emperor
+express himself more warmly or with greater determination in favour
+of the Alliance, and H.M. entirely concurred with Lord Clarendon, that
+upon the perfect understanding between the two Governments, and the
+conviction on the part of others that the Alliance was not to be
+shaken, depended the facility with which negotiations might be
+conducted, and the terms on which peace would be made. Lord Clarendon
+spoke with the utmost frankness about the flattery that had been
+and would continue to be addressed to His Majesty, and the contrast
+perpetually drawn between England and France, to the disparagement of
+the former, for the purpose of disturbing the relations between them;
+but that your Majesty and your Majesty's Government had always treated
+these tricks with contempt, because the confidence in the Emperor's
+honour and loyalty was complete. Lord Clarendon dwelt particularly
+upon the feelings of your Majesty and of the Prince on this subject,
+and the pleasure it gave the Emperor was evident; and he desired Lord
+Clarendon to say that your Majesty should never find such confidence
+misplaced.
+
+He promised Lord Clarendon that he would give Baron Brunnow and
+Count Buol to understand that if they thought the Alliance could be
+disturbed by them they would find themselves grievously mistaken, and
+that it would be waste of time to try and alter any conditions upon
+which he had agreed with the English Government.
+
+The Emperor appeared to be much gratified by your Majesty's letter,
+for the first thing he said to Lord Clarendon on coming into the room
+before dinner was "_quelle charmante lettre vous m'avez apportee de
+la Reine_," and then began upon the extraordinary clearness with which
+your Majesty treated all matters of business, and the pleasure he
+derived from every discussion of them with your Majesty....
+
+The Empress was looking in great health and beauty. She was in the
+highest spirits, and full of affectionate enquiry for your Majesty.
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: OUDH]
+
+
+[Pageheading: THE KING'S APPEAL]
+
+
+_The Marquis of Dalhousie to Queen Victoria._
+
+CALCUTTA, _19th February 1856_.
+
+The Governor-General presents his most humble duty to your Majesty,
+and has the honour of submitting to your Majesty a copy of a
+Proclamation, whereby the Kingdom of Oudh has been placed exclusively
+and permanently under the authority of your Majesty's Government.[14]
+
+The various considerations, and the course of public events, which
+led to this necessity, have long since been laid before your Majesty's
+Government in great detail.
+
+The Governor-General during the past summer communicated to the Home
+Authorities his readiness to remain in India as long as he dared,
+namely, for one additional month, until the 1st of March, for the
+purpose of carrying into effect the proposed policy regarding Oudh--if
+it was desired that he should do so.
+
+The orders from the Home Government reached the Governor-General only
+upon the 2nd of January, leaving barely two months for the assembling
+of the military force which was necessary to provide against all
+risks--for the negotiations with the King--and for the organisation of
+the future Civil and Military Administration of Oudh.
+
+Every preparation having been completed, the Resident at Lucknow
+waited upon the King in person--communicated to him the resolution
+which the British Government had taken--and tendered for his
+acceptance a new Treaty, whereby the transfer of the Government of
+Oudh would have been made a matter of amicable agreement.
+
+The King wholly refused to sign any Treaty. He declared himself ready
+to submit to the will of the British Government in all things. He bade
+the Resident observe that every mark of power had already been laid
+down by His Majesty's own orders--the guns at the palace gates were
+dismounted, the guards bore no arms, and, though drawn up as usual in
+the Court, they saluted the Resident with their hands only; while not
+a weapon was worn by any officer in the Palace.
+
+The King gave way to passionate bursts of grief and anger--implored
+the intercession of the Resident in his behalf--and finally,
+uncovering his head, he placed his turban in the Resident's hands.
+This act--the deepest mark of humiliation and helplessness which a
+native of the East can exhibit--became doubly touching and significant
+when the head thus bared in supplication was one that had worn a royal
+crown.
+
+The Government, however, had already borne too long with the wrongs
+inflicted by the sovereigns of Oudh upon their unhappy subjects. The
+clamorous grief of the King could not be allowed to shut out the cry
+of his people's misery. The King's appeal, therefore, could not be
+listened to; and as His Majesty, at the end of the three days' space
+which was allowed him for deliberation, still resolutely refused to
+sign a Treaty, the territory of Oudh was taken possession of, by the
+issue of the Proclamation which has now been respectfully submitted to
+your Majesty.
+
+It is the fourth kingdom in India which has passed under your
+Majesty's sceptre during the last eight years.[15]
+
+Perfect tranquillity has prevailed in Oudh since the event which
+has just been narrated. General Outram writes that the populace of
+Lucknow, more interested than any other community in the maintenance
+of the native dynasty, already "appear to have forgotten they ever had
+a King." In the districts the Proclamation has been heartily welcomed
+by the middle and lower classes; while even the higher orders, who of
+course lose much in a native state by the cessation of corruption and
+tyranny, have shown no symptoms of dissatisfaction.
+
+There seems every reason to hope and expect that the same complete
+tranquillity will attend the further progress of our arrangements for
+the future administration of Oudh....
+
+The Governor-General has only further to report to your Majesty that
+Lord Canning arrived at Madras on the 14th inst., and that he will
+assume the Government of India on the last day of this month.
+
+The Governor-General will report hereafter Lord Canning's arrival at
+Fort William; and he has now the honour to subscribe himself, your
+Majesty's most obedient, most humble and devoted Subject and Servant,
+
+DALHOUSIE.
+
+    [Footnote 14: In a letter of the 13th, Mr Vernon Smith had
+    told the Queen that the Press rumours of "annexation" were
+    premature, and that the use of the word itself had been
+    avoided in Lord Canning's correspondence with the Court of
+    Directors.]
+
+    [Footnote 15: The earlier annexations were those of the Punjab
+    (1849), Pegu (1852), and Nagpur (1853); some minor additions
+    were also made under what was called the "doctrine of lapse."]
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: PRELIMINARIES OF PEACE]
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to Viscount Palmerston._
+
+BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _27th February 1856_.
+
+The Queen returns Lord Clarendon's letter.
+
+The matter becomes very serious, and it would be a bad position for
+us to be left quite alone in the Conference, which the Russians, the
+Queen has every reason to believe, are anxiously striving to bring
+about. In fact, well-informed persons pretend that this was the main
+aim of Russia in accepting the Austrian ultimatum and going to Paris.
+
+Would it not answer to take this line: to say to Russia, "You have
+accepted the ultimatum, _pur et simple_, and have now again recognised
+its stipulations as preliminaries of peace. You will, therefore, first
+of all, have to execute them; you may then come to the question of
+Kars and say you mean to keep it--then you will see that Europe, bound
+to maintain the integrity of Turkey, will be obliged to go on with
+the war, and it will be for you to consider whether you mean to go on
+fighting for Kars; but at present this is not in question, as you are
+only called upon to fulfil the engagements to which you have solemnly
+pledged yourself"?
+
+Perhaps Lord Palmerston will discuss this suggestion with his
+colleagues to-night.
+
+
+
+
+_Viscount Palmerston to Queen Victoria._
+
+PICCADILLY, _27th February 1856_.
+
+Viscount Palmerston presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and begs
+to state that as the result of the deliberations of the Cabinet this
+evening, the accompanying telegraphic message is proposed to be sent
+to-morrow morning to Lord Clarendon. It is founded upon the substance
+of your Majesty's memorandum of this afternoon. Viscount Palmerston
+has taken another copy of this draft.
+
+
+
+
+_Telegram to the Earl of Clarendon._
+
+_28th February 1856_.
+
+[_Enclosure._]
+
+Your letter has been considered by the Cabinet.
+
+Russia should be told that she cannot recede from the conditions
+which she deliberately agreed to by a _pur et simple_ acceptance at
+Petersburg, which she afterwards formally recorded in a protocol at
+Vienna, and which she has within a few days solemnly converted into
+preliminaries of peace.
+
+Those engagements must be fulfilled, and those conditions must be
+carried into execution.
+
+As to Kars, Austria, France, and Great Britain have undertaken to
+maintain the integrity of the Turkish Empire, and that integrity must
+be maintained.
+
+Russia received no equivalent for giving up the principalities which
+she had occupied as a material pledge. She can receive none for giving
+up Kars.
+
+If Russia determines to carry on the war, rather than give up Kars,
+things must take their course.
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: TRANQUILLITY OF INDIA]
+
+
+_The Marquis of Dalhousie to Queen Victoria._
+
+GOVERNMENT HOUSE, _29th February 1856_.
+
+Lord Dalhousie presents his most humble duty to your Majesty.
+
+The guns are announcing from the ramparts of Fort William that Lord
+Canning has arrived. In an hour's time he will have assumed the
+Government of India. Lord Dalhousie will transfer it to him in a
+state of perfect tranquillity. There is peace, within and without. And
+although no prudent man will ever venture to predict the certainty
+of continued peace in India, yet Lord Dalhousie is able to declare,
+within reservation, that he knows of no quarter in which it is
+probable that trouble will arise.[16]
+
+Lord Dalhousie desires that his very last act, as Governor-General,
+should be to submit to your Majesty a respectful expression of the
+deep sense he entertains of your Majesty's constant approbation of
+his public conduct while he has held the office of Governor-General
+of India; together with a humble assurance of the heartfelt gratitude
+with which he shall ever remember your Majesty's gracious favour
+towards him through the eight long years during which he has borne the
+ponderous burden he lays down to-day.
+
+Lord Dalhousie begs permission to take leave of your Majesty, and has
+the honour to subscribe himself, with deep devotion, your Majesty's
+most obedient, most humble and faithful Subject and Servant,
+
+DALHOUSIE.
+
+    [Footnote 16: It has been, however, freely alleged that the
+    failure to repress acts of insubordination in the administration
+    of Lord Dalhousie was a contributory, if not the direct, cause
+    of the events of 1857. See _post_, Introductory Note to Chapter
+    XXVI, and Walpole's _History of England from the Conclusion of
+    the Great War in 1815_, ch. xxvii., and authorities there
+    referred to.]
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: LORD CLARENDON'S INSTRUCTIONS]
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to Viscount Palmerston._
+
+BUCKINGHAM PALACE, [_? March_] _1856_.
+
+The Queen returns these letters to Lord Palmerston. She entirely
+concurs in Lord Palmerston's general views of the question, but at the
+same time she thinks--as circumstances, which are beyond our control,
+may so vary from day to day or even from hour to hour--that Lord
+Clarendon should receive full powers to act according to what may
+appear to him to be best and wisest at the time, even if it should not
+be in strict accordance with what we originally contemplated and must
+naturally wish. Such a power would certainly not be misplaced in Lord
+Clarendon's hands; his firmness, and his sense of what this country
+expects, are too well known to lead us to doubt of his permitting
+anything but what would _really_ be for the best of this country, and
+for the maintenance of the Alliance.
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: THE PEACE NEGOTIATIONS]
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to Viscount Palmerston._
+
+BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _6th March 1856_.
+
+With reference to Lord Clarendon's letter, the Queen must say that
+she, though _very reluctantly_, shares his opinion, that we have no
+choice _now_ but to accept the peace, even if it is not all we could
+desire, and if another campaign might have got us better terms. She
+feels certain that the bad accounts of the French Army in the Crimea,
+which appears to suffer _now_ all the misery which ours suffered last
+year at the worst time of the siege, will more than ever indispose the
+Emperor from risking a renewal of hostilities. It is affirmed that the
+French have beyond 20,000 men in hospital!
+
+If we are to have this peace, however, the Queen must again agree with
+Lord Clarendon that we ought not _ourselves_ to depreciate it, as our
+Press has done the deeds of our Army.
+
+With regard to the principalities, it is the Queen's opinion that
+nothing will oppose a barrier to Russia and her intrigues but
+the arrangement which will satisfy the people themselves, viz. an
+_hereditary monarchy_. The example of Egypt might perfectly well be
+followed in Wallachia and Moldavia.
+
+The subject of Poland would, in the Queen's opinion, be much better
+left unintroduced into the present negotiations; we have no claim
+arising out of this war to ask Russia to make concessions on that
+head, which, moreover, would be treated by her as an internal question
+not admitting of foreign interference.
+
+The clause in the Treaty of Vienna about the Bonapartes is a dead
+letter, as this very Treaty, now to be signed, will prove, and the
+Emperor would act very unwisely to call for an alteration in which all
+Powers who signed the original Treaty would claim to be consulted. We
+have every interest not to bring about a European Congress _pour la
+Revision des Traites_, which many people suspect the Emperor wishes to
+turn the present Conference into.
+
+The Queen wishes only to add that, should Prussia be asked to join in
+the final Treaty on the ground of her having been a party to the July
+Treaty, we should take care that it does not appear that this was
+an act of courtesy of all the other Powers towards Prussia except
+England, who need not be made to take additional unpopularity in
+Germany upon herself.
+
+
+
+
+_The Earl of Clarendon to Queen Victoria._
+
+PARIS, _18th March 1856._
+
+Lord Clarendon presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and humbly
+begs to say that the Emperor gave him to-day the most satisfactory
+report of the Empress and the young Prince.[17] There appears to be
+little or no fever now, and a great power of sleeping. The Emperor's
+eyes filled with tears when he described the tortures of the Empress
+and his own sensations. He said he hardly knew how to express his
+gratitude for the interest which your Majesty had manifested for the
+Empress, and for the letters which he had received from your Majesty
+and the Prince.
+
+The Prussian Plenipotentiaries[18] were admitted at the close of the
+Conference this afternoon--all important matters under negotiation
+having been concluded.
+
+Count Walewski made an ineffectual attempt to make it appear by a
+doubtful form of expression that Prussia had taken part throughout in
+the negotiations. Lord Cowley and Lord Clarendon said that they wished
+to show all courtesy to Prussia, but could not consent to sign what
+was manifestly untrue....
+
+    [Footnote 17: The Prince Imperial, Napoleon Eugene Louis Jean
+    Joseph, was born on the 16th of March.]
+
+    [Footnote 18: Baron Manteuffel and Count Hatzfeldt.]
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: THE PRINCESS ROYAL]
+
+
+_Extract of a Letter from Mr Cobden to a Friend._[19]
+
+MIDHURST, _20th March 1856._
+
+... It is generally thought that the young Prince Frederic William
+of Prussia is to be married to our Princess Royal. I was dining
+_tete-a-tete_ with Mr Buchanan, the American Minister, a few days ago,
+who had dined the day before at the Queen's table, and sat next to
+the Princess Royal. He was in raptures about her, and said she was
+the most charming girl he had ever met: "All life and spirit, full
+of frolic and fun, with an excellent head, and a _heart as big as
+a mountain_"--those were his words. Another friend of mine, Colonel
+Fitzmayer, dined with the Queen last week, and in writing to me a
+description of the company, he says, that when the Princess Royal
+smiles, "it makes one feel as if additional light were thrown upon the
+scene." So I should judge that this said Prince is a lucky fellow, and
+I trust he will make a good husband. If not, although a man of peace,
+I shall consider it a _casus belli_....
+
+    [Footnote 19: Submitted to the Queen.]
+
+
+
+
+_The Earl of Clarendon to Queen Victoria._
+
+PARIS, _29th March 1856._
+
+Lord Clarendon presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and humbly
+begs to say that the Emperor sent General Ney to him this morning to
+request that Lord Clarendon would convey the cordial thanks of the
+Emperor to your Majesty for the _feu de joie_ fired by your Majesty's
+troops in the Crimea upon the announcement of the birth of the Prince
+Imperial.
+
+Lord Clarendon was much embarrassed by a letter this morning from
+Lord Palmerston, desiring that the signature of the Treaty should be
+postponed till Monday, in case the Cabinet should have any amendments
+to propose; and Lord Clarendon humbly hopes that your Majesty may not
+be displeased at his not having acted upon this injunction, because
+he had promised to sign the Treaty to-morrow in accordance with the
+general wish of the Congress, notwithstanding that it was Sunday, and
+he could not therefore go back from his engagement--every preparation
+is made for illuminations, not alone at Paris, but throughout France,
+as all the Prefects have been informed of the signature--the odium
+that would have fallen [on] us all would have been extreme throughout
+Europe it may be said, and it would have been regarded as a last
+proof of our unwillingness to make peace. The friendly feeling of the
+Congress towards the English P.P.'s[20] would have changed, and they
+probably would have agreed to no amendments, requiring that all
+the seven copies of the Treaty should be recopied. In short, Lord
+Clarendon felt that he had no choice but to take upon himself the
+responsibility of signing to-morrow; but he has suggested that Lord
+Palmerston's private letter should be converted into a despatch,
+in order that the sole and entire blame should rest with Lord
+Clarendon....[21]
+
+    [Footnote 20: _I.e._, Plenipotentiaries.]
+
+    [Footnote 21: For the chief stipulations of the Treaty, see
+    _ante_, Introductory Note to Chapter XXV. In addition to the
+    actual Treaty, an important declaration was made as to the
+    rules of international maritime law, to be binding only on
+    the signatory powers, dealing with the following points:--
+
+      (_a_) Abolition of Privateering.
+      (_b_) Neutral flag to cover enemy's goods, other than
+              contraband of war.
+      (_c_) Neutral goods, other than contraband of war, under
+              enemy's flag, to be exempt from seizure.
+      (_d_) Blockades to be binding must be effective,
+              _i.e._ maintained by adequate marine force.]
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: TERMS ARRIVED AT]
+
+
+_Viscount Palmerston to Queen Victoria._
+
+PICCADILLY, _30th March 1856._
+
+Viscount Palmerston presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and in
+submitting the accompanying letter from Lord Clarendon, he begs to
+state that he informed Lord Clarendon by the messenger yesterday
+evening that all he had done and agreed to was approved, and that he
+might sign the Treaty to-day. It was to be signed at half-past twelve
+this day.
+
+Viscount Palmerston begs to congratulate your Majesty upon an
+arrangement which effects a settlement that is satisfactory for the
+present, and which will probably last for many years to come, of
+questions full of danger to the best interests of Europe. Greater
+and more brilliant successes by land and sea might probably have been
+accomplished by the Allies if the war had continued, but any great
+and important additional security against future aggressions by Russia
+could only have been obtained by severing from Russia large portions
+of her frontier territory, such as Finland, Poland, and Georgia; and
+although by great military and financial efforts and sacrifices those
+territories might for a time have been occupied, Russia must have been
+reduced to the lowest state of internal distress, before her Emperor
+could have been brought to put his name to a Treaty of Peace finally
+surrendering his sovereignty over those extensive countries; and
+to have continued the war long enough for these purposes would have
+required greater endurance than was possessed by your Majesty's
+Allies, and might possibly have exhausted the good-will of your
+Majesty's own subjects....
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: THE TREATY OF PARIS]
+
+
+_The Earl of Clarendon to Queen Victoria._
+
+PARIS, _30th March 1856._
+
+Lord Clarendon presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and humbly
+begs to congratulate your Majesty upon the signature of peace this
+afternoon. It is not to be doubted that another campaign must have
+brought glory to your Majesty's arms, and would have enabled England
+to impose different terms upon Russia, but setting aside the cost and
+the horrors of war, in themselves evils of the greatest magnitude,
+we cannot feel sure that victory might not have been purchased too
+dearly--a continuation of the war would hardly have been possible
+either with or without France--if we had dragged her on with us it
+would have been most reluctantly on her part, her finances would have
+suffered still more, she would have borne us ill-will, would have
+acted feebly with us, and would on the first favourable occasion
+have left us in the lurch. If we had continued the war single-handed,
+France would feel that she had behaved shabbily to us, and would
+_therefore_ have hated us all the more, and become our enemy sooner
+than under any other circumstances; a coalition of Europe might then
+have taken place against England, to which the United States would
+but too gladly have adhered, and the consequence might have been most
+serious.
+
+Lord Clarendon would not make such an assertion lightly, but he feels
+convinced that your Majesty may feel satisfied with the position now
+occupied by England--six weeks ago it was a painful position here,
+everybody was against us, our motives were suspected, and our policy
+was denounced; but the universal feeling now is that we are the only
+country able and ready, and willing, if necessary, to continue the
+war; that we might have prevented peace, but that having announced
+our readiness to make peace on honourable terms we have honestly and
+unselfishly acted up to our word. It is well known, too, that the
+conditions on which peace is made would have been different if England
+had not been firm, and everybody is, of course, glad _even here_ that
+peace should not have brought dishonour to France.
+
+Lord Clarendon, therefore, ventures to hope that the language
+in England with respect to the peace will not be apologetic or
+dissatisfied. It would be unwise and undignified, and would invite
+criticism if such language were held before the conditions are
+publicly known.
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: END OF THE WAR]
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to the Earl of Clarendon._
+
+WINDSOR CASTLE, _31st March 1856._
+
+The Queen thanks Lord Clarendon much for his two letters of Saturday
+and yesterday; and we congratulate _him_ on the success of his
+_efforts_ in obtaining the Peace, for to him _alone_ it is due, and
+also _to him alone_ is due the dignified position which the Queen's
+beloved country holds, and which she owes to a straightforward,
+steady, and unselfish policy throughout.
+
+Much as the Queen disliked the idea of _Peace_, she has become
+reconciled to it, by the conviction that France would either not have
+continued the war, or continued it in such a manner that _no_ glory
+could have been hoped for for us.
+
+We have a striking proof of this in Pelissier not having obeyed the
+Emperor's orders and never having thought of occupying Sak.[22] _This
+really might_ be hinted to the Emperor....
+
+The Queen finds Lord Palmerston very well pleased with the Peace,
+though he struggled as long as he could for better conditions....
+
+    [Footnote 22: The word is so written in the original draft.
+    There was a place of the name near Old Fort in the Crimea,
+    but this is more probably an abbreviation for Sakatal in
+    Caucasia.]
+
+
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._
+
+WINDSOR CASTLE, _1st April 1856_.
+
+MY DEAREST UNCLE,--... _Peace is signed!_ But till the ratifications
+have taken place its terms cannot be known. That so _good_ a Peace
+_has_ been obtained, and that this country stands in the high position
+she now does by _having_ made peace, but _not_ yielding to _unworthy_
+and dishonourable terms, is _all_ owing to Lord Clarendon, whose
+difficulties were immense, and who cannot be too highly praised.
+
+May I beg to remind you to make enquiries, _quietly_, about the
+young Prince of Orange[23]--as to his education, _entourage_, and
+disposition? Pray also don't forget to try and let us have a _new_
+Russian; it would be infinitely _better_.[24]
+
+We were much grieved to hear the day before yesterday from Sommer
+that poor Stockmar had had a relapse, but the illness is clearly of
+a spasmodic nature and therefore _not_ at all dangerous, and the pain
+had speedily left him, but of course left him again weaker, which is
+most distressing.
+
+Now with Albert's affectionate love and our reiterated _warmest_
+thanks, in which Vicky is included, for your having so VERY kindly
+come over for her Confirmation, believe me, ever, your devoted Niece
+and Child,
+
+VICTORIA R.
+
+    [Footnote 23: Prince William Nicholas, born 1840, elder son of
+    King William III. of Holland.]
+
+    [Footnote 24: The new Russian Ambassador was Count
+    Creptowitch.]
+
+
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to the Emperor of the French._
+
+PALAIS DE BUCKINGHAM, _le 3 Avril 1856_.
+
+SIRE ET MON CHER FRERE,--V.M. me permettra de lui offrir toutes mes
+felicitations a l'occasion de la paix qui a ete conclue sous vos
+auspices, et peu de jours seulement apres l'heureux evenement qui vous
+a donne un fils. Quoique partageant le sentiment de la pluspart de
+mon peuple qui trouve que cette paix est peut-etre un peu precoce,
+j'eprouve le besoin de vous dire que j'approuve hautement les termes
+dans lesquels elle a ete concue, comme un resultat qui n'est pas
+indigne des sacrifices que nous avons faits mutuellement pendant cette
+juste guerre, et comme assurant autant que cela se peut, la stabilite
+de l'equilibre Europeen....
+
+Le Prince me charge de vous offrir ses hommages les plus affectueux,
+et je me dis pour toujours, Sire et cher Frere, de V.M.I., la bien
+affectionnee S[oe]ur et Amie,
+
+VICTORIA R.
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: HONOURS GRATEFULLY DECLINED]
+
+
+_The Earl of Clarendon to Queen Victoria._
+
+PARIS, _6th April 1856_.
+
+Lord Clarendon presents his humble duty to your Majesty....
+
+Lord Clarendon humbly begs in Lord Cowley's name and his own most
+gratefully to acknowledge the kind and gracious intention of your
+Majesty to raise each of them a step in the Peerage, and they venture
+to hope that your Majesty will not have been displeased at their
+having respectfully declined this great distinction. Lord Cowley's
+reason was his extreme poverty, and the feeling that an accession of
+rank would only aggravate the inconvenience he already experiences
+from being a Peer....
+
+Lord Clarendon felt that courtesy titles to his younger sons would be
+a positive injury to them in working for their bread, and he relied
+upon your Majesty's unvarying kindness for appreciating his reluctance
+to prefer himself to his children. He may, with entire truth, add that
+the knowledge that your Majesty has approved of their conduct is ample
+and abundant reward for Lord Cowley and himself. Lord Clarendon hopes
+it is not presumptuous in him to say that he would not exchange your
+Majesty's letters of approval for any public mark of your Majesty's
+favour....
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: LORD PALMERSTON AND THE GARTER]
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to Viscount Palmerston._
+
+BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _11th April 1856_.
+
+Now that the moment for the ratification of the Treaty of Peace is
+near at hand, the Queen wishes to delay no longer the expression
+of her satisfaction as to the manner in which both the War has been
+brought to a conclusion, and the honour and interests of this country
+have been maintained by the Treaty of Peace, under the zealous and
+able guidance of Lord Palmerston. She wishes as a public token of her
+approval to bestow the Order of the Garter upon him. Should the two
+vacant Ribbons already have been promised to the Peers whose names
+Lord Palmerston has on a former occasion submitted to the Queen, there
+could be no difficulty in his being named an extra Knight, not filling
+up the next vacancy which may occur; this course was followed when
+Lord Grey received the Garter from the hands of King William.
+
+
+
+
+_Viscount Palmerston to Queen Victoria._
+
+PICCADILLY, _11th April 1856_.
+
+Viscount Palmerston presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and is
+unable to express in words the gratification and thankfulness which he
+feels upon the receipt of your Majesty's most gracious and unexpected
+communication of this morning. The utmost of his ambition has been so
+to perform the duties of the high position in which your Majesty has
+been pleased to place him, as to prove himself not unworthy of the
+confidence with which your Majesty has honoured him; and the knowledge
+that your Majesty has found no reason to be dissatisfied with your
+choice; and that his endeavour properly to discharge his duties to
+your Majesty and the country have met with your Majesty's approval
+would of itself be an ample reward for any labour or anxiety with
+which the performance of those duties may have been attended, and,
+therefore, the gracious communication which he has this morning
+received from your Majesty will be preserved by him as in his eyes
+still more valuable even than the high honour which it announces your
+Majesty's intention to confer upon him.
+
+That high and distinguished honour Viscount Palmerston will receive
+with the greatest pride as a public mark of your Majesty's gracious
+approbation, but he begs to be allowed to say that the task which he
+and his colleagues have had to perform has been rendered comparatively
+easy by the enlightened views which your Majesty has taken of all the
+great affairs in which your Majesty's Empire has been engaged, and
+by the firm and steady support which _in_ all these important
+transactions your Majesty's servants have received from the Crown.
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: SERVICE RETRENCHMENTS]
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to Viscount Palmerston._
+
+BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _12th April 1856_.
+
+The Queen returns the draft of Treaty, which she approves, and of
+which she would wish to have a copy.
+
+The Queen believes that the Cabinet are going to consider to-day the
+amount of retrenchments which may be necessary in the Army and Navy.
+
+She trusts and _expects_ that this will be done with great
+_moderation_ and very _gradually_; and that the difficulties we have
+had, and the sufferings which we have endured, may not be forgotten,
+for to the miserable reductions of the last thirty years are entirely
+owing our state of _helplessness_ when the War began; and it would
+be unpardonable if we were to be found in a similar condition, when
+another War--and _who_ can tell _how_ soon there may be one?--breaks
+out.
+
+We must _never_ for a moment forget the very peculiar state of France,
+and _how entirely all there_ depends upon _one_ man's life.
+
+We _ought_ and _must_ be prepared for every _eventuality_, and we have
+splendid material in that magnificent little Army in the Crimea.
+
+The Queen wishes Lord Palmerston to show this letter to the Cabinet.
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: LETTER FROM THE EMPEROR]
+
+
+_The Emperor of the French to Queen Victoria._
+
+PARIS, _le 12 Avril 1856_.
+
+MADAME ET TRES CHERE S[OE]UR,--Votre Majeste m'a fait grand plaisir en
+me disant qu'elle etait satisfaite de la conclusion de la paix, car
+ma constante preoccupation a ete, tout en desirant la fin d'une guerre
+ruineuse, de n'agir que de concert avec le Gouvernement de votre
+Majeste. Certes je concois bien qu'il ait ete desirable d'obtenir
+encore de meilleurs resultats, mais etait-ce raisonnable d'en attendre
+de la maniere dont la guerre avait ete engagee? J'avoue que je ne
+le crois pas. La guerre avait ete trop lentement conduite par nos
+generaux et nos amiraux et nous avions laisse le temps aux Russes de
+se rendre presque imprenables a Cronstadt comme en Crimee. Je crois
+donc que nous aurions paye trop cherement sous tous les rapports les
+avantages que nous eussions pu obtenir. Je suis pour cette raison
+heureux de la paix, mais je suis heureux surtout que notre Alliance
+sorte intacte des conferences et qu'elle se montre a l'Europe aussi
+solide que le premier jour de _notre union_. (Je prie le Prince Albert
+de ne pas etre jaloux de cette expression.)
+
+Nous avons appris avec la plus vive satisfaction que les projets que
+votre Majeste avait concus pour le bonheur de la Princesse Royale
+allaient bientot se realiser. On dit tant de bien du jeune Prince
+Frederic Guillaume que je ne doute pas que votre charmante fille ne
+soit heureuse. L'Imperatrice, qui attend avec impatience le moment de
+pouvoir ecrire a votre Majeste, a ete bien touchee de votre aimable
+lettre. Vers le commencement de Mai nous irons a St Cloud ou votre
+souvenir nous y accompagne toujours, car ces lieux nous rappellent
+le sejour de votre Majeste et nous faisons des v[oe]ux pour qu'un si
+heureux evenement puisse se renouveler.
+
+Je prie votre Majeste de me rappeler au souvenir du Prince Albert
+et de recevoir avec bonte l'assurance des sentiments de respectueuse
+amitie avec lesquels je suis, de votre Majeste, le devoue Frere et
+Ami,
+
+NAPOLEON.
+
+
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to Viscount Hardinge._
+
+BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _21st April 1856_.
+
+The Queen has heard from Colonel Phipps that Lord Hardinge is most
+anxious for her sanction to the paper submitted yesterday, if even as
+merely a temporary measure, before the mail goes this evening, as all
+the shipping at Balaklava is waiting for it. She hopes Lord Hardinge
+will see how inconvenient and unpleasant it must be to the Queen to
+have important matters submitted at such short notice that they cannot
+even be discussed by her without detriment to the public service, and
+trusts that she may not again be placed in a similar position. She has
+now signed the paper, but _only_ as a temporary measure, and upon the
+understanding that Lord Hardinge will submit to her, between this and
+the next mail, the arrangements which are now wanting.
+
+She has also signed the proposal about Canada, but must express her
+conviction that General Le Marchant,[25] as Civil Governor of the
+Colony, cannot possibly attend to the command of the Brigade, which
+ought to have a distinct Commander. There may be Artillery in Canada,
+but is it horsed? and in Batteries?
+
+We are rapidly falling back into the old ways!
+
+    [Footnote 25: Sir John Gaspard Le Marchant, 1803-1874,
+    Lieutenant-Governor of Nova Scotia from 1852 to 1857.]
+
+
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._
+
+BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _6th May 1856_.
+
+MY DEAREST UNCLE,--Having returned late from a drive, I have but
+little time to spare to thank you for your kind letter of the 2nd.
+Last Thursday (1st) was our darling Arthur's sixth birthday, which he
+enjoyed duly. On the 3rd we received Brunnow[26]--who was so nervous
+and humble, and so _emu_ that he could hardly speak. He dines with us
+to-night, and the dinner is given for him, being a _funny collection
+of antagonistic elements_--Granville, Clarendon, Lansdowne, Aberdeen,
+Graham, John Russell, Derby, and Malmesbury! "The Happy Family," I
+call it.
+
+The Opposition have taken the line of disapproving the Peace and
+showing great hostility to Russia.
+
+To-morrow we have a Levee, and on Thursday a ball in our fine new
+room, which we open on that day; and on Friday there is a _Peace_ Fete
+at the Crystal Palace. On Saturday we go out of town; and now I must
+end, begging to be forgiven for so hurried a scrawl, but I had to
+write a long letter and to _sit_ to Winterhalter. Ever your devoted
+Niece,
+
+VICTORIA R.
+
+    [Footnote 26: He had come to England, charged with a special
+    mission.]
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: COLONIAL GOVERNORSHIPS]
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to Mr Labouchere._
+
+OSBORNE, _14th May 1856_.
+
+The Queen has received Mr Labouchere's letter, and hastens to express
+her opinion that Mr Wilson[27] would not be at all a proper person to
+be Governor of so large and important a Colony as Victoria. It ought
+to be a man of higher position and standing, and who could represent
+his Sovereign adequately....
+
+She wishes further to observe that Mr Labouchere should in future take
+care that, while he tries to ascertain the feelings of people as to
+their accepting the offer of a Colonial appointment, before he submits
+them to the Queen, that these enquiries should be made in such a
+manner as not to lead these persons to _expect_ the appointment,
+else, if the _Queen_ does not approve of them, the whole odium of the
+refusal will fall upon her. The best way, and the way in which similar
+appointments are conducted in the other Offices, would be to mention
+the names first to the Queen, and if she approves of them, to
+ascertain the feelings of the respective candidates. This would avoid
+all difficulties on the subject.
+
+    [Footnote 27: James Wilson, the founder of _The Economist_,
+    was at this time Financial Secretary to the Treasury. In 1859
+    he accepted the new office of Financial Member of the Council
+    of India, but died in the following year.]
+
+
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to Mr Labouchere._
+
+_14th May 1856_.
+
+The Queen would quite approve of the selection of Sir H. Bulwer, Lord
+Lyttelton, or Sir H. Barkly for Victoria. She is decidedly of opinion
+that the Governor should be an Englishman and not a Colonist. Now that
+self-Government has been established in the Colonies, the person of
+the Governor is the only connection remaining with the Mother Country;
+and if the Government were once filled from among the public men in
+the Colonies, this would become a precedent most difficult to break
+through again, and possibly paving the way for total separation.[28]
+
+    [Footnote 28: Sir Henry Bulwer declined. Sir Henry Barkly was
+    appointed.]
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: NAVAL POLICY]
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to Sir Charles Wood._
+
+OSBORNE, _18th May 1856_.
+
+The Queen has to thank Sir C. Wood for his long and clear statement
+as to the present position of the Naval Force, which she quite
+understands. She attaches the greatest importance to perfect faith
+being kept with the sailors, and on that account was distressed to
+hear of the misapprehension at Portsmouth the other day.
+
+A good system for a Naval Reserve would be most important. The Queen
+thinks a Commission, composed chiefly of _younger officers_ still
+conversant with the _present_ feelings of our sailors, would best be
+able to advise on the subject; the old Admirals are always and not
+unnaturally somewhat behind their time.
+
+With respect to the policy of not too rapidly reducing our naval
+armaments, Sir C. Wood only anticipates the Queen's most anxious wish
+on this subject, for we cannot tell what may not happen anywhere at
+any moment; our relations with America are very unsettled, and our
+Alliance with France _depends_ upon the life of one man. And it
+is best to be prepared, for else you excite suspicion if you have
+suddenly to make preparations without being _able_ to state for what
+they are intended.
+
+With regard to the Sailors' Homes, the Queen concurs in the advantage
+of leaving them to private management; but the Government, having so
+large a stake in the sailors' welfare, would act wisely and justly to
+make a handsome donation to all of them at the present moment, taking
+care that this should be used by the different establishments for
+their permanent extension. Five thousand pounds amongst them would
+be by no means an unreasonable sum to give as a token of the interest
+taken in the well-being of these brave men when no immediate return in
+shape of service was expected for it.
+
+
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to Viscount Palmerston._
+
+OSBORNE, _21st May 1856_.
+
+The Queen is very anxious about the fixing of our Peace establishment
+both for the Army and Navy. Although Lord Hardinge's proposals are
+before the Government already for some time, no proposal has yet been
+submitted to the Queen; and on enquiry from Sir C. Wood, he stated
+but two days ago that no reduction of the Navy was yet settled. On
+the other hand, the Queen sees from the Chancellor of the Exchequer's
+speech that he specifies the sums by which both Army and Navy
+estimates are to be reduced. This _prejudges_ the whole question,
+and will deprive the Government of all power freely to consider
+these important questions. The Queen was, moreover, sorry to find
+Mr Disraeli, Mr Gladstone, and Sir Francis Baring agreeing with the
+doctrine of the _Times_ and Lord Grey that we ought _not_ to improve
+our state of preparation for war; and if we had been better prepared
+for the late war, we should have been still more disappointed.[29]
+
+    [Footnote 29: In the course of an elaborate reply, Lord
+    Palmerston stated that the country had never been in a better
+    condition of defence than at the present time, but he insisted
+    that the Militia, which from 1815 to 1832 had been allowed
+    to become extinct, must be maintained in an efficient
+    state--120,000 strong.]
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: TITLE OF PRINCE CONSORT]
+
+[Pageheading: PRECEDENCE OF PRINCE ALBERT]
+
+
+_Memorandum by Queen Victoria._
+
+WINDSOR CASTLE, _May 1856_.
+
+It is a strange omission in our Constitution that while _the wife_
+of a _King_ has the highest rank and dignity in the realm after her
+husband assigned to her by law, the _husband_ of a _Queen regnant_
+is entirely ignored by the law. This is the more extraordinary, as
+a husband has in this country such particular rights and such great
+power over his wife, and as the Queen is married just as any other
+woman is, and swears to obey her lord and master, as such, while by
+law he has no rank or defined position. This is a strange anomaly.
+No doubt, as is the case _now_--the Queen _can_ give her husband the
+highest _place_ by _placing_ him _always near her person_, and the
+Nation would give it him as a _matter of course_. Still, when I first
+married, we had much difficulty on this subject; much bad feeling was
+shown, and several members of the Royal Family showed bad grace
+in giving precedence to the Prince, and the late King of Hanover
+positively resisted doing so. I gave the Prince precedence by issuing
+Letters Patent, but these give no rank in Parliament--or at the
+Council Board--and it would be far better to put this question beyond
+all doubt, and to secure its settlement for _all future Consorts of
+Queens_, and thus have this omission in the Constitution rectified.
+Naturally my own feeling would be to give the Prince the same title
+and rank as I have, but a Titular King is a complete novelty in
+this country, and might be productive of more inconveniences than
+advantages to the individual who bears it. Therefore, upon mature
+reflection, and after considering the question for nearly _sixteen
+years_, I have come to the conclusion that the title which is now by
+universal consent given him of "Prince Consort," with the highest rank
+in and out of Parliament immediately after the Queen, and before every
+other Prince of the Royal Family, should be the one assigned to the
+husband of the Queen regnant _once and for all_. This ought to be done
+before our children grow up, and it seems peculiarly easy to do so
+_now_ that none of the old branches of the Royal Family are still
+alive.
+
+The present position is this: that while every British subject, down
+to the Knight, Bachelor, Doctor, and Esquire, has a rank and position
+by _Law_, the Queen's husband alone has one by _favour_--and by his
+wife's favour, who may grant it or not! When granted as in the present
+case, it does not extend to Parliament and the Council, and the
+children may deny the position which their mother has given to their
+father as a usurpation over them, having the law on their side; or if
+they waive their rights in his favour, he will hold a position granted
+by the forbearance of his children. In both cases this is a position
+most derogatory to the Queen as well as to her husband, and most
+dangerous to the peace and well-being of her family. If the children
+resist, the Queen will have her husband pushed away from her side by
+her children, and they will take precedence over the man whom she is
+bound to obey; if they are dutiful, she will owe her peace of mind to
+their continued generosity.
+
+With relation to Foreign Courts, the Queen's position is equally
+humiliating in this respect. _Some_ Sovereigns (crowned heads) address
+her husband as "Brother," some as "Brother and Cousin," some merely as
+"Cousin." When the Queen has been abroad, her husband's position has
+always been a subject of negotiation and vexation; the position which
+has been accorded to him the Queen has always had to acknowledge as
+a grace and favour bestowed on her by the Sovereign whom she visited.
+While last year the Emperor of the French treated the Prince as a
+Royal personage, his uncle declined to come to Paris avowedly because
+he would not give precedence to the Prince; and on the Rhine in 1845
+the King of Prussia could not give the place to the Queen's husband
+which common civility required, because of the presence of an
+Archduke, the third son of an uncle of the then reigning Emperor of
+Austria, who would not give the _pas_, and whom the King would not
+offend.
+
+The only legal position in Europe, according to international law,
+which the husband of the Queen of England enjoys, is that of a younger
+brother of the Duke of Saxe-Coburg, and this merely because the
+English law does not know of him. This is derogatory to the dignity of
+the Crown of England.
+
+But _nationally_ also it is an injury to the position of the Crown
+that the Queen's husband should have no other title than that of
+Prince of Saxe-Coburg, and thus be perpetually represented to the
+country as a foreigner. "The Queen and her foreign husband, the Prince
+Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha!"
+
+The Queen has a right to claim that her husband should be an
+Englishman, bearing an English title, and enjoying a legal position
+which she has not to defend with a wife's anxiety as a usurpation
+against her own children, her subjects, and Foreign Courts.
+
+The question has often been discussed by me with different Prime
+Ministers and Lord Chancellors, who have invariably entirely agreed
+with me; but the wish to wait for a good moment to bring the matter
+before Parliament has caused one year after another to elapse without
+anything being done. If I become _now_ more anxious to have it
+settled, it is in order that it should be so before our children are
+grown up, that it might not appear to be done in order to guard their
+father's position against them personally, which could not fail to
+produce a painful impression upon their minds.
+
+If properly explained to Parliament and the country, I cannot foresee
+the slightest difficulty in getting such a necessary measure passed,
+particularly if it be made quite clear to the House of Commons that it
+is in no way connected with a desire to obtain an increased grant for
+the Prince.[30]
+
+VICTORIA R.
+
+    [Footnote 30: See _post_, 28th June, 1856, note 33.]
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: SABBATARIANISM]
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to Viscount Hardinge._
+
+BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _1st June 1856_.
+
+The Queen understands that there is an attempt to be made to prevent
+the military bands from playing when the Troops march to church on a
+Sunday.
+
+She is anxious to express to Lord Hardinge her very strong feeling on
+this subject, and her wish that he should on _no_ account give way
+to such a proposal. _Whatever_ has been the custom should be firmly
+adhered to, and Lord Hardinge is perfectly at liberty to make use of
+the Queen's name, and say he could not bring such a proposal before
+her, as he knew she would not consent to it.[31]
+
+    [Footnote 31: The custom of bands playing in the public parks
+    on Sundays had been objected to by various religious bodies,
+    and in April a letter on the subject was written to Lord
+    Palmerston by the Archbishop of Canterbury, after which the
+    performances were discontinued, the Government giving way
+    before the threat of a vote of censure. A similar movement
+    was made in opposition to the playing of regimental bands. See
+    _ante_, 7th August, 1855, note 71.]
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: WELLINGTON COLLEGE]
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._
+
+BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _3rd June 1856_.
+
+MY DEAREST UNCLE,--I hasten to thank you for your very kind letter
+of yesterday, just received. Your kind _question_ puts me into
+considerable perplexity, and I think I cannot do better than by
+putting you in full possession of the state of the case.
+
+Our house is very full--and it is _possible_ that we may have very
+shortly the visit of Prince Oscar of Sweden. These Princes have very
+large _suites_, and I should therefore in such a case be totally
+unable to lodge you and _them_. But there is another reason. While
+Fritz Wilhelm is here, _every_ spare moment Vicky has (and _I_ have,
+for I must chaperon this loving couple--which takes away so much of my
+precious time) is devoted to her bridegroom, who is _so_ much in
+love, that, even if he is out driving and walking with her, he is not
+satisfied, and says he has not seen her, unless he can have her for an
+hour to himself, when I am naturally bound to be acting as chaperon.
+Under these circumstances I may truly say that dear Charlotte would
+have very little enjoyment; she would see very little of Vicky, _I
+could not_ take care of her, and I fear it would be anything but
+agreeable for her. Fritz Wilhelm would besides be miserable if I took
+Vicky more away from him than I already do, and therefore _while he_
+is here, it would _not_, I think, be advisable that _Charlotte_ should
+come. Could you _not_ come a little in August when the Prince and
+Princess of Prussia have left us? Or would you prefer coming in
+October, when we return from Scotland? You will easily believe,
+dearest Uncle, _what_ pleasure it gives me to see you; but I know you
+will understand the reasons I here give for begging you to delay this
+dear visit either to August or October....
+
+I had a little hope that the Archduke and Charlotte _might_ take a
+mutual liking; it would be such a good _parti_.
+
+We had an interesting ceremony yesterday, the laying of the first
+stone of the Wellington College--which is the monument to the memory
+of the dear old Duke. Dear little Arthur appeared for the first time
+in public, and I hope you will approve my answer.[32]
+
+Now, dearest Uncle, ever your truly devoted Niece,
+
+VICTORIA R.
+
+    [Footnote 32: The Queen's reply to an address presented to
+    her, on behalf of the College, by Lord Derby.]
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: THE NATIONAL GALLERY]
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to Lord Panmure._
+
+WINDSOR CASTLE, _12th June 1856_.
+
+The Queen and Prince had intended to take their visitors down to
+the Camp on Monday next--the _only day_ which we shall have for
+a fortnight free from other engagements--and hears, to her _utter
+astonishment_, that _all_ the troops are gone--not only the Militia,
+but the 3rd Battalion of the Rifles!--and this without the Queen's
+hearing _one_ word of it! The Queen is the more astonished and
+annoyed, as Lord Panmure had promised that the Militia regiments
+should _not_ be disembodied until there were other troops to replace
+them, which will not be the case for some little time. _What_ is the
+cause of this, sudden determination? The Queen is much vexed, as her
+visitors will not stay long, and are very anxious to visit the Camp;
+and it is of much importance that Foreign Princes should see what we
+have, and in what state of efficiency our troops are.
+
+
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to Viscount Palmerston._
+
+BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _26th June 1856_.
+
+The Queen hopes Lord Palmerston will make it quite clear to the
+subordinate Members of the Government that they cannot be allowed
+to vote against the Government proposal about the National Gallery
+to-morrow, as she hears that several fancy themselves at liberty to do
+so.
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: TITLE OF PRINCE CONSORT]
+
+
+_The Earl of Derby to Queen Victoria._[33]
+
+ST JAMES'S SQUARE, _28th June 1856_.
+
+Lord Derby, with his humble duty ... will be prepared, as well as Lord
+Lyndhurst, to give his cordial support to such a Bill as that sketched
+out by the Lord Chancellor; but using that freedom which is invited by
+and due to the gracious confidence reposed in him by your Majesty, he
+hopes he may be pardoned for earnestly submitting to your Majesty's
+serious consideration the question whether it may be expedient to
+raise a discussion on such a subject during the short remainder of the
+present Session of Parliament. Measures of public importance already
+in progress are now beginning to be abandoned in consequence of
+the advanced period of the Session, and Lord Lyndhurst concurs very
+strongly in Lord Derby's apprehensions as to the result on public
+feeling of the introduction of such a measure at the present moment.
+If it could be stated that your Majesty contemplated a foreign visit
+in the course of the summer, which rendered it desirable that a
+measure should be passed to obviate the embarrassment which had been
+created on previous occasions of the same sort, some case might be
+made out for immediate legislation, though even then the question
+would arise why it was not thought of sooner; but in the absence of
+any change of circumstances, and in the present unfortunate temper of
+the House of Commons, of which a proof was given last night, such
+a course would probably lead to suspicions and remarks of the most
+painful character. It would be said, and with some justice, that the
+greater the constitutional importance of a settlement, the greater was
+also the necessity of ample opportunity for consideration being given
+to Parliament; and the hurry of passing the Bill would be cited as a
+proof that it covered some unavowed and objectionable design. If such
+suspicions should lead to the postponement of the measure, not only
+would the Crown have been subjected to a mortifying defeat, but the
+Bill would be open to the hostile criticisms of the Press during the
+whole summer and autumn, the effect of which might even endanger its
+ultimate success....
+
+Should your Majesty be otherwise advised, Lord Derby will be ready to
+give the Bill his personal support, but he would be wanting in candour
+if he did not frankly state to your Majesty the serious apprehensions
+which he should entertain as to the result. Such an unreserved
+expression of his opinions is the only and very inadequate return
+which he can make to your Majesty for the gracious confidence with
+which your Majesty has honoured him, and for which he feels most
+deeply grateful.
+
+The above is humbly submitted by your Majesty's most dutiful Servant
+and Subject,
+
+DERBY.
+
+    [Footnote 33: The Queen had sent to Lord Derby a copy of her
+    Memorandum, _ante_, May, 1856, a letter from Lord Palmerston to
+    herself on the same subject, and the sketch of a Bill drawn
+    up by the Lord Chancellor to give effect to her wishes. On the
+    25th of June 1857, the title of "Prince Consort" was conferred
+    on Prince Albert by Royal Letters Patent. "I should have
+    preferred," wrote the Queen, "its being done by Act of
+    Parliament, and so it may still be at some future period; but
+    it was thought better upon the whole to do it _now_ in this
+    simple way."]
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: RETIREMENT OF LORD HARDINGE]
+
+
+_Viscount Hardinge to Queen Victoria._
+
+15 GREAT STANHOPE STREET, _10th July 1856_.
+
+Field-Marshal Viscount Hardinge,[34] with his most humble duty to your
+Majesty, is conscious that his power of serving your Majesty in the
+high position of General Commanding-in-Chief has ceased in consequence
+of the state of his health, which leaves him no other course to pursue
+than that of placing in your Majesty's hands the resignation of his
+office, the duties of which his sudden and severe illness has rendered
+him incapable of performing.
+
+Lord Hardinge cannot take this step without thanking your Majesty for
+the great consideration and support which he has at all times received
+at a period of no ordinary difficulty, and which have impressed him
+with such sentiments of gratitude as can only cease with his life.
+
+All of which is most humbly submitted to your Majesty by your
+Majesty's dutiful and devoted Servant,
+
+HARDINGE.
+
+    [Footnote 34: A great review of the troops lately returned
+    from the Crimea was held in most unfavourable weather at
+    Aldershot, on the 8th of July, King Leopold among others being
+    present; Lord Hardinge, who had brought with him the Report of
+    the Military Commission which had been sitting at Chelsea,
+    was struck by paralysis during an Audience with the Queen; the
+    next day Lord Panmure wrote: "His leg is entirely useless, and
+    his right arm visibly affected. I spoke to him for a moment as
+    he got into his carriage, and his head is quite clear, but his
+    public career is closed; and knowing his high mind as I do, I
+    would not be surprised to learn that he made a communication
+    to that effect to the Queen very shortly."]
+
+
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to Viscount Palmerston._
+
+BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _10th July 1856_.
+
+The Queen has received the enclosed letter from Lord Hardinge,
+conveying his resignation, for which she was prepared. She asks Lord
+Palmerston to enable her, by the assistance of his advice, soon to
+appoint a successor to the important office of Commander-in-Chief.
+She has again considered the question, and is confirmed in her opinion
+that the Duke of Cambridge stands almost without a competitor.
+
+
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to Viscount Hardinge._
+
+BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _11th July 1856_.
+
+The Queen received yesterday evening Field-Marshal Lord Hardinge's
+letter resigning his office of Commander-in-Chief. She cannot
+sufficiently express how deeply grieved she is to feel that from Lord
+Hardinge's state of health she must accept his resignation. The loss
+of his services will be immense to the Queen, the country, and the
+Army--and she trusts that he is well assured of her high sense of the
+very valuable services he has long rendered. She hopes, however,
+that she may still reckon on his advice and assistance on matters of
+importance, though he will no longer command her noble Army.
+
+She cannot conclude without expressing the Prince's and her fervent
+wishes that he may rapidly recover, and his valuable life be long
+preserved to all his friends, amongst whom we shall ever consider
+ourselves.
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: THE COMMANDERSHIP-IN-CHIEF]
+
+
+_Viscount Palmerston to Queen Victoria._
+
+DOWNING STREET, _12th July 1856_.
+
+Viscount Palmerston presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and begs
+to state that he has consulted with his colleagues as to the advice
+to be tendered to your Majesty in regard to the appointment of a
+successor to Lord Hardinge as General Commanding-in-Chief; and upon
+a full consideration of the subject, the Cabinet are of opinion that
+your Majesty's choice could not fall upon any General Officer better
+suited to that important position than His Royal Highness the Duke
+of Cambridge, and Lord Panmure will have the honour of taking your
+Majesty's pleasure upon the matter officially.
+
+It seems quite clear that there is no General Officer senior to His
+Royal Highness the Duke of Cambridge to whom it would in all respects
+be desirable to intrust the duties of the command of the Army, and
+there is no General Officer below him in seniority who has claim
+sufficiently strong to justify his being preferred to His Royal
+Highness....
+
+
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to the Earl of Clarendon._
+
+BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _13th July 1856_.
+
+The Queen wishes to ask, before she sanctions this draft, whether the
+Cabinet have fully considered the consequences of this declaration
+to the Persians, which may be war;[35] and if so, whether they are
+prepared to go to war with Persia, and have provided the means of
+carrying it on? The draft itself the Queen approves.
+
+    [Footnote 35: The Shah, availing himself of the departure of
+    the British Minister from Teheran, laid siege to Herat, in
+    direct violation of a treaty of 1853.]
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: THE DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE]
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._
+
+OSBORNE, _21st July 1856_.
+
+MY DEAREST UNCLE,--... We had a delightful little _sejour_ at
+Aldershot--much favoured by fine weather. The first day, Wednesday,
+the wind was too high for _me_ to ride, but the second (Thursday)
+we had one of the prettiest and _most_ interesting field days I ever
+remember. I rode about everywhere and enjoyed it so much. On Thursday
+and Friday morning we visited the Camp. The new Troops from the
+Crimea which we saw were the 34th, 41st, and 49th, particularly fine
+Regiments; the 93rd Highlanders, the 2nd Rifle Battalion, and three
+Companies of splendid Sappers and Miners, all very fine; and the Scots
+Greys and Enniskillen Dragoons. The Prussians[36] were _emerveilles_
+at the looks of our Troops on returning from the Crimea! We came here
+on the 18th, and have really _hot_ weather.
+
+George has been appointed Commander-in-Chief. There was really _no
+one_ who could have been put over him; though in some respects it may
+be a weakness for the Crown, it is a great strength for the Army....
+
+I fear I must end here for to-day. Ever your devoted Niece,
+
+VICTORIA R.
+
+    [Footnote 36: The Prince and Princess of Prussia were on a
+    visit to the Queen and Prince.]
+
+
+
+
+_Viscount Palmerston to Queen Victoria._
+
+PICCADILLY, _24th July 1856_.
+
+Viscount Palmerston presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and will
+give directions for the Council at Osborne at one o'clock on Monday,
+according to your Majesty's desire; and he would beg to submit
+for your Majesty's gracious consideration that the General
+Commanding-in-Chief has usually been a Privy Councillor, and that His
+Royal Highness the Duke of Cambridge might, if your Majesty thought
+fit, be sworn in on Monday.
+
+Viscount Palmerston will communicate with Dr. Goodford, but he finds
+that he was misled by the Headmaster and one of the Governors of
+Harrow at the Speech Day; he understood from them that an additional
+week's holiday would at his request be given to the boys at this
+vacation in commemoration of the Peace. He has now received a letter
+from the Governors to say that the school had an additional week on
+the occasion of the Peace at Easter, and that an additional week will
+be given, not now, but at Christmas, in commemoration of the laying
+the first stone of the new Chapel. If, therefore, the Eton boys had an
+additional week at Easter in honour of the Peace, as the Harrow boys
+had, there will be no reason for any addition to the Eton holidays
+now....
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: SOUTH AFRICA]
+
+
+_Mr Labouchere to Queen Victoria._
+
+_26th July 1856._
+
+With Mr Labouchere's humble duty to Her Majesty. Mr Labouchere begs to
+submit the following observations in reply to Her Majesty's enquiries
+respecting the Free States in the vicinity of the British Colonies in
+South Africa.
+
+There are two independent States there:--
+
+(1.) The Transvaal Republic, founded by Boers who left the Colony for
+the most part from ten to fifteen years ago. The territory on which
+they are established never was British. The Government of the day,
+thinking it useless and impolitic to pursue them there, entered into
+a capitulation with them and recognised their independent existence.
+They inhabit the plains north of the Vaal or Yellow River.
+
+(2.) The Orange River Free State. This occupies the territory between
+the Vaal River to the north and the Orange River to the south. This
+territory, like the former, was occupied originally by emigrant Boers,
+and was beyond the boundaries of the Colony of the Cape of Good Hope.
+But Sir Harry Smith, in 1849, after a severe military struggle with
+the Boers, thought proper without authority from home to annex it to
+British Dominion.[37] This annexation was ratified by Lord Grey,
+and the country remained for three or four years under British rule.
+Afterwards it was resolved to abandon it, during the administration
+of the Duke of Newcastle, as a result of the general revision of our
+affairs which took place at the conclusion of the Kaffir War. The
+Orange River Territory was recognised as a separate Republic in 1854.
+
+It is certainly true that the existence of these Free States may
+complicate our relations with the Kaffirs, and possibly be a source
+of danger to the security of British dominion in South Africa. But the
+latter danger seems very remote. They possess _no_ portion of the
+sea coast, and are altogether a pastoral people, and are engaged in a
+constant struggle with the barbarous tribes in their neighbourhood.
+
+To retain and protect these territories would have involved an immense
+expenditure, and been attended with great difficulties. Besides, the
+same question would have speedily recurred, as these emigrant Boers
+would have soon gone further into the interior, and again have
+asserted their independence. Our present relations with both these
+States are very amicable. When Governor Sir George Grey went to the
+Cape all these questions had been finally disposed of.[38]
+
+There seems to be good reason to hope that the apprehensions of a
+Kaffir War will not be realised. The Colony is very prosperous, and
+is beginning to export wool in large quantities. The new legislature
+appears to be disposed to act harmoniously with the Governor, and to
+be actuated by a spirit of loyalty and attachment to this country.
+What they most want is a supply of European settlers, which it is to
+be hoped that the soldiers of the German and Swiss Legions will give
+them.
+
+    [Footnote 37: See _ante_, vol. ii., Introductory Note to Chapter
+    XVII, and 25th October, 1848, note 45.]
+
+    [Footnote 38: Sir George Grey had been sent out by the Duke
+    of Newcastle in 1854. He had previously been Governor of South
+    Australia and New Zealand successively. He returned to New
+    Zealand as Governor in 1861, and was Premier of the Colony,
+    1877-1884. He died in 1898, and was buried in St Paul's
+    Cathedral.]
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: FOREIGN ORDERS]
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._
+
+OSBORNE, _30th July 1856_.
+
+MY DEAREST UNCLE,--I am much grieved to have to retract the
+permission which in my letter of yesterday I said I would give to Lord
+Westmorland.[39] When I said so, I had _not_ received the opinion of
+the Ministers, which I have since done, and this is, I am sorry to
+say, conclusive _against_ it. I quite overlooked _one_ very important
+case of very late date, viz. the Plenipotentiary at Paris--on whom the
+Emperor pressed very hard to confer his order in commemoration of the
+Peace; but it was refused, and the Emperor was a good _deal hurt_. If
+_now_ Lord Westmorland received the permission, the Emperor might with
+_right_ complain. I am much grieved, dearest Uncle, at all this, but
+it was quite unavoidable, and I was at the time much distressed at
+your giving the order to Lord Westmorland as I foresaw nothing but
+difficulties. Ever your devoted Niece,
+
+VICTORIA R.
+
+    [Footnote 39: King Leopold had proposed to bestow a decoration
+    on Lord Westmorland.]
+
+
+
+
+_The King of the Belgians to Queen Victoria._
+
+LAEKEN, _1st August 1856_.
+
+MY DEAREST VICTORIA,--... When your excellent Ministers will consider
+things coolly, which is not to be expected in this hot weather, I am
+sure they will come to other conclusions. The rule is a _very wise
+one_, and has been kept up even at the time of those great congresses
+of Paris, Vienna, and ditto Paris in 1815. But in cases of particular
+affection and feeling _not_ connected with politics, there have been
+during the reigns of George IV. and William IV. exceptions. The Duke
+of Devonshire was sent to the Coronation, I think, of the Emperor
+Nicholas, because one knew the Emperor liked him. And he has worn ever
+since that diamond star of the St Andrew of the largest dimensions.
+
+Our Napoleon is too wise not to understand that a treaty has a direct
+political character. And, during the next fifty years of your glorious
+reign, there will be most probably a great many more treaties and
+congresses. You may get all sorts of things during that time, but you
+cannot either by the power of heaven or of earth get a new uncle, who
+has kept his word twenty-five years; rather an undertaking considering
+circumstances.... I remain, my dearest Victoria, your devoted Uncle,
+
+LEOPOLD R.
+
+
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._
+
+ON BOARD THE _Victoria and Albert_,
+_14th August 1856_.
+
+DEAREST UNCLE,--You will be surprised to get a letter so soon again
+from me, and still more on _so_ trivial a subject, but I come as a
+petitioner for a supply of the cakes or _Oblaten_ which you kindly
+always send me, but which have come to a dead _stop_, having been too
+rapidly consumed; _all_ the children having taken to eat them. As I
+am not a very good breakfast eater, they are often the _only_ things
+I _can_ take at that time, and consequently I miss them much. May I
+therefore beg them to be sent?
+
+We are still here; profiting by the _bad_ sea, to visit many beautiful
+_points de vue_ in this really beautiful country. We saw yesterday one
+of the loveliest places possible--_Endsleigh_--the Duke of Bedford's,
+about twenty miles from here.
+
+The weather is so bad, and it blows so hard, that we shall go back
+to Southampton to-morrow by railroad--a beautiful line which we have
+never seen. I must close in haste. Ever your devoted Niece,
+
+VICTORIA R.
+
+We went to Saltram, Lord Morley's, this afternoon.
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: LORD GRANVILLE'S MISSION]
+
+[Pageheading: THE CZAR ALEXANDER]
+
+[Pageheading: CORONATION OF THE CZAR]
+
+
+_Earl Granville to Queen Victoria._[40]
+
+MOSCOW, _30th August 1856_.
+
+Lord Granville presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and begs,
+according to your Majesty's desire, to submit to your Majesty the
+impressions which he has received during the short time of his stay in
+this country.
+
+Lord Granville's conversation with the Emperor of Russia, and what he
+has heard from various reliable sources, have led him to the following
+conclusions respecting His Imperial Majesty.
+
+He is handsome, but thinner and graver than when he was in England.
+When speaking with energy to Lord Granville his manner seemed to be
+rather an imitation of some one else than his own, and he did not look
+Lord Granville in the face. His usual manner is singularly gentle and
+pleasing. He does not give the idea of having much strength either of
+intellect or of character, but looks intelligent and amiable.
+Although the education of a Caesarwitch must be subject to pernicious
+influences, the present Emperor has had advantages which those in his
+position have not usually had. The Emperor Nicholas came to the throne
+without having had the confidences of his predecessor. He initiated
+his son into everything that was going on, while others who knew the
+good-nature of the Grand Duke Alexander's character, told him that
+which they did not tell his father. He was supposed to have different
+tastes from the late Emperor, but, since the death of the latter, he
+has liked the late Emperor's favourite residence which he himself had
+formerly disliked, he has taken to all the military pursuits of
+his father, and is said to have shown undignified haste in issuing
+regulations about, and in appearing in, new uniforms. He is liked by
+those who surround him, but is blamed for not having those habits of
+punctuality and of quick decision in business which characterised the
+late Emperor.
+
+There is still much talk of stimulants to be applied by His Imperial
+Majesty to commerce and to the development of the resources of the
+country.... There are persons, however, here well qualified to judge,
+who doubt whether much more will be performed than has formerly
+been done, after brilliant promises at the beginning of a reign. His
+Imperial Majesty is not supposed to have that power of will which will
+enable him to deal with the mass of corruption which pervades every
+class in this country. The Empress,[41] a woman of sense and ability,
+is believed to have great influence with her husband when he is with
+her, but he is generally guided by the person who speaks last to
+him before he acts--and His Imperial Majesty has not the talent of
+surrounding himself with able men. His Ministers certainly do not
+appear to be men of that remarkable intellect as have been usually
+supposed to be employed by the Court of St Petersburg. Count Orloff
+is stated to have but little influence, and to have lost his
+former activity. Prince Gortschakoff is clever in society, of easy
+conversation and some smartness in repartee. He is vain, a great
+talker, and indiscreet. It is difficult to keep him to the point. He
+flies about from one thing to another, and he is so loose in his talk,
+that the repetition of isolated phrases might lead to impressions of
+his meaning, which would not be correct....
+
+The Serf Question is admitted by all to be of a very difficult
+character, and will become more so as the wealth of the country
+increases. Indeed when that state of things occurs, it is more than
+likely that popular movements will take place, and it is frightful to
+consider the immediate results of a revolution in a country organised
+as this is at present. No country in Europe will furnish so fair a
+chance of success to Socialism. The reins of Government were held so
+tight during the last reign, that even the relaxation which now exists
+is not altogether without danger.
+
+The preparations for the Coronation are on an immense scale. The
+present estimate of the expenses is L1,000,000; the last Coronation
+cost half that sum; the Coronation of Alexander, L150,000; while that
+of the Emperor Paul did not exceed L50,000. The military household of
+the present Emperor consists of one hundred and twenty generals--that
+of Nicholas, at the beginning of his reign, consisted of twenty.
+
+Your Majesty is spoken of by the Emperor and by the Society here with
+the greatest respect. Lord and Lady Granville have met with nothing
+but remarkable civility from all classes.
+
+Lord Granville has had great pleasure in seeing His Royal Highness
+Prince Frederick William of Prussia in such good health and spirits.
+His only anxiety was an interval of fourteen days during which His
+Royal Highness did not hear from England. That anxiety has been
+relieved by a letter received to-day. Lord Granville ventures to
+request your Majesty to present his respectful remembrances to the
+Princess Royal with his congratulations at Her Royal Highness's
+complete recovery. Lord Granville begs to advise Her Royal Highness,
+when residing abroad, not to engage a Russian maid. Lady Wodehouse
+found hers eating the contents of a pot on her dressing-table--it
+happened to be castor oil pomatum for the hair.
+
+Lord Granville has been requested to convey to your Majesty and to
+His Royal Highness Prince Albert the Prince of Nassau's expressions of
+devotion and respect. The atmosphere in which His Highness at present
+resides does not appear to have had much influence on His Highness's
+opinions.
+
+    [Footnote 40: Lord Granville was appointed head of a special
+    mission, with the temporary rank of Ambassador, to attend the
+    Coronation of the Czar Alexander.]
+
+    [Footnote 41: Marie Alexandrovna, formerly the Princess Marie
+    of Hesse, daughter of the Grand Duke Louis II.]
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: CHURCH APPOINTMENTS]
+
+
+_Viscount Palmerston to Queen Victoria._
+
+ST LEONARDS, _6th September 1856_.
+
+Viscount Palmerston presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and begs
+to submit for your Majesty's gracious approval that Dr Tait, Dean
+of Carlisle, should be appointed Bishop of London with a clear
+explanation to him that the Diocese will probably be divided into
+two--one of London and one of Westminster.
+
+That the Bishop of Ripon[42] should be appointed Bishop of Durham,
+with a like explanation that the Diocese of Durham may possibly be
+divided into two--one for Durham and one for Northumberland.
+
+That the Dean of Hereford[43] should be appointed Bishop of Ripon; and
+that Dr Trench[44] be appointed Dean of Westminster with the condition
+that he is not to receive any fees or emoluments arising out of
+appointments of Knights of the Bath.
+
+Dr Trench is a man of the world and of literature, and would in
+those respects be well suited to be Dean of Westminster, and if his
+tendencies are, as some persons suppose, rather towards High Church
+opinions, his position as Dean would not afford him any particular
+means of making those opinions prevail; while his appointment would
+show that the patronage of the Crown was not flowing exclusively in
+one direction.
+
+Viscount Palmerston will, on another occasion, submit to your Majesty
+the names of persons for the Deaneries of Hereford and Carlisle.[45]
+
+    [Footnote 42: Charles Thomas Longley (1774-1868) became Bishop
+    of Durham 1856, Archbishop of York 1860, and Archbishop of
+    Canterbury 1862.]
+
+    [Footnote 43: Richard Dawes, who became Dean in 1850, and
+    restored the Cathedral. He did not become Bishop of Ripon;
+    Robert Bickersteth, a Canon of Salisbury, being eventually
+    appointed. See _post_, 24th November, 1856, note 60.]
+
+    [Footnote 44: Richard Chenevix Trench (1807-1886), Archbishop
+    of Dublin from 1864-1884.]
+
+    [Footnote 45: Francis Close (1797-1882), Rector of Cheltenham,
+    succeeded Dr Tait as Dean of Carlisle.]
+
+
+
+
+_The Duke of Cambridge to Queen Victoria._
+
+ST JAMES'S PALACE, _17th September 1856._
+
+MY DEAR COUSIN,--This morning the reply from Baden reached me, and I
+hasten to inform you at once of the purport of it, embodied in a
+very excellent letter written by my sister Mary, who _declines_ the
+proposal made to her on the part of the King of Sardinia, for some
+very excellent and weighty reasons.[46]
+
+I must confess that I fully agree with her in the view she has
+taken, and, I can say with truth, that I think her decision is a very
+judicious and very correct one, and I am not at all sorry she has
+come to it. As I know that Clarendon was very anxious to have an early
+reply, I have in the first instance sent Mary's letter on to him, and
+have requested him, after perusing it, to send it on to you, and I
+hope you will not think that I have been wanting in respect to you in
+so doing. With many thanks to you for your great kindness in having
+left the decision of this weighty matter entirely in our hands, I beg
+to remain, my dear Cousin, your most dutiful Cousin,
+
+GEORGE.
+
+    [Footnote 46: The King had, in January 1855, lost his consort,
+    Queen Marie Adelaide, daughter of the Archduke Renier of
+    Austria. Lord Clarendon wrote to Baron Marochetti:--...
+
+    "The Queen's first care was for the happiness of Princess
+    Mary, and it was the wish of Her Majesty and of Her Majesty's
+    Government that the decision should be left to the unbiassed
+    judgment of Her Royal Highness.
+
+    "Princess Mary, having maturely weighed the matter in all its
+    different bearings, has come to the conclusion that it is
+    her duty as regards both the King of Sardinia and herself to
+    decline the offer, which you were empowered to make on the
+    part of His Majesty.
+
+    "Princess Mary fully appreciates the many excellent and
+    noble qualities of the King. She does not doubt that in him
+    individually she would be happy, and she thinks that the
+    alliance would be popular in England; but Her Royal Highness
+    feels that as the Protestant Queen of Sardinia she must be in
+    a false position, and that a wife can never find herself thus
+    placed without injury to her husband.
+
+    "Princess Mary is deeply attached to her religion, which is
+    the first consideration in this world, and in the free and
+    undisturbed exercise of that religion, however much it might
+    be sanctioned by the King, and supported by His Majesty's
+    Government, she feels that she would be the object of
+    constant suspicion, that her motives would be liable to
+    misconstruction, and that the King would be exposed to grave
+    embarrassments, which time would only serve to increase.
+
+    "I am not surprised at this decision, which, from my knowledge
+    of Princess Mary's profound religious feeling, I rather led
+    you to anticipate; but I am bound to say that with reference
+    to her religion, and with reference to that alone, Her
+    Royal Highness has, in my opinion, decided with wisdom and
+    foresight.
+
+    "I am convinced, however, that in renouncing upon
+    conscientious grounds the brilliant position which has been
+    offered to her, of which she fully appreciated the advantages,
+    Princess Mary can only have added to the respect which the
+    King already feels for the noble and elevated character of Her
+    Royal Highness."]
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: THE KING OF PORTUGAL]
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._
+
+BALMORAL, _19th September 1856._
+
+MY DEAREST UNCLE,--I cannot have your kind and confidential letter of
+the 15th answered, and therefore write to-day to thank you for it. You
+may rely on our divulging nothing. We are, however, both very anxious
+that dear Pedro should be preferred.[47] He is out and out _the_
+most distinguished young Prince there is, and besides that, good,
+excellent, and steady according to one's heart's desire, and as one
+could wish for an _only and beloved daughter_. For Portugal, too, an
+_amiable_, well-educated Queen would be an immense blessing, for there
+_never_ has been one. I am sure you would be more likely to secure
+Charlotte's happiness if you gave her to Pedro than to one of those
+innumerable Archdukes, or to Prince George of Saxony. Pedro should,
+however, be written to, if you were favourably inclined towards him.
+
+I must end now, hoping soon to hear from you again. Pedro is _just_
+nineteen; he can therefore well wait till he has completed his
+twentieth year. Ever your devoted Niece,
+
+VICTORIA R.
+
+    [Footnote 47: Both the Queen and King Leopold were desirous
+    of arranging a marriage between King Pedro and the Princess
+    Charlotte, which, however, did not take place. See _post_,
+    10th October, 1856, 16th June, 1857, and 3rd May, 1859.]
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: RUSSIAN PROCRASTINATION]
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to the Empress of the French._
+
+[_Draft._][48]
+
+_Septembre 1856._
+
+Je regrette autant que V.M.I. les divergences existantes entre les
+vues de nos deux Gouvernements au sujet du Traite de Paris.[49] [Il
+est impossible pour nous cependant de ceder aux Russes les demandes
+qu'ils mettent en avant, seulement parcequ'elles sont soutenues par la
+France. Le fait est que] Ma maniere d'envisager la situation actuelle
+est celle-ci: les Russes ne cessent de suivre la meme politique des le
+commencement de la complication Orientale jusqu'a present. Ils cedent
+ou la force majeure les y contraint, mais tachent de se reserver par
+des chicanes ou subterfuges les moyens de reprendre a un temps plus
+opportun leurs attaques sur l'independance et l'integrite de cette
+pauvre Turquie. [Nous au contraire sommes determines.] La France
+et l'Angleterre au contraire ont manifeste leur determination de la
+sauver et de l'assurer contre ces attaques. C'etait la la cause de la
+guerre; c'etait la le but de la paix; mon Gouvernement n'oserait le
+sacrifier vis-a-vis de mon peuple par complaisance envers l'Empereur
+de Russie. Un coup d'oeil sur la Carte, par exemple, demontre qu'en
+detruisant Ismail, Kilia, etc., etc. [(acte auquel nous ne venons qu'a
+present d'apprendre que la France avait donne son assentiment a
+notre insu)] la Russie a prive l'aile droite de la nouvelle ligne
+de frontiere de toute defense; tandis qu'en substituant le nouveau
+Bolgrad a celui connu au Congres elle pousserait un point strategique
+au centre, couperait la partie cedee de la Bessarabie du reste
+de l'Empire Ottoman, et se mettrait a meme de devenir de nouveau
+maitresse de la rive gauche du Danube, quand elle le voudra. Comme
+dans ce cas [nous] nos deux pays sont tenus par Traite a reprendre les
+armes, il me parait de notre devoir a prevenir de tels dangers. Ces
+dangers seront ecartes a l'instant que la France s'unira a nous pour
+tenir un langage ferme a la Russie, qui tache de nous desunir et il ne
+faut pas qu'elle y reussisse.
+
+Je vous exprime la toute ma pensee, sachant que l'Empereur attend une
+franchise entiere de son amie, convaincue aussi, que si son opinion
+differe de la mienne, c'est du au moins d'importance qu'il attache
+peut-etre aux points en dispute avec la Russie, et a un sentiment
+de generosite envers un ennemi vaincu, auquel il me serait doux de
+m'abandonner avec lui, si je pouvais le faire de maniere a concilier
+les interets de la Turquie et de l'Europe.
+
+    [Footnote 48: This is the original draft, which appears to
+    have been modified later by the omission of the sentences in
+    brackets.]
+
+    [Footnote 49: The Treaty had involved the restitution of
+    the fortress and district of Kars to Turkey. The Russians,
+    however, delayed the stipulated evacuation in an unwarrantable
+    manner. Ismail also was included within the portion of
+    Bessarabia to be ceded to Turkey, but, instead of surrendering
+    it intact, the Russians destroyed its fortifications; they
+    also laid claim to Serpent's Island at the mouth of the
+    Danube, which was within the ceded portion, and of Bolgrad,
+    the future ownership of which was, owing to the inaccuracies
+    of maps, in dispute. The English Government sent a fleet to
+    the Black Sea to enforce the obligations of the Treaty, while
+    the French Government seemed to make unnecessary concessions
+    to Russia.]
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: ALTERATIONS SUGGESTED]
+
+
+_The Earl of Clarendon to Queen Victoria._
+
+TAYMOUTH, _21st September 1856_.
+
+Lord Clarendon presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and humbly
+ventures to express his opinion that the Empress might think the tone
+of your Majesty's letter rather too severe. It is by no means severe,
+but perfectly just and true as regards the conduct of Russia and
+France, and on that very account it might wound the _amour-propre_ of
+the Emperor.
+
+Lord Clarendon ventures to suggest the omission of the second sentence
+beginning by "_il est impossible_," and of the parenthesis at the
+bottom of the second page.[50] In the concluding sentence it might
+perhaps be better to say "_la France et l'Angleterre_" instead of
+"_nous_," which would possibly be taken as an announcement of separate
+action. Your Majesty might perhaps think it right to add after the
+last words "_tels dangers_"--"_ces dangers seront ecartes a l'instant
+que la France s'unira a nous pour tenir un langage ferme a la
+Russie qui tache de nous desunir et il ne faut pas a s qu'elle y
+reussisse_."[51]
+
+    [Footnote 50: _I.e._ the passage from "acte auquel" to "notre
+    insu."]
+
+    [Footnote 51: The Prince wrote in reply to this letter: "The
+    draft of letter to the Empress of the French has been altered
+    in every particular as you suggest, and I will send you a
+    corrected copy of it by to-morrow." See _post_, 10th November,
+    1856, note 54.]
+
+
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to the Duke of Cambridge._
+
+BALMORAL, _22nd September 1856_.
+
+MY DEAR GEORGE,--I waited to thank you for your letter of the 17th
+till I had received Mary's from Lord Clarendon, which I did yesterday
+morning, and which I now return to you. It is admirably written, and
+does dear Mary the greatest credit; she puts it on the _right_ ground,
+viz. that of the _Protestant feeling_ which should _always_ actuate
+our family, and to this we _now must_ keep. It _effectually_ closes,
+however, the door to _all Catholic_ proposals--whether from Kings or
+Princes, which makes matters easier.
+
+I must say, however, that I think it very wrong of _certain_ ladies to
+have spoken of Mary's feelings and wishes on the subject, which has no
+doubt encouraged the idea when they had no reason for doing so.
+
+I am very glad that the decision has been so entirely dear Mary's own,
+and that _she is_ convinced of my anxious wish for her happiness and
+welfare--which I have as much at heart as if she were my own sister.
+
+It is very necessary, however, that _not_ a word should be breathed of
+this whole affair, and I trust that you will caution your mother and
+sisters and their relations to be very silent on the subject, as it
+would be otherwise very offensive to the King.
+
+With Albert's love, ever your very affectionate Cousin,
+
+VICTORIA R.
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: DEATH OF LORD HARDINGE]
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to Viscountess Hardinge._
+
+BALMORAL, _26th September 1856_.
+
+MY DEAR LADY HARDINGE,--Where can I find words to express to you
+our _deep heartfelt_ sorrow at the sad and totally unexpected news
+conveyed to us by telegraph yesterday.[52]
+
+My first thought was for you, dear Lady Hardinge, whose whole
+existence was so completely bound up in _his_, that this blow must be
+awful indeed. We feel _truly_ and sincerely what we, and the country,
+have lost in your dear, high-minded, noble husband, whose _only_
+thought was _his duty_. A more loyal, devoted, fearless public servant
+the Crown never possessed. His loss to _me_ is one of those which in
+our times is quite _irreparable_. Added to all this we have ever
+had _such_ a true affection and personal friendship for dear Lord
+Hardinge, and know how warmly these feelings were requited. _All_
+who had the pleasure of knowing him must ever remember his benevolent
+smile and kind eye.
+
+But I speak of ourselves and of what we have lost, when I _ought_ only
+to express _our_ sympathy with _you_, in your present overwhelming
+loss, but I could not restrain my pen, and the expression of our
+feelings may perhaps be soothing to your bleeding heart.
+
+Most truly also do we sympathise with your children.
+
+Pray do not think of answering this yourself, but let us hear through
+your son or daughter how you are. Ever, dear Lady Hardinge, with the
+sincerest regard and truest sympathy, yours affectionately,
+
+VICTORIA R.
+
+    [Footnote 52: Lord Hardinge, who had only temporarily rallied
+    from the stroke he had received at Aldershot, died on the
+    24th.]
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: THE ARCHDUKE MAXIMILIAN]
+
+
+_The King of the Belgians to Queen Victoria._
+
+LAEKEN, _10th October 1856_.
+
+MY DEAREST VICTORIA,--Since your kind letter of the 2nd I have not had
+any communications from you. I can well understand that it grieves you
+to leave the Highlands. It is not a great proof of the happiness of
+human kind, that all love to be elsewhere than at the place where
+their real residence is, notwithstanding all songs of home sweet home,
+etc. I plead quite guilty to this, though I used to be much attached
+to my old home at Coburg and to Claremont. That the weather should
+have been unfavourable is a great pity; here we have had a most
+beautiful and mild weather till the 8th, when a severe thunderstorm
+put an end to it.
+
+Poor Lord Hardinge! I believe after all, though all these people
+pretend _not_ to mind it, that the Press killed him. I once told Lady
+Maryborough and the late Duchess of Wellington that it was fortunate
+the Duke cared so little for the Press. "Care little," they said;
+"why, nothing annoys and irritates him more." I find it natural; doing
+one's best, working with all one's nerves, and to be abused for it, is
+not pleasant.
+
+To explain the real state of dear Charlotte's affair I enclose the
+only copy of my letter which exists, and pray you kindly to send it me
+back. My object is and was that Charlotte should decide as _she_
+likes it, and uninfluenced by what I might prefer. _I_ should _prefer_
+Pedro, that I confess, but the Archduke[53] has made a favourable
+impression on Charlotte; I saw that long before any question of
+engagement had taken place. The Archduke is out at sea, and nothing
+can well be heard before the 25th of this month. If the thing takes
+place the Emperor ought to put him at the head of Venice; he is well
+calculated for it.
+
+I am going on the 15th to Ardenne for a week. I have been since that
+revolution of 1848 kept away from it almost entirely, compared
+to former days. And now, with my best love to Albert, I must end,
+remaining ever, my dearest Victoria, your truly devoted and only
+Uncle,
+
+LEOPOLD R.
+
+    [Footnote 53: The Archduke Ferdinand Maximilian Joseph of
+    Austria, afterwards Emperor of Mexico.]
+
+
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._
+
+BALMORAL, _13th October 1856_.
+
+MY DEAREST UNCLE,--I am truly thankful for your kind letter and the
+very confidential enclosure which I return, and which has interested
+us both very much, and is truly kind and paternal. I _still hope_ by
+your letter that Charlotte has not finally made up her mind--as we
+both feel so strongly convinced of the immense superiority of Pedro
+over any other young Prince even _dans les relations journalistes_,
+besides which the position is so infinitely preferable. The Austrian
+society is _medisante_ and profligate and worthless--and the Italian
+possessions very shaky. Pedro is full of resource--fond of music, fond
+of drawing, of languages, of natural history, and literature, in all
+of which Charlotte would suit him, and would be a _real_ benefit to
+the country. If Charlotte asked _me_, I should not hesitate a moment,
+as I would give any of my own daughters to him were he not a Catholic;
+and if Charlotte consulted her friend Vicky I know what _her_ answer
+would be as she is so very fond of Pedro.
+
+_14th._--I could not finish last night, and so continue to-day. I
+shall be most anxious to hear from you about Charlotte, when a _final_
+decision has been taken.
+
+Since the 6th we have the _most beautiful weather_--with the country
+in the _most_ brilliant beauty--but _not_ the bracing weather which
+did one so much good; yesterday and to-day it is _quite_ warm and
+relaxing. Albert has continued to have wonderful sport; not only has
+he killed seven more stags since I wrote, but the finest, largest
+stags in the whole neighbourhood--or indeed killed in almost any
+forest!...
+
+Ever your devoted Niece,
+
+VICTORIA R.
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: MILITARY EFFICIENCY]
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to Lord Panmure._
+
+WINDSOR CASTLE, _9th November 1856_.
+
+The Queen has received Lord Panmure's two boxes of the 4th. She is
+glad to hear that the Military and the Defence Committees of the
+Cabinet are to be reassembled. The absence of all plans for our
+defences is a great evil, and hardly credible. There should exist a
+well-considered general scheme for each place supported by a detailed
+argument; this when approved by the Government, should be sanctioned
+and signed by the Sovereign, and not deviated from except upon
+resubmission and full explanation of the causes which render such
+deviation necessary; no special work should be undertaken which does
+not realise part of this general scheme. The Queen trusts that Lord
+Panmure will succeed in effecting this.
+
+It is very much to be regretted that so few of the soldiers of
+the German Legion should have accepted the liberal terms of the
+Government. Those should, however, be made to sail soon.
+
+The returns of the different Departments for the last quarter show a
+lamentable deficiency in small arms. Fifty-two thousand three hundred
+and twenty-two for the whole of the United Kingdom is a sadly small
+reserve to have in store; we should never be short of 500,000. The
+Queen was struck also with the little work done at Enfield. It appears
+that during the whole quarter this new and extensive establishment has
+completed only three muskets!
+
+With regard to some of the barracks, the tenders have not even yet
+been accepted, although the year is nearly drawing to a close.
+The Queen hopes soon to receive the returns for the Fortification
+Department, which is fully two months in arrear....
+
+With respect to the list for the Bath, the Queen is somewhat startled
+by the large number. Before sanctioning it, she thinks it right to ask
+for an explanation of the services of the officers, and the reasons
+for which they are selected for the honour. She returns the list for
+that purpose to Lord Panmure, who will perhaps cause the statement
+to be attached to each name. This, of course, does not apply to the
+foreigners. Amongst the Sardinians, however, the Queen observes the
+absence of the names of the Military Commissioners attached first to
+Lord Raglan and afterwards to General Simpson. The first was a Count
+Revel, who has frequently applied for the honour, and the Queen thinks
+ought to have it.
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: FRANCE AND RUSSIA]
+
+
+_The Earl of Clarendon to Queen Victoria._
+
+FOREIGN OFFICE, _10th November 1856_.
+
+Lord Clarendon presents his humble duty, and humbly begs to transmit
+a letter from the Empress which was left here this afternoon by M. de
+Persigny, who also left a despatch from Count Walewski, of which Lord
+Clarendon begs to transmit a copy.[54] It is a most unsatisfactory
+result of all the tripotage that has been going on, as it is an
+invitation _pur et simple_ to reassemble the conference with Prussia,
+and to abide by the decision of the majority.
+
+Lord Clarendon is to see M. de Persigny to-morrow morning.
+
+    [Footnote 54: Count Walewski had written to Count Persigny:
+    "The communications which I have received give us cause to
+    fear that Her Majesty's Government may persist in declining
+    the proposal to reassemble the Conference.... We only know
+    of five Powers which have had an opportunity to express an
+    opinion on the point at issue.... It appears that Sardinia has
+    not yet formed her decision. We cannot therefore foresee in
+    what sense the majority will pronounce, and it is evident to
+    us that the reunion will realise the object desired, that of
+    bringing on a decision which cannot be questioned by any one,
+    seeing that it will have been obtained by the concurrence of
+    the Representatives of all the Powers."]
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: NEUCHATEL]
+
+
+_The Empress of the French to Queen Victoria._
+
+COMPIEGNE, _le 7 Novembre 1856_.
+
+MADAME ET TRES CHERE S[OE]UR,--Je viens apres plus de deux mois
+m'excuser pres de votre Majeste d'une faute bien involontaire; par
+quelques mots que Persigny m'a dit j'ai cru comprendre que votre
+Majeste s'etonnait que je ne lui eusse pas ecrit en reponse a sa
+lettre. La seule crainte d'ennuyer votre Majeste m'a empeche de le
+faire, je croyais d'ailleurs que vous n'aviez pas besoin d'assurances
+sur la bonne foi et surtout sur la bonne volonte de l'Empereur.
+
+J'espere que grace a Dieu tous les petits differens qui ont surgi dans
+ces derniers temps s'aplaniront, car c'est l'interet des deux pays, et
+le v[oe]u le plus cher que nous puissions former.[55]
+
+L'Empereur a ete bien peine d'apprendre les fausses suppositions
+auxquelles out donne lieu un desaccord momentaire; il n'aurait jamais
+suppose que le desir de maintenir un engagement pris peut-etre meme
+trop a la hate, mais dont un honnete homme ne peut se departir ait pu
+faire croire que l'alliance avec votre Majeste ne lui etait pas tout
+aussi chere et tout aussi precieuse qu'auparavant; il est heureux de
+penser que la reunion de la conference sera un moyen de tout arranger,
+puisque l'opinion de la Sardaigne n'etait pas encore connue; elle
+creera par sa voix une majorite, et le Gouvernement francais ne
+faisant rien pour influencer l'opinion du Piemont, le cabinet de votre
+Majeste peut sans concession accepter cette combinaison. Je ne saurais
+assez dire combien pour ma part je suis tourmentee, car je voudrais
+partout et en tout voir nos deux pays marcher d'accord et surtout
+quand ils ont le meme but. Nous sommes a Compiegne depuis trois
+semaines, l'Empereur chasse souvent, ce qui l'amuse beaucoup et lui
+fait beaucoup de bien...
+
+L'Empereur me charge de le mettre aux pieds de votre Majeste. Je la
+prie en meme temps de ne point nous oublier aupres du Prince Albert,
+et vous, Madame, croyez au tendre attachement que [je] vous ai voue et
+avec lequel je suis, Madame et tres chere S[oe]ur, de votre Majeste la
+toute devouee S[oe]ur,
+
+EUGENIE.
+
+    [Footnote 55: Besides the complications arising out of the
+    procrastination of Russia, in carrying out the Treaty of
+    Paris, an international difficulty had lately arisen
+    in Switzerland. A rising, professedly in defence of the
+    hereditary interests of the King of Prussia, took place in
+    the Canton of Neuchatel, but was suppressed, and some of the
+    insurgents taken prisoners by the Republican Government.
+    The King of Prussia virtually expressed his approval of the
+    movement by claiming the liberation of the prisoners, and
+    his action was, to some extent, countenanced by the French
+    Emperor. The matter was finally adjusted in 1857.]
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: M. DE PERSIGNY]
+
+
+_The Earl of Clarendon to Queen Victoria._
+
+FOREIGN OFFICE, _11th November 1856_.
+
+Lord Clarendon presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and humbly
+begs to transmit the letters which arrived yesterday together with a
+copy of Count Walewski's despatch.
+
+Lord Clarendon begs to return his thanks to your Majesty for allowing
+him to see the Empress's letter.... The letter does not seem to require
+an answer at present.
+
+Lord Clarendon had a conversation of two hours this morning with M. de
+Persigny, who fought all his battles o'er again, but did not say
+much beyond what Lord Cowley had reported. He is quite sure that the
+Emperor is as staunch as ever to the Alliance, and that he believes
+all his own personal interests as well as those of France are bound up
+with England. He said, too, that the Empress was not the least taken
+in by the flatteries of Russia, which she estimates at their _juste
+valeur_.
+
+M. de Persigny seems to have performed an act of painful duty and
+rather of true devotion, by giving the Empress some advice about her
+own conduct and the fate she was preparing for herself if she was not
+more properly mindful of her position and the obligations it entails.
+Lord Clarendon has seldom heard anything more eloquent or more
+touching than the language of M. de Persigny in describing what he
+said to the Empress, who appears to have taken it in the best part,
+and to have begun acting upon the advice the next day. M. de Persigny
+has no doubt that Count Walewski will soon be removed from his present
+office, and will be _promoted to St. Petersburg_, but Lord Clarendon
+will wait to believe this until it is a _fait accompli_, as it is more
+likely than not that when M. de Persigny is no longer on the spot to
+urge the Emperor, Count Walewski will resume his influence.
+
+Count Walewski's despatch made a very unfavourable impression upon
+the Cabinet, who were of opinion that upon such an invitation and such
+slender assurances respecting the course that Sardinia might take,
+we ought not to give up our solid and often repeated objections to
+reassembling the Congress--at all events it was considered that we
+ought to have a positive answer from Turin before we gave a final
+answer....
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: SIR ALEXANDER COCKBURN]
+
+
+_Viscount Palmerston to Queen Victoria._
+
+PICCADILLY, _13th November 1856_.
+
+Viscount Palmerston presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and begs
+to state that Sir Alexander Cockburn[56] accepts the office of
+Chief Justice of the Common Pleas, but expresses a strong wish not
+altogether to be shut out from Parliamentary functions. His health,
+which has frequently interfered with his attendance in the House of
+Commons, makes him feel uncertain as to the future, and he is not
+desirous of being immediately placed in the House of Lords, but he
+would be glad to be allowed to look forward to such a favour from
+your Majesty at some future time if he should find his health stand
+sufficiently good to give him a fair prospect of being useful in the
+House of Lords. He says that with the Baronetcy of an uncle he will
+succeed to an estate of L5,000 a year, independent of what he has
+realised by his own professional exertions; and that consequently
+there would be a provision for a Peerage. Viscount Palmerston begs to
+submit for your Majesty's gracious approval that such a prospect
+might be held out to Sir Alexander Cockburn. The Chancellor and
+Lord Lansdowne and Lord Granville concur with Viscount Palmerston in
+thinking that much public advantage would arise from the presence of
+both Sir Alexander Cockburn, and of the Master of the Rolls,[57] in
+the House of Lords, and there are numerous precedents for the Chief
+Justice of the Common Pleas, and for the Master of the Rolls being
+Peers of Parliament.[58] Their judicial duties would no doubt prevent
+them from sitting in the morning on appeal cases, but their presence
+in the evening in debates in which the opinions and learning of men
+holding high positions in the legal profession would be required,
+could not fail to be of great public advantage. Of course any
+expectation to be held out to Sir Alexander Cockburn would for the
+present be a confidential and private communication to himself....
+
+    [Footnote 56: Sir Alexander Cockburn's parliamentary success
+    dated from his speech in the Don Pacifico debate; see _ante_,
+    vol. ii., p. 252, note 23. He was made Solicitor-General shortly
+    after, and then Attorney-General, being reappointed to
+    the latter office in the end of 1852. He had defended both
+    McNaghten and Pate for attacks on the Queen's person. The
+    uncle whom he soon afterwards succeeded as baronet was now
+    Dean of York.]
+
+    [Footnote 57: Sir John Romilly, created a peer in 1866.]
+
+    [Footnote 58: _E.g._, Lord Eldon in the former office; Lord
+    Langdale in the latter.]
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: PRINCE CHARLES OF LEININGEN]
+
+
+_The King of the Belgians to Queen Victoria._
+
+LAEKEN, _21st November 1856_.
+
+MY DEAREST VICTORIA,--On Vicky's sixteenth birthday I cannot write on
+black-edged paper, it looks too gloomy, and I begin by wishing you joy
+on this day, with the sincere hope that it will also _dans l'avenir_
+prove to you one of satisfaction and happiness. I must now turn to
+your kind and affectionate letter of the 19th. I was sure that your
+warm heart would feel deeply the loss we have sustained.[59] You must,
+however, remember that you were ever a most affectionate sister, and
+that Charles was fully aware and most grateful for these your kind and
+sisterly sentiments. The real blow was last year; if that could
+have been mitigated, life might have been preserved under tolerable
+circumstances. As things, however, proceeded, if the present attack
+could have been warded off, Charles's existence would have been one
+of the most awful suffering, particularly for one whose mental
+disposition was quick and lively. Your sentiments on this occasion do
+you honour; it is by feelings like those you express that evidently
+_der Anknuepfungspunkt_ with a future life must be looked for, and
+that alone with such sentiments we can show ourselves fit for such an
+existence.
+
+For your precious health we must now claim that you will not permit
+your imagination to dwell too much on the very melancholy picture of
+the last moments of one whom you loved, however natural it may be, and
+however difficult it is to dismiss such ideas.
+
+Feo feels all this in a most beautiful and truly pious way. It is
+strange that November should be so full of sad anniversaries. I can
+well understand what Vicky must have suffered, as it could not be
+expected that Fritz Wilhelm could quite understand her grief....
+
+Now I must leave you, remaining ever, my beloved Victoria, your truly
+devoted Uncle,
+
+LEOPOLD R.
+
+My best love to Albert.
+
+    [Footnote 59: The Queen's half-brother, Prince Charles of
+    Leiningen, had died on the 13th.]
+
+
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to Viscount Palmerston._
+
+WINDSOR CASTLE, _24th November 1856_.
+
+The Queen approves the recommendation of Mr Bickersteth[60] for the
+vacant Bishopric of Ripon, but she cannot disguise from herself that
+however excellent a man Mr Bickersteth may be, his appointment will be
+looked upon as a strong party one, as he is one of the leaders of the
+Low Church Party; but perhaps Lord Palmerston may be able in the case
+of possible future appointments to remove any impression of the Church
+patronage running unduly towards party extremes.
+
+    [Footnote 60: Mr Bickersteth (a nephew of Lord Langdale, a
+    former Master of the Rolls) was then Rector of St Giles'. Lord
+    Palmerston had written that he thought him well qualified
+    for a diocese "full of manufacturers, clothier-workmen,
+    Methodists, and Dissenters."]
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: THE QUEEN'S GRIEF]
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._
+
+WINDSOR CASTLE, _26th November 1856_.
+
+MY DEAREST UNCLE,--I was again prevented from writing to you yesterday
+as I intended, by multitudinous letters, etc. I therefore come
+only to-day with my warmest thanks for your most kind, feeling, and
+sympathising letter of the 23rd, which I _felt deeply_.
+
+Poor dear Charles, I loved him _tenderly_ and _dearly_, and feel every
+day _more_ how impossible it is that the great blank caused by his
+loss should _ever_ be filled up, and how _impossible it is to realise_
+the dreadful thought that I shall never see his dear, dear face again
+in this world! All the accounts of his peaceful death, of his fine
+and touching funeral, seem to me to be the descriptions of _another
+person's_ death and burial--not poor dear Charles's.
+
+Don't fear for my health, it is particularly good--and _grief_ never
+seems to affect it; little worries and annoyances fret and irritate
+me, but _not great_ or sad events. And I _derive_ benefit and _relief_
+both in my body and soul in _dwelling_ on the sad object which is
+_the_ one which fills my heart! The having to think and talk of other
+and indifferent things (I mean _not_ business so much) is very trying
+to my nerves, and does me harm.
+
+Vicky is well again, and the young couple seem really very fond of
+each other. We have from living [together] for twelve days--as we did
+entirely alone with him and Vicky in our own apartments--got to know
+him much more intimately, and to be much more _a notre aise_ with him
+than we could be in the London season, and he is now quite _l'enfant
+de la maison!_ He is excellent and very sensible. I hope that you may
+be equally pleased and satisfied with _your_ future son-in-law.
+
+I must now conclude in great haste; excellent Stockmar is particularly
+well and brisk. Ever your devoted Niece,
+
+VICTORIA R.
+
+
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to Viscount Palmerston._
+
+OSBORNE, _8th December 1856_.
+
+Lord Palmerston's explanation of Lord Panmure's object in proposing
+the appointment of a Director-General of Education of the Army in
+the Civil Department of its Government has but confirmed the Queen's
+apprehensions as to the effect of that step, if sanctioned. The Queen
+has for some time been expecting the proposal of a well-digested and
+considered plan for the education of the officers of the Army, and
+knows that the Duke of Cambridge has had such a one elaborated.
+Surely, in the absence of any fixed and approved system of education,
+it would be most imprudent to establish an Office for the discharge of
+certain important functions which are not yet defined. The Queen must
+therefore ask that the system of education to be in future adopted
+should first be submitted to her, and afterwards only the plan for the
+machinery which is to carry this out, the fitness of which can only be
+properly judged of with reference to the object in view.
+
+
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to the Earl of Clarendon._
+
+OSBORNE, _12th December 1856_.
+
+The Queen returns the enclosed letters. Sir H. Bulwer's is a clever
+composition, showing his wit and powers of writing.
+
+The Queen has never, however, seen anything from him producing the
+impression that great and important affairs would be safe in his
+hands.
+
+The mission to Washington will be difficult to fill.[61] Is it
+necessary to be in a hurry about it? Lord Elgin is sure to perform the
+duties very well, but is his former position as Governor-General of
+Canada not too high for him to go to Washington as Minister?...
+
+    [Footnote 61: A complaint had been made by the Government of
+    the United States of the unlawful enlistment in that country
+    of recruits for the English army, and Mr Crampton, the
+    British Minister at Washington, had been dismissed. Diplomatic
+    relations were resumed after a suspension of some months; and
+    Lord Napier was appointed British Minister in March 1857.]
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: THE MAHARAJAH DHULEEP SINGH]
+
+
+_Memorandum by Queen Victoria._
+
+OSBORNE, _15th December 1856._
+
+The Queen has seen the Memorandum which the Maharajah Dhuleep Singh
+has sent to the East India Company; she thinks all he asks very fair
+and reasonable, and she trusts that the East India Company will be
+able to comply with them. As we are in complete possession since 1849
+of the Maharajah's enormous and splendid Kingdom, the Queen thinks we
+ought to do _everything_ (which does not interfere with the safety of
+her Indian dominions) to render the position of this interesting and
+peculiarly good and amiable Prince as agreeable as possible, and not
+to let him have the feeling that he is _a prisoner_.
+
+His being a Christian and completely European (or rather more English)
+in his habits and feelings, renders this much more necessary, and at
+the same time more easy.
+
+The Queen has a very strong feeling that everything should be done to
+show respect and kindness towards these poor fallen Indian Princes,
+whose Kingdoms we have taken from them, and who are naturally very
+sensitive to attention and kindness.
+
+Amongst all these, however, the Maharajah stands to a certain degree
+alone, from his civilisation, and likewise from his having lost his
+kingdom when he was a child entirely by the faults and misdeeds of
+others.[62]
+
+    [Footnote 62: In reply, Mr Vernon Smith stated that he had
+    brought all the Queen's wishes before the Company.]
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: MILITARY EDUCATION]
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to Viscount Palmerston._
+
+OSBORNE, _18th December 1856._
+
+In answer to Lord Palmerston's explanation with regard to Colonel
+Lefroy's[63] appointment, the Queen has to say, that if he is to be
+made Inspector of Regimental Schools, she has no objection; but she
+must protest against his being made _Director_ of Education for the
+Army generally. We want a Director-General of Education very much, but
+he ought to be immediately under the Commander-in-Chief, if possible
+a General Officer of weight, assisted by a Board of Officers of the
+different Arms.
+
+Education ought to be made one of the essential requisites of an
+officer, and the reports on his proficiency ought to go direct through
+the proper superior from the bottom to the top, particularly if
+selection by merit is to receive a greater application for the future.
+If for his military proficiency and moral discipline, an officer is to
+be responsible to his Military chief, but for his mental acquirements
+to a Civil department, the unity of the system will be broken and the
+Army ruined; and this _must_ be the case if the superintendence of the
+education is separated from the Military command.
+
+The subject of Military Education has, as Lord Palmerston says, often
+been discussed in Parliament, which expects that some sufficient
+arrangement shall be made for it. But the mere creation of a place
+for an officer, however meritorious, to find him an equivalent for one
+which has to be reduced, can hardly be so called, and may even defeat
+the object itself. This subject is a most important one, and ought to
+be thoroughly examined before acting. The Queen understands that the
+Duke of Cambridge has transmitted to Lord Panmure a complete scheme,
+which must be now before him. If Lord Palmerston, Lord Panmure,
+the Duke of Cambridge, and the Prince were to meet to consider this
+scheme, and the whole question in connection with it, the Queen would
+feel every confidence that a satisfactory decision would be arrived
+at.
+
+    [Footnote 63: John Henry Lefroy, who now became
+    Inspector-General of Army Schools, was an artillery officer of
+    considerable scientific attainments. Many years later he was
+    K.C.M.G. and Governor of Tasmania.]
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: BESSARABIA]
+
+
+_The Emperor of the French to Queen Victoria._
+
+[_Undated._]
+
+MADAME ET TRES CHERE S[OE]UR,--Le Prince Frederic Guillaume m'a remis
+la lettre que votre Majeste a bien voulu lui donner pour moi. Les
+expressions si amicales employees par votre Majeste m'ont vivement
+touche et quoique je fusse persuade que la diversite d'opinion de nos
+deux Gouvernements ne pouvait en rien alterer vos sentiments a mon
+egard, j'ai ete heureux d'en recevoir la douce confirmation. Le Prince
+de Prusse nous a beaucoup plu et je ne doute pas qu'il ne fasse le
+bonheur de la Princesse Royale, car il me semble avoir toutes les
+qualites de son age et de son rang. Nous avons tache de lui rendre
+le sejour de Paris aussi agreable que possible, mais je crois que ses
+pensees etaient toujours a Osborne ou a Windsor.
+
+Il me tarde bien que toutes les discussions relatives au Traite de
+Paix aient un terme, car les partis en France en profitent pour tenter
+d'affaiblir l'intimite de l'alliance.[64] Je ne doute pas neanmoins
+que le bon sens populaire en fasse promptement justice de toutes les
+faussetes qu'on a repandues.
+
+Votre Majeste, je l'espere, ne doutera jamais de mon desir de marcher
+d'accord avec son Gouvernement et du regret que j'eprouve quand
+momentairement cet accord n'existe pas.
+
+En la priant de presenter mes hommages a S.A.R. la Duchesse de Kent
+et mes tendres amities au Prince, je lui renouvelle l'assurance de
+la sincere amitie et de l'entier devouement avec lesquels je suis, de
+votre Majeste, le bon Frere et Ami,
+
+NAPOLEON.
+
+    [Footnote 64: A settlement with Russia of the disputed
+    Bessarabian frontier was at length decided upon, on lines
+    suggested by the Emperor to the British Government.]
+
+
+
+
+_The Earl of Clarendon to Queen Victoria._
+
+THE GROVE, _22nd December 1856._
+
+Lord Clarendon presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and humbly
+begs to transmit a letter from Lord Cowley, which contains the report
+of a curious conversation with the Emperor, and which might make
+a despatch not very unlike Sir H. Seymour's when he reported the
+partitioning views of the Emperor Nicholas.[65]
+
+It is curious that in both cases the bribe to England should be Egypt.
+The Emperor of the French said nothing about the share of the spoils
+that France would look for, but His Majesty means Morocco, and Marshal
+Vaillant[66] talked to Lord Clarendon of Morocco as necessary to
+France, just as the Americans declare that the United States are not
+safe without Cuba....
+
+    [Footnote 65: See _ante_, 9th May, 1854, note 30. The Queen
+    does not appear to have preserved a copy of Lord Cowley's
+    letter.]
+
+    [Footnote 66: Minister of War.]
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: THE DISPUTE ADJUSTED]
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to the Emperor of the French._
+
+CHATEAU DE WINDSOR, _le 31 Decembre 1856._
+
+SIRE ET CHER FRERE,--Je saisis avec empressement l'occasion de la
+nouvelle annee pour remercier votre Majeste de son aimable lettre, en
+vous priant d'agreer mes bons v[oe]ux autant pour le bonheur de V.M.
+que pour celui de l'Imperatrice et de votre fils.
+
+La nouvelle annee commence encore avec le bruit des preparatifs
+de guerre, mais j'espere qu'on restera aux preparatifs et apres le
+rapprochement qui a eu lieu entre vous, Sire, et la Prusse, j'ai toute
+confiance qu'il vous sera possible d'assurer une solution pacifique
+de cette question Suisse,[67] malheureusement envenimee par
+l'amour-propre froisse de tous cotes.
+
+Je suis bien heureuse que nos difficultes survenues a l'execution du
+Traite de Paris soient maintenant entierement aplanies et que ce que
+V.M. signalait dans votre lettre comme une esperance soit a present
+une realite. Rien ne viendra desormais, je l'espere, troubler notre
+bonne entente qui donne une garantie si importante au bien-etre de
+l'Europe. Nous avons ete bien contents d'apprendre que notre futur
+gendre vous ait tant plu; il nous a ecrit plein de reconnaissance de
+l'aimable accueil que vous lui avez donne et plein d'admiration de
+tout ce qu'il a vu a Paris.
+
+Ma mere se remet peu a peu de la terrible secousse qu'elle a eprouvee,
+et me charge ainsi que le Prince de leurs felicitations pour le jour
+de l'an.
+
+J'embrasse l'Imperatrice et me dis pour toujours, Sire et cher Frere,
+de V.M.I., la bien affectionnee S[oe]ur, et fidele Amie,
+
+VICTORIA R.
+
+    [Footnote 67: See _ante_, 7th November, 1856, note 55.]
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+INTRODUCTORY NOTE
+
+TO CHAPTER XXVI
+
+
+The closing months of 1856 had witnessed the beginning of a dispute
+with China, a party of Chinese having boarded the lorcha _Arrow_, a
+vessel registered under a recent ordinance of Hong Kong, arrested the
+crew as pirates, and torn down the British flag. The Captain's right
+to fly the flag was questionable, for the term of registry, even if
+valid in the first instance, which was disputed, had expired (though
+the circumstance was unknown to the Chinese authorities), and the
+ship's earlier history under the Chinese flag had been an evil one.
+But Sir John Bowring, British Plenipotentiary at Hong Kong, took
+punitive measures to enforce treaty obligations; Admiral Seymour
+destroyed the forts on the river, and occupied the island and fort of
+Dutch Folly. In retaliation, the Chinese Governor Yeh put a price on
+Bowring's head, and his assassination, and that of other residents, by
+poison, was attempted. The British Government's action, however, was
+stigmatised as highhanded, and a resolution censuring them was carried
+in the Commons, being moved by Mr Cobden and supported by a coalition
+of Conservatives, Peelites, and the Peace Party,--Lord John Russell
+also opposing the Government. In consequence of this vote, Parliament
+was dissolved, and at the ensuing election the Peace Party was
+scattered to the winds; Bright, Milner Gibson, and Cobden all losing
+their seats. Lord Palmerston obtained a triumphant majority in the
+new House of Commons, of which Mr J. E. Denison was elected Speaker in
+succession to Mr Shaw-Lefevre, now created Viscount Eversley. At
+the end of the year an ultimatum was sent to Governor Yeh, requiring
+observance of the Treaty of Nankin, Canton was bombarded, and
+subsequently occupied by the English and French troops.
+
+Hostilities with Persia were terminated by a treaty signed at Paris;
+the Shah engaging to abstain from interference in Afghanistan, and to
+recognise the independence of Herat.
+
+A century had passed since the victory of Clive at Plassey, but the
+Afghan disasters and the more recent war with Russia had caused doubts
+to arise as to British stability in India, where the native forces
+were very large in comparison with the European. Other causes, among
+which may be mentioned the legalising of the remarriage of Hindoo
+widows, and a supposed intention to coerce the natives into
+Christianity, were operating to foment dissatisfaction, while recent
+acts of insubordination and symptoms of mutiny had been inadequately
+repressed; but the immediate visible provocation to mutiny among the
+Bengal troops was the use of cartridges said to be treated with
+a preparation of the fat of pigs and cows, the use of which was
+abhorrent, on religious grounds, both to Hindoos and Mohammedans. The
+Governor-General assured the Sepoys by proclamation that no offence to
+their religion or injury to their caste was intended; but on the
+10th of May the native portion of the garrison at Meerut broke out
+in revolt. The Mutineers proceeded to Delhi, and were joined by the
+native troops there; they established as Emperor the octogenarian
+King, a man of unscrupulous character, who had been living under
+British protection.
+
+Great cruelties were practised on the European population of all ages
+and both sexes, at Lucknow, Allahabad, and especially Cawnpore; by
+the end of June, the Sepoys had mutinied at twenty-two stations--the
+districts chiefly affected being Bengal, the North-West Provinces,
+and Oudh. To cope with this state of things, a large body of British
+soldiers on their way to China were diverted by Lord Elgin to India,
+and a force of 40,000 men was despatched from England round the Cape;
+while Sir Colin Campbell was sent out as Commander-in-Chief. Meanwhile
+reinforcements had been drawn from the Punjab, which had remained
+loyal. Lucknow was for a long time besieged by the rebels, and
+Sir Henry Lawrence, its gallant defender, killed. The garrison was
+reinforced on the 25th of September by General Havelock; but the
+non-combatants could not be extricated from their perilous position
+till November, when the Garrison was relieved by Sir Colin Campbell.
+Delhi was taken in the course of September, but a considerable period
+elapsed before the rebellion was finally suppressed. Summary vengeance
+was inflicted on the Sepoy rebels, which gave rise to some criticism
+of our troops for inhumanity; but Lord Canning, the Governor-General,
+was no less severely blamed for his clemency; and the general verdict
+was in favour of the measures adopted by the military and civilian
+officers, whose zeal and capacity suppressed the Mutiny.
+
+Before the Dissolution of Parliament, Mr Gladstone and Mr Disraeli had
+joined in an attack on the budget of Sir George Lewis, and the
+Peelite ex-Chancellor of the Exchequer seemed for the moment disposed
+definitely to return to the Conservative party. To the Divorce Bill,
+the chief legislative result of the second Session, Mr Gladstone gave
+a persistent and unyielding opposition: but it passed the Commons by
+large majorities; a Bill for the removal of Jewish disabilities was
+much debated, but not carried. In August, another visit, this time of
+a private character, was paid by the Emperor and Empress of the
+French to the Queen at Osborne. In the middle of November a series of
+commercial disasters of great magnitude took place. The Government,
+as in 1847, authorised the infringement for a time of the Bank Charter
+Act, and a third session was held to pass an Act of Indemnity.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXVI
+
+1857
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to Mr Labouchere._
+
+WINDSOR CASTLE, _8th January 1857_.
+
+The despatches from Sir George Grey[1] which the Queen returns are
+most interesting. The two chief objects to accomplish appear to be the
+bringing the Kaffirs in British Kaffraria within the pale of the law,
+so that they may know the blessings of it--and the re-absorption, if
+possible, of the Orange River Free State. To both these objects the
+efforts of the Government should be steadily directed.
+
+    [Footnote 1: See _ante_, 26th July, 1856. The task of dealing with
+    the Hottentots and Kaffirs, and coming to an understanding
+    with the recalcitrant Boers, was a difficult one.]
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: HOME AND FOREIGN POLICY]
+
+
+_Viscount Palmerston to Queen Victoria._
+
+BROADLANDS, _13th January 1857_.
+
+Viscount Palmerston presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and he
+and Lady Palmerston will have the honour of waiting upon your Majesty
+as soon as he is able to move. He is, however, at present on crutches,
+and can hardly expect to be in marching order for some few days to
+come. With regard to the matters that are likely to be discussed when
+Parliament meets, Viscount Palmerston would beg to submit that the one
+which has for some months past occupied the attention of all Europe,
+namely, the execution of the Treaty of Paris, has been settled in
+a manner satisfactory to all parties; and this is not only a great
+relief to the Government, but is also a security for the continuance
+of the Anglo-French Alliance, which would have been greatly endangered
+by the discussions and explanations that might otherwise have been
+forced on.
+
+The various questions of difference between your Majesty's Government,
+and that of the United States, have also been settled, and the
+diplomatic relations between the two countries are about to be
+replaced upon their usual footing. This result will have given great
+satisfaction to the commercial and manufacturing interests.
+
+Some discussion will take place as to the Expedition to the coast of
+Persia, and some persons will, of course, find fault with the whole
+policy pursued on that matter; but people in general will understand
+that Herat is an advanced post of attack against British India,
+and that whatever belongs nominally to Persia must be considered as
+belonging practically to Russia, whenever Russia may want to use it
+for her own purposes.
+
+The outbreak of hostilities at Canton[2] was the result of the
+decision of your Majesty's officers on the spot, and not the
+consequence of orders from home. The first responsibility must
+therefore rest with the local authorities, but Viscount Palmerston
+cannot doubt that the Government will be deemed to have acted right
+in advising your Majesty to approve the proceedings, and to direct
+measures for obtaining from the Chinese Government concessions which
+are indispensable for the maintenance of friendly relations between
+China and the Governments of Europe.
+
+Of domestic questions, that which will probably be the most agitated
+will be a large and immediate diminution of the Income Tax; but
+any such diminution would disturb the financial arrangements of the
+country, and it is to be hoped that Parliament will adopt the scheme
+which will be proposed by Sir G. C. Lewis, by which the Income Tax
+would be made equal in each of the next three years, the amount now
+fixed by Law for 1857 being diminished, but the amount now fixed by
+Law for 1858 and 1859 being increased....
+
+Viscount Palmerston hears from persons likely to know, that the
+Conservative Party are not more united than they were last Session.
+That Mr Disraeli and the great bulk of his nominal followers are far
+from being on good terms together, and that there is no immediate
+junction to be expected between Mr Disraeli and Mr Gladstone.[3]
+
+Mr Cobden has given it to be understood that he wishes at the next
+General Election to retire from the West Riding of Yorkshire. The real
+fact being that the line he took about the late war has made him so
+unpopular with his constituents that he would probably not be returned
+again.[4]
+
+Viscount Palmerston has heard privately and confidentially that Lord
+John Russell wrote some little time ago to the Duke of Bedford to say
+that it had been intimated to him that an offer would be made to him
+if he were disposed to accept it, to go to the House of Lords and to
+become there the Leader of the Government. In case your Majesty may
+have heard this report, Viscount Palmerston thinks it right to say
+that no such communication to Lord John Russell was ever authorised
+by him, nor has been, so far as he is aware, ever made, and in truth
+Viscount Palmerston must candidly say that in the present state
+of public opinion about the course which Lord John has on several
+occasions pursued, he is not inclined to think that his accession to
+the Government would give the Government any additional strength.
+
+    [Footnote 2: See _ante_, Introductory Note, to Chapter XXVI.
+    The difficulty with China had arisen out of her refusal to
+    throw open the city of Canton to European trade in conformity
+    with the Treaty of Nankin, _ante_, vol. i. 23rd November,
+    1842. Sir John Bowring, Chief Superintendent of Trade (and,
+    in effect, British Plenipotentiary) at Hong-Kong, had
+    resented this, and the feeling thus engendered had come to
+    a crisis on the occasion of the seizure of the crew of the
+    _Arrow_.]
+
+    [Footnote 3: The probability of this combination was now
+    being perpetually mooted, and, in fact, the two ex-Chancellors
+    combined in attacking the Budget.]
+
+    [Footnote 4: He stood instead for Huddersfleld, and was
+    defeated by an untried politician; one Liberal (the present
+    Lord Ripon) and one Conservative were returned unopposed in
+    the West Riding.]
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: CHURCH APPOINTMENTS]
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to Viscount Palmerston._
+
+BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _25th February 1857_.
+
+The Queen would wish to know before she approves of the appointment
+of Mr Alford, of Quebec Chapel, to the head Deanery of Canterbury,
+whether he is a very Low Churchman, as Lord Palmerston will remember
+that he agreed in her observation after the appointment of several of
+the Bishops, that it would be advisable to choose those who were
+of moderate opinions--not leaning too much to either side. Extreme
+opinions lead to mischief in the end, and produce much discord in the
+Church, which it would be advisable to avoid.[5]
+
+With respect to the Garter, which the Duke of Norfolk has declined,
+she approves of its being offered to the Duke of Portland.[6] She
+thinks that the one now vacant by the death of poor Lord Ellesmere[7]
+might most properly be bestowed on Lord Granville--he is Lord
+President and Leader of the House of Lords, and acquitted himself
+admirably in his difficult mission as Ambassador to the Emperor of
+Russia's Coronation.
+
+Should Lord Palmerston agree in this view he might at once mention it
+to Lord Granville.
+
+    [Footnote 5: The Deanery was offered to and accepted by Mr
+    Alford.]
+
+    [Footnote 6: William John Cavendish Bentinck-Scott, fifth Duke
+    (1800-1879). He did not accept the honour, which was conferred
+    on the Marquis of Westminster.]
+
+    [Footnote 7: Lord Francis Egerton had inherited a vast
+    property from the third and last Duke of Bridgewater (the
+    projector of English inland navigation), and was created
+    Earl of Ellesmere in 1846. The Garter was accepted by Lord
+    Granville.]
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: DEBATE ON CHINESE AFFAIRS]
+
+
+_Viscount Palmerston to Queen Victoria._
+
+PICCADILLY, _28th February 1857_.
+
+Viscount Palmerston presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and
+has seen Mr Hayter[8] this morning, and finds from him that the
+disposition of the House of Commons is improving, and that many of the
+supporters of the Government who had at first thought of voting
+with Mr Cobden[9] are changing their minds. It has been suggested to
+Viscount Palmerston that it would be useful to have a meeting of the
+Party in Downing Street on Monday, and that many wavering members only
+want to have something said to them which they could quote as a reason
+for changing their intended course; and Viscount Palmerston has given
+directions for summoning such a meeting.
+
+Lord Derby has had meetings of his followers, and has told them that
+unless they will support him in a body he will cease to be their
+leader, as he will not be the head of a divided Party. Viscount
+Palmerston can scarcely bring himself to believe that the House of
+Commons will be so fickle as suddenly and without reason to turn round
+upon the Government, and after having given them last Session and
+this Session large majorities on important questions, put them in a
+minority on what Mr Disraeli last night in a few words said on the
+motion for adjournment described as a Vote of Censure. With regard,
+however, to the question put by your Majesty as to what would be the
+course pursued by the Government in the event of a defeat, Viscount
+Palmerston could hardly answer it without deliberation with his
+colleagues. His own firm belief is that the present Government has
+the confidence of the country in a greater degree than any other
+Government that could now be formed would have, and that consequently
+upon a Dissolution of Parliament, a House of Commons would be returned
+more favourable to the Government than the present. Whether the state
+of business as connected with votes of supply and the Mutiny Act would
+admit of a Dissolution, supposing such a measure to be sanctioned
+by your Majesty, would remain to be enquired into; but Viscount
+Palmerston believes that there would be no insurmountable difficulty
+on that score. He will have the honour of waiting upon your Majesty at
+a little before three to-morrow.
+
+    [Footnote 8: Mr (afterwards Sir) William Hayter, Liberal Whip,
+    the father of Lord Haversham.]
+
+    [Footnote 9: See _ante_, Introductory Note, to Chapter XXVI. Mr
+    Cobden's motion of censure affirmed that the papers laid on the
+    table of the House did not justify the violent measures resorted
+    to by the Government at Canton in the affair of the _Arrow_. He
+    was supported by Lord John Russell, Mr Roebuck, Mr Gladstone,
+    and Mr Disraeli, the latter emphatically challenging the Premier
+    to appeal to the country.]
+
+
+
+
+_The Prince Albert to Viscount Palmerston._
+
+BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _3rd March 1857_.
+
+MY DEAR LORD PALMERSTON,--The Queen has this moment received
+your letter giving so unfavourable an account of the prospects
+of to-night's division. She is sorry that her health imperatively
+requires her going into the country for a few days, and having put off
+her going to Windsor on account of the Debate which was expected
+to close yesterday, she cannot now do so again to-day. She feels,
+however, the inconvenience of her absence should the division turn out
+as ill as is now anticipated. The Queen could not possibly come to a
+decision on so important a point as a Dissolution without a personal
+discussion and conference with you, and therefore hopes that you might
+be able to go down to-morrow perhaps for dinner and to stay over the
+night.
+
+The Queen feels herself physically quite unable to go through the
+anxiety of a Ministerial Crisis and the fruitless attempt to form
+a new Government out of the heterogeneous elements out of which
+the present Opposition is composed, should the Government feel it
+necessary to offer their resignation, and would on that account
+_prefer any other alternative_.... Ever, etc.,
+
+ALBERT.
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: DEFEAT OF THE GOVERNMENT]
+
+
+_Viscount Palmerston to Queen Victoria._[10]
+
+HOUSE OF COMMONS, _5th March 1857._
+
+(_Quarter to Eight._)
+
+Viscount Palmerston presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and begs
+to state that his communication to the House of an intention to give
+the constituencies of the country an opportunity of judging between
+the present Government and any other administration which might be
+formed, has been on the whole well received, and, with the exception
+of Mr Gladstone, most of the persons who spoke intimated a willingness
+to allow without interruption the completion of such business as may
+be necessary before the Dissolution. Mr Disraeli said that he and
+those who act with him would give all fair assistance consistent with
+their opinions, but hoped nothing would be proposed to which they
+could reasonably object. Mr Gladstone, with great vehemence, repelled
+the charge of combination, evidently meaning to answer attacks made
+out of the House....
+
+The result of what passed seems to be that no serious difficulty will
+be thrown in the way of an early Dissolution.
+
+    [Footnote 10: Mr Cobden's motion was carried by 263 to 247,
+    and Lord Palmerston promptly accepted Mr Disraeli's challenge
+    to dissolve Parliament.]
+
+
+
+
+_Earl Granville to Queen Victoria._
+
+[_Undated._ ? _16th March 1857._]
+
+Lord Granville presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and begs to
+submit that Lord Derby made a speech of two hours, in which he glanced
+at the present state of affairs.[11] He made a personal attack on Lord
+Palmerston, and described his colleagues as cyphers and appendages.
+The rest of his speech was of a singularly apologetic and defensive
+character. He was quite successful in clearing himself from an
+understanding--not from political conversations with Mr Gladstone.
+
+Lord Granville, in his reply, was thought very discourteous by Lord
+Malmesbury and Lord Hardwicke, who closed the conversation.
+
+    [Footnote 11: Lord Derby's resolutions in the Lords, which
+    were to the same effect as Mr Cobden's motion, were rejected
+    by 146 to 110. On the 16th of March Lord Derby took the
+    opportunity of announcing the views of his chief supporters in
+    reference to the General Election.]
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: RETIREMENT OF THE SPEAKER]
+
+
+_Viscount Palmerston to Queen Victoria._[12]
+
+PICCADILLY, _18th March 1857_.
+
+... Viscount Palmerston begs to state that the Speaker has chosen the
+title of Eversley, the name of a small place near his residence[13]
+in Hampshire, all the large towns in the county having already been
+adopted as titles for Peers. The ordinary course would be that your
+Majesty should make him a Baron, and that is the course which was
+followed in the cases of Mr Abbot made Lord Colchester, and Mr
+Abercromby made Lord Dunfermline; but in the case of Mr Manners Sutton
+a different course was pursued, and he was made Viscount Canterbury.
+The present Speaker is very anxious that his services, which, in fact,
+have been more meritorious and useful than those of Mr Manners Sutton,
+should not appear to be considered by your Majesty as less deserving
+of your Majesty's Royal favour, and as the present Speaker may justly
+be said to have been the best who ever filled the chair, Viscount
+Palmerston would beg to submit for your Majesty's gracious approval
+that he may be created Viscount Eversley. It will be well at the same
+time if your Majesty should sanction this arrangement that a Record
+should be entered at the Home Office stating that this act of grace
+and favour of your Majesty being founded on the peculiar circumstances
+of the case, is not to [be] deemed a precedent for the cases of future
+Speakers.
+
+Lord Canterbury was also made a Grand Cross of the Civil Order of the
+Bath; it will be for your Majesty to consider whether it might not be
+gracious to follow in all respects on the present occasion the course
+which was pursued in the case of Mr Manners Sutton.
+
+    [Footnote 12: On the 9th, Mr Speaker Shaw-Lefevre had
+    announced in the House of Commons his intended retirement from
+    the Chair, which he had occupied since 1839, when his election
+    had been made a trial of strength between parties. He was
+    voted an annuity of L4,000 a year, and created Viscount
+    Eversley, receiving also the G.C.B.]
+
+    [Footnote 13: Heckfield Place, near Winchfield.]
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: THE GENERAL ELECTION]
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._
+
+BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _24th March 1857_.
+
+MY DEAREST UNCLE,--... The Opposition have played their game most
+foolishly, and the result is that _all_ the old Tories say they
+will certainly _not_ support them; they very truly say Lord
+Derby's party--that is those who want to get into office _coute que
+coute_--whether the country suffers for it or not, wanted to get in
+under _false colours_, and that they won't support or abide--which
+they are _quite_ right in. There is reason to hope that a better class
+of men will be returned, and returned to support the Government, not a
+particular cry of this or that.... Ever your devoted Niece,
+
+VICTORIA R.[14]
+
+    [Footnote 14: In his address to the electors of Tiverton,
+    the Premier declared that "an insolent barbarian, wielding
+    authority at Canton, had violated the British flag, broken
+    the engagements of treaties, offered rewards for the heads
+    of British subjects in that part of China, and planned their
+    destruction by murder, assassination, and poison." The courage
+    and good temper displayed by Lord Palmerston, and the energy
+    with which he had carried the country through the Crimean
+    struggle, had won him widespread popularity, and the Peace
+    party were generally routed, the prominent members all losing
+    their seats. The Peelite ranks were also thinned, but Lord
+    John Russell, contrary to general expectation, held his
+    seat in the City. There were one hundred and eighty-nine new
+    members returned, and the Ministry found themselves in command
+    of a handsome majority.]
+
+
+
+
+_Earl Granville to Queen Victoria._
+
+[_Undated._ ? _19th May 1857._]
+
+Lord Granville presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and begs to
+submit that the Lord Chancellor made the best statement he has yet
+done, introducing his Divorce Bill.[15]... Lord Lyndhurst made a most
+able speech in favour of the Bill, but wished it to go further,
+and give permission to a woman to sue for a divorce if she was
+"maliciously deserted" by her husband.... The Bishop of Oxford
+pretended that he was not going to speak at all, in order to secure
+his following instead of preceding the Bishop of London; but upon
+a division being called he was obliged to speak, and did so with
+considerable force and eloquence, but betraying the greatest possible
+preparation. The Bishop of London, after showing that the Bishop
+of Oxford's speech was a repetition of Mr Keble's speech, made an
+excellent answer. The Debate was finished by the Duke of Argyll.
+
+          For the Bill, 47.     Against it, 18.
+
+    [Footnote 15: Before this date a divorce could only be
+    obtained in England by Act of Parliament, after sentence in
+    the ecclesiastical Court, and (in the case of a husband's
+    application) a verdict in _crim. con._ against the adulterer.
+    The present English law was established by the Bill of 1857,
+    the chief amendment made in Committee being the provision
+    exempting the clergy from the obligation to marry divorced
+    persons. Bishop Wilberforce opposed the Bill strenuously,
+    while Archbishop Sumner and Bishop Tait of London supported
+    it. Sir Richard Bethell, the Attorney-General, piloted the
+    measure most skilfully through the Commons, in the teeth of
+    the eloquent and persistent opposition of Mr Gladstone, who,
+    to quote a letter from Lord Palmerston to the Queen, opposed
+    the second reading "in a speech of two hours and a half,
+    fluent, eloquent, brilliant, full of theological learning
+    and scriptural research, but fallacious in argument, and with
+    parts inconsistent with each other."]
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: THE FRENCH _ENTENTE_]
+
+[Pageheading: THE EMPEROR'S VISIT]
+
+
+_The Earl of Clarendon to the Prince Albert._
+
+_20th May 1857._
+
+SIR,--I have the honour to inform your Royal Highness that I have had
+a very long and interesting conversation with M. de Persigny to-day.
+He told me of the different _Utopias_ which the Emperor had in his
+head, of His Majesty's conviction that England, France, and Russia
+ought between them to _regler les affaires de l'Europe_, of the
+_peu de cas_ which he made of Austria or any other Power, and of the
+various little complaints which His Majesty thought he had against Her
+Majesty's Government, and which had been magnified into importance by
+the malevolence or the stupidity of the persons who had more or less
+the ear of the Emperor.[16]
+
+M. de Persigny told me also that in a conversation with the Emperor at
+which he had taken care that Count Walewski should be present, he had
+solemnly warned the Emperor of the danger he would incur if he swerved
+the least from the path of his true interest which was the English
+Alliance, that all the Sovereigns who were flattering and cajoling him
+for their own purposes looked down upon him as an adventurer, and no
+more believed in the stability of his throne, or the duration of
+his dynasty, than they did in any other events of which extreme
+improbability was the character; whereas the English, who never
+condescended to flatter or cajole anybody, but who looked to the
+interests of England, were attached to the French Alliance and to the
+Sovereign of France because peaceful relations with that country were
+of the utmost importance to England. France was the only country in
+Europe that could do England harm, and on the other hand England was
+the only country that could injure France--the late war with Russia
+had not the slightest effect upon France except costing her money, but
+a war with England would set every party in France into activity each
+with its own peculiar objects, but all of them against the existing
+order of things--_l'ordre social serait bouleverse_ and the Empire
+might perish in the convulsion.
+
+The result of this and other conversations appears to be an earnest
+desire of the Emperor to come to England on a private visit to
+the Queen, if possible at Osborne, and at any time that might be
+convenient to Her Majesty. M. de Persigny describes him as being
+intent upon this project, and as attaching the utmost importance to
+it in order to _eclairer_ his own ideas, to guide his policy, and to
+prevent by personal communication with the Queen, your Royal Highness,
+and Her Majesty's Government the dissidences and _mesintelligences_
+which the Emperor thinks will arise from the want of such
+communications.
+
+I fear that such a visit would not be very agreeable to Her Majesty,
+but in the Emperor's present frame of mind, and his evident alarm lest
+it should be thought that the Alliance has been in any way _ebranlee_,
+I cannot entertain a doubt that much good might be done, or, at all
+events, that much mischief might be averted by the Emperor being
+allowed to pay his respects to Her Majesty in the manner he proposes.
+
+I have discussed the matter after the Cabinet this evening with Lord
+Palmerston, who takes entirely the same view of the matter as I have
+taken the liberty of expressing to your Royal Highness. I have the
+honour to be, with the greatest respect, Sir, your Royal Highness's
+most faithful and devoted Servant,
+
+CLARENDON.
+
+    [Footnote 16: A difference had arisen as to the future of the
+    Principalities--France, Sardinia, and Russia favouring their
+    union, while England, Austria, and Turkey held that a single
+    state, so formed, might become too Russian in its sympathies.]
+
+
+
+
+_The Prince Albert to the Earl of Clarendon._
+
+OSBORNE, _21st May 1857_.
+
+MY DEAR LORD CLARENDON,--I have shown your letter to the Queen, who
+wishes me to say in answer to it that she will, of course, be ready to
+do what may appear best for the public interest. We shall, therefore,
+be ready to receive the Emperor, with or without the Empress, here at
+Osborne in the quiet way which he proposes. The present moment would,
+however, hardly do, Drawing-rooms and parties being announced in
+London, Parliament sitting, and the Season going on and the Queen
+having only a few days from the Grand Duke's visit to her return
+to Town. The latter half of July, the time at which the Queen would
+naturally be here and the best yachting season, might appear to the
+Emperor the most eligible, as being the least _force_.
+
+Till then a cottage which is rebuilding will, we hope, be ready to
+accommodate some of the suite, whom we could otherwise not properly
+house.
+
+I have no doubt that good will arise from a renewed intercourse
+with the Emperor; the only thing one may perhaps be afraid of is the
+possibility of his wishing to gain us over to his views with regard to
+a redistribution of Europe, and may be disappointed at our not being
+able to assent to his plans and aspirations.
+
+ALBERT.[17]
+
+    [Footnote 17: See _post_, 4th August, 1857, note 30.]
+
+
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._
+
+BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _16th June 1857_.
+
+MY DEAREST UNCLE,--The christening of little Beatrice[18] is just
+over--and was very brilliant and nice. We had the luncheon in the fine
+ball-room, which looked very handsome. The Archduke Maximilian (who is
+here since Sunday evening) led me to the chapel, and at the luncheon I
+sat between him and Fritz. I cannot say how much we like the Archduke;
+he is charming, so clever, natural, kind and amiable, so _English_ in
+his feelings and likings, and so anxious for the best understanding
+between Austria and England. With the exception of his mouth and chin,
+he is good-looking; and I think one does not the least care for that,
+as he is so very kind and clever and pleasant. I wish you really joy,
+dearest Uncle, at having got _such_ a husband for dear Charlotte, as
+I am sure he will make her happy, and is quite worthy of her. He may,
+and will do a great deal for Italy.[19]...
+
+I must conclude for to-day, hoping soon to hear from you again. Ever
+your devoted Niece,
+
+VICTORIA R.
+
+    [Footnote 18: Princess Beatrice (now Princess Henry of
+    Battenberg) was born on the 14th of April.]
+
+    [Footnote 19: The tragic end of a union which promised so
+    brightly came in 1867, when the Archduke Maximilian, having
+    accepted the Imperial crown of Mexico, offered to him by the
+    Provisional Government, was shot by order of President Juarez.
+    The Empress Charlotte had come to Europe a year earlier
+    to seek help for her husband from the French Emperor. In
+    consequence of the shock caused by the failure of her mission,
+    her health entirely gave way.]
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: THE INDIAN MUTINY]
+
+
+_Viscount Palmerston to Queen Victoria._
+
+PICCADILLY, _26th June 1857_.
+
+... Viscount Palmerston is sorry to have received the accompanying
+account of the extension of the Mutiny among the native troops in
+India, but he has no fear of its results.[20] The bulk of the European
+force is stationed on the North-West Frontier, and is, therefore,
+within comparatively easy reach of Delhi, and about six thousand
+European troops will have returned to Bombay from Persia. It will,
+however, seem to be advisable to send off at once the force amounting
+to nearly eight thousand men, now under orders for embarkation for
+India; and when the despatches arrive, which will be about the middle
+of next week, it will be seen whether any further reinforcements will
+be required.
+
+The extent of the Mutiny appears to indicate some deeper cause than
+that which was ascribed to the first insubordination. That cause may
+be, as some allege, the apprehension of the Hindoo priests that their
+religion is in danger by the progress of civilisation in India, or it
+may be some hostile foreign agency.
+
+    [Footnote 20: Alarming accounts of disturbances in India had
+    been received for some weeks past, but Lord Palmerston
+    failed to grasp the gravity of the situation. Even after
+    the intelligence reached England of the mutiny of the native
+    regiments at Meerut, on the 10th of May, and of the horrible
+    massacres of women and children, the Ministry did not fully
+    realise the peril threatening our Indian possessions.]
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: THE VICTORIA CROSS]
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to Lord Panmure._
+
+[_Undated,_ ? _June 1857._]
+
+The Queen thinks that the persons decorated with the Victoria Cross
+might very properly be allowed to bear some distinctive mark after
+their name.[21] The warrant instituting the decoration does not style
+it "an Order," but merely "a Naval and Military Decoration" and
+a distinction; nor is it properly speaking an order, being not
+_constituted_. V.C. would not do. K.G. means a _Knight_ of the Garter,
+C.B. a _Companion_ of the Bath, M.P. a _Member_ of Parliament, M.D. a
+_Doctor_ of Medicine, etc., etc., in all cases designating a
+person. No one could be called a Victoria Cross. V.C. moreover means
+Vice-Chancellor at present. D.V.C. (decorated with the Victoria Cross)
+or B.V.C. (Bearer of the Victoria Cross) might do. The Queen thinks
+the last the best.
+
+    [Footnote 21: The Victoria Cross had just been instituted by
+    Royal Warrant, and the Queen had, with her own hand, decorated
+    those who had won the distinction, in Hyde Park, on the 26th
+    of June.]
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: REINFORCEMENTS FOR INDIA]
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to Lord Panmure._
+
+BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _29th June 1857_.
+
+The Queen has to acknowledge the receipt of Lord Panmure's letter of
+yesterday. She had long been of opinion that reinforcements waiting
+to go to India ought not to be delayed. The moment is certainly a very
+critical one, and the additional reinforcements now proposed will be
+much wanted. The Queen entirely agrees with Lord Panmure that it will
+be good policy to oblige the East India Company to keep permanently a
+larger portion of the Royal Army in India than heretofore. The Empire
+has nearly doubled itself within the last twenty years, and the
+Queen's troops have been kept at the old establishment. They are the
+body on whom the maintenance of that Empire depends, and the Company
+ought not to sacrifice the highest interests to love of patronage.
+The Queen hopes that the new reinforcements will be sent out in their
+Brigade organisation, and not as detached regiments; good Commanding
+Officers knowing their troops will be of the highest importance next
+to the troops themselves.
+
+The Queen must ask that the troops by whom we shall be diminished at
+home by the transfer of so many regiments to the Company should be
+forthwith replaced by an increase of the establishment up to the
+number voted by Parliament, and for which the estimates have been
+taken, else we denude ourselves altogether to a degree dangerous to
+our own safety at home, and incapable of meeting a sudden emergency,
+which, as the present example shows, may come upon us at any moment.
+If we had not reduced in such a hurry this spring, we should now have
+all the men wanted!
+
+The Queen wishes Lord Panmure to communicate this letter to Lord
+Palmerston. The accounts in to-day's papers from India are most
+distressing.
+
+
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to Lord Panmure._
+
+BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _3rd July 1857_.
+
+The Queen has received Lord Panmure's letter of yesterday. She has
+sanctioned the going of four Regiments to the East Indies. With regard
+to the reduction of the garrison of Malta to four Regiments, she hopes
+the Government will well consider whether this will not reduce this
+valuable and exposed spot to a state of insecurity.
+
+The Queen is sorry to find Lord Panmure still objecting to a proper
+Brigade system, without which no army in the world can be efficient.
+We want General Officers, and cannot train them unless we employ them
+on military duty, not on clerks' duty in district or colony, but in
+the command of troops. The detachment of Regiments is no reason for
+having no system, and the country will not pay for General Officers
+whose employment is not part of a system; our Army is then deprived
+of its efficiency by the refusal to adopt a system on the part of the
+Government.
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: DELHI]
+
+[Pageheading: GRAVE ANXIETY]
+
+
+_Viscount Canning to Queen Victoria._
+
+CALCUTTA, _4th July 1857_.
+
+Lord Canning presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and although
+unable to give to your Majesty the complete details of the capture
+of Delhi, and of the defeat of the rebels in that city,[22] as he has
+long desired to do, he can at least announce to your Majesty that the
+city is in the possession of the British troops, under Major-General
+Sir Henry Barnard; and that nothing remains in the hands of the
+insurgents except the Palace or Fort, in which they have all taken
+refuge. This was the state of things on the 13th and 14th of June,
+the latest day of which any certain accounts have been received from
+Delhi; but nothing was likely to interfere with the completion of the
+capture within forty-eight hours.
+
+This event has been long and anxiously awaited, and the time which has
+elapsed has cost England and India very dear. Many precious lives have
+been lost, and much heartrending suffering has been endured, for which
+there can be no compensation. The reputation of England's power, too,
+has had a rude shake; and nothing but a long-continued manifestation
+of her might before the eyes of the whole Indian Empire, evinced by
+the presence of such an English force as shall make the thought of
+oppositon hopeless, will re-establish confidence in her strength.
+
+Lord Canning much fears that there are parts of India where, until
+this is done, a complete return to peace and order will not be
+effected. Wherever the little band of English soldiers--little
+when compared with the stretch of country over which they have to
+operate--which Lord Canning has at his disposal has shown itself, the
+effect has been instantaneous.
+
+Except at Delhi, there has scarcely been an attempt at resistance to
+an European soldier, and the march of the smallest detachments has
+preserved order right and left of the roads. The same has been the
+case in large cities, such as Benares, Patna, and others; all going to
+prove that little more than the presence of English troops is needed
+to ensure peace. On the other hand, where such troops are known not to
+be within reach, anarchy and violence, when once let loose, continue
+unrestrained; and, until further additions are made to the English
+regiments in the disturbed districts, this state of things will not
+only continue, but extend itself. The fall of Delhi will act to
+some degree as a check; but where rapine and outrage have raged
+uncontrolled, even for a few hours, it is to be feared that nothing
+but the actual presence of force will bring the country into order.
+
+Lord Canning rejoices to say that to-day the first Regiment of your
+Majesty's Forces destined for China has entered the Hooghly. Lord
+Canning did not scruple, knowing how much was at stake, earnestly to
+press Lord Elgin to allow those forces to be turned aside to India
+before proceeding to the support of your Majesty's Plenipotentiary
+in China;[23] and to this, so far as regards the first two Regiments,
+Lord Elgin readily assented. From what Lord Canning has ventured to
+state above, your Majesty will easily understand the satisfaction with
+which each new arrival of an English transport in Calcutta is regarded
+by him.
+
+As yet no military operations south of Delhi have been undertaken.
+Next week, however, a column composed of your Majesty's 64th and
+78th (Highland) Regiments will reach Cawnpore[24] and Lucknow, in the
+neighbourhood of which it is probable that an opportunity will offer
+of striking a decisive blow at the band of rebels which, after that
+in Delhi, is the strongest and most compact. But Lord Canning greatly
+doubts whether they will await the onset. Unfortunately, they may run
+away from the English troops, and yet prove very formidable to any who
+are weaker than themselves--whether Indians or unarmed Europeans.
+
+Your Majesty is aware that in the critical condition of affairs which
+now exists, Lord Canning has felt himself compelled to adopt the
+measure of placing the King of Oudh in confinement in Fort William,
+in consequence of the use made of his name by those who have been busy
+tampering with the Sepoys; and of the intrigues which there is good
+reason to believe that the Minister of the King, who is also in the
+Fort, has carried on in his master's name.[25] The King has been, and
+will continue to be, treated with every mark of respect and indulgence
+which is compatible with his position, so long as it may be necessary
+that he should be retained in the Fort.
+
+Lord Canning earnestly hopes that your Majesty and the Prince are in
+the enjoyment of good health, and prays your Majesty to be graciously
+pleased to accept the expression of his sincere devotion and dutiful
+attachment.
+
+    [Footnote 22: After the outbreak at Meerut in May, the
+    fugitive Sepoys fled to Delhi, and endeavoured to capture the
+    magazine, which, however, was exploded by British soldiers.
+    Delhi was not captured until September (see _post_, 25th
+    September, 1857). On the 11th of July, the Government received
+    intelligence of the spread of the Mutiny throughout Bengal,
+    and the resulting diminution of the Indian Army.]
+
+    [Footnote 23: For Sir George Grey's action at Cape Town, in
+    reference to the troops destined for China, see his Memoir, in
+    the _Dictionary of National Biography_.]
+
+    [Footnote 24: On the 4th of June, two native regiments had
+    mutinied at Cawnpore, and the English residents, under General
+    Sir Hugh Wheeler, were besieged. After many deaths and much
+    privation, the garrison were induced by the perfidy of Nana
+    Sahib, who had caused the Cawnpore rising, to surrender, on
+    condition of their lives being spared. On the 27th of June,
+    not suspecting their impending fate, the enfeebled garrison,
+    or what was left of it, gave themselves up. The men were
+    killed, the women and children being first enslaved and
+    afterwards massacred. On the 16th of July, General Havelock
+    defeated Nana Sahib at Cawnpore, the city was occupied by
+    the English, and a sanguinary, but well-merited, retribution
+    exacted.]
+
+    [Footnote 25: The ex-King had been living under the protection
+    of the Indian Government. The arrest took place early in June
+    at his residence at Garden Beach.]
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: DEBATE ON INDIAN AFFAIRS]
+
+
+
+
+_Viscount Palmerston to Queen Victoria._
+
+PICCADILLY, _27th July 1857_.
+
+Viscount Palmerston presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and begs
+to state that Mr Disraeli this afternoon, in a speech of three hours,
+made his Motion on the state of India. His Motion was ostensibly for
+two papers, one of which does not exist, at least in the possession of
+the Government, and the other of which ought not to be made public,
+as it relates to the arrangements for defending India against external
+attack. He represented the disturbances in India as a national revolt,
+and not as a mere military mutiny; and he enumerated various causes
+which in his opinion accounted, for and justified this general revolt.
+Some of these causes were various measures of improved civilisation
+which from time to time during the last ten years the Indian
+Government had been urged by Parliament to take. Mr Vernon Smith
+followed, and in a very able speech answered in great detail Mr
+Disraeli's allegations. Sir Erskine Perry,[26] who evidently had
+furnished Mr Disraeli with much of his mistaken assertions, supported
+his views. Mr Campbell, Member for Weymouth, who had been many years
+in India, showed the fallacy of Mr Disraeli's arguments, and the
+groundlessness of many of his assertions. Mr Whiteside supported
+the Motion. Lord John Russell, who had after Mr Disraeli's speech
+communicated with the Government, expressed his disapprobation of
+Mr Disraeli's speech, and moved as an Amendment an Address to your
+Majesty expressing the assurance of the support of the House for
+measures to suppress the present disturbances, and their co-operation
+with your Majesty in measures for the permanent establishment of
+tranquillity and contentment in India.[27] Mr Mangles, the Chairman
+of the Directors, replied at much length, and very conclusively to Mr
+Disraeli's speech. Mr Liddell, with much simplicity, asked the Speaker
+to tell him how he should vote, but approved entirely of Lord John
+Russell's address. Mr Ayrton moved an adjournment of the Debate, which
+was negatived by 203 to 79. Mr Hadfield then shortly stated in his
+provincial dialect that "we can never keep our 'old upon Hindia by
+the Force of Harms." Mr Disraeli then made an animated reply to the
+speeches against him, but in a manner almost too animated for the
+occasion. Mr Thomas Baring set Mr Disraeli right, but in rather strong
+terms, about some proceedings of the Committee on Indian Affairs
+in 1853, with regard to which Mr Disraeli's memory had proved
+untrustworthy. Viscount Palmerston shortly made some observations on
+the Motion and the speech which had introduced it; and the Motion was
+then negatived without a division, and the Address was unanimously
+carried.
+
+    [Footnote 26: Chief Justice of Bombay 1847-1852, and M.P. for
+    Devonport 1854-1859.]
+
+    [Footnote 27: "One of those dry constitutional platitudes,"
+    said Mr Disraeli in reply, "which in a moment of difficulty
+    the noble lord pulls out of the dusty pigeon-holes of his
+    mind, and shakes in the perplexed face of the baffled House
+    of Commons." Mr Disraeli was admittedly much annoyed by the
+    statesmanlike intervention of Lord John.]
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: MARRIAGE OF PRINCESS CHARLOTTE]
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._
+
+OSBORNE, _27th July 1857_.
+
+MY DEAREST UNCLE,--At _this_ very _moment_ the marriage[28] is going
+on--the _Knot_ is being tied which binds your lovely sweet child to a
+thoroughly worthy husband--and I am sure you will be much moved. May
+every blessing attend her! I wish _I_ could be present--but my dearest
+_Half_ being there makes me feel as I were there myself. I try to
+picture to myself how _all_ will be. I could not give you a greater
+proof of my love for you all, and my anxiety to give you and dearest
+Charlotte pleasure, than in urging my dearest Albert to go over--for I
+encouraged and _urged_ him to go though you cannot think _combien
+cela me coute_ or how completely _deroutee_ I am and _feel_ when he
+is away, or how I count the hours till he returns. _All_ the numerous
+children are as _nothing_ to me when _he is away_; it seems as if the
+whole life of the house and home were gone, when he is away!
+
+We do all we can to _feter_ in our very _quiet_ way this dear day.
+We are all out of mourning; the younger children are to have a
+half-holiday, Alice is to _dine_ for the first time in the evening
+with us; we shall drink _the Archduke and Archduchess's_ healths; and
+I have ordered _wine_ for our servants, and _grog_ for our sailors to
+do the same.
+
+Vicky (who is painting in the Alcove near me) wishes me to say
+everything to you and the _dear young couple_, and pray tell dear
+Charlotte _all_ that we have been doing....
+
+Here we are in anxious (and I fear many people in very _cruel_)
+suspense, for news from India. They _ought_ to have arrived the day
+before yesterday.
+
+On Thursday, then, we are to have Prince Napoleon, and on the
+following Thursday the Emperor and Empress; and after them for _one_
+night, the Queen of Holland,[29] whose activity is astounding--and she
+sees everything and everybody and goes everywhere; she is certainly
+clever and amiable....
+
+Now, with our children's affectionate love, ever your devoted Niece,
+
+VICTORIA R.
+
+Pray offer my kind regards to _all_ your visitors, even to those whom
+I do _not_ know. I only hope my dearest husband will tell me _all_
+about everything. Vicky is constantly talking and thinking of
+Charlotte.
+
+    [Footnote 28: Of the Princess Charlotte to the Archduke
+    Ferdinand Maximilian at Brussels.]
+
+    [Footnote 29: Sophia Frederica, born 1818, daughter of King
+    William I. of Wuertemberg.]
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: THE MILITIA]
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to Viscount Palmerston._
+
+OSBORNE, _2nd August 1857_.
+
+The Queen has to thank Lord Palmerston for his letter of the 27th
+July.
+
+The embodying of the Militia will be a most necessary measure, as
+well for the defence of our own country, and for keeping up on the
+Continent of Europe the knowledge that we are not in a defenceless
+state, as for the purpose of obtaining a sufficient number of
+volunteers for the Army.
+
+The Queen hopes, therefore, that the Militia to be embodied will be
+on a proper and sufficient scale. She must say, that the last accounts
+from India show so formidable a state of things that the military
+measures hitherto taken by the Home Government, on whom the salvation
+of India must mainly depend, appear to the Queen as by no means
+adequate to the emergency. We have nearly gone to the full extent of
+our available means, just as we did in the Crimean War, and may be
+able to obtain successes; but we have not laid in a store of troops,
+nor formed Reserves which could carry us over a long struggle, or meet
+unforeseen new calls. Herein we are always most shortsighted, and have
+finally to suffer either in power and reputation, or to pay enormous
+sums for small advantages in the end--generally both.
+
+The Queen hopes that the Cabinet will look the question boldly in the
+face; nothing could be better than the Resolutions passed in the House
+of Commons, insuring to the Government every possible support in the
+adoption of vigorous measures. It is generally the Government, and not
+the House of Commons, who hang back. The Queen wishes Lord Palmerston
+to communicate this letter to his Colleagues.
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: THE NAVY]
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to Viscount Palmerston._
+
+OSBORNE, _4th August 1857_.
+
+The defenceless state of our shores, now that the Army has been
+reduced to eighteen effective Battalions, and the evident inclinations
+of the Continental Powers, chiefly France and Russia, to dictate to us
+with regard to the Oriental Question, makes the Queen naturally turn
+her attention to the state of our naval preparations and force.
+
+To render it possible to salute the Emperor[30] when he comes here,
+the old _St Vincent_ has been brought out of the harbour, but has been
+manned chiefly by the men of the _Excellent_ gunnery ship; and we
+have been warned by the Admiralty not to visit the _Excellent_ in
+consequence. This does not show a very brilliant condition! But what
+is still more worthy of consideration is, that our new fleet, which
+had been completed at the end of the Russian War, was _a steam_ fleet;
+when it was broken up at the Peace the dockyard expenses were also
+cut down, and men discharged at the very moment when totally new and
+extensive arrangements became necessary to repair and keep in a state
+of efficiency the valuable steam machinery, and to house our gunboat
+flotilla on shore. To render any of these steamships fit for sea,
+now that they are dismantled, with our _small_ means as to basins and
+docks, must necessarily cost much time.
+
+The Queen wishes accordingly to have a report sent to her as to the
+force of screw-ships of the Line and of other classes which can be got
+ready at the different dockyards, and the time required to get them to
+sea for actual service; and also the time required to launch and get
+ready the gunboats. She does not wish for a mere general answer from
+the Lords of the Admiralty, but for detailed reports from the Admirals
+commanding at the different ports, and particularly the Captains in
+command of the Steam Reserve. She would only add that she wishes no
+unnecessary time to be lost in the preparation of these reports. She
+requests Lord Palmerston to have these, her wishes, carried out.
+
+    [Footnote 30: The Emperor and Empress of the French arrived
+    at Osborne on the 6th of August on a visit to the Queen
+    and Prince, lasting for four days, during which time much
+    discussion took place between the Prince and Emperor on
+    affairs in Eastern Europe.]
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: DEATH OF SIR HENRY LAWRENCE]
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to Viscount Palmerston._
+
+OSBORNE, _22nd August 1857_.
+
+The Queen is afraid from the telegram of this morning that affairs in
+India have not yet taken a favourable turn. Delhi seems still to hold
+out, and the death of Sir H. Lawrence[31] is a great loss. The Queen
+must repeat to Lord Palmerston that the measures hitherto taken by the
+Government are not commensurate with the magnitude of the crisis.
+
+We have given nearly all we have in reinforcements, and if new efforts
+should become necessary, by the joining of the Madras and Bombay
+Armies in the Revolt, for instance, it will take months to prepare
+Reserves which ought now to be ready. Ten Battalions of Militia to
+be called out is quite inadequate; forty, at least, ought to be the
+number, for these also exist only on paper. The augmentation of the
+Cavalry and the Guards has not yet been ordered.
+
+Financial difficulties don't exist; the 14,000 men sent to India are
+taken over by the Indian Government, and their expense saved to
+us; and this appears hardly the moment to make savings on the Army
+estimates.
+
+    [Footnote 31: On the previous day, the Queen and Prince had
+    returned from a visit to Cherbourg, and found very disquieting
+    news from India. Sir Henry Lawrence was the Military
+    Administrator and Chief Commissioner of Oudh; on the 30th of
+    May, the 71st N.I. mutinied at Lucknow, but Sir Henry drove
+    them from their position and fortified the Residency. Some
+    weeks later, on sallying out to reconnoitre, the English were
+    driven back and besieged in the Residency; Sir Henry dying
+    from the effects of a wound caused by a shell.]
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: RECRUITING]
+
+
+_Viscount Palmerston to Queen Victoria._
+
+DOWNING STREET, _22nd August 1857_.
+
+Viscount Palmerston presents his humble duty to your Majesty....
+Viscount Palmerston has had the honour of receiving your Majesty's
+communication of this morning. It is, no doubt, true that the
+telegraphic account received yesterday evening does not show, that at
+the dates mentioned from India, any improvement had taken place in the
+state of affairs, and the loss of Sir Henry Lawrence and of General
+Barnard,[32] but especially of the former, is deeply to be lamented.
+
+With regard, however, to the measures now taking to raise a force to
+supply the place of the troops sent to India, and to enlist recruits
+to fill up vacancies in the Regiments in India, Viscount Palmerston
+would beg to submit that the steps now taking seem to be well
+calculated for their purpose. The recruiting for the Army has gone on
+more rapidly than could have been expected at this particular time of
+year, and in a fortnight or three weeks from this time will proceed
+still more rapidly; the ten thousand Militia to be immediately
+embodied will be as much as could probably be got together at the
+present moment without much local inconvenience; but if that number
+should be found insufficient, it would be easy afterwards to embody
+more. But, if the recruiting should go on successfully, that number
+of Militiamen in addition to the Regulars may be found sufficient.
+Viscount Palmerston begs to assure your Majesty that there is no wish
+to make savings on the amount voted for Army Services, but, on the
+other hand, it would be very inconvenient and embarrassing to exceed
+that amount without some urgent and adequate necessity....
+
+    [Footnote 32: He died of cholera at Delhi, on the 5th of
+    July.]
+
+
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to Viscount Palmerston._
+
+OSBORNE, _22nd August 1857_.
+
+In answer to Lord Palmerston's observations on our Military
+preparations, the Queen must reply that, although Lord Palmerston
+disclaims, on the part of the Government, the intention of making a
+saving on the Army estimates out of the fearful exigencies caused by
+the Indian Revolt, the facts still remain. The Government have sent
+fourteen Battalions out of the country and transferred them to the
+East India Company, and they mean to replace them only by ten new
+ones, whose organisation has been ordered; but even in these, they
+mean for the present to save four Companies out of every twelve. The
+Queen, the House of Lords, the House of Commons, and the Press, all
+call out for vigorous exertion, and the Government alone take an
+apologetic line, anxious to do as little as possible, to wait for
+further news, to reduce as low as possible even what they do grant,
+and reason as if we had at most _only_ to replace what was sent out;
+whilst if new demands should come upon us, the Reserves which ought
+now to be decided upon and organised, are only then to be discussed.
+The Queen can the less reconcile herself to the system, of "letting
+out a little sail at a time," as Lord Palmerston called it the other
+day, as she feels convinced that, if vigour and determination to
+get what will be eventually wanted is shown by the Cabinet, it will
+pervade the whole Government machinery and attain its object; but that
+if, on the other hand, people don't see what the Government really
+require, and find them satisfied with a little at a time, even that
+little will not be got, as the subordinates naturally take the tone
+from their superiors. Ten Militia Regiments would not even represent
+the 10,000 men whom Parliament has voted the supplies for. A Battalion
+will probably not reach 600 for a time, and from these we hope to draw
+volunteers again!
+
+The Queen hopes the Cabinet will yet look the whole question in the
+face, and decide while there is time what they must know will become
+necessary, and what must in the hurry at the end be done less well
+and at, probably, double the cost. The Queen can speak by very recent
+experience, having seen exactly the same course followed in the late
+War.
+
+
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to Viscount Palmerston._
+
+OSBORNE, _23rd August 1857_.
+
+The Queen approves of Lord Fife[33] and Lord R. Grosvenor being
+made Peers, and of an offer being made to Mr Macaulay, although she
+believes he will decline the honour....
+
+    [Footnote 33: James, fifth Viscount Macduff and Earl of Fife
+    in the peerage of Ireland, was, on the 1st of October, created
+    a Baron of the United Kingdom; he was the father of the
+    present Duke of Fife. Lord Robert Grosvenor became Lord
+    Ebury, and Mr Macaulay Lord Macaulay of Rothley Temple (his
+    birthplace), in the county of Leicester.]
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: THE ARMY RESERVES]
+
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to Viscount Palmerston._
+
+OSBORNE, _25th August 1857_.
+
+The Queen has received Lord Palmerston's letter of yesterday, and must
+say that she is deeply grieved at her want of success in impressing
+upon him the importance of meeting the present dangers by agreeing on,
+and maturing a general plan by which to replace _in kind_ the troops
+sent out of the country, and for which the money _has_ been voted by
+Parliament.[34] To the formation of the full number of Battalions, and
+their full strength in Companies, Lord Palmerston objects that the men
+will not be found to fill them, and therefore it is left undone; to
+the calling-out of more Militia, he objects that they ought not to be
+used as Recruiting Depots, and if many were called out the speed with
+which the recruiting for the Army went on, would oblige them to be
+disbanded again. The War Office pride themselves upon having got 1,000
+men since the recruiting began; this is equal to 1,000 a month or
+12,000 a year, the ordinary wear and tear of the Army!! Where will the
+Reserves for India be to be found? It does not suffice merely to get
+_recruits_, as Lord Palmerston says; they will not become _soldiers_
+for six months when got, and in the meantime a sufficient number of
+Militia Regiments ought to be drilled, and made efficient to relieve
+the Line Regiments already sent, or yet to be sent, for these also are
+at present necessarily good for nothing.
+
+The Queen must say that the Government incur a fearful responsibility
+towards their country by their apparent indifference. God grant that
+no unforeseen European complication fall upon this country--but we are
+really tempting Providence.
+
+The Queen hopes Lord Palmerston has communicated to the Cabinet her
+views on the subject.
+
+    [Footnote 34: After referring to the necessity for supplying
+    by fresh drafts the gaps created in the regiments in India,
+    Lord Palmerston had written:--
+
+    "If the Militia officers were to find that they were
+    considered merely as drill sergeants for the Line, they would
+    grow careless and indifferent, and many whom it is desirable
+    to keep in the Service would leave it.
+
+    "With regard to the number of Militiamen to be embodied, the
+    question seems to be, What is the number which will be wanted
+    for the whole period to the 31st of March, because it would be
+    undesirable to call out and embody now Militia Regiments which
+    would become unnecessary during the winter by the progress of
+    recruiting, and which, from there being no funds applicable to
+    their maintenance, it would become necessary to disembody. The
+    men would be now taken from industrial employment at a time
+    when labour is wanted, and would be turned adrift in the
+    winter when there is less demand for labour.
+
+    "With respect to recruiting for the Army, every practicable
+    means has been adopted to hasten its success. Recruiting
+    parties have been scattered over the whole of the United
+    Kingdom, and the permanent staff of the disembodied Militia
+    have been furnished with Beating Warrants enabling them to
+    enlist recruits for the Line; and the recruiting has been
+    hitherto very successful. The only thing to be done is to
+    raise men as fast as possible, and to post them as they are
+    raised to the Regiments and Battalions for which they engage.
+    The standard, moreover, has been lowered...."]
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: LORD LANSDOWNE]
+
+
+_Viscount Palmerston to Queen Victoria._
+
+PICCADILLY, _31st August 1857_.
+
+... Viscount Palmerston would beg to submit for your Majesty's
+consideration whether he might be authorised by your Majesty to offer
+to Lord Lansdowne promotion to the title of Duke. Your Majesty may
+possibly not have in the course of your Majesty's reign, long as it is
+to be hoped that reign will be, any subject whose private and public
+character will during so long a course of years as those which have
+been the period of Lord Lansdowne's career, have more entitled him
+to the esteem and respect of his fellow-countrymen, and to the
+approbation of his Sovereign.
+
+Lord Lansdowne has now for several years given your Majesty's
+Government the great and valuable support of his advice in council,
+his assistance in debate, and the weight of his character in the
+country, without any office. His health and strength, Viscount
+Palmerston cannot disguise from himself, have not been this year such
+as they had been; and if your Majesty should contemplate marking at
+any time your Majesty's sense of Lord Lansdowne's public services,
+there could not be a better moment for doing so than the present; and
+Viscount Palmerston has reason to believe that such an act of grace
+would be very gratifying to the Liberal Party, and would be deemed
+well bestowed even by those who are of opposite politics.[35]
+
+Mr Macaulay accepts the Peerage with much gratitude to your Majesty.
+
+    [Footnote 35: Lord Lansdowne declined the honour.]
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: THE INDIAN MUTINY]
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._
+
+BALMORAL CASTLE, _2nd September 1857_.
+
+DEAREST UNCLE,--... We are in sad anxiety about India, which engrosses
+all our attention.[36] Troops cannot be raised fast or largely enough.
+And the horrors committed on the poor ladies--women and children--are
+unknown in these ages, and make one's blood run cold. Altogether, the
+whole is so much more distressing than the Crimea--where there was
+_glory_ and honourable warfare, and where the poor women and children
+were safe. Then the distance and the difficulty of communication is
+such an additional suffering to us all. I know you will feel much for
+us all. There is not a family hardly who is not in sorrow and anxiety
+about their children, and in all ranks--India being _the_ place where
+every one was anxious to place a son!
+
+We hear from _our_ people (not Fritz) from Berlin, that the King is in
+a very unsatisfactory state. _What_ have you heard?...
+
+Now, with Albert's love, ever your devoted Niece,
+
+VICTORIA R.
+
+    [Footnote 36: At Balmoral the Queen learned in greater detail
+    of the atrocities which had been committed upon the garrison
+    at Cawnpore.]
+
+
+
+
+_Viscount Palmerston to Queen Victoria._
+
+BROCKET, _10th September 1857_.
+
+Viscount Palmerston presents his humble duty to your Majesty and begs
+to submit that an impression is beginning to prevail that it would be
+a proper thing that a day should be set apart for National Prayer and
+Humiliation with reference to the present calamitous state of affairs
+in India, upon the same principle on which a similar step was taken
+during the Crimean War; and if your Majesty should approve, Viscount
+Palmerston would communicate on the subject with the Archbishop of
+Canterbury.... It is usual on such occasions that the Archbishop of
+Canterbury should attend,[37] but in consideration of the distance his
+attendance might well be dispensed with on the present occasion.
+
+    [Footnote 37: _I.e._ at the meeting of the Council which was
+    to be summoned.]
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: A DAY OF INTERCESSION]
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to Viscount Palmerston._
+
+BALMORAL, _11th September 1857_.
+
+Lord Palmerston knows what the Queen's feelings are with regard to
+Fast-days, which she thinks do not produce the desired effect--from
+the manner in which they are appointed, and the selections made for
+the Service--but she will not oppose the natural feeling which any
+one must partake in, of a desire to pray for our fellow-countrymen and
+women who are exposed to such imminent danger, and therefore sanctions
+his consulting the Archbishop on the subject. She would, however,
+suggest its being more appropriately called a day of prayer
+and intercession for our suffering countrymen, than of fast and
+humiliation, and of its being on a _Sunday_, and not on a week-day:
+on the last Fast-day, the Queen heard it generally remarked, that it
+produced more harm than good, and that, if it were on a Sunday, it
+would be much more generally observed. However, she will sanction
+whatever is proper, but thinks it ought to be as soon as possible[38]
+(in a fortnight or three weeks) if it is to be done at all.
+
+She will hold a Council whenever it is wished.[39]
+
+    [Footnote 38: It was kept on the 7th of October (a
+    Wednesday).]
+
+    [Footnote 39: Shortly after the date of this letter came the
+    intelligence from India that Delhi had not fallen, and that
+    the Lucknow garrison was not yet relieved. This news, coupled
+    with the tidings of fresh outbreaks, and the details of the
+    horrors of Cawnpore, generated deep feelings of resentment in
+    the country.]
+
+
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to the Earl of Clarendon._
+
+BALMORAL CASTLE, _23rd September 1857_.
+
+The Queen hopes that the arrival of troops and ships with Lord Elgin
+will be of material assistance, but still it does not alter the state
+of affairs described by the Queen in her letter, which she wrote to
+Lord Palmerston, and which she is glad to see Lord Clarendon agrees
+in. Though we might have perhaps wished the Maharajah[40] to express
+his feelings on the subject of the late atrocities in India, it was
+hardly to be expected that he (naturally of a negative, though gentle
+and very amiable disposition) should pronounce an opinion on so
+painful a subject, attached as he is to his country, and naturally
+_still_ possessing, with all his amiability and goodness, an _Eastern
+nature_; he can also hardly, a deposed Indian Sovereign, _not very_
+fond of the British rule as represented by the East India Company,
+and, above all, impatient of Sir John Login's[41] tutorship, be
+expected to _like_ to hear his country-people called _fiends_ and
+_monsters_, and to see them brought in hundreds, if not thousands, to
+be executed.
+
+His best course is to say nothing, she must think.
+
+It is a great mercy he, poor boy, is not there.
+
+    [Footnote 40: Lord Clarendon had written that he was "sorry to
+    learn that the Maharajah (Dhuleep Singh) had shown little or
+    no regret for the atrocities which have been committed, or
+    sympathy with the sufferers."]
+
+    [Footnote 41: Sir John Spencer Login, formerly surgeon at the
+    British Residency, Lucknow, guardian of the Maharajah Dhuleep
+    Singh, 1849-1858.]
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: LETTER FROM LORD CANNING]
+
+[Pageheading: SIR COLIN CAMPBELL]
+
+[Pageheading: INDIA]
+
+[Pageheading: THE POLICY OF CLEMENCY]
+
+
+_Viscount Canning to Queen Victoria._
+
+CALCUTTA, _25th September 1857_.
+
+Lord Canning presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and asks leave
+again to address your Majesty, although the desire which he has felt
+that his next letter should announce to your Majesty the fall of
+Delhi, and the first steps towards a restoration of your Majesty's
+Authority throughout the revolted Districts, cannot as yet be
+accomplished. But although it is not in Lord Canning's power to report
+any very marked success over the Rebels, he can confidently assure
+your Majesty that a change in the aspect of affairs is gradually
+taking place, which gives hope that the contest is drawing to a close,
+and the day of punishment at hand....
+
+Another ground for good hopes is the appearance of things at Lucknow.
+News just received from Sir James Outram announces that he has joined
+General Havelock's force at Cawnpore, and that the Troops crossed the
+Ganges into Oudh on the 19th, with hardly any opposition. The European
+force now advancing on Lucknow is about [....][42] strong, well
+provided with Artillery. The beleaguered Garrison was in good spirits
+on the 16th of September, and had provisions enough to last to the
+end of the month. They had lately inflicted severe losses on their
+assailants, and some of the latter had dispersed. The influential
+proprietors and chiefs of the country had begun to show symptoms of
+siding with us.
+
+This is a very different state of things from that which existed when
+General Havelock's force retired across the Ganges in July; and Lord
+Canning prays and believes that your Majesty will be spared the
+pain and horror of hearing that the atrocities of Cawnpore have been
+re-enacted upon the brave and enduring garrison of Lucknow. Every
+English soldier who could be made to reach Cawnpore has been pushed
+on to General Outram, even to the denuding of some points of danger
+in the intervening country, and General Outram's instructions are to
+consider the rescue of the garrison as the one paramount object to
+which everything else is to give way. The garrison (which, after all,
+is nothing more than the House of the Resident, with defences hastily
+thrown up) contains about three hundred and fifty European men, four
+hundred and fifty women and children, and one hundred and twenty sick,
+besides three hundred natives, hitherto faithful. The city, and even
+the province, may be abandoned and recovered again, but these lives
+must be saved now or never; and to escape the sorrow and humiliation
+of such barbarities as have already been endured elsewhere is worth
+any sacrifice. It is in consideration of the state of things at
+these two most critical points, Delhi and Lucknow, that Lord Canning
+ventures to ask your Majesty to look hopefully to the events of the
+next few weeks; notwithstanding that he is unable to announce any
+signal success....
+
+Sir Colin Campbell has been in a state of delight ever since his
+favourite 93rd landed five days ago.[43] He went to see them on board
+their transport before they disembarked, and when Lord Canning asked
+how he found them, replied that the only thing amiss was that they had
+become too fat on the voyage, and could not button their coats. But,
+indeed, all the troops of the China force have been landed in the
+highest possible condition of health and vigour. The 23rd, from its
+large proportion of young soldiers, is perhaps the one most likely
+to suffer from the climate and the hardships of the Service--for,
+although no care or cost will be spared to keep them in health and
+comfort, Lord Canning fears that hardships there must be, seeing how
+vast an extent of usually productive country will be barren for a
+time, and that the districts from which some of our most valuable
+supplies, especially the supply of carriage animals, are drawn,
+have been stripped bare, or are still in revolt. As it is, the
+Commander-in-Chief has most wisely reduced the amount of tent
+accommodation for officers and men far below the ordinary luxurious
+Indian allowance.
+
+The presence of the ships of the Royal Navy has been of the greatest
+service. At least eleven thousand seamen and marines have been
+contributed by them for duty on shore, and the broadsides of the
+_Sanspareil_, _Shannon_, and _Pearl_, as they lie along the esplanade,
+have had a very reassuring effect upon the inhabitants of Calcutta,
+who, until lately, have insisted pertinaciously that their lives and
+property were in hourly danger.[44]
+
+No line-of-battle ship has been seen in the Hooghly since Admiral
+Watson sailed up to Chandernagore just a hundred years ago;[45] and
+certainly nothing in his fleet was equal to the _Sanspareil_. The
+natives stare at her, and call her "the four-storied boat."
+
+For the future, if Delhi should fall and Lucknow be secured, the work
+of pacification will go forward steadily. Many points will have to be
+watched, and there may be occasional resistance; but nothing like
+an organised contest against authority is probable. The greatest
+difficulties will be in the civil work of re-settlement. The recent
+death of Mr Colvin,[46] the Lieutenant-Governor of the North-Western
+Provinces, has removed an officer whose experience would there have
+been most valuable. He has died, fairly exhausted; and is the fourth
+officer of high trust whose life has given way in the last four
+months.
+
+One of the greatest difficulties which lie ahead--and Lord Canning
+grieves to say so to your Majesty--will be the violent rancour of a
+very large proportion of the English community against every
+native Indian of every class. There is a rabid and indiscriminate
+vindictiveness abroad, even amongst many who ought to set a better
+example, which it is impossible to contemplate without something like
+a feeling of shame for one's fellow-countrymen. Not one man in
+ten seems to think that the hanging and shooting of forty or fifty
+thousand mutineers, besides other Rebels, can be otherwise than
+practicable and right; nor does it occur to those who talk and write
+most upon the matter that for the Sovereign of England to hold and
+govern India without employing, and, to a great degree, trusting
+natives, both in civil and military service, is simply impossible. It
+is no exaggeration to say that a vast number of the European community
+would hear with pleasure and approval that every Hindoo and Mohammedan
+had been proscribed, and that none would be admitted to serve the
+Government except in a menial office. That which they desire is to see
+a broad line of separation, and of declared distrust drawn between us
+Englishmen and every subject of your Majesty who is not a Christian,
+and who has a dark skin; and there are some who entirely refuse
+to believe in the fidelity or goodwill of any native towards any
+European; although many instances of the kindness and generosity
+of both Hindoos and Mohammedans have come upon record during these
+troubles.
+
+To those whose hearts have been torn by the foul barbarities inflicted
+upon those dear to them any degree of bitterness against the natives
+may be excused. No man will dare to judge them for it. But the cry is
+raised loudest by those who have been sitting quietly in their homes
+from the beginning and have suffered little from the convulsions
+around them unless it be in pocket. It is to be feared that this
+feeling of exasperation will be a great impediment in the way of
+restoring tranquillity and good order, even after signal retribution
+shall have been deliberately measured out to all chief offenders.[47]
+
+Lord Canning is ashamed of having trespassed upon your Majesty's
+indulgence at such length. He will only add that he has taken the
+liberty of sending to your Majesty by this mail a map which has just
+been finished, showing the distribution of the Army throughout India
+at the time of the outbreak of the Mutiny. It also shows the Regiments
+of the Bengal Army which have mutinied, and those which have been
+disarmed, the number of European troops arrived in Calcutta up to the
+19th of September, and whence they came; with some few other points of
+information.
+
+There may be some slight inaccuracies, as the first copies of the map
+have only just been struck off, and have not been corrected; but Lord
+Canning believes that it will be interesting to your Majesty at the
+present moment.
+
+Lord Canning begs to be allowed to express his earnest wishes for the
+health of your Majesty, and of His Royal Highness Prince Albert,
+and to offer to your Majesty the humble assurance of his sincere and
+dutiful devotion.
+
+    [Footnote 42: Word omitted in the original.]
+
+    [Footnote 43: At the battle of the Alma, Sir Colin Campbell,
+    in command of the 2nd or Highland Brigade of the 1st Division,
+    had, with his Highlanders in line, routed the last compact
+    column of the Russians. On the 11th of July 1857, he was
+    appointed Commander-in-Chief in India, and started literally
+    at one day's notice, reaching Calcutta on the 14th of August.]
+
+    [Footnote 44: The services of the Naval Brigade, at the relief
+    of Lucknow, were warmly recognised by Sir Colin Campbell, and
+    especially the gallantry of Captain Peel of the _Shannon_.]
+
+    [Footnote 45: In retribution for the atrocity of the Black
+    Hole of Calcutta, Watson, under instructions from Clive,
+    reduced Chandernagore on the 23rd of March 1757; the battle of
+    Plassey was fought on the 23rd of June.]
+
+    [Footnote 46: John Russell Colvin, formerly Private Secretary
+    to Lord Auckland, had been Lieutenant-Governor since 1853.]
+
+
+
+
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to the Earl of Clarendon._
+
+BALMORAL, _28th September 1857_.
+
+The Queen is much surprised at Lord Clarendon's observing that "from
+what he hears the Maharajah was either from nature or early education
+cruel."[48] He must have changed very suddenly if this be true, for
+if there was a thing for which he was remarkable, it was his extreme
+gentleness and kindness of disposition. We have known him for three
+years (our two boys intimately), and he always shuddered at hurting
+anything, and was peculiarly gentle and kind towards children and
+animals, and if anything rather timid; so that all who knew him said
+he never could have had a chance in his own country. His valet, who
+is a very respectable Englishman, and has been with him ever since
+his twelfth year, says that he never knew a kinder or more amiable
+disposition. The Queen fears that people who do not know him well have
+been led away by their present very natural feelings of hatred and
+distrust of all Indians to slander him. What he might turn out, if
+left in the hands of unscrupulous Indians in his own country, of
+course no one can foresee.
+
+    [Footnote 48: See _ante_, 23rd September, 1857, note 40.]
+
+
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to Viscount Palmerston._
+
+WINDSOR CASTLE, _17th October 1857_.
+
+The Queen has received yesterday evening the box with the Dockyard
+Returns. It will take her some time to peruse and study them; she
+wishes, however, to remark upon two points, and to have them pointed
+out also to Sir Charles Wood,[49] viz. first, that they are dated some
+as early as the 27th August, and none later than the 10th September,
+and that she received them, only on the _17th October_; and then
+that there is not one original Return amongst them, but they are all
+copies! When the Queen asks for Returns, to which she attaches great
+importance, she expects at least to see them in original.
+
+    [Footnote 49: First Lord of the Admiralty.]
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: MARRIAGE OF THE PRINCESS ROYAL]
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to the Earl of Clarendon._
+
+WINDSOR CASTLE, _25th October 1857_.
+
+The Queen returns these letters. It would be well if Lord Clarendon
+would tell Lord Bloomfield not to _entertain_ the _possibility_ of
+such a question as the Princess Royal's marriage taking place at
+Berlin.[50] The Queen _never_ could consent to it, both for public
+and private reasons, and the assumption of its being _too much_ for a
+Prince Royal of Prussia to _come_ over to marry _the Princess Royal
+of Great Britain_ IN England is too _absurd_, to say the least. The
+Queen must say that there never was even the _shadow_ of a _doubt_ on
+_Prince Frederick William's_ part as to _where_ the marriage should
+take place, and she suspects this to be the mere gossip of the
+Berliners. Whatever may be the usual practice of Prussian Princes, it
+is not _every_ day that one marries the eldest daughter of the Queen
+of England. The question therefore must be considered as settled and
+closed....
+
+    [Footnote 50: The marriage took place at the Chapel Royal, St
+    James's.]
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: DEATH OF THE DUCHESS DE NEMOURS]
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to the Earl of Clarendon._
+
+WINDSOR CASTLE, _12th November 1857_.
+
+The Queen thanks Lord Clarendon much for his kind and sympathising
+letter, and is much gratified at Count Persigny's kind note. He _is_
+a good, honest, warm-hearted man, for whom we have sincere esteem.
+The news from India was a great relief and a _ray_ of sunshine in our
+great affliction.[51] The Queen had the happiness of informing poor
+Sir George Couper of the relief of Lucknow, in which for four months
+his son, daughter-in-law, and grandchildren were shut up. The loss of
+two such distinguished officers as Generals Nicholson and Neill, and
+alas! of many inferior ones, is, however, very sad.
+
+We visited the house of mourning yesterday, and _no words can_
+describe the scene of woe.[52] There was the venerable Queen with
+the motherless children, admirable in her deep grief, and her pious
+resignation to the Will of God! yet even now the support, the comfort
+of all, thinking but of others and ready to devote her last remaining
+strength and her declining years to her children and grandchildren.
+There was the broken-hearted, almost distracted widower--_her
+son_--and lastly, there was in one room the lifeless, but oh! even in
+its ghostliness, most beautiful form of his young, lovely, and angelic
+wife, lying in her bed with her splendid hair covering her shoulders,
+and a heavenly expression of peace; and in the next room, the dear
+little pink infant sleeping in its cradle.
+
+The Queen leaves to Lord Clarendon's kind heart to imagine what this
+spectacle of woe must be, and how _deeply_ afflicted and impressed _we
+must be_--who have only so lately had a child born to us and have been
+so fortunate! The Prince has been _completely_ upset by this; and she
+was besides like a dear sister to us. God's will be done! But it
+seems _too_ dreadful almost to believe it--too hard to bear. The dear
+Duchess's death must have been caused by some affection of the heart,
+for she was perfectly well, having her hair combed, suddenly exclaimed
+to the Nurse, "Oh! mon Dieu, Madame"--her head fell on one side--and
+before the Duke could run upstairs her hand was cold! The Queen
+had visited her on Saturday--looking well--and _yesterday_ saw her
+lifeless form in the very same spot!
+
+If Lord Clarendon could give a slight hint to the _Times_ to say a few
+words of sympathy on the awful and unparalleled misfortune of these
+poor exiles, she is sure it would be very soothing to their bleeding
+hearts.... The sad event at Claremont took place just five days later
+than the death of poor Princess Charlotte under very similar
+circumstances forty years ago; and the poor Duchess was the niece of
+Princess Charlotte's husband.
+
+    [Footnote 51: Havelock, in consequence of the strength of the
+    rebels in Oudh, had been unable to march to the assistance of
+    Lucknow immediately after the relief of Cawnpore. He joined
+    hands with Outram on the 10th of September, and reinforced the
+    Lucknow garrison on the 25th.]
+
+    [Footnote 52: In a pathetic letter, just received, the Duc de
+    Nemours (second son of Louis Philippe) had announced the death
+    of his wife, Queen Victoria's beloved cousin and friend. She
+    was only thirty-five years of age, and had been married at
+    eighteen. She had seemed to make a good recovery after the
+    birth of a child on the 28th of October, but died quite
+    suddenly on the 10th of November, while at her toilette.]
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: CRISIS IN THE CITY]
+
+[Pageheading: SUSPENSION OF BANK CHARTER ACT]
+
+
+_Viscount Palmerston to Queen Victoria._
+
+DOWNING STREET, _12th November 1857_.
+
+Viscount Palmerston presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and begs
+to state that the condition of financial affairs became worse to-day
+than it was yesterday.[53] The Governor of the bank represented that
+almost all private firms have ceased to discount bills, and that the
+Reserve Fund of the Bank of England, out of which discounts are made
+and liabilities satisfied, had been reduced last night to L1,400,000,
+and that if that fund should become exhausted the bank would have
+to suspend its operations. Under these circumstances it appeared to
+Viscount Palmerston, and to the Chancellor of the Exchequer, that a
+case had arisen for doing the same thing which was done under somewhat
+similar circumstances in 1847--that is to say, that a letter should
+be written by the first Lord of the Treasury and the Chancellor of the
+Exchequer to the Governor of the Bank of England, saying that if under
+the pressure of the emergency the bank should deem it necessary to
+issue more notes than the amount to which they are at present confined
+by law, the Government would apply to Parliament to grant them an
+indemnity.
+
+This Measure, in 1847, had the effect of stopping the then existing
+panic, and the necessity for making such an issue did not arise; on
+the present occasion this announcement will, no doubt, have a salutary
+effect in allaying the present panic, but as the bank had to discount
+to-day bills to the amount of L2,000,000, which they could not have
+done out of a fund of L1,400,000, unless deposits and payments in,
+to a considerable amount, had been made, the probability is that
+the issue thus authorised will actually be made. The Governor and
+Deputy-Governor of the bank represented that the communication,
+in order to be effectual and to save from ruin firms which were in
+imminent danger, ought to be made forthwith, so that they might be
+enabled to announce it on the Stock Exchange before the closing of
+business at four o'clock. Viscount Palmerston and Sir George Lewis
+therefore signed at once, and gave to the Governor of the bank the
+letter of which the accompanying paper is a copy, the pressure of the
+matter not allowing time to take your Majesty's pleasure beforehand.
+
+The state of things now is more urgent than that which existed in
+1847, when the similar step was taken; at that time the Reserve Fund
+was about L1,900,000, last night it was only L1,400,000; at that time
+the bullion in the bank was above L8,000,000, it is now somewhat
+less than L8,000,000; at that time things were mending, they are now
+getting worse.
+
+But however necessary this Measure has been considered, and however
+useful it may be expected to be, it inevitably entails one very
+inconvenient consequence. The Government have authorised the bank to
+break the law, and whether the law shall actually be broken or not,
+it would be highly unconstitutional for the Government not to take
+the earliest opportunity of submitting the matter to the knowledge of
+Parliament. This course was pursued in 1847. The letter from Lord John
+Russell and Sir Charles Wood to the Governor of the bank was dated on
+the 25th October, Parliament then stood prorogued in the usual way
+to the 11th November, but a council was held on the 31st October, at
+which your Majesty summoned Parliament to meet for the despatch of
+business on the 18th November; and on that day the session was opened
+in the usual way by a Speech from the Throne. It would be impossible
+under present circumstances to put off till the beginning of February
+a communication to Parliament of the step taken to-day.
+
+Viscount Palmerston therefore would beg to submit for your Majesty's
+approval that a Council might be held at Windsor on Monday next, and
+that Parliament might then be summoned to meet in fourteen days. This
+would bring Parliament together in the first days of December, and
+after sitting ten days, or a fortnight, if necessary, it might be
+adjourned till the first week in February.[54]
+
+Viscount Palmerston submits an explanatory Memorandum which he has
+just received for your Majesty's information from the Chancellor of
+the Exchequer....
+
+    [Footnote 53: The financial crisis had originated in numerous
+    stoppages of banks in the United States, where premature
+    schemes of railway extension had involved countless investors
+    in ruin; in consequence, the pressure on firms and financial
+    houses became even more acute than in 1847; see _ante_, vol.
+    ii., 14th October, 1847. The bank rate now rose to 10 per cent.
+    as against 9 per cent. in that year, and the bank reserve of
+    bullion was alarmingly depleted.]
+
+    [Footnote 54: Parliament accordingly met on the 3rd of
+    December, and the Session was opened by the Queen in person.
+    The Act of Indemnity was passed without serious opposition,
+    and a select committee re-appointed to enquire into the
+    operation of the Bank Charter Act.]
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: ARMY ESTABLISHMENT]
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to Lord Panmure._
+
+OSBORNE, _18th December 1857_.
+
+The Queen has had some correspondence with Lord Panmure upon the
+Establishment of the Army for the next financial year.[55] She wishes
+now to lay down the principle which she thinks ought to guide our
+decision, and asks Lord Palmerston to consider it with his colleagues
+in Cabinet. Last year we reduced our Army suddenly to a low peace
+establishment to meet the demand for reduction of taxation raised in
+the House of Commons. With this peace establishment we had to meet the
+extraordinary demands of India, we have sent almost every available
+regiment, battalion, and battery, and are forced to contemplate the
+certainty of a large increase of our force in India as a permanent
+necessity. What the Queen requires is, that a well-considered and
+digested estimate should be made of the additional regiments, etc.,
+etc., so required, and that after deducting this number from our
+establishment of 1857-1858, that for the next year should be brought
+up again to the same condition as if the Indian demand, which is
+foreign to our ordinary consideration, had not arisen. If this be done
+it will still leave us militarily weaker than we were at the beginning
+of the year, for the larger English Army maintained in India will
+require proportionally more reliefs and larger depots.
+
+As the Indian finances pay for the troops employed in India, the Force
+at home and in the colonies will, when raised to its old strength,
+not cost a shilling more than the peace establishment of 1857 settled
+under a pressure of financial reduction.
+
+Anything less than this will not leave this country in a safe
+condition. The Queen does not ask only for the same number of men as
+in 1857-1858, but particularly for Regiments of Cavalry, Battalions
+of Infantry and Batteries of Artillery, which alone would enable us in
+case of a war to effect the increase to a war establishment.
+
+The Queen encloses her answer to Lord Panmure's last letter.
+
+    [Footnote 55: On the 14th of December, the Queen had pressed
+    the immediate formation of two new Cavalry Regiments.]
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: GOVERNMENT OF INDIA]
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to Viscount Palmerston._
+
+WINDSOR CASTLE, _24th December 1857_.
+
+The Queen only now returns to Lord Palmerston the Memorandum
+containing the Heads of an arrangement for the future Government of
+India, which the Committee of Cabinet have agreed to recommend. She
+will have an opportunity of seeing Lord Palmerston before the Cabinet
+meet again, and to hear a little more in detail the reasons which
+influenced the Committee in their several decisions. She wishes only
+to recommend two points to Lord Palmerston's consideration: 1st, the
+mode of communication between the Queen and the new Government which
+it is intended to establish. As long as the Government was that of the
+Company, the Sovereign was generally left quite ignorant of decisions
+and despatches; now that the Government is to be that of the
+Sovereign, and the direction will, she presumes, be given in her name,
+a direct official responsibility to her will have to be established.
+She doubts whether any one but a Secretary of State could speak in
+the Queen's name, like the Foreign Secretary to Foreign Courts, the
+Colonial Secretary to the Governors of the Colonies, and the Home
+Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland and the Lieutenants of
+the Counties of Great Britain, the Judges, Convocations, Mayors, etc.,
+etc. On the other hand, would the position of a Secretary of State
+be compatible with his being President of a Council? The Treasury
+and Admiralty act as "My Lords," but they only administer special
+departments, and do not direct the policy of a country in the Queen's
+name. The mixture of supreme direction, and also of the conduct of the
+administration of the department to be directed, has in practice
+been found as inconvenient in the War Department as it is wrong in
+principle.
+
+The other point is the importance of having only _one_ Army, whether
+native, local, or general, with one discipline and one command,
+that of the Commander-in-Chief. This is quite compatible with first
+appointments to the native Army, being vested as a point of patronage
+in the members of the Council, but it ought to be distinctly
+recognised in order to do away with those miserable jealousies between
+the different military services, which have done more harm to us in
+India than, perhaps, any other circumstance.
+
+Perhaps Lord Palmerston would circulate this letter amongst the
+members of the Committee who agreed upon the proposed scheme?
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: DEATH OF HAVELOCK]
+
+
+_Viscount Canning to Queen Victoria._
+
+GOVERNMENT HOUSE, CALCUTTA, _24th December 1857_.
+
+Lord Canning presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and begs
+permission to express to your Majesty at the earliest opportunity the
+respectful gratitude with which he has received your Majesty's most
+gracious letter of the 9th of November.
+
+However certain Lord Canning might have been as to the sentiments with
+which your Majesty would view the spirit of bitter and unreasoning
+vengeance against your Majesty's Indian subjects with which too many
+minds are imbued in England as well as in this country, it has been
+an indescribable pleasure to him to read what your Majesty has
+condescended to write to him upon this painful topic. Your Majesty's
+gracious kindness in the reference made by your Majesty to what is
+said by the newspapers is also deeply felt by Lord Canning. He can
+truly and conscientiously assure your Majesty of his indifference to
+all such attacks--an indifference so complete indeed as to surprise
+himself.
+
+Lord Canning fears that the satisfaction which your Majesty will have
+experienced very shortly after the date of your Majesty's letter, upon
+receiving the news of Sir Henry Havelock's entry into Lucknow, will
+have been painfully checked by the long and apparently blank interval
+which followed, and during which your Majesty's anxieties for the
+ultimate safety of the garrison, largely increased by many precious
+lives, must have become more intense than ever. Happily, this suspense
+is over; and the real rescue effected by a glorious combination of
+skill and intrepidity on the part of Sir Colin Campbell and his troops
+must have been truly gratifying to your Majesty.[56] The defence of
+Lucknow and the relief of the defenders are two exploits which,
+each in their kind, will stand out brightly in the history of these
+terrible times.
+
+... Lord Canning has not failed to transmit your Majesty's gracious
+message to Sir Colin Campbell, and has taken the liberty to add your
+Majesty's words respecting his favourite 93rd, which will not be
+less grateful to the brave old soldier than the expression of your
+Majesty's consideration for himself.
+
+Your Majesty has lost two most valuable officers in Sir Henry Havelock
+and Brigadier-General Neill. They were very different, however. The
+first was quite of the old school--severe and precise with his men,
+and very cautious in his movements and plans--but in action bold
+as well as skilful. The second very open and impetuous, but full of
+resources; and to his soldiers as kind and thoughtful of their comfort
+as if they had been his children.
+
+With earnest wishes for the health and happiness of your Majesty and
+the Prince, Lord Canning begs permission to lay at your Majesty's feet
+the assurance of his most dutiful and devoted attachment.
+
+    [Footnote 56: Sir Colin Campbell had relieved Lucknow on
+    the 17th of November, but Sir Henry Havelock (as he had now
+    become) died from illness and exhaustion. General Neill had
+    been killed on the occasion of the reinforcement in September,
+    _ante_, 12th November, 1857.]
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: ARMY ORGANISATION]
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to Lord Panmure._
+
+WINDSOR CASTLE, _29th December 1857_.
+
+The Queen has received Lord Panmure's letter and Memorandum of the
+24th. She must say that she still adheres to her views as formerly
+expressed. Lord Panmure admits that the two plans don't differ
+materially in expense. It becomes, then, a mere question of
+organisation and of policy. As to the first, all military authorities
+of all countries and times agree upon the point that numerous _cadres_
+with fewer men give the readiest means of increasing an army on short
+notice, the main point to be attended to in a constitutional and
+democratic country like England. As to the second, a system of
+organisation will always be easier defended than mere numbers
+arbitrarily fixed, and Parliament ought to have the possibility of
+voting more or voting fewer men, according to their views of the
+exigencies of the country, or the pressure of finance at different
+times, and to be able to do so without deranging the organisation.
+
+The Queen hopes Lord Panmure will look at our position, as if the
+Indian demands had not arisen, and he will find that to come to
+Parliament with the Cavalry borne on the estimates reduced by three
+regiments (as will be the case even after two shall have returned from
+India, and the two new ones shall have been formed), will certainly
+not prove _too little_ anxiety on the part of the Government to cut
+down our military establishments.
+
+
+
+
+INTRODUCTORY NOTE
+
+TO CHAPTER XXVII
+
+
+On the 25th of January of the new year (1858) Prince Frederick William
+of Prussia (afterwards the Emperor Frederick) was married, with
+brilliant ceremonial, to the Princess Royal, at the Chapel Royal, St
+James's, an event marked by general national rejoicings; another event
+in the private life of the Queen, but one of a melancholy character,
+was the death of the Duchess of Orleans at the age of forty-four.
+
+A determined attempt was made by Orsini, Pierri, and others, members
+of the Carbonari Society, to assassinate the Emperor and Empress of
+the French by throwing grenades filled with detonating powder under
+their carriage. The Emperor was only slightly hurt, but several
+bystanders were killed, and very many more wounded. The plot had been
+conceived, and the grenades manufactured in England, and a violently
+hostile feeling was engendered in France against this country, owing
+to the prescriptive right of asylum enjoyed by foreign refugees. The
+French _militaires_ were particularly vehement in their language,
+and Lord Palmerston so far bowed to the demands of the French Foreign
+Minister as to introduce a Bill to make the offence of conspiracy
+to murder, a felony instead of, as it had previously been, a
+misdemeanour. The Conservative Party supported the introduction of the
+Bill, but, on the second reading, joined with eighty-four Liberals
+and four Peelites in supporting an Amendment by Mr Milner Gibson,
+postponing the reform of the Criminal Law till the peremptory demands
+of Count Walewski had been formally answered. The Ministry was
+defeated and resigned, and Lord Derby and Mr Disraeli returned to
+Office. Orsini and Pierri were executed in Paris, but the state trial
+in London of a Dr Bernard, a resident of Bayswater, for complicity,
+ended, mainly owing to the menacing attitude of France over the
+whole question, in an acquittal. The Italian nationality of the chief
+conspirators endangered, but only temporarily, the important _entente_
+between France and Sardinia.
+
+Before the resignation of the Ministry, the thanks of both Houses of
+Parliament were voted to the civil and military officers of India for
+their exertions in suppressing the Mutiny; the Opposition endeavoured
+to obtain the omission of the name of Lord Canning from the address,
+till his conduct of affairs had been discussed. The difficulties in
+India were not at an end, for Sir Colin Campbell had been unable to
+hold Lucknow, and had transferred the rescued garrison to Cawnpore,
+which he re-occupied. It was not till the end of March that Lucknow
+was captured by the Commander-in-Chief, who was raised to the peerage
+as Lord Clyde, after the taking of Jhansi and of Gwalior in Central
+India, by Sir Hugh Rose, had virtually terminated the revolt.
+
+In anticipation of the capture of Lucknow, the Governor-General had
+prepared a proclamation for promulgation in Oudh, announcing that,
+except in the case of certain loyal Rajahs, proprietary rights in the
+soil of the province would be confiscated. One copy of the draft was
+sent home, and another shown to Sir James Outram, Chief Commissioner
+of Oudh, and, in consequence of the latter's protest against its
+severity, as making confiscation the rule and not the exception, an
+exemption was inserted in favour of such landowners as should actively
+co-operate in restoring order. On receiving the draft in its unaltered
+form, Lord Ellenborough, the new President of the Board of Control,
+forwarded a despatch to Lord Canning, strongly condemning his action,
+and, on the publication of this despatch, the Ministry narrowly
+escaped Parliamentary censure. Lord Ellenborough himself resigned,
+and was succeeded by Lord Stanley. Attempts had been made by both Lord
+Palmerston and Lord Derby to pass measures for the better government
+of India. After two Bills had been introduced and withdrawn, the
+procedure by resolution was resorted to, and a measure was ultimately
+passed transferring the Government of India to the Crown.
+
+The China War terminated on the 26th of June, by the treaty of
+Tien-tsin, which renewed the treaty of 1842, and further opened up
+China to British commerce. A dispute with Japan led to a treaty
+signed at Yeddo by Lord Elgin and the representatives of the Tycoon,
+enlarging British diplomatic and trade privileges in that country.
+
+The Budget of Mr Disraeli imposed for the first time a penny stamp on
+bankers' cheques; a compromise was arrived at on the Oaths question,
+the words "on the true faith of a Christian" having hitherto prevented
+Jews from sitting in Parliament. They were now enabled to take the
+oath with the omission of these words, and Baron Rothschild took his
+seat for the City of London accordingly.
+
+Among the other events of importance in the year were the satisfactory
+termination of a dispute with the Neapolitan Government arising out
+of the seizure of the _Cagliari_; a modified union, under a central
+Commission, of Moldavia and Wallachia; the despatch of Mr Gladstone
+by the Conservative Government as High Commissioner to the Ionian
+Islands; and the selection of Ottawa, formerly known as Bytown, for
+the capital of the Dominion of Canada.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXVII
+
+1858
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._
+
+WINDSOR CASTLE, _12th January 1858_.
+
+MY DEAREST UNCLE,--Accept my warmest thanks for your kind and
+affectionate letter of the 8th. I hope and trust to hear that your
+cold has left you, and that on Monday I shall have the immense
+happiness of embracing you.
+
+It is a time of immense bustle and agitation; I _feel_ it is terrible
+to give up one's poor child, and _feel_ very nervous for the coming
+time, and for the departure. But I am glad to see Vicky is quite well
+again and _unberufen_ has got over her cold and is very well. But
+she has had ever since January '57 a succession of emotions and
+leave-takings--most trying to any one, but particularly to so young
+a girl with such _very_ powerful feelings. She is so much improved
+in self-control and is so clever (I may say wonderfully so), and so
+sensible that we can talk to her of anything--and therefore shall miss
+her sadly. But we try _not_ to dwell on or to think of _that_, as I
+am sure it is much better _not_ to do so and not get ourselves _emus_
+beforehand, or she will break down as well as we, and that never would
+do.
+
+To-day arrive (on a visit _here_) _her_ Court--which is a very good
+thing, so that she will get acquainted with them....
+
+The affection for her, and the loyalty shown by the country at large
+on this occasion is _most_ truly gratifying--and for so young a child
+really _very, very_ pleasing to our feelings. The Nation look upon
+her, as Cobden said, as "_England's_ daughter," and as if they married
+a child of their own, which is _very_ satisfactory, and shows, in
+spite of a few newspaper follies and absurdities, how really _sound_
+and _monarchical_ everything is in this country. Now, with Albert's
+love, ever your devoted Niece,
+
+VICTORIA R.
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: MARRIAGE OF THE PRINCESS ROYAL]
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._
+
+BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _9th February 1858_.
+
+MY DEAREST UNCLE,--Accept my warmest thanks for your very kind and
+affectionate letter of the 4th, with such kind accounts of our dear
+child, who was so thankful for your kindness and affection, and of
+whose immense and universal success and admirable behaviour--natural
+yet dignified--we have the most charming accounts. I send you a letter
+from Augusta[1] (Mecklenburg), which will give you an idea of the
+impression produced, begging you to let me have it back soon. She is
+quite well and _not_ tired. But the separation was _awful_, and the
+poor child was _quite_ broken-hearted, particularly at parting from
+her dearest beloved papa, whom she _idolises_. _How_ we miss her, I
+can't say, and never having been separated from her since thirteen
+years above a fortnight, I am in a constant fidget and impatience to
+know everything about _every_thing. It is a _great, great_ trial for
+a _Mother_ who has watched over her child with such anxiety day after
+day, to see her far away--dependent on herself! But I have great
+confidence in her good sense, clever head, kind and good heart, in
+Fritz's excellent character and devotion to her, and in faithful E.
+Stockmar, who possesses her _entire_ confidence.
+
+The blank she has left behind is _very great_ indeed....
+
+To-morrow is the eighteenth anniversary of my blessed marriage, which
+has brought such universal blessings on this country and Europe! For
+_what_ has not my beloved and perfect Albert done? Raised monarchy to
+the _highest_ pinnacle of _respect_, and rendered it _popular_ beyond
+what it _ever_ was in this country!
+
+The Bill proposed by the Government to improve the law respecting
+conspiracy and assassination will pass, and Lord Derby has been most
+useful about it.[2] But people are very indignant here at the conduct
+of the French officers, and at the offensive insinuations against this
+country.[3]....
+
+Hoping to hear that you are quite well, and begging to thank Leopold
+very much for his very kind letter, believe me, your devoted Niece,
+
+VICTORIA R.
+
+    [Footnote 1: Elder daughter of Adolphus, Duke of Cambridge,
+    and now Grand Duchess-Dowager of Mecklenburg-Strelitz.]
+
+    [Footnote 2: Lord Derby and his party, however, changed their
+    attitude in the next few days, and succeeded in putting the
+    Government in a minority.]
+
+    [Footnote 3: On the 14th of January, the assassination of the
+    French Emperor, which had been planned in England by Felice
+    Orsini and other refugees, was attempted. On the arrival
+    of the Imperial carriage at the Opera House in the Rue
+    Lepelletier, explosive hand-grenades were thrown at it, and
+    though the Emperor and Empress were unhurt, ten people were
+    either killed outright or died of their wounds, and over one
+    hundred and fifty were injured. Notwithstanding the scene of
+    carnage, their Majesties maintained their composure and sat
+    through the performance of the Opera. In the addresses of
+    congratulation to the Emperor on his escape (published, some
+    of them inadvertently, in the official _Moniteur_), officers
+    commanding French regiments used language of the most
+    insulting character to England, and Count Walewski, the French
+    Foreign Minister, in a despatch, recommended the British
+    Government to take steps to prevent the right of asylum being
+    abused.]
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: DEFEAT OF THE GOVERNMENT]
+
+
+_Viscount Palmerston to Queen Victoria._
+
+PICCADILLY, _19th February 1858_.
+
+Viscount Palmerston presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and is
+sorry to have to inform your Majesty that the Government were beat
+this evening on Mr Milner Gibson's[4] Amendment by a majority of
+19,[5] the numbers being for his Amendment, 234, and against it 215.
+
+Mr Milner Gibson began the Debate by moving his Amendment in a speech
+of considerable ability, but abounding in misrepresentation, which
+nevertheless produced a marked effect upon the House. Mr Baines
+followed, but only argued the Bill without replying to Mr Gibson's
+speech. This was remarked upon by Mr Walpole, who followed him, and
+who said that though he approved of the Bill he could not vote for
+reading it a second time until Count Walewski's despatch had been
+answered. Mr MacMahon supported the Amendment, as did Mr Byng. Sir
+George Grey, who followed Mr Walpole, defended the Bill and the course
+pursued by the Government in not having answered Count Walewski's
+despatch until after the House of Commons should have affirmed the
+Bill by a Second Reading. Mr Spooner remained steady to his purpose,
+and would vote against the Amendment, though in doing so he should
+differ from his friends. Lord Harry Vane opposed the Amendment, as
+interfering with the passing of the Bill, and Mr Bentinck took the
+same line, and replied to some of the arguments of Mr Milner Gibson.
+Mr Henley said he should vote for the Amendment. The Lord Advocate
+made a good speech against it. Mr Gladstone spoke with his
+usual talent in favour of the Amendment, and was answered by the
+Attorney-General in a speech which would have convinced men who had
+not taken a previous determination. He was followed by Mr Disraeli,
+who seemed confident of success, and he was replied to by Viscount
+Palmerston, and the House then divided.
+
+It seems that Lord Derby had caught at an opportunity of putting the
+Government in a minority. He saw that there were ninety-nine Members
+who were chiefly of the Liberal Party, who had voted against the Bill
+when it was first proposed, and who were determined to oppose it in
+all its stages. He calculated that if his own followers were to join
+those ninety-nine, the Government might be run hard, or perhaps be
+beaten, and he desired all his friends[6] to support Mr Milner Gibson;
+on the other hand, many of the supporters of the Government, relying
+upon the majority of 200, by which the leave to bring the Bill in had
+been carried, and upon the majority of 145 of last night, had gone out
+of town for a few days, not anticipating any danger to the Government
+from Mr Gibson's Motion, and thus an adverse division was obtained.
+Moreover, Count Walewski's despatch, the tone and tenor of which had
+been much misrepresented, had produced a very unfavourable effect on
+the mind of members in general, and there was a prevailing feeling
+very difficult to overcome, that the proposed Bill was somehow or
+other a concession to the demand of a Foreign Government. The Cabinet
+will have to consider at its meeting at three o'clock to-morrow what
+course the Government will have to pursue.
+
+    [Footnote 4: Mr Milner Gibson had found a seat at
+    Ashton-under-Lyne.]
+
+    [Footnote 5: The Conspiracy Bill aimed at making conspiracy
+    to murder a felony, instead of, as it had previously been, a
+    misdemeanour, and leave had been given by a large majority to
+    introduce it; but when Count Walewski's despatch to Count de
+    Persigny came to be published, the feeling gained ground that
+    the Government had shown undue subservience in meeting the
+    representations of the French Ambassador. The despatch had
+    not actually been answered, although verbal communications had
+    taken place. The opposition to the Bill was concerted by Lord
+    John Russell and Sir James Graham; see Parker's _Sir James
+    Graham_, vol. ii. p. 236, and the observation of the Prince,
+    _post_, 21st February, 1858. The purport of the Amendment was
+    to postpone any reform in the criminal law till the French
+    despatch had been replied to.]
+
+    [Footnote 6: See Ashley's _Life of Lord Palmerston_, vol. ii.
+    p. 146.]
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: RESIGNATION OF THE GOVERNMENT]
+
+[Pageheading: LORD DERBY SUMMONED]
+
+[Pageheading: OFFER TO LORD DERBY]
+
+
+_Memorandum by the Prince Albert._
+
+BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _21st February 1858_.
+
+Lord Palmerston came at five o'clock from the Cabinet, and tendered
+his resignation in his own name, and that of his Colleagues. The
+Cabinet had well considered their position and found that, as the vote
+passed by the House, although the result of an accidental combination
+of parties, was virtually a vote of censure upon their conduct, they
+could not with honour or with any advantage to the public service
+carry on the Government.
+
+The combination was the whole of the Conservative Party (Lord Derby's
+followers), Lord John Russell, the Peelites, with Mr Gladstone and
+the whole of the Radicals; but the Liberal Party generally is just now
+very angry with Lord Palmerston personally, chiefly on account of his
+apparent submission to French dictation, and the late appointment of
+Lord Clanricarde as Privy Seal, who is looked upon as a reprobate.[7]
+Lord Clanricarde's presence in the House of Commons during the Debate,
+and in a conspicuous place, enraged many supporters of Lord Palmerston
+to that degree that they voted at once with the Opposition.
+
+    [Footnote 7: Since his triumph at the polls in 1857, Lord
+    Palmerston had been somewhat arbitrary in his demeanour, and
+    had defied public opinion by taking Lord Clanricarde into the
+    Government, after some unpleasant disclosures in the Irish
+    Courts. While walking home on the 18th, after obtaining an
+    immense majority on the India Bill, he was told by Sir Joseph
+    Bethell that he ought, like the Roman Consuls in a triumph,
+    to have some one to remind him that he was, as a minister, not
+    immortal. Next day he was defeated.]
+
+The Queen wrote to Lord Derby the letter here following;[8] he came a
+little after six o'clock. He stated that nobody was more surprised
+in his life than he had been at the result of the Debate, after the
+Government had only a few days before had a majority of more than 100
+on the introduction of their Bill. He did not know how it came about,
+but thought it was the work of Lord John Russell and Sir James Graham
+in the interest of the Radicals; Mr Gladstone's junction must have
+been accidental. As to his own people, they had, owing to his
+own personal exertions, as the Queen was aware, though many very
+unwillingly, supported the Bill; but the amendment of Mr Milner Gibson
+was so skilfully worded, that it was difficult for them not to vote
+for it; he had to admit this when they came to him to ask what they
+should do, merely warning them to save the Measure itself, which the
+Amendment did. He then blamed the Government very much for leaving
+Count Walewski's despatch unanswered before coming before Parliament,
+which he could hardly understand.
+
+    [Footnote 8: Summoning him to advise her.]
+
+On the Queen telling him that the Government had resigned, and that
+she commissioned him to form a new Administration, he begged that
+this offer might not be made to him without further consideration, and
+would state clearly his own position. After what had happened in 1851
+and 1855, if the Queen made the offer he _must_ accept it, for if he
+refused, the Conservative Party would be broken up for ever. Yet
+he would find a majority of two to one against him in the House of
+Commons, would have difficulty in well filling the important offices,
+found the external and internal relations of the country in a
+most delicate and complicated position, war in India and in China,
+difficulties with France, the Indian Bill introduced and a Reform
+Bill promised; nothing but the forbearance and support of some of his
+opponents would make it possible for him to carry on any Government.
+The person who was asked first by the Sovereign had always a great
+disadvantage; perhaps other combinations were possible, which, if
+found not to answer, would make him more readily accepted by the
+country. The position of Lord Palmerston was a most curious one,
+the House of Commons had been returned chiefly for the purpose of
+supporting him _personally_, and he had obtained a working majority
+of 100 (unheard of since the Reform Bill), yet his supporters had no
+principles in common and they generally suspected him; the question of
+the Reform Bill had made him and Lord John run a race for popularity
+which might lead to disastrous consequences. Lord Derby did not at all
+know what support he would be able to obtain in Parliament.
+
+The Queen agreed to deferring her offer, and to take further time for
+consideration on the understanding that if she made it it would at
+once be accepted. Lord Derby expressed, however, his fear that the
+resignation of the Palmerston Cabinet might only be for the purpose of
+going through a crisis in order to come back again with new strength,
+for there existed different kinds of resignations, some for this
+purpose, others really for abandoning office.
+
+A conversation which I had with Lord Clarendon after dinner, convinced
+me that the Cabinet had sent in their resignations from the real
+conviction of the impossibility to go on with honour and success; all
+offers of the friends of the Government to pass a vote of confidence,
+etc., etc., had been rejected. Lord Derby was the only man who could
+form a Government; Mr Gladstone would probably join him. The whole
+move had been planned, and most dexterously, by Sir James Graham.
+
+ALBERT.
+
+
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to the Earl of Derby._
+
+BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _21st February 1858_.
+
+The Queen has reconsidered the question of the formation of a new
+Government as she had settled with Lord Derby yesterday, and now
+writes to him to tell him that further reflection has only confirmed
+her in her former resolution to offer the task to Lord Derby. The
+resignation of the present Government is the result of a conscientious
+conviction on their part, that, damaged by the censure passed upon
+them in the House of Commons, they cannot with honour to themselves,
+or usefulness to the country, carry on public affairs, and Lord
+Derby is at the head of the only Party which affords the materials
+of forming a new Government, is sufficiently organised to secure a
+certain support, and which the country would accept as an alternative
+for that hitherto in power. Before actually offering any specific
+office to anybody, Lord Derby would perhaps have another interview
+with the Queen; but it would be right that he should have satisfied
+himself a little as to his chances of strengthening his hands before
+she sees him. With regard to the position of the India Bill, the Queen
+must also have a further conversation with him.
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: LORD DERBY'S VIEW]
+
+
+_The Earl of Derby to Queen Victoria._
+
+ST JAMES'S SQUARE, _21st February 1858_.
+
+Lord Derby, with his humble duty, begs your Majesty to accept his
+grateful acknowledgment of the signal mark of your Majesty's favour,
+with which he has this morning been honoured. Encouraged by your
+Majesty's gracious confidence, he does not hesitate to submit himself
+to your Majesty's pleasure, and will address himself at once to the
+difficult task which your Majesty has been pleased to entrust to him.
+He fears that he can hardly hope, in the formation of a Government,
+for much extrinsic aid; as almost all the men of eminence in either
+House of Parliament are more or less associated with other parties,
+whose co-operation it would be impossible to obtain. Lord Derby will
+not, however, hesitate to make the attempt in any quarters, in which
+he may think he has any chance of success. With regard to the filling
+up of particular offices, Lord Derby would humbly beg your Majesty to
+bear in mind that, although among his own personal friends there will
+be every desire to make individual convenience subservient to the
+public interest, yet among those who are not now politically connected
+with him, there may be some, whose co-operation or refusal might
+be greatly influenced by the office which it was proposed that they
+should hold; and, in such cases, Lord Derby must venture to bespeak
+your Majesty's indulgence should he make a definite offer, subject, of
+course, to your Majesty's ultimate approval.
+
+As soon as Lord Derby has made any progress in his proposed
+arrangements, he will avail himself of your Majesty's gracious
+permission to solicit another Audience.
+
+
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to the Earl of Derby._
+
+BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _21st February 1858_.
+
+The Queen has just received Lord Derby's letter, and would wish under
+all circumstances to see him at six this evening, in order to hear
+what progress he has made in his plans. The two offices the Queen is
+most anxious should not be prejudged in any way, before the Queen has
+seen Lord Derby again, are the Foreign and the War Departments.
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: MR GLADSTONE AND LORD GREY]
+
+
+_The Earl of Derby to Queen Victoria._
+
+ST JAMES'S SQUARE, _21st February 1858_.
+
+Lord Derby, with his humble duty, submits to your Majesty the two
+letters which he has this evening received from Lord Grey and Mr
+Gladstone.[9] The reasons contained in the latter do not appear to
+Lord Derby to be very conclusive; but he fears the result must be that
+he cannot look, in the attempt to form a Cabinet, to much extraneous
+assistance. With deep regret Lord Derby is compelled to add that he
+finds he cannot rely with certainty on the support of his son as a
+member of his proposed Cabinet.[10] Still, having undertaken the task
+he has in obedience to your Majesty's commands, Lord Derby will not
+relax in his efforts to frame such a Government as may be honoured
+with your Majesty's gracious approval, and prove itself equal to the
+emergency which calls it together.
+
+While in the very act of putting up this letter, Lord Derby has
+received one, which he also presumes to enclose to your Majesty,
+from Lord St Leonards, alleging his advanced age as a reason for not
+accepting the Great Seal which he formerly held. This reply has been
+wholly unexpected; and it is yet possible that Lord St Leonards may be
+induced, at least temporarily, to withdraw his resignation. Should it,
+however, prove otherwise, and Lord Derby should succeed in making his
+other arrangements, he would humbly ask your Majesty's permission to
+endeavour to persuade Mr Pemberton Leigh to accept that high office,
+of course accompanied by the honour of the Peerage, which he is aware
+has been already on more than one occasion offered to him. Lord Derby
+begs to add that he has not had the slightest communication with
+Mr Pemberton Leigh on the subject, nor has the least idea as to his
+feelings upon it.
+
+    [Footnote 9: Lord Grey wrote--"I am much obliged to you for
+    the manner in which you have asked my assistance in performing
+    the task confided to you by Her Majesty.
+
+    "I am not insensible to the danger of the present crisis, or
+    to the duty it imposes on public men, of giving any aid
+    in their power towards forming an Administration which may
+    command respect. I am also aware that the settlement of the
+    important political questions, on which we have differed,
+    has removed many of the obstacles which would formerly have
+    rendered my acting with you impracticable. Upon the other
+    hand, upon carefully considering the present state of affairs
+    and the materials at your disposal (especially in the House
+    of Commons) for forming an Administration, and that all the
+    political friends with whom I have been connected, would
+    probably be opposed to it, I do not think it would be either
+    useful to you or honourable to myself that I should singly
+    join your Government."
+
+    Mr Gladstone wrote--"I am very sensible of the importance of
+    the vote taken on Friday, and I should deeply lament to see
+    the House of Commons trampled on in consequence of that vote.
+    The honour of the House is materially involved in giving it
+    full effect. It would therefore be my first wish to aid, if
+    possible, in such a task; and remembering the years when
+    we were colleagues, I may be permitted to say that there is
+    nothing in the fact of your being the Head of a Ministry,
+    which would avail to deter me from forming part of it.
+
+    "Among the first questions I have had to put to myself in
+    consequence of the offer, which you have conveyed to me in
+    such friendly and flattering terms, has been the question,
+    whether it would be in my power by accepting it, either alone,
+    or in concert with others, to render you material service.
+
+    "After the long years, during which we have been separated,
+    there would be various matters of public interest requiring to
+    be noticed between us; but the question I have mentioned is a
+    needful preliminary.
+
+    "Upon the best consideration which the moment allows, I think
+    it plain that alone, as I must be, I could not render you
+    service worth your having.
+
+    "The dissolution of last year excluded from Parliament men
+    with whom I had sympathies, and it in some degree affected the
+    position of those political friends with whom I have now for
+    many years been united, through evil and (much more rarely)
+    good report.
+
+    "Those who lament the rupture of old traditions may well
+    desire the reconstruction of a Party; but the reconstitution
+    of a Party can only be effected, if at all, by the return of
+    the old influences to their places, and not by the junction of
+    one isolated person.
+
+    "The difficulty is now enhanced in my case by the fact that in
+    your party, reduced as it is at the present moment in numbers,
+    there is a small but active and not unimportant section, who
+    avowedly regard me as the representative of the most dangerous
+    ideas. I should thus, unfortunately, be to you a source of
+    weakness in the heart of your own adherents, while I should
+    bring you no Party or group of friends to make up for their
+    defection or discontent.
+
+    "For the reasons which I have thus stated or glanced at, my
+    reply to your letter must be in the negative.
+
+    "I must, however, add that a Government formed by you at this
+    time will in my opinion have strong claims upon me, and upon
+    any one situated as I am, for favourable presumptions, and
+    in the absence of conscientious difference on important
+    questions, for support.
+
+    "I have had an opportunity of seeing Lord Aberdeen and Sidney
+    Herbert, and they fully concur in the sentiment I have just
+    expressed."]
+
+    [Footnote 10: See _ante_, 31st October, 1855, note 87.]
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: THE CHANCELLORSHIP]
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to the Earl of Derby._
+
+BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _22nd February 1858_.
+
+The Queen acknowledges Lord Derby's letter of yesterday, and returns
+him these three letters. She much regrets that he cannot reckon on the
+support and assistance in the Government, which he is about to form,
+of such able men. The Queen authorises Lord Derby to offer the office
+of Lord Chancellor with a Peerage to Mr Pemberton Leigh; but she fears
+from what passed on previous occasions that he is not likely to accept
+it.[11]
+
+    [Footnote 11: He declined the office, and the Great Seal was
+    offered to and accepted by Sir Frederick Thesiger, who was
+    created Lord Chelmsford.]
+
+
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to the Earl of Derby._
+
+BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _22nd February 1858_.
+
+The Queen has had a long conversation with the Duke of Newcastle,
+which however ended, as Lord Derby will have expected from what the
+Duke must have told him, in his declaring his conviction that he could
+be of no use to the new Government by joining it, or in persuading his
+friends to change their minds as to joining. The Duke was evidently
+much pleased by the offer, but from all he said of his position, the
+Queen could gather that it was in vain to press him further.
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: THE NEW CABINET]
+
+
+_The Earl of Derby to Queen Victoria._
+
+ST JAMES'S SQUARE, _25th February 1858_.
+
+Lord Derby presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and fears that
+after your Majesty's most gracious acceptance of the propositions
+which he has made, he may appear to your Majesty very vacillating, in
+having at the last moment to submit to your Majesty another change....
+But he finds that Lord John Manners, though he consented to take the
+Colonial Department, would infinitely prefer resuming his seat at the
+Board of Works; and on the urgent representation of his Colleagues
+that the Government would be strengthened by such a step, Lord Stanley
+has consented to accept office; and the arrangement which he would now
+venture humbly to submit to your Majesty would be the appointment of
+Lord Stanley to the Colonial Secretaryship, and Lord John Manners to
+the Board of Works....
+
+The Ministry as it                            The Ministry as formed
+stood on the 1st of                            by the Earl of Derby
+  January 1858.                                 in February 1858.
+
+
+VISCOUNT PALMERSTON     _First Lord of the_   EARL OF DERBY.
+                          _Treasury_
+
+MARQUIS OF LANSDOWNE    (_Without Office_).
+
+LORD CRANWORTH         _Lord Chancellor_      LORD CHELMSFORD.
+
+EARL GRANVILLE         _President of the_     MARQUIS OF SALISBURY.
+                          _Council_
+
+MARQUIS OF CLANRICARDE _Lord Privy Seal_      EARL OF HARDWICKE.
+
+
+Sir GEORGE GREY        _Home Secretary_       Mr WALPOLE.
+
+EARL OF CLARENDON      _Foreign Secretary_    EARL OF MALMESBURY.
+
+MR LABOUCHERE          _Colonial Secretary_   LORD STANLEY
+  (afterwards LORD                              (afterwards EARL
+    TAUNTON)                                     OF DERBY).
+
+LORD PANMURE           _War Secretary_        GENERAL PEEL.
+  (afterwards EARL
+    OF DALHOUSIE)
+
+Sir G. C. LEWIS        _Chancellor of the_    Mr DISRAELI
+                         _Exchequer_           (afterwards EARL
+                                                OF BEACONSFIELD)
+
+Sir CHARLES WOOD        _First Lord of the_   Sir JOHN PAKINGTON
+  (afterwards VISCOUNT    _Admiralty_           (afterwards LORD
+  HALIFAX)                                       HAMPTON).
+
+Mr VERNON SMITH         _President of the_    EARL OF ELLENBOROUGH.
+  (afterwards LORD        _Board of Control_
+  LYVEDEN)
+
+LORD STANLEY OF         _President of the_    Mr HENLEY.
+  ALDERLEY                _Board of Trade_
+
+Mr M. T. BAINES         _Chancellor of the_   (_Not in the Cabinet._)
+                          _Duchy of Lancaster_
+
+DUKE OF ARGYLL          _Postmaster-General_  (_Not in the Cabinet._)
+
+(_Not in the Cabinet_)  _First Commissioner_  LORD JOHN MANNERS
+                          _of Works and_        (afterwards
+                          _Public Buildings_     DUKE OF RUTLAND).
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: THE ORSINI PLOT]
+
+[Pageheading: THE EMPEROR AND THE CARBONARI]
+
+
+_The Earl of Malmesbury to Queen Victoria._
+
+WHITEHALL, _7th March 1858_.
+
+The Earl of Malmesbury presents his humble duty to the Queen, and has
+the honour to thank your Majesty for the interesting letter[12] sent
+to him by your Majesty, and which he returns to your Majesty by
+this messenger. Lord Malmesbury hopes and believes that much of the
+excitement that prevailed on the _other_ side the water is subsiding.
+All his letters from _private_ sources, and the account of Colonel
+Claremont, agree on this point. In this country, if our differences
+with France are settled, it is probable that the popular jealousy of
+foreign interference will be killed; but at least for some time it
+will show foreign Courts how dangerous it is _even to criticise_ our
+_domestic_ Institutions. Lord Malmesbury has carefully abstained from
+giving Lord Cowley or M. de Persigny the slightest hope that we could
+alter the law, but has confined himself to saying that the law was
+itself as much on its trial as the prisoners Bernard and Truelove.[13]
+If, therefore, the law should prove to be a phantom of justice, or
+anomalous in its action, whatever measures your Majesty's Government
+may hereafter take to reform it, it will be received by France as an
+unexpected boon and a proof of good faith and amity.
+
+In attending to the idea referred to by your Majesty that the Emperor
+took the oath of the Assassins' Society, Lord Malmesbury can almost
+assure your Majesty that such is not the case.[14] Lord Malmesbury
+first made His Majesty's acquaintance in Italy when they were both
+very young men (twenty years of age). They were _both_ under the
+influence of those romantic feelings which the former history and
+the present degradation of Italy may naturally inspire even at a more
+advanced time of life--and the Prince Louis Napoleon, to the knowledge
+of Lord Malmesbury, certainly engaged himself in the conspiracies of
+the time--but it was with the higher class of the Carbonari, men like
+General Sercognani and General Pepe. The Prince used to talk to Lord
+Malmesbury upon these men and their ideas and plans with all the
+openness that exists between two youths, and Lord Malmesbury has many
+times heard him condemn with disgust the societies of villains which
+hung on the flank of the conspirators, and which deterred many of the
+best families and ablest gentlemen in Romagna from joining them. Lord
+Malmesbury believes the report therefore to be a fable, and at some
+future period will, if it should interest your Majesty, relate to
+your Majesty some details respecting the Emperor's share in the
+conspiracies of 1828-1829....
+
+    [Footnote 12: This was a letter from the Prince de Chimay to
+    the King of the Belgians in reference to the Orsini plot.]
+
+    [Footnote 13: Before Lord Palmerston's Government had retired,
+    Simon Bernard, a resident of Bayswater, was committed
+    for trial for complicity in the Orsini _attentat_. He was
+    committed for conspiracy only, but, at the instance of the
+    new Government, the charge was altered to one of feloniously
+    slaying one of the persons killed by the explosion. As this
+    constructive murder was actually committed on French soil,
+    Bernard's trial had, under the existing law, to be held before
+    a Special Commission, over which Lord Campbell presided. The
+    evidence overwhelmingly established the prisoner's guilt,
+    but, carried away by the eloquent, if irrelevant, speech of Mr
+    Edwin James for the defence, the jury acquitted him. Truelove
+    was charged with criminal libel, for openly approving, in
+    a published pamphlet, Orsini's attempt, and regretting
+    its failure. The Government threw up the prosecution,
+    pusillanimously in the judgment of Lord Campbell, who records
+    that he carefuly studied, with a view to his own hearing
+    of the case, the proceedings against Lord George Gordon for
+    libelling Marie Antoinette, against Vint for libelling the
+    Emperor Paul, and against Peltier for libelling Napoleon I.]
+
+    [Footnote 14: The Queen had written:--"There are people
+    who pretend that the Emperor, who was once a member of the
+    Carbonari Club of Italy, and who is supposed to be condemned
+    to death by the rules of that Secret Society for having
+    violated his oath to them, has offered them to pardon Orsini,
+    if they would release him from his oath, but that the Society
+    refused the offer. The fact that all the attempts have been
+    made by Italians, Orsini's letter, and the almost mad state of
+    fear in which the Emperor seems to be now, would give colour
+    to that story." Orsini had written two letters to the Emperor,
+    one read aloud at his trial by his counsel, Jules Favre, the
+    other while lying under sentence of death. He entreated the
+    Emperor to secure Italian independence.]
+
+
+
+
+_Mr Disraeli to Queen Victoria._
+
+HOUSE OF COMMONS, _12th March 1858_.
+(_Friday._)
+
+The Chancellor of the Exchequer with his humble duty to your Majesty.
+
+The Opposition benches very full; the temper not kind.
+
+The French announcement,[15] which was quite unexpected, elicited
+cheers, but only from the Ministerial side, which, he confesses, for a
+moment almost daunted him.
+
+Then came a question about the _Cagliari_ affair,[16] on which the
+Government had agreed to take a temperate course, in deference to
+their predecessors--but it was not successful. The ill-humour of the
+House, diverted for a moment by the French news, vented itself on this
+head.
+
+What struck the Chancellor of the Exchequer in the course of the
+evening most was the absence of all those symptoms of "fair trial,"
+etc., which have abounded of late in journals and in Society.
+
+Lord John said something; Mr Gladstone said something; but it was not
+encouraging.
+
+Nevertheless, in 1852 "fair trial" observations abounded, and the
+result was not satisfactory; now it may be the reverse.
+
+The House is wild and capricious at this moment.
+
+Your Majesty once deigned to say that your Majesty wished in these
+remarks to have the temper of the House placed before your Majesty,
+and to find what your Majesty could not meet in newspapers. This
+is the Chancellor of the Exchequer's excuse for these rough notes,
+written on the field of battle, which he humbly offers to your
+Majesty.
+
+    [Footnote 15: Parliament reassembled on the 12th of March,
+    and Mr Disraeli then stated that the "painful misconceptions"
+    which had for some time existed between England and France
+    had been "terminated in a spirit entirely friendly and
+    honourable."]
+
+    [Footnote 16: Two English engineers, Watt and Park, had been
+    on the Sardinian steamer _Cagliari_ when she was seized by the
+    Neapolitan Government, and her crew, including the engineers,
+    imprisoned at Naples. At the instance of the Conservative
+    Government, who acted more vigorously than their predecessors
+    had done, the engineers were released, and L3,000 paid to them
+    as compensation.]
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: THE NAVY]
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to the Earl of Derby._
+
+OSBORNE, _15th March 1858_.
+
+The Queen sends to Lord Derby a Memorandum on the state of preparation
+of our Navy in case of a war, the importance of attending to which
+she has again strongly felt when the late vote of the House of Commons
+endangered the continuance of the good understanding with France.
+The whole tone of the Debate on the first night of the reassembly of
+Parliament has shown again that there exists a great disposition
+to boast and provoke foreign Powers without any sincere desire to
+investigate our means of making good our words, and providing for
+those means which are missing.
+
+The Queen wishes Lord Derby to read this Memorandum to the Cabinet,
+and to take the subject of which it treats into their anxious
+consideration.
+
+The two appendices, stating facts, the one with regard to the manning
+of the Navy by volunteers with the aid of bounties, the other with
+regard to impressment, have become unfortunately more lengthy than the
+Queen had wished, but the facts appeared to her so important that she
+did not like to have any left out.
+
+
+
+
+_Mr Disraeli to Queen Victoria._
+
+HOUSE OF COMMONS, _22nd March 1858_.
+(_Monday, half-past eight o'clock._)
+
+The Chancellor of the Exchequer with his humble duty to your Majesty.
+
+This evening was a great contrast to Friday. House very full on both
+sides....
+
+Mr B. Osborne commenced the general attack, of which he had given
+notice; but, after five years' silence, his weapons were not as bright
+as of yore. He was answered by the Government, and the House, which
+was very full, became much excited. The Ministerial benches were in
+high spirit.
+
+The Debate that ensued, most interesting and sustained.
+
+Mr Horsman, with considerable effect, expressed the opinions of that
+portion of the Liberal Party, which does not wish to disturb the
+Government.
+
+Lord John Russell vindicated the Reform Bill of 1832 from the attacks
+of the Chancellor of the Exchequer, and with great dignity and
+earnestness.
+
+He was followed by Mr Drummond on the same subject in a telling
+epigram. Then Lord Palmerston, in reply to the charges of Mr Horsman,
+mild and graceful, with a sarcastic touch. The general impression of
+the House was very favourable to the Ministry; all seemed changed; the
+Debate had cleared the political atmosphere, and, compared with our
+previous state, we felt as if the eclipse was over.
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: RESIGNATION OF PERSIGNY]
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._
+
+BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _23rd March 1858_.
+
+MY DEAREST UNCLE,--You will, I trust, forgive my letter being short,
+but we have only just returned from Aldershot, where we went this
+morning, and really have been quite baked by a sun which was hardly
+hotter in August, and without a breath of wind....
+
+Good Marie[17] has not answered me, will you remind her? I _did_ tell
+her I hoped for her child's[18] sake she would give up the nursing, as
+we Princesses had other duties to perform. I hope she was not shocked,
+but I felt I only did what was right in telling her so.
+
+I grieve to say we lose poor Persigny, which is a real loss--but he
+would resign. Walewski behaved ill to him. The Emperor has, however,
+named a successor which is _really_ a compliment to the Army and the
+Alliance--and besides a distinguished and independent man, viz. the
+Duc de Malakhoff.[19] This is very gratifying.
+
+In all this business, Pelissier has, I hear, behaved extremely well. I
+must now conclude. Ever your devoted Niece,
+
+VICTORIA R.
+
+    [Footnote 17: Marie Henriette, Duchess of Brabant, afterwards
+    Queen of the Belgians; died 1902.]
+
+    [Footnote 18: Princess Louise of Belgium was born on the 4th
+    of February.]
+
+    [Footnote 19: Formerly General Pelissier; see _ante_, 14th
+    September, 1855, note 80.]
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: THE HOUSE OF COMMONS]
+
+
+_Mr Disraeli to Queen Victoria._
+
+HOUSE OF COMMONS, _23rd March 1858_.
+(_Tuesday._)
+
+The Chancellor of the Exchequer with his humble duty to your Majesty.
+
+The discussion on the Passport Question, this evening, was not without
+animation; the new Under-Secretary, Mr Fitzgerald,[20] makes way with
+the House. He is very acute and quick in his points, but does not
+speak loud enough. His tone is conversational, which is the best
+for the House of Commons, and the most difficult; but then the
+conversation should be heard. The general effect of the discussion was
+favourable to the French Government.
+
+In a thin House afterwards, the Wife's Sister Bill was brought
+in after a division. Your Majesty's Government had decided among
+themselves to permit the introduction, but a too zealous member of the
+Opposition forced an inopportune division.
+
+    [Footnote 20: William Robert Seymour Vesey Fitzgerald, M.P.
+    for Horsham 1852-1865. He was Governor of Bombay 1867-1872.]
+
+
+
+
+_Mr Disraeli to Queen Victoria._
+
+HOUSE OF COMMONS, _25th March 1858_.
+(_Thursday._)
+
+The Chancellor of the Exchequer with his humble duty to your Majesty.
+
+The Lease of the Lord-Lieutenancy was certainly renewed to-night--and
+for some years. The majority was very great against change at present,
+and the future, which would justify it, it was agreed, should be the
+very decided opinion of the Irish members. It was left in short to
+Ireland.
+
+The Debate was not very animated, but had two features--a most
+admirable speech by Lord Naas,[21] quite the model of an official
+statement, clear, calm, courteous, persuasive, and full of knowledge;
+it received the praises of both sides.
+
+The other incident noticeable was Mr Roebuck's reply, which was one of
+the most apt, terse, and telling I well remember, and not bitter.
+
+    [Footnote 21: Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant,
+    afterwards (as Earl of Mayo) Viceroy of India, assassinated in
+    the Andaman Islands, 1872.]
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: CAPTURE OF LUCKNOW]
+
+
+_Mr Disraeli to Queen Victoria._
+
+HOUSE OF COMMONS, _13th April._
+(_Tuesday night._)
+
+The Chancellor of the Exchequer with his humble duty to your Majesty.
+
+The night tranquil and interesting--Lord Bury, with much intelligence,
+introduced the subject of the Straits Settlements;[22] the speech of
+Sir J. Elphinstone,[23] master of the subject, and full of striking
+details, produced a great effect. His vindication of the convict
+population of Singapore, as the moral element of that strange society,
+might have been considered as the richest humour, had it not been for
+its unmistakable simplicity.
+
+His inquiry of the Governor's lady, who never hired any servant but
+a convict, whether she employed in her nursery "Thieves or
+Murderers?"--and the answer, "Always murderers," was very
+effective....
+
+The Secretary of State having sent down to the Chancellor of the
+Exchequer the telegram of the fall of Lucknow,[24] the Chancellor of
+the Exchequer read it to the House, having previously in private shown
+it to Lord Palmerston and others of the late Government.
+
+After this a spirited Debate on the conduct of Members of Parliament
+corruptly exercising their influence, in which the view recommended
+by the Government, through Mr Secretary Walpole, was adopted by the
+House.
+
+    [Footnote 22: These detached provinces were at this time under
+    the control of the Governor-General of India; but in 1867 they
+    were formed into a Crown Colony.]
+
+    [Footnote 23: Sir J. D. H. Elphinstone, Conservative member
+    for Portsmouth, afterwards a Lord of the Treasury.]
+
+    [Footnote 24: Sir Colin Campbell had at length obtained entire
+    possession of the city, which had been in the hands of the
+    rebels for nine months.]
+
+
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._
+
+WINDSOR CASTLE, _2nd April 1858_.
+
+MY DEAR UNCLE,--I am sure you will kindly be interested in knowing
+that the Examination and Confirmation of Bertie have gone off
+extremely well.[25] Everything was conducted as at Vicky's, and I
+thought _much_ of you, and wished we could have had the happiness of
+having you there. I enclose a Programme. The examination before
+the Archbishop and ourselves by the Dean on Wednesday was long and
+difficult, but Bertie answered extremely well, and his whole manner
+and _Gemuethsstimmung_ yesterday, and again to-day, at the Sacrament
+to which we took him, was gentle, good, and proper.... Now, good-bye,
+dear Uncle. Ever your devoted Niece,
+
+VICTORIA R.
+
+    [Footnote 25: See the Prince Consort's letter to Stockmar,
+    _Life of the Prince Consort_, vol. iv. p. 205.]
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: NAVAL PREPARATIONS]
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to Sir John Pakington._
+
+WINDSOR CASTLE, _12th April 1858_.
+
+The Queen has received Sir John Pakington's letter of the 10th,
+and thanks him for the transmission of the printed copy of his
+confidential Memorandum.
+
+The object of the paper which the Queen sent from Osborne to Lord
+Derby was to lead by a thorough investigation to an exact knowledge
+of the state of our Naval preparations in the event of a war, with
+the view to the discovery and suggestion of such remedies as our
+deficiencies imperatively demand. This investigation and thorough
+consideration the Queen expects from her Board of Admiralty, chosen
+with great care, and composed of the most competent Naval Authorities.
+She does not wish for the opinion of this or that person, given
+without any responsibility attaching to it, nor for mere returns
+prepared in the Office for the First Lord, but for the collective
+opinion of Sir John Pakington and his Board with the responsibility
+attaching to such an opinion given to the Sovereign upon a subject
+upon which the safety of the Empire depends. The Queen has full
+confidence in the honour of the gentlemen composing the Board,
+that they will respect the _confidential_ character of the Queen's
+communication, and pay due regard to the importance of the subject
+referred to them.
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: PROCEDURE BY RESOLUTION]
+
+
+_Mr Disraeli to Queen Victoria._
+
+HOUSE OF COMMONS, _12th April 1858_.
+(_Monday night._)
+
+The Chancellor of the Exchequer with his humble duty to your Majesty.
+
+House reassembled--full. Chancellor of Exchequer much embarrassed with
+impending statement, on the part of your Majesty's servants, that they
+intended to propose Resolutions on the Government of India, instead of
+at once proceeding with their Bill.[26]
+
+Received, five minutes before he took his seat, confidential
+information, that Lord John Russell, wishing to defeat the prospects
+of Lord Palmerston, and himself to occupy a great mediatory position,
+intended, himself, to propose the mezzotermine of resolutions!
+
+Chancellor of Exchequer felt it was impossible, after having himself
+introduced a Bill, to interfere with the Resolutions of an independent
+member, and one so weighty and distinguished: therefore, confined his
+announcement to the Budget on Monday week, and consequent postponement
+of India Bill.
+
+Soon after, Lord John rose, and opened the case, in a spirit most calm
+and conciliatory to the House, and to your Majesty's Government.
+
+The Chancellor of Exchequer responded, but with delicacy, not wishing
+rudely to deprive Lord John of his position in the matter; deeming it
+arrogant--but the real opposition, extremely annoyed at all that was
+occurring, wishing, at the same time, to deprive Lord John of the
+mediatory position, and to embarrass your Majesty's Government
+with the task and responsibility of preparing and introducing the
+resolutions, _insisted_ upon Government undertaking the task. As the
+Chancellor of Exchequer read the sketch of the Resolutions in his box,
+this was amusing; he undertook the responsibility, thus urged, and
+almost menaced; Lord John, though greatly mortified at not bringing
+in the Resolutions himself, for it is since known they were prepared,
+entirely and justly acquits Chancellor of Exchequer of any arrogance
+and intrusion, and the affair concludes in a manner dignified and more
+than promising. It is now generally supposed that after the various
+Resolutions have been discussed, and passed, the Bill of your
+Majesty's servants, modified and reconstructed, will pass into a law.
+
+The Chancellor of Exchequer will have a copy of the Resolutions,
+though at present in a crude form, made and forwarded to your Majesty,
+that they may be considered by your Majesty and His Royal Highness.
+Chancellor of Exchequer will mention this to Lord Derby, through whom
+they ought to reach your Majesty.
+
+After this unexpected and interesting scene, because it showed, in its
+progress, a marked discordance between Lord John and Lord Palmerston,
+not concealed by the latter chief, and strongly evinced by some of his
+principal followers, for example, Sir C. Wood, Mr Hall, Mr Bouverie,
+the House went into Committee on the Navy Estimates which Sir J.
+Pakington introduced in a speech, lucid, spirited, and comprehensive.
+The feeling of the House as to the maintenance of the Navy was good.
+
+    [Footnote 26: Lord Palmerston had obtained leave, by a large
+    majority, to introduce an India Bill, vesting the Government
+    of India in a Council nominated by the Crown. On his accession
+    to office, Mr Disraeli proposed that the Council should be
+    half nominative and half elective, and in particular that
+    London, Manchester, Liverpool, Glasgow, and Belfast should
+    each be entitled to elect one member. These proposals were
+    widely condemned, and especially by Mr Bright.]
+
+
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to the Earl of Malmesbury._
+
+BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _1st May 1858_.
+
+The Queen has received a draft to Lord Cowley on the Danish
+Question,[27] which she cannot sanction as submitted to her. The
+question is a most important one, and a false step on our part may
+produce a war between France and Germany. The Queen would wish Lord
+Malmesbury to call here in the course of to-morrow, when the Prince
+could discuss the matter with him more fully.
+
+    [Footnote 27: The dispute as to the Duchies of Schleswig and
+    Holstein. The German Diet had refused to ratify the Danish
+    proposal that Commissioners should be appointed by Germany and
+    Denmark to negotiate an arrangement of their differences.
+    Lord Malmesbury had written that the Governments (including
+    England) which had hitherto abstained from interference,
+    should now take measures to guard against any interference
+    with the integrity of the Danish Monarchy. The Queen and
+    Prince considered that the attitude of the British Government
+    was unnecessarily pro-Danish.]
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: THE OUDH PROCLAMATION]
+
+
+_Mr Disraeli to Queen Victoria._
+
+HOUSE OF COMMONS, _7th May 1858_.
+
+The Chancellor of the Exchequer with his humble duty to your Majesty.
+
+At half-past four o'clock, before the Chancellor of the Exchequer
+could reach the House, the Secretary of the Board of Control had
+already presented the Proclamation of Lord Canning, and the despatch
+thereon of Lord Ellenborough, without the omission of the Oudh
+passages.[28]
+
+The Chancellor of the Exchequer has employed every means to recall the
+papers, and make the necessary omissions, and more than once thought
+he had succeeded, but unhappily the despatch had been read by Mr
+Bright, and a considerable number of members, and, had papers once
+in the possession of the House by the presentation of a Minister
+been surreptitiously recalled and garbled, the matter would have been
+brought before the House, and the production of the complete documents
+would have been ordered.
+
+In this difficult and distressing position the Chancellor of the
+Exchequer, after consultation with his colleagues in the House of
+Commons, thought it best, and, indeed, inevitable, to submit to
+circumstances, the occurrence of which he deeply regrets, and humbly
+places before your Majesty.
+
+    [Footnote 28: See _ante_, Introductory Note to Chapter XXVII.
+    The draft proclamation (differing from the ultimate form in
+    which it was issued), with a covering despatch, were sent
+    home to the Board of Control by Lord Canning, who at the same
+    time wrote an unofficial letter to Mr Vernon Smith, then
+    President of the Board, stating that he had not been able to
+    find time before the mail left to explain his reasons for
+    adopting what appeared a somewhat merciless scheme of
+    confiscation. Lord Ellenborough thereupon wrote a despatch,
+    dated the 19th of April, reprobating the Governor-General for
+    abandoning the accustomed policy of generous conquerors, and
+    for inflicting on the mass of the population what they would
+    feel as the severest of punishments. This despatch was made
+    public in England, as will be seen from the dates, before it
+    could possibly have reached Lord Canning.]
+
+
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to the Earl of Derby._
+
+BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _9th May 1858_.
+
+The Queen has received Lord Derby's letter of last night, and was
+glad to see that he entirely concurs with her in the advantage and
+necessity of appointing a Commission to consider the question of the
+organisation of the future Army of India.[29] She only hopes that no
+time will be lost by the reference to the different bodies whom Lord
+Derby wishes previously to consult, and she trusts that he will not
+let himself be overruled by Lord Ellenborough, who may very likely
+consider the opinion and result of the labours of a Committee as
+entirely valueless as compared with his own opinions.
+
+The Queen has not the same confidence in them, and is, therefore,
+doubly anxious to be advised by a body of the most competent persons
+after most careful enquiry.
+
+    [Footnote 29: The Queen had written that she thought the
+    Commission should be composed of officers of the Home and the
+    Indian Armies, some politicians, the Commander-in-Chief, the
+    President of the Board of Control, with the Secretary-for-War
+    as President.]
+
+
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to the Earl of Derby._
+
+BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _9th May 1858_.
+
+The Queen has received Lord Derby's letter of yesterday. She is
+very sorry for the further complication likely to arise out of the
+communication to the House of Commons of the despatch in full,
+which is most unfortunate, not less so than the communication of it
+previously to Mr Bright and his friends. The Queen is anxious not to
+add to Lord Derby's difficulties, but she must not leave unnoticed the
+fact that the despatch in question ought never to have been written
+without having been submitted to the Queen. She hopes Lord Derby will
+take care that Lord Ellenborough will not repeat this, which must
+place her in a most embarrassing position.
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: ELLENBOROUGH'S RESIGNATION]
+
+
+_The Earl of Ellenborough to Queen Victoria._
+
+EATON SQUARE, _10th May 1858_.
+
+Lord Ellenborough presents his most humble duty to your Majesty, and
+regarding the present difficult position of your Majesty's Government
+as mainly occasioned by the presentation to Parliament of the letter
+to the Governor-General with reference to the Proclamation in Oudh,
+for which step he considers himself to be solely responsible, he deems
+it to be his duty to lay his resignation at your Majesty's feet.
+
+Lord Ellenborough had no other object than that of making it
+unmistakably evident to the Governor as well as to the governed in
+India that your Majesty was resolved to temper Justice with Clemency,
+and would not sanction any measure which did not seem to conduce to
+the establishment of permanent peace.[30]
+
+    [Footnote 30: On the same day Lord Shaftesbury in the
+    Lords and Mr Cardwell in the Commons gave notice of Motions
+    censuring the Government for Lord Ellenborough's despatch. The
+    debates commenced on the 14th.]
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: A CRISIS]
+
+[Pageheading: ELLENBOROUGH'S STATEMENT]
+
+
+_Memorandum by the Prince Albert._
+
+BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _11th May 1858_.
+
+Lord Derby had an Audience at twelve o'clock. He said he had received
+a copy of Lord Ellenborough's letter, and had told him that should
+the Queen consult him (Lord Derby) he should advise her to accept the
+resignation, Lord Ellenborough had behaved in the handsomest
+manner, and expressed his belief that he had brought bad luck to the
+Government, for this was now the second difficulty into which they had
+got by his instrumentality, the first having been the Election Clause
+in the India Bill. Lord Derby hoped that this resignation would stop
+the vote of censure in the House of Commons, as the House could not
+hold responsible and punish the Cabinet for that with which they had
+had no concern. If the House persisted, it was clear that the motives
+were factious, and he hoped the Queen would allow him to threaten a
+Dissolution of Parliament, which he was certain would stop it. The
+Queen refused to give that permission; she said he might leave it
+quite undecided whether the Queen would grant a Dissolution or not,
+and take the benefit of the doubt in talking to others on the subject;
+but she must be left quite free to act as she thought the good of the
+country might require at the time when the Government should have been
+beat; there had been a Dissolution within the year, and if a Reform
+Bill was passed there must be another immediately upon it; in the
+meantime most violent pledges would be taken as to Reform if a general
+election were to take place now. Lord Derby concurred in all this, and
+said he advised the threat particularly in order to render the reality
+unnecessary; when she persisted in her refusal, however, on the
+ground that she could not threaten what she was not prepared to do, he
+appeared very much disappointed and mortified.
+
+We then discussed the state of the question itself, and urged the
+necessity of something being done to do away with the injurious
+impression which the publication of the despatch must produce in
+India, as the resignation of Lord Ellenborough left this quite
+untouched, and Parliament might with justice demand this. He agreed,
+after much difficulty, to send a telegraphic despatch, which might
+overtake and mitigate the other. On my remark that the public were
+under the impression that there had been collusion, and that Mr Bright
+had seen the despatch before he asked his question for its production,
+he denied this stoutly, but let us understand that Mr Bright had
+known of the existence of such a despatch, and had wished to put his
+question before, but had been asked to defer it until Lord Canning's
+Proclamation should have appeared in the newspapers! (This is nearly
+as bad!!) The Queen could not have pledged herself to dissolve
+Parliament in order to support such tricks!
+
+ALBERT.
+
+It was arranged that Lord Derby should accept Lord Ellenborough's
+resignation in the Queen's name.
+
+
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to the Earl of Ellenborough._
+
+BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _11th May 1858_.
+
+The Queen has to acknowledge Lord Ellenborough's letter, which she did
+not wish to do before she had seen Lord Derby.
+
+The latter has just left the Queen, and will communicate to Lord
+Ellenborough the Queen's acceptance of his resignation, which he has
+thought it right to tender to her from a sense of public duty.
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: LORD DERBY'S DESPATCH]
+
+
+_The Earl of Derby to Queen Victoria._
+
+ST JAMES'S SQUARE [_11th May_].
+(9 P.M., _Tuesday_.)
+
+Lord Derby, with his humble duty, submits to your Majesty the
+expression of his hope that the discussion, or rather conversation,
+which has taken place in the House of Lords this evening, may have
+been not only advantageous to the Government, but beneficial in its
+results to the public service....
+
+After the discussion, Lord Ellenborough made his statement; and it is
+only doing bare justice to him to say that he made it in a manner
+and spirit which was most highly honourable to himself, and was fully
+appreciated by the House.
+
+Public sympathy was entirely with him, especially when he vindicated
+the policy which he had asserted, but took upon himself the whole
+and sole responsibility of having authorised the publication of the
+despatch--which he vindicated--and announced his own resignation
+rather than embarrass his colleagues. Lord Grey shortly entered
+his protest against bringing into discussion the policy of the
+Proclamation and of the consequent despatch, into which Lord
+Ellenborough had certainly entered too largely, opposing, very
+broadly, the principle of confiscation against that of clemency. Lord
+Derby followed Lord Grey, and after an interruption on a point of
+form, vindicated the policy advocated in Lord Ellenborough's despatch,
+at the same time that he expressed not only his hope, but his belief,
+that in practice the Governor-General would be found (and more
+especially judging from the alterations inserted in the last
+Proclamation of which an unofficial copy has been received) acting
+on the principles laid down in Lord Ellenborough's despatch. In the
+tribute which he felt it his duty to pay to the personal, as well as
+political, character of Lord Ellenborough, the House concurred with
+entire unanimity and all did honour to the spirit which induced him
+to sacrifice his own position to the public service; and to atone, and
+more than atone, for an act of indiscretion by the frank avowal that
+he alone was responsible for it. Lord Derby thinks that the step which
+has been taken may, even probably, prevent the Motions intended to
+be made on Friday; and if made, will, almost certainly, result in a
+majority for the Government.
+
+Lord Derby believes that he may possibly be in time to telegraph
+to Malta early to-morrow, to Lord Canning. In that case he will
+do himself the honour of submitting to your Majesty a copy of the
+message[31] sent, though he fears it will be impossible to do
+so before its despatch. He proposes in substance to say that the
+publication has been disapproved--that Lord Ellenborough has resigned
+in consequence--but that your Majesty's Government adhere in principle
+to the policy laid down in the despatch of 19th April, and entertain
+an earnest hope that the Governor-General, judging from the
+modifications introduced into the amended Proclamation, has, in fact,
+the intention of acting in the same spirit; but that your Majesty's
+Government are still of opinion that confiscation of private property
+ought to be made the exception, and not the rule, and to be enforced
+only against those who may stand out after a certain day, or who may
+be proved to have been guilty of more than ordinary crimes.
+
+Lord Derby hopes that your Majesty will excuse a very hasty sketch of
+a very large subject.
+
+    [Footnote 31: _The Earl of Derby to Lord Lyons._
+
+    _12th May 1858._
+
+    Send on the following message to Lord Canning by the Indian
+    mail.
+
+    The publication of the Secret Despatch of 19th April has
+    been disapproved. Lord Ellenborough has resigned office. His
+    successor has not been appointed. Nevertheless the policy
+    indicated in the above despatch is approved by Her Majesty's
+    Government. Confiscation of property of private individuals
+    (Talookdars and others) ought to be the exception and not the
+    rule. It ought to be held out as a penalty on those who do not
+    come in by a given day. From your amended Proclamation it
+    is hoped that such is your intention. Let it be clearly
+    understood that it is so. You were quite right in issuing no
+    Proclamation till after a signal success. That once obtained,
+    the more generous the terms, the better. A broad distinction
+    must be drawn between the Talookdars of Oudh and the Sepoys
+    who have been in our service. Confidence is felt in your
+    judgment. You will not err if you lean to the side of
+    humanity, especially as to nations of Oudh.
+
+    No private letters have been received from you since the
+    change of Government.]
+
+
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to the Earl of Derby._
+
+_14th May 1858._
+
+The Queen returns the extracts Lord Derby has sent to her. Lord
+Ellenborough's despatch,[32] now before her for the first time, is
+very good and just in principle. But the Queen would be much surprised
+if it did not entirely coincide with the views of Lord Canning, at
+least as far as he has hitherto expressed any in his letters. So are
+also the sentiments written by Sir J. Lawrence; they contain almost
+the very expressions frequently used by Lord Canning.
+
+Sir J. Login,[33] who holds the same opinion, and has great Indian
+experience, does not find any fault with the Proclamation, however
+seemingly it may sound at variance with these opinions, and this on
+account of the peculiar position of affairs in Oudh. It is a great
+pity that Lord Ellenborough, with his knowledge, experience, activity,
+and cleverness, should be so entirely unable to submit to general
+rules of conduct. The Queen has been for some time much alarmed at his
+writing letters of his own to all the most important Indian Chiefs
+and Kings explaining his policy. All this renders the position of a
+Governor-General almost untenable, and that of the Government at home
+very hazardous.
+
+    [Footnote 32: This was a later despatch of Lord
+    Ellenborough's, also in reference to the pacification of Oudh,
+    and not shown to the Cabinet before it was sent.]
+
+    [Footnote 33: See _ante_, 23rd September, 1857, note 41.]
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: LORD ABERDEEN CONSULTED]
+
+[Pageheading: PREROGATIVE OF DISSOLUTION]
+
+[Pageheading: STATE OF PARTIES]
+
+
+_Memorandum by Sir Charles Phipps._
+
+[_Undated._ ? _15th May 1858._]
+
+Upon being admitted to Lord Aberdeen, I informed him that the Queen
+and Prince were anxious to hear his opinion upon the present most
+unfortunate state of affairs, but that, knowing how easily every event
+was perverted in such times as the present, Her Majesty and His
+Royal Highness had thought that it might have been subject to
+misapprehension had he been known to have been at Buckingham Palace,
+and that I had been therefore directed to call upon him, with a view
+of obtaining his opinion and advice upon certain important points.
+
+The first was the question of a Dissolution of Parliament in the
+event of the Government being defeated upon the question which was at
+present pending. I told him that I was permitted to communicate to him
+in the strictest confidence, that in a late Audience which Lord Derby
+had with the Queen, he had asked her permission to be allowed to
+announce that, in the event of an adverse majority, he had Her
+Majesty's sanction to a Dissolution of Parliament.
+
+That the Queen had declined to give such sanction, or even such a
+pledge, and equally guarded herself against being supposed to have
+made up her mind to refuse her sanction to a Dissolution, had told
+Lord Derby that she could not then make any prospective decision
+upon the subject. I told him that in point of fact Her Majesty was
+disinclined to grant to Lord Derby her authority for a Dissolution,
+but that the Queen had at once refused to grant to Lord Derby her
+sanction for making the announcement he wished, as she considered that
+it would be a very unconstitutional threat for him to hold over the
+head of the Parliament, with her authority, by way of biassing their
+decision.
+
+Lord Aberdeen interrupted me by saying that the Queen had done quite
+right--that he never heard of such a request being made, or authority
+for such an announcement being sought--and he could not at all
+understand Lord Derby making such an application. He knew that the
+Government had threatened a Dissolution, that he thought that they had
+a perfect right to do so, but that they would have been quite wrong in
+joining the Queen's name with it.
+
+He said that he had never entertained the slightest doubt that if
+the Minister advised the Queen to dissolve, she would, as a matter
+of course, do so. The Minister who advised the Dissolution took upon
+himself the heavy responsibility of doing so, but that the Sovereign
+was bound to suppose that the person whom she had appointed as a
+Minister was a gentleman and an honest man, and that he would not
+advise Her Majesty to take such a step unless he thought that it
+was for the good of the country. There was no doubt of the power and
+prerogative of the Sovereign to refuse a Dissolution--it was one
+of the very few acts which the Queen of England could do without
+responsible advice at the moment; but even in this case whoever
+was sent for to succeed, must, with his appointment, assume
+the responsibility of this act, and be prepared to defend it in
+Parliament.
+
+He could not remember a single instance in which the undoubted power
+of the Sovereign had been exercised upon this point, and the advice of
+the Minister to dissolve Parliament had been rejected--for it was
+to be remembered that Lord Derby would be still at this time her
+Minister--and that the result of such refusal would be that the Queen
+would take upon herself the act of dismissing Lord Derby from office,
+instead of his resigning from being unable longer to carry on the
+Government.
+
+The Queen had during her reign, and throughout the numerous changes
+of Government, maintained an unassailable position of constitutional
+impartiality, and he had no hesitation in saying that he thought it
+would be more right, and certainly more safe, for her to follow the
+usual course, than to take this dangerous time for exercising an
+unusual and, he believed he might say, an unprecedented, course,
+though the power to exercise the authority was undoubted.
+
+He said that he did not conceive that any reasons of expediency as
+to public business, or the possible effects of frequent general
+elections, would be sufficient grounds for refusing a Dissolution (and
+reasons would have to be given by the new Minister in Parliament),
+and, as he conceived, the only possible ground that could be
+maintained as foundation for such an exercise of authority would be
+the fearful danger to the existence of our power in India, which
+might arise from the intemperate discussion upon every hustings of
+the proceedings of the Government with respect to that country--as the
+question proposed to the country would certainly be considered to be
+severity or mercy to the people of India.
+
+Upon the second point, as to a successor to Lord Derby in the event
+of his resignation, he said that the Queen would, he thought, have no
+alternative but to send for Lord Palmerston. The only other person who
+could be suggested would be Lord John Russell, and he was neither
+the mover of the Resolutions which displaced the Government, nor the
+ostensible head of the Opposition, which the late meeting at Cambridge
+House pointed out Lord Palmerston to be. That he was not very fond of
+Lord Palmerston, though he had forgiven him all, and he had had _much_
+to forgive; and that in the last few days it had appeared that he had
+less following than Lord John; but the Queen could not act upon such
+daily changing circumstances, and it was evident that Lord Palmerston
+was the ostensible man for the Queen to send for.
+
+Lord Aberdeen seemed very low upon the state of public affairs. He
+said that the extreme Liberals were the only Party that appeared to
+gain strength. Not only was the Whig Party divided within itself,
+hated by the Radicals, and having a very doubtful support from the
+independent Liberals, but even the little band called the Peelites had
+entirely crumbled to pieces. In the House of Lords, whilst the Duke of
+Newcastle voted with the Opposition, he (Lord Aberdeen) had purposely
+abstained from voting, whilst, in the House of Commons, Cardwell moved
+the Resolution, and Mr Sidney Herbert would, he believed, vote for it;
+Gladstone would speak on the other side, and Sir J. Graham would also
+vote with the Government.
+
+He concluded by saying that if the majority against the Government
+was a very large one, he thought that Lord Derby ought not to ask to
+dissolve; but that he knew that the members of the Government had said
+that the present Parliament was elected upon a momentary Palmerstonian
+cry, and was quite an exceptional case, and that they would not
+consent to be driven from office upon its verdict.
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: THE QUEEN AND DISSOLUTION]
+
+
+_Memorandum by the Prince Albert._
+
+BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _16th May 1858_.
+
+We saw Lord Derby after church. He brought interesting letters from
+Lord Canning to Lord Ellenborough, of which copies follow here. It
+is evident that Lord Canning thinks that he is taking a most merciful
+course, and expects pacification from his "Proclamation," attributing
+the slow coming in of the chiefs to the Proclamation not being yet
+sufficiently known.
+
+Lord Ellenborough's, and indeed the Government's, hearts, must have
+had curious sensations in reading Lord Canning's frank declaration,
+that he did not mean to resign on hearing of the formation of the Tory
+Government unless told to do so, and he had no fears that he would
+be treated in a way implying want of confidence to make him resign,
+feeling safe as to that in Lord Ellenborough's hands!
+
+Lord Derby spoke much of the Debate, which he expects to go on for
+another week. He expects to be beaten by from 15 to 35 votes under
+present circumstances, but thinks still that he could be saved if it
+were known that the Queen had not refused a Dissolution, which was
+stoutly maintained by Lord Palmerston's friends. He begged again to
+be empowered to contradict the assertion. The Queen maintained that it
+would be quite unconstitutional to threaten Parliament, and to use
+her name for that purpose. Lord Derby quite agreed, and disclaimed any
+such intention, but said there were modes of letting the fact be known
+without any risk. We agreed that we could not enter into such details.
+The Queen allowed him (Lord Derby) to know that a Dissolution would
+not be refused to him, and trusted that her honour would be safe in
+his hands as to the use he made of that knowledge. He seemed greatly
+relieved, and stated that had he had to resign, he would have
+withdrawn from public business, and the Conservative Party would have
+been entirely, and he feared for ever, broken up. On a Dissolution he
+felt certain of a large gain, as the country was in fact tired of the
+"Whig Family Clique"; the Radicals, like Mr Milner Gibson, Bright,
+etc., would willingly support a Conservative Government.
+
+ALBERT.
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: COLLAPSE OF THE ATTACK]
+
+
+_Mr Disraeli to Queen Victoria._[34]
+
+HOUSE OF COMMONS, _21st May 1858_.
+
+The Chancellor of the Exchequer with his humble duty to your Majesty.
+
+The fullest House; it is said 620 Members present; it was supposed we
+should have divided at three o'clock in the morning; Mr Gladstone
+was to have spoken for the Government at half-past ten--very great
+excitement--when there occurred a scene perhaps unprecedented in
+Parliament.
+
+One after another, perhaps twenty Members, on the Opposition benches,
+rising and entreating Mr Cardwell to withdraw his Resolution. After
+some time, silence on the Government benches, Mr Cardwell went to
+Lord John Russell, then to Lord Palmerston, then to Lord John Russell
+again, then returned to Lord Palmerston, and retired with him.
+
+What are called the interpellations continued, when suddenly Lord
+Palmerston reappeared; embarrassed, with a faint smile; addressed the
+House; and after various preluding, announced the withdrawal of the
+Motion of Censure.
+
+A various Debate followed; the Chancellor of the Exchequer
+endeavouring, as far as regards Lord Canning, to fulfil your Majesty's
+wishes. It is impossible to estimate the importance of this unforeseen
+event to your Majesty's servants. It has strengthened them more
+than the most decided division in their favour, for it has revealed
+complete anarchy in the ranks of their opponents. With prudence and
+vigilance all must now go right.
+
+The speech of Sir James Graham last night produced a very great
+effect. No report gives a fair idea of it. The great country
+gentleman, the broad views, the fine classical allusions, the happiest
+all omitted, the massy style, contrasted remarkably with Sir Richard
+Bethell.
+
+    [Footnote 34: Lord Shaftesbury's Motion in the Lords had been
+    lost by a majority of nine. In the Commons, Mr Cardwell was
+    replied to in a brilliant speech by Sir Hugh Cairns, the
+    Solicitor-General. The speeches of Sir James Graham, Mr
+    Bright, and others, showed that the Opposition was disunited,
+    and when it was understood that Mr Gladstone would support the
+    Ministry, the Liberal attack collapsed. Mr Disraeli, deprived
+    of the satisfaction of making an effective reply, subsequently
+    compared the discomfiture of his opponents to an earthquake
+    in Calabria or Peru. "There was," he said, in the course of
+    a speech at Slough, "a rumbling murmur, a groan, a shriek, a
+    sound of distant thunder. No one knew whether it came from the
+    top or bottom of the House. There was a rent, a fissure in
+    the ground, and then a village disappeared, then a tall tower
+    toppled down, and the whole of the Opposition benches became
+    one great dissolving view of anarchy."]
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: CAUSES OF THE COLLAPSE]
+
+[Pageheading: OFFER TO MR GLADSTONE]
+
+
+_The Earl of Derby to Queen Victoria._
+
+ST JAMES'S SQUARE, _23rd May 1858_.
+(_Sunday night._)
+
+Lord Derby, with his humble duty, gratefully acknowledges your
+Majesty's gracious letter just received, and the telegraphic message
+with which he was honoured in answer to his on Friday night. Your
+Majesty can hardly be expected to estimate, at a distance from the
+immediate scene of action, the effect of the event of that evening.
+It was the utter explosion of a well-constructed mine, under the feet,
+not of the assailed, but of the assailants; and the effect has been
+the greater from the immense attendance in London of Members of the
+House of Commons. No effort had been spared. Lord Castlerosse, only
+just married, had been sent for from Italy--but Lord Derby hopes that
+he had not been induced to come--for nothing. It is said that of
+the 654 Members of whom the House is composed, 626 were actually
+in London. The Government could rely on 304 to 308, and the whole
+question turned on the absence, or the conversion, of a small number
+of "Liberal" Members. The result is to be attributed to two causes;
+first, and principally, to the fear of a Dissolution, and to the
+growing conviction that in case of necessity your Majesty would
+sanction such a course, which had been strenuously denied by Lord
+Palmerston--and in which Lord Derby hopes that your Majesty will have
+seen that your Majesty's name has never, for a moment, been brought in
+question; and secondly, to the effect produced by the correspondence
+between the Governor-General and Sir James Outram.[35] And here
+Lord Derby may perhaps be allowed the opportunity of removing a
+misconception from your Majesty's mind, as to any secret intelligence
+or underhand intrigue between Lord Ellenborough and Sir James Outram,
+to the detriment of Lord Canning. Lord Derby is in the position
+to know that if there is one person in the world to whom Lord
+Ellenborough has an utter aversion, and with whom he has no personal
+or private correspondence, it is Sir James Outram. Anything therefore
+in common in their opinions must be the result of circumstances wholly
+irrespective of private concert. Lord Derby has written fully to Lord
+Canning, privately, by the mail which will go out on Tuesday; and
+while he has not concealed from him the opinion of your Majesty's
+servants that the Proclamation, of which so much has been said,
+conveyed too sweeping an Edict of Confiscation against the landowners,
+great and small, of Oudh, he has not hesitated to express also his
+conviction that Lord Canning's real intentions, in execution, would
+not be found widely to differ from the views of your Majesty's
+servants. He has expressed to Lord Canning his regret at the premature
+_publication_ of the Draft Proclamation, at the same time that he has
+pointed out the injustice done both to your Majesty's Government
+and to the Governor-General by the (Lord Derby will hardly call
+it fraudulent) suppression of the private letters addressed to the
+President of the Board of Control, and deprecating judgment on the
+text of the Proclamation, until explanation should be received. Lord
+Derby cannot but be of opinion that this suppression, of which Lord
+Palmerston was fully cognisant, was an act which no political or party
+interests were sufficient to justify.
+
+The state of the Government, during the late crisis, was such as
+to render it impossible to make any arrangement for filling up Lord
+Ellenborough's place at the Board of Control. Application has since
+been made to Mr Gladstone,[36] with the offer of that post, or of that
+of the Colonial Department, which Lord Stanley would give up for the
+convenience of your Majesty's Government, though unwillingly, for
+India. Mr Gladstone demurred, on the ground of not wishing to leave
+his friends; but when pressed to name whom he would wish to bring with
+him, he could name none. Finally, he has written to ask advice as to
+his course of Sir James Graham, who has returned to Netherby, and
+of Lord Aberdeen; and by them he will probably be guided. Should he
+finally refuse, Lord Stanley _must_ take India; and the Colonies must
+be offered in the first instance to Sir E. B. Lytton, who probably
+will refuse, as he wants a Peerage, and is doubtful of his
+re-election; and failing him, to Sir William Heathcote, the Member for
+the University of Oxford, who, without official experience, has great
+Parliamentary knowledge and influence, and, if he will accept, is
+quite equal to the duties of the office. Lord Derby trusts that your
+Majesty will forgive this long intrusion on your Majesty's patience.
+He has preferred the risk of it, to leaving your Majesty uninformed as
+to anything which was going on, or contemplated....
+
+If Lord Dalhousie should be in a state to converse upon public
+affairs, there is no one with whom Lord Derby could confer more
+confidentially than with him; nor of whose judgment, though he regrets
+to differ with him as to the annexation of Oudh, he has a higher
+opinion. He will endeavour to ascertain what is his present state
+of health, which he fears is very unsatisfactory, and will see and
+converse with him, if possible.
+
+    [Footnote 35: Especially Outram's remonstrance against what he
+    considered the excessive severity of the Proclamation.]
+
+    [Footnote 36: See Mr Disraeli's curious letter printed in
+    Morley's _Gladstone_, vol. i. p. 587, asking Mr Gladstone
+    whether the time had not come when he might deign to be
+    magnanimous. Sir E. B. Lytton accepted the office.]
+
+
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to the Earl of Derby._
+
+BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _4th June 1858_.
+
+The Queen has to thank Lord Derby for his satisfactory letter received
+yesterday. She has heard from Mr Disraeli to-day relative to the
+answer given by him to the question asked yesterday in the House of
+Commons as to what the Government meant to do.[37] He says that he
+hears there are rumours of other Motions on the subject. These the
+Queen hopes there will be no difficulty in defeating.
+
+The Duke of Cambridge seems rather uneasy altogether, but the Queen,
+though equally anxious about it, owns she cannot contemplate
+the possibility of any _real_ attempt to divest the Crown of its
+prerogative in this instance. The Army will not, she feels sure, stand
+it for a moment, and the Queen feels sure, that if properly defined
+and explained, the House of Commons will not acquiesce in any such
+disloyal proceeding.
+
+The Queen does not understand Lord John Russell's voting with the
+majority, for she never understood him to express any such opinion.
+
+    [Footnote 37: A question was asked whether it was the
+    intention of the Government to take any step in consequence
+    of a resolution of the House in favour of placing the
+    whole administration and control of the Army under the sole
+    authority of a single Minister. Mr. Disraeli replied that
+    "considering the great importance of the subject,... the
+    comparatively small number of Members in the House when
+    the division took pace, and the bare majority by which the
+    decision was arrived at, Her Majesty's Government do not feel
+    that it is their duty to recommend any measure in consequence
+    of that resolution."]
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: GOVERNMENT OF INDIA]
+
+
+_Mr Disraeli to Queen Victoria._
+
+HOUSE OF COMMONS, _24th June 1858_.
+
+The Chancellor of the Exchequer with his humble duty to your Majesty.
+
+The India Bill was read a second time without a division.[38] Lord
+Stanley made a clear and vigorous exposition of its spirit and
+provisions; Mr Bright delivered a powerful oration on the condition
+of India--its past government and future prospects; the rest of the
+discussion weak and desultory.
+
+No serious opposition apprehended in Committee, which the Chancellor
+of the Exchequer has fixed for this day (Friday)[39] and almost hopes
+that he may conclude the Committee on Monday. He proposes to proceed
+with no other business until it is concluded.
+
+When the Bill has passed, the temper of the House, and its sanitary
+state,[40] will assist him in passing the remaining estimates with
+rapidity; and he contemplates an early conclusion of the Session.
+
+It will be a great thing to have carried the India Bill, which Mr
+Thomas Baring, to-night, spoke of in terms of eulogy, and as a
+great improvement on the project of the late Government. It is, the
+Chancellor of the Exchequer really thinks, a wise and well-digested
+measure, ripe with the experience of the last five months of
+discussion; but it is only the antechamber of an imperial palace; and
+your Majesty would do well to deign to consider the steps which are
+now necessary to influence the opinions and affect the imagination of
+the Indian populations. The name of your Majesty ought to be impressed
+upon their native life. Royal Proclamations, Courts of Appeal, in
+their own land, and other institutions, forms, and ceremonies, will
+tend to this great result.
+
+    [Footnote 38: This was the third Bill of the Session, and was
+    founded on the Resolutions, _ante_, 12th April, 1858, note 26.
+    The Government of India was transferred from the dual
+    jurisdiction of the Company and the Board of Control, to the
+    Secretary of State for India in Council, the members of the
+    Council (after the provisions for representing vested interests
+    should have lapsed) to be appointed by the Secretary of State.
+    A certain term of residence in India was to be a necessary
+    qualification, and the members were to be rendered incapable
+    of sitting in Parliament, and with a tenure of office as
+    assured as that of judges under the Act of Settlement.]
+
+    [Footnote 39: The letter is ante-dated. The 24th of June was a
+    Thursday.]
+
+    [Footnote 40: In consequence of the polluted condition of
+    the Thames, the Government carried a measure enabling the
+    Metropolitan Board of Works, at a cost of L3,000,000, to
+    purify "that noble river, the present state of which is little
+    creditable to a great country, and seriously prejudicial
+    to the health and comfort of the inhabitants of the
+    Metropolis."--Extract from the Queen's Speech, at the close of
+    the Session.]
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: INDIAN CIVIL SERVICE]
+
+[Pageheading: THE SOVEREIGN'S PREROGATIVES]
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to the Earl of Derby._
+
+OSBORNE, _8th July 1858_.
+
+The Queen in reading in the papers yesterday, on her way here from the
+camp, the Debate in the House of Commons of the previous night, was
+shocked to find that in several important points her Government have
+surrendered the prerogatives of the Crown. She will only refer to the
+clauses concerning the Indian Civil Service and the right of peace and
+war.
+
+With respect to the first, the regulations under which servants of
+the Crown are to be admitted or examined have always been an undoubted
+right and duty of the Executive; by the clause introduced by Lord
+Stanley the system of "Competitive Examination" has been confirmed by
+Act of Parliament. That system may be right or wrong; it has since
+its introduction been carried on under the Orders in Council; now
+the Crown and Government are to be deprived of any authority in the
+matter, and the whole examinations, selection, and appointments,
+etc., etc., are to be vested in the Civil Commissioners under a
+Parliamentary title.
+
+As to the right of the Crown to declare war and make peace, it
+requires not a word of remark; yet Lord Stanley agrees to Mr
+Gladstone's proposal to make over this prerogative with regard to
+Indian questions to Parliament under the auspices of the Queen's
+Government; she is thus placed in a position of less authority than
+the President of the American Republic.[41]
+
+When a Bill has been introduced into Parliament, after having received
+the Sovereign's approval, she has the right to expect that her
+Ministers will not subsequently introduce important alterations
+without previously obtaining her sanction. In the first of the two
+instances referred to by the Queen, Lord Stanley introduced the
+alteration himself; in the second he agreed to it even without asking
+for a moment's delay; and the Opposition party, which attempted to
+guard the Queen's prerogative, was overborne by the Government Leader
+of the House.
+
+The Queen must remind Lord Derby that it is to him as the head of the
+Government that she looks for the protection of those prerogatives
+which form an integral part of the Constitution.
+
+    [Footnote 41: An important amendment made at the instance
+    of Mr Gladstone provided that, except for repelling actual
+    invasion or upon urgent necessity, the Queen's Indian forces
+    should not be employed in operations outside India, without
+    Parliamentary sanction.]
+
+
+
+
+_The King of the Belgians to Queen Victoria._
+
+LAEKEN, _16th July 1858_.
+
+MY TRULY BELOVED VICTORIA,--Nothing can be _kinder_ or more
+_affectionate_ than your dear letter of the 13th, and it would
+have done _your warm heart_ good to have _seen how much I have been
+delighted and moved by it_. I can only say that I love you both more
+tenderly than I could love my own children. When your plans will be
+nearer maturity, you will have the great kindness to let me know
+what will be your Royal pleasure, to enable me _de m'y conformer bien
+exactement_.
+
+The feeling which occasions some grumbling at the Cherbourg visit[42]
+is in fact a good feeling, but it is not over-wise. Two things are to
+be done--(1) To make every reasonable exertion to remain on personal
+good terms with the Emperor--which can be done. One party in England
+says it is with the French nation that you are to be on loving terms;
+this _cannot_ be, as the French dislike the English as a nation,
+though they may be kind to you also personally. (2) The next is,
+instead of a good deal of unnecessary abuse, to have the Navy so
+organised that it can and must be superior to the French. All beyond
+these two points is sheer nonsense.
+
+After talking of Chambord,[43] to my utter horror he is here, and
+asked yesterday to see me to-day. It is not fair to do so, as the
+legitimists affect to this hour to consider [us] here as rebels.
+I could not refuse to see him, as, though distantly, still he is a
+relation; but I mean to do as they did in Holland, to receive him, but
+to limit to his visit and my visit our whole intercourse. If he should
+speak to me of going to England, I certainly mean to tell him _que
+je considerais une visite comme tout a fait intempestive_.... Your
+devoted Uncle,
+
+LEOPOLD R.
+
+    [Footnote 42: On the 4th of August, the Queen and Prince,
+    accompanied by the Prince of Wales, visited the Emperor and
+    Empress at Cherbourg.]
+
+    [Footnote 43: See _ante_, 16th January, 1854, and note 5.]
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: BRITISH COLUMBIA]
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to Sir E. Bulwer Lytton._
+
+OSBORNE, _24th July 1858_.
+
+The Queen has received Sir E. Bulwer Lytton's letter.[44] If the name
+of New Caledonia is objected to as being already borne by another
+colony or island claimed by the French, it may be better to give the
+new colony west of the Rocky Mountains another name. New Hanover,
+New Cornwall, and New Georgia appear from the maps to be the names of
+sub-divisions of that country, but do not appear on all maps. The only
+name which is given to the whole territory in every map the Queen has
+consulted is "Columbia," but as there exists also a Columbia in South
+America, and the citizens of the United States call their country
+also Columbia, at least in poetry, "British Columbia" might be, in the
+Queen's opinion, the best name.
+
+    [Footnote 44: Stating that objections were being made in
+    France to the name of New Caledonia being given to the
+    proposed colony between the Pacific and the Rocky Mountains.]
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: ARMY COMMISSIONS]
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to the Earl of Derby._
+
+OSBORNE, _29th July 1858_.
+
+The Queen has been placed in a most unpleasant dilemma by the last
+vote in the House of Commons;[45] she feels all the force of Lord
+Derby's objections to risking another defeat on the same question and
+converting the struggle into one against the Royal Prerogative; yet,
+on the other hand, she can hardly sit still, and from mere want of
+courage become a party to the most serious inroad which has yet
+been made upon it. It is the introduction of the principle into
+our legislation that the Sovereign is no longer the source of all
+appointments under the Crown, but that these appointments are the
+property of individuals under a Parliamentary title, which the Queen
+feels bound to resist. Lord John Russell's Motion and Sir James
+Graham's speech only went to the Civil appointments; but after their
+Motion had been carried on a division, Lord Stanley gave way to Sir
+De Lacy Evans also with regard to a _portion of the Army!_ If this
+principle is recognised and sanctioned by the entire legislature, its
+future extension can no longer be resisted on constitutional grounds,
+and Lord John in fact reminded Lord Stanley that the latter had
+stated that he only refrained from making the application general from
+thinking it _premature_, himself being of opinion that it ought to
+be carried further, and yet its extension to the Army reduces the
+Sovereign to a mere signing machine, as, to carry the case to its
+extreme consequence, _Law_ would _compel_ her to sign the Commission
+for the officers, and they might have the right to sue at law for the
+recovery of their property vested in them by Act of Parliament (viz.,
+their Commissions) if the Crown doubted for any reason the fitness of
+an appointment!! Have these consequences been considered and brought
+distinctly before Parliament? It strikes the Queen that all the
+Commons want is a Parliamentary security against the abolition of the
+Competitive System of Examinations by the Executive. Can this not
+be obtained by means less subversive of the whole character of our
+Constitution? The Queen cannot believe that Lord Derby could not find
+means to come to some agreement with the Opposition, and she trusts he
+will leave nothing undone to effect this.
+
+    [Footnote 45: The Lords Amendments on the subject of
+    competitive examination were rejected by a majority of
+    thirteen in the Commons, and, in the circumstances, Lord Derby
+    had advised abiding by the decision and not risking another
+    defeat.]
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: NAVAL ESTIMATES]
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to the Earl of Derby._
+
+OSBORNE, _2nd August 1858_.
+
+The Queen feels it her duty to address a few lines to Lord Derby on
+the subject of the reports made to Sir John Pakington on the subject
+of the French Naval preparations, to which she has already verbally
+adverted when she saw Lord Derby last. These reports reveal a state
+of things of the greatest moment to this country. It will be the first
+time in her history that she will find herself in an absolute minority
+of ships on the sea! and this inferiority will be much greater
+in reality than even apparent, as our fleet will have to defend
+possessions and commerce all over the world, and has even in Europe
+a strategical line to hold extending from Malta to Heligoland, whilst
+France keeps her fleet together and occupies the centre of that line
+in Europe.
+
+The Queen thinks it irreconcilable with the duty which the Government
+owes to the country to be aware of this state of things without
+straining every nerve to remedy it. With regard to men in whom we
+are also totally deficient in case of an emergency, a Commission of
+Enquiry is sitting to devise a remedy; but with regard to our ships
+and dockyards we require action, and immediate action. The plan
+proposed by the Surveyor of the Navy appears to the Queen excessively
+moderate and judicious, and she trusts that the Cabinet will not
+hesitate to empower its execution, bearing in mind that L200,000
+spent now will probably do more work during the six or nine months
+for working before us, than L2,000,000 would if voted in next year's
+estimate, letting our arrears in the dockyards, already admitted to
+be very great, accumulate in the interval. Time is most precious under
+these circumstances!
+
+It is true that this sum of money would be in excess of the estimates
+of last Session, but the Queen feels sure that on the faith of the
+reports made by the Admiralty, the Government would find no difficulty
+in convincing Parliament that they have been good stewards of
+the public money, in taking courageously the responsibility upon
+themselves to spend judiciously what is necessary, and that the
+country will be deeply grateful for the honesty with which they will
+have served her.
+
+The Queen wishes Lord Derby to communicate this letter to the Cabinet.
+
+
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to the Earl of Derby._
+
+BABELSBERG, _15th August 1858_.
+
+The Queen has asked Lord Malmesbury to explain in detail to Lord Derby
+her objections to the draft of Proclamation for India. The Queen
+would be glad if Lord Derby would write it himself in his excellent
+language, bearing in mind that it is a female Sovereign who speaks
+to more than 100,000,000 of Eastern people on assuming the direct
+Government over them after a bloody civil war, giving them pledges
+which her future reign is to redeem, and explaining the principles of
+her Government. Such a document should breathe feelings of generosity,
+benevolence, and religious feeling, pointing out the privileges which
+the Indians will receive in being placed on an equality with the
+subjects of the British Crown, and the prosperity following in the
+train of civilisation.[46]
+
+    [Footnote 46: The draft Proclamation was accordingly altered
+    so as to be in strict harmony with the Queen's wishes. See
+    _post_, 2nd December, 1858, and note 52.]
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: PROCLAMATION FOR INDIA]
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to Lord Stanley._
+
+OSBORNE, _4th September 1858_.
+
+The Queen sends to Lord Stanley a Memorandum embodying her wishes with
+respect to the transaction of business between herself and the new
+Secretary of State. He will find that she has omitted any reference
+to Military appointments, as Lord Stanley seemed anxious to defer a
+settlement on this point; she expects, however, that in all cases in
+which her pleasure was taken by the Commander-in-Chief, even during
+the administration of the East India Company and Board of Control, the
+same practice will be continued unaltered.
+
+The Queen has received Lord Stanley's letter of yesterday. He has
+given her no answer with respect to Sir James Melvill.[47]
+
+Whenever the Proclamation is finally printed, the Queen would wish
+to have a copy sent her. A letter she has received from Lady Canning
+speaks of Lord Canning's supposed Amnesty in Oudh as a fabrication;
+she has sent the letter to Lord Derby.
+
+    [Footnote 47: The Queen had asked how it was that Sir J.
+    Melvill's name was not included among those submitted to
+    her for appointments in connection with the new military
+    organisation in India. Sir James had been Financial Secretary,
+    and afterwards Chief Secretary, for the East India Company. He
+    now became the Government Director of Indian railways, and a
+    Member of the Council of India.]
+
+
+
+
+_Memorandum by Queen Victoria._
+
+OSBORNE, _4th September 1858_.
+
+The Queen wishes the practice of the Office[48] with reference to
+submissions to her to be as nearly as possible assimilated to that of
+the Foreign Office.
+
+All despatches, when received and perused by the Secretary of State,
+to be sent to the Queen. They may be merely forwarded in boxes from
+the Office without being accompanied by any letter from the Secretary
+of State, unless he should think an explanation necessary. No draft of
+instructions or orders to be sent out without having been previously
+submitted to the Queen. The label on the boxes of the Office
+containing such drafts to be marked "For Approval."
+
+In cases of Civil appointments the Secretary of State will himself
+take the Queen's pleasure before communicating with the gentlemen to
+be appointed.
+
+Copies or a _precis_ of the Minutes of the Council to be regularly
+transmitted to the Queen.
+
+The Secretary of State to obtain the Queen's sanction to important
+measures previously to his bringing them before the Council for
+discussion.
+
+    [Footnote 48: The India Office.]
+
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: LORD PALMERSTON]
+
+
+_Memorandum by the Prince Albert._
+
+OSBORNE, _4th September 1858_.
+
+The most remarkable feature of the last Session of Parliament has been
+the extraordinary unpopularity of Lord Palmerston, for which nothing
+can account; the only direct reproach which is made to him, is to have
+appointed Lord Clanricarde Privy Seal, and to have been overbearing in
+his manner. Yet a House of Commons, having been elected solely for the
+object, and on the ground of supporting Lord Palmerston personally
+(an instance in our Parliamentary history without parallel), holds him
+suddenly in such abhorrence, that not satisfied with having upset his
+Government, which had been successful in all its policy, and thrown
+him out, it will hardly listen to him when he speaks. He is frequently
+received with hooting, and throughout the last Session it sufficed
+that [he] took up any cause for the whole House voting against
+it, even if contrary to the principles which they had themselves
+advocated, merely to have the satisfaction of putting him into a
+minority. How can this be accounted for? The man who was without
+rhyme or reason stamped the only _English_ statesman, the champion of
+liberty, the man of the people, etc., etc., now, without his having
+changed in any one respect, having still the same virtues and the same
+faults that he always had, young and vigorous in his seventy-fifth
+year, and having succeeded in his policy, is now considered the head
+of a clique, the man of intrigue, past his work, etc., etc.--in fact
+hated! and this throughout the country. I cannot explain the enigma
+except by supposing that people had before joined in a cry which they
+thought was popular without themselves believing what they said and
+wrote, and that they now do the same; that the Radicals used his name
+to destroy other statesmen and politicians, and are destroying him now
+in his turn; that they hoped to govern through him, and that they
+see a better chance now of doing it through a weak and incapable Tory
+Government which has entered into a secret bargain for their support.
+Still the phenomenon remains most curious.[49]
+
+[Footnote 49: Charles Greville, in his Journal (16th June 1858), noted
+the same circumstance, and drew the inference that Palmerston's public
+career was drawing to a close.]
+
+Lord Palmerston himself remains, outwardly at least, quite cheerful,
+and seems to care very little about his reverses; he speaks on all
+subjects, bids for the Liberal support as before, even at the expense
+of his better conviction (as he used to do), and keeps as much as
+possible before the public; he made an official tour in Ireland, and
+is gone to visit the Emperor Napoleon at Paris; his Chinese policy
+upon which the general Dissolution had taken place in 1857 has just
+been crowned by the most complete success by the advantageous treaty
+signed at Pekin by Lord Elgin; and yet even for this the public will
+not allow him any credit. Lady Palmerston, on the contrary, is said to
+be very unhappy and very much hurt.
+
+ALBERT.
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: THE IONIAN ISLANDS]
+
+
+_Sir E. Bulwer Lytton to Queen Victoria._
+
+COLONIAL OFFICE, _1st November 1858_.
+
+Sir E. B. Lytton, with his humble duty to the Queen, submits to your
+Majesty's pleasure the appointment of the Right Honourable W. E.
+Gladstone, as special High Commissioner to the Ionian Islands.
+
+Differences of long standing between the Executive and Legislative
+branches of the Ionian Constitution, aggravated by recent dissensions
+between the Senate and Municipal Magistrature, render it very
+expedient to obtain the opinion of a statesman of eminence, formed
+upon the spot, as to any improvements in the workings and results
+of the Constitution which it might be in the power of the protecting
+Sovereign to effect. And Sir Edward thinks it fortunate for the public
+service that a person so distinguished and able as Mr Gladstone should
+be induced to undertake this mission.
+
+Sir Edward ventures to add that, should Her Majesty be graciously
+pleased to approve this appointment, it is extremely desirable that
+Mr Gladstone should depart at the earliest possible day, and that Sir
+Edward may be enabled to make the requisite announcement to the Lord
+High Commissioner by the first mail.
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: LORD STANLEY AND MR DISRAELI]
+
+[Pageheading: SUGGESTED RESIGNATION]
+
+
+_Mr Disraeli to the Prince Albert._
+
+GROSVENOR GATE, _18th November 1858_.
+(_Wednesday night._)
+
+SIR,--After the Committee of the Cabinet on the Reform Bill, which
+sat this morning for five hours, Lord Stanley expressed a wish to have
+some private conversation with me.
+
+Although I would willingly have deferred the interview till a moment
+when I was less exhausted, I did not think it wise, with a person of
+his temperament, to baulk an occasion, and therefore assented at once.
+
+I give your Royal Highness faithfully, but feebly, and not completely,
+the results of our conversation.
+
+1. With respect to the relations between his office and Her Majesty,
+he said he was conscious that they had been conducted with great
+deficiency of form, and, in many respects, in an unsatisfactory
+manner; but he attributed all this to the inexperience and "sheer
+ignorance" of a Department which had not been accustomed to direct
+communication with the Crown. Some portion of this, he said, he had
+already remedied, and he wished to remedy all, though he experienced
+difficulties, on some of which he consulted me.
+
+He accepted, without reserve, and cordially, my position, that he must
+act always as the Minister of the Queen, and not of the Council, but
+he said I took an exaggerated view of his relations with that body;
+that he thoroughly knew their respective places, and should be
+vigilant that they did [? not] overstep their limits; that he had
+never been, of which he reminded me, an admirer of the East India
+Company, and had no intention of reviving their system; that the
+incident of submitting the legal case to the Council, etc., had
+originated in a demand on the part of the Commander-in-Chief, which
+involved, if complied with, a grant of money, and that, under these
+circumstances, an appeal to the Council was inevitable.
+
+2. He agreed with me, that, on all military matters, he would
+habitually communicate with the Commander-in-Chief, and take His Royal
+Highness's advice on all such points; and that copies of all military
+papers, as I understood Lord Stanley, should be furnished to His Royal
+Highness.
+
+3. Having arrived at this point, I laid before him the views
+respecting _military unity_, which formed the subject matter of
+recent conversations. Lord Stanley assented to the principles which
+I attempted to enforce; and in reply to my reminding him that the
+old military system of India had entirely broken down, he said
+he contemplated terminating the independent authority of the
+Commander-in-Chief at the inferior Presidencies, and of
+establishing the absolute and complete authority of Her Majesty's
+Commander-in-Chief in India. He did not seem to see his way to any
+further step at present, and I did not think it judicious on this
+occasion to press the subject further.
+
+Throughout this interview, Lord Stanley's manner was candid, very
+conciliatory, and, for him, even soft. He was pleased to say that it
+was a source of great satisfaction to him that your Royal Highness had
+deigned to confer confidentially with me on the subject, and make me,
+as it were, a "Mediator" on matters which, he assured me with great
+emphasis, had occasioned him an amount of anxiety almost intolerable.
+
+He had recurred, in the course of this interview, to a suggestion
+which he had thrown out on Tuesday, viz. that the difficulties of the
+position might be removed, or greatly mitigated, by his retirement
+from the office, and accepting, if his continuance in the Government
+was desirable, another post. I therefore thought it best at once to
+point out to him that such a course of proceeding would only aggravate
+all the inconveniences and annoyances at present existing; that his
+retirement would be the signal for exaggerated rumours and factious
+machinations, and would have the most baneful effect on the discussion
+in Parliament generally of all those military topics with which we
+were threatened; that, far from being satisfactory to Her Majesty and
+your Royal Highness, I was convinced that the Queen and yourself would
+hear of such an intention with regret.
+
+Lord Stanley ultimately adopted entirely this view of his position,
+and he parted from me with an earnest expression of his hope that the
+painful misconceptions which had prevailed might at once, or at least
+in due course, entirely disappear.
+
+This, Sir, is a very imperfect report of an important interview, but,
+as I collected from Lord Stanley, that nothing was really settled in
+his conference on Tuesday with Lord Derby and the Lord Chancellor, I
+have thought it my duty, without loss of time, to forward it to your
+Royal Highness, and have the honour to remain, ever, Sir, your most
+obedient and sincerely obliged Servant,
+
+B. DISRAELI.
+
+
+
+
+_The Prince Albert to Mr Disraeli._
+
+WINDSOR CASTLE, _18th November 1858_.
+
+MY DEAR MR DISRAELI,--I am very much obliged to you for your long
+letter after a Cabinet meeting of five hours, and subsequent interview
+with Lord Stanley, whom I am much pleased to hear you found so anxious
+to remedy the present state of things. I am glad that you made it
+clear to him that the Queen had never connected in her mind the
+objections which she felt bound to take with anything personal,
+which could be removed by Lord Stanley's relinquishing the Indian
+Secretaryship. The difficulty would still remain to be solved, only
+under additional complication and disadvantage. Lord Derby told me
+to-day that he was drawing up a Memorandum which, when seen by the
+Chancellor and Lord Stanley, was to be submitted to the Queen. Ever
+yours truly,
+
+ALBERT.[50]
+
+    [Footnote 50: On the same day Lord Stanley wrote a lengthy
+    letter to the Queen justifying the course he had taken.]
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: THE INDIA OFFICE]
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to Lord Stanley_.
+
+WINDSOR CASTLE, _20th November 1858._
+
+The Queen has received Lord Stanley's letter entering into the subject
+of the difficulties which have arisen in the conduct of the new Indian
+Department. She had from the first foreseen that it would not be
+an easy matter to bring the establishments of the old Company's
+Government to fall into the practice and usages of the Constitutional
+Monarchy, and was therefore most anxious that distinct rules should
+be laid down before the installation of the new Government, which
+unfortunately was not done, but she trusts will now be devised and
+adopted.
+
+The Queen most readily gives Lord Stanley credit for every intention
+to remove the obstacles in the way of the solution of these
+difficulties as far as he was able, but she cannot but fear that the
+particular form in which the opinion of the Law Officers has been
+asked, and the fact [that] the eighteen members of the Council (all
+naturally wedded to a system under which they were trained) were made
+parties to the discussion between herself and her Secretary of State
+on these difficulties--must increase instead of diminishing them.
+
+The account given by Mr Temple, together with the last printed letters
+and Memoranda from the Punjab, give us serious cause of apprehension
+for the future, and show that the _British_ Army is the only safeguard
+at present.
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: LORD CANNING'S PROCLAMATION]
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to Viscount Canning._[51]
+
+WINDSOR CASTLE, _2nd December 1858_.
+
+The Queen acknowledges the receipt of Lord Canning's letter of the
+19th October, which she received on the 29th November, which has given
+her great pleasure.
+
+It is a source of great satisfaction and pride to her to feel herself
+in direct communication with that enormous Empire which is so bright a
+jewel of her Crown, and which she would wish to see happy, contented,
+and peaceful. May the publication of her Proclamation be the beginning
+of a new era, and may it draw a veil over the sad and bloody past!
+
+The Queen rejoices to hear that her Viceroy approves this passage
+about Religion.[52] She strongly insisted on it. She trusts also that
+the certainty of the Amnesty remaining open till the 1st January may
+not be productive of serious evil.
+
+The Queen must express our admiration of Lord Canning's own
+Proclamation, the wording of which is beautiful. The telegram received
+to-day brings continued good news, and announces her proclamation
+having been read, and having produced a good effect.
+
+The Queen hopes to hear from Lord Canning, whenever he can spare time
+to write. She misses hearing from Lady Canning, not having heard from
+her since the 30th August; but the Queen fears that she is herself
+to blame, as she has not written to Lady Canning for a long time; she
+intends doing so by the next mail....
+
+Both the Prince and herself hope that Lord Canning's health is now
+perfectly good, as well as dear Lady Canning's. We ask him to remember
+us to her, and also to Lord Clyde.
+
+The Queen concludes with every wish for Lord Canning's success and
+prosperity, and with the assurance of her undiminished and entire
+confidence.
+
+    [Footnote 51: The Queen's Proclamation to her Indian subjects
+    had been received by Lord Canning on the 17th of October, when
+    he also learned that the title of Viceroy was in future to
+    dignify the Governor-General's office.]
+
+    [Footnote 52: "Firmly relying ourselves on the truth of
+    Christianity, and acknowledging with gratitude the solace of
+    religion, we disclaim alike the right and desire to impose
+    our convictions on any of our subjects." The Proclamation
+    proceeded to state that all the Queen's Indian subjects should
+    be impartially protected by the law, and live unmolested in
+    the observance of their several religions.]
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: FRANCE AND ITALY]
+
+
+_The Earl of Malmesbury to Queen Victoria._
+
+LONDON, _10th December 1858_.
+
+The Earl of Malmesbury presents his humble duty to the Queen, and
+has already anticipated your Majesty's wishes respecting the Emperor
+Napoleon.[53] Lord Malmesbury has written to Lord Cowley a private
+letter, desiring him to show it to His Majesty. It is in the same
+sense as your Majesty's, and states that if he is anxious to improve
+the lot of the worst governed country, namely the Papal States, he
+should, instead of sulking with Austria, make an attempt with his
+Catholic brother to ameliorate the Papal Government. It is not for
+Protestant England to take the initiative, as her object would be
+misunderstood and attributed to sectarian motives; but England could
+give her moral support, and even her material aid _eventually_, if
+it were required to establish an improved Administration of the
+Roman States. Austria would gain by having a quiet frontier. The
+correspondence which took place in 1856 and 1857 between Lord
+Clarendon and Mr Lyons shows that this is the only effective way of
+ameliorating the condition of Italy without a war.
+
+Lord Malmesbury thinks he can assure your Majesty that none is
+at present contemplated by the Emperor Napoleon (who has just
+contradicted the report officially), and Count Buol is of the same
+opinion. The latter is constantly hurting the vanity of the French
+Government by his irritable despatches, and neither party makes the
+slightest effort to command their temper; but it appears impossible
+that Napoleon can make a _casus belli_ against Austria. Besides this,
+your Majesty may be assured that no warlike preparations are making in
+France, such as must precede such a plan as an Italian war.
+
+Lord Malmesbury entirely agrees with your Majesty that it is desirable
+that His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales should visit and remain
+at Rome incognito. It is also indispensable that when there His Royal
+Highness should receive no foreigner or stranger _alone_, so that
+no reports of pretended conversations with such persons could be
+circulated without immediate refutation by Colonel Bruce. Lord
+Malmesbury will instruct Mr Odo Russell to inform His Holiness of your
+Majesty's intentions in respect of the Prince.
+
+    [Footnote 53: Viz. that the Emperor's mind should be diverted
+    from his project of originating a war in Italy. On the
+    previous day Lord Malmesbury had written to the Queen: "Lord
+    Clarendon may have told your Majesty that the Emperor Napoleon
+    was so ignorant of the locality of Villafranca that he looked
+    for it on the map in the Adriatic, and was confounded when
+    Lord Clarendon showed His Majesty that it was the Port of Nice
+    and ten miles from his frontier!"]
+
+
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._
+
+OSBORNE, _17th December 1858_.
+
+MY DEAREST UNCLE,--I wrote in such a hurry on Wednesday that I wish to
+make amends by writing again to-day, and entering more properly into
+what _you_ wrote about in your kind letter....
+
+I really _hope_ that there is no _real_ desire for war in the
+Emperor's mind; we have also explained to him strongly how _entirely_
+he would _alienate_ us from him if there was any _attempt_ to _disturb
+standing and binding treaties_. The Empress-Dowager of Russia[54] is
+very ill, they say, with bronchitis and fever.
+
+I did not tell you, that when we went on the 2nd to Claremont I was
+_not_ pleased with the Queen's appearance. She had had a slight cold,
+and I thought her very _feeble_. They keep her rooms so fearfully
+[hot] that it must really be _very_ weakening for her and predispose
+her to cold. I am ever, your devoted Niece,
+
+VICTORIA R.
+
+    [Footnote 54: The Empress Alexandra Feodorovna (formerly the
+    Princess Louise Charlotte of Prussia, sister to King Frederick
+    William IV.), widow of the Emperor Nicholas.]
+
+
+
+
+INTRODUCTORY NOTE
+
+TO CHAPTER XXVIII
+
+
+Parliamentary Reform was the question of the hour at the outset of the
+year 1859, and the Derby Government, though with difficulty able to
+maintain itself in power, took the courageous step of introducing
+a Reform Bill, the chief feature of which was the introduction of
+a franchise based on personal property. Mr Walpole and Mr Henley
+thereupon withdrew from the Ministry, and Lord John Russell,
+from below the gangway, proposed an Amendment, protesting against
+interference with the established freehold franchise, and calling for
+a larger extension of the suffrage in towns. Lord Palmerston and the
+Liberal Opposition supported the Amendment, while Mr Gladstone, who
+was opposed to most of the provisions of the Bill, supported it in
+preference to the Amendment, pleading, at the same time, for the
+retention of the small boroughs. The Ministry were defeated, and
+Parliament thereupon dissolved, but not until the civil functionaries
+and all ranks of the native and European army had received its thanks
+for the final suppression of the Indian Mutiny. The Ministry gained
+twenty-five seats at the polls, but were still in a minority, and as
+soon as it was known that Lord John Russell and Lord Palmerston were
+reconciled, the end was in sight. A hostile Amendment to the
+Address was carried by a majority of thirteen, but on Lord Derby's
+resignation, the Queen was placed in a dilemma by the competing claims
+of Lord Palmerston and Lord John Russell, who had each been Prime
+Minister and leader of the Liberal Party. Unwilling to be compelled to
+decide between them, she called upon Lord Granville to form a
+Ministry representative of all sections of the Liberal Party; but the
+difficulties proved insuperable, and Lord Palmerston eventually formed
+a Ministry in which the Whigs, the Peelites, and the Manchester
+School were all represented, though Mr Cobden declined to join the
+Government. Mr Gladstone, who had returned from the mission he had
+undertaken for the Derby Cabinet, and voted with them in the critical
+division, became Chancellor of the Exchequer, and kept his seat for
+Oxford University by a majority of nearly two hundred.
+
+The continent of Europe was the scene of a contest between Austria on
+the one hand, who was struggling to maintain her position in Italy,
+and France with Sardinia on the other. Sardinia, under the guidance of
+Cavour, had joined the alliance of England and France against Russia;
+and in July 1858 an interview at Plombieres, under rather mysterious
+circumstances, between Cavour and Louis Napoleon, led to effective
+confederacy; a marriage, arranged or suggested at the same time,
+between Princess Clothilde of Sardinia and a cousin of the Emperor,
+brought the two illustrious houses still closer together. In the
+spring of 1859, Sardinia prepared to take up arms to resist Austrian
+predominance, and the assistance of the guerilla leader, Garibaldi,
+was obtained. Count Cavour, in reply to interrogatories from the
+British Government, stated officially his grievances against Austria,
+while Lord Malmesbury despatched Lord Cowley on a special mission to
+Vienna to mediate between Austria and France. In April, however,
+after a curt summons to the Sardinians to disarm had been disregarded,
+Austria invaded Piedmont, and Victor Emmanuel placed himself at the
+head of his army. The first engagement took place, with unfavourable
+results to the Austrians, at Montebello, followed by French victories
+at Palestro and Magenta. A revolution had meanwhile taken place in
+Florence. The Grand Duke had fled, and a Commissioner to administer
+the affairs of the Grand Duchy had been appointed by the King
+of Sardinia with the assent of the Tuscans, who now joined the
+Franco-Sardinian alliance, while risings also took place in Parma and
+Modena. The Austrians were again defeated at Malegnano, and, on the
+8th of June, the French Emperor and King Victor Emmanuel entered Milan
+amid great enthusiasm. The bloody action of Solferino was fought
+on the 24th of June, but on the 11th of July a treaty of peace was,
+somewhat unexpectedly, concluded between the French and Austrian
+Emperors at Villafranca, under which an Italian Confederation was to
+be erected, Lombardy substantially ceded to Sardinia, the Grand Duke
+of Tuscany and the Duke of Modena reinstated, and Venetia, though
+included in the Confederation, to remain subject to the Imperial Crown
+of Austria; these preliminaries were subsequently converted into
+a definite treaty at Zurich. Meanwhile, the newly constituted
+representative Assemblies in Tuscany, Romagna, and the Duchies,
+unanimously pronounced for incorporation in the kingdom of Victor
+Emmanuel.
+
+At home, on the 14th of October, the Queen opened the Glasgow
+waterworks at the outflow of Loch Katrine, the construction of which
+had necessitated engineering operations at that time considered
+stupendous; a few days later an appalling shipping calamity occurred,
+in the wreck of the _Royal Charter_ near Anglesey, and the loss of 459
+lives.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXVIII
+
+1859
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to Sir Edward Bulwer Lytton._
+
+WINDSOR CASTLE, _7th January 1859_.
+
+The Queen returns Mr Gladstone's letters, and gladly accepts his
+patriotic offer.[1] He will have difficulty in solving a delicate
+question, affecting national feeling, against time, but his offer
+comes most opportunely.
+
+    [Footnote 1: See _ante_, 1st November, 1858. Mr Gladstone
+    had been sent to enquire into the causes of the
+    dissatisfaction of the inhabitants of the Ionian Islands
+    with their High Commissioner, Sir John Young. He now
+    offered to act himself for a limited time as High
+    Commissioner, should it be decided to recall Sir John.
+    He was succeeded in February by Sir Henry Storks.]
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: NATIONAL DEFENCES]
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to the Earl of Derby._
+
+WINDSOR CASTLE, _13th January 1859_.
+
+As the Cabinet are now meeting, and will probably come to a decision
+about the estimates for the year, the Queen thinks it her duty to
+urge upon them in the strongest manner her conviction that, under the
+present aspect of political affairs in Europe, there will be no safety
+to the honour, power, and peace of this country except in Naval and
+Military strength. The extraordinary exertions which France is making
+in her Naval Department oblige us to exercise the utmost vigour to
+keep up a superiority at sea, upon which our very existence may be
+said to depend, and which would be already lost at any moment that
+France were to be joined by any other country possessing a Navy.[2]
+The war in India has drained us of every available Battalion. We
+possess at this moment only fourteen old Battalions of the Line within
+the three kingdoms, and twelve Second Battalions newly raised, whilst
+our Mediterranean possessions are under-garrisoned, and Alderney has
+not as yet any garrison at all. Under these circumstances the
+Queen has heard it rumoured that the Government intend to propose a
+reduction on the estimates of 9,000 men for this year. She trusts that
+such an idea, if ever entertained, will upon reflection be given up
+as inconsistent with the duty which the Government owe to the country.
+Even if it were said that these 9,000 men have only existed on paper,
+and have not yet been raised, such an act at this moment would be
+indefensible; for it would require a proof that circumstances have
+arisen which make it desirable to ask for fewer troops than were
+considered requisite when the last estimates were passed, which really
+cannot be said to be the case! To be able to raise at any time an
+additional 9,000 men (in political danger) without having to go to
+Parliament for a supplementary vote and spreading alarm thereby, must
+be of the utmost value to the Government, and if not wanted, the vote
+will entail no additional expense.
+
+England will not be listened to in Europe, and be powerless for the
+preservation of the general peace, which must be her first object
+under the present circumstances, if she is known to be despicably
+weak in her military resources, and no statesman will, the Queen
+apprehends, maintain that if a European war were to break out she
+could hope to remain long out of it. For peace and for war, therefore,
+an available Army is a necessity to her.
+
+The Queen wishes Lord Derby to communicate this letter to the Cabinet.
+
+    [Footnote 2: The French Emperor had signalised the opening of
+    a new year by an ominous speech. To M. Huebner, the Austrian
+    Ambassador at Paris, who had attended, with the other foreign
+    representatives, to offer the usual congratulations on the 1st
+    of January, he observed: "I regret that the relations between
+    our two Governments are not more satisfactory; but I beg
+    you to assure the Emperor that they in no respect alter my
+    feelings of friendship to himself."]
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: THE POPE]
+
+[Pageheading: THE POPE AND LORD PALMERSTON]
+
+
+_Mr Odo Russell[3] to Mr Corbett._[4]
+
+(_Submitted to Queen Victoria_.)
+
+
+ROME, _14th January 1859_.
+
+SIR,--I had the honour of being received by the Pope at a private
+audience this morning at the Vatican. No one else was present.
+
+His Holiness, whose manner towards me was most kind and benevolent,
+said: "You are appointed to succeed a very good man,[5] for whom I
+felt great affection, and I regret that he has left Rome. You may be
+as good as he was, and we shall become friends, but I do not know you
+yet, and Mr Lyons I had known for many years; he is going to America,
+I hear, and he will find the Americans far more difficult to deal with
+than with us.
+
+"I am much gratified to hear that the Prince of Wales is likely to
+visit Rome, and Her Majesty, I feel sure, has done well to allow him
+to prosecute his studies here. It will be an honour to me to receive
+him at the Vatican, and I beg that you will confer with Cardinal
+Antonelli[6] as to the best means of making the Prince's visit here
+useful and pleasant. We are anxious that all his wishes should be
+attended to, that he may preserve a pleasant recollection of Rome
+in the future. Alas! so many erroneous impressions exist about this
+country that I hope you will not judge of us too rashly. We are
+advised to make reforms, and it is not understood that those very
+reforms, which would consist in giving this country a Government of
+laymen, would make it cease to exist. It is called 'States of the
+Church' (_Etats de l' Eglise_), and that is what it must remain. It
+is true I have lately appointed a layman to a post formerly held by an
+ecclesiastic, and I may do so again occasionally; but, however small
+we may be, we cannot yield to outer pressure, and this country must
+be administered by men of the Church. For my part, I shall fulfil my
+duties according to my conscience, and should Governments and events
+turn against me they cannot make me yield. I shall go with the
+faithful to the Catacombs, as did the Christians of the early
+centuries, and there await the will of the Supreme Being, for I dread
+no human Power upon earth and fear nothing but God."
+
+"But, Holy Father," I said, "you speak as if some great danger
+threatened Rome--is there any [real?] cause for apprehension?"
+
+"Have you not heard," His Holiness answered, "that great excitement
+prevails throughout Italy?--the state of Lombardy is deplorable; evil
+spirits are at work even in my dominions, and the late speech of
+the King of Sardinia is calculated to inflame the minds of all
+the revolutionary men of Italy. It is true he says he will observe
+existing Treaties, but that will scarcely counter-balance the effect
+produced by other portions of his speech. News has also reached me of
+an extensive amnesty granted by the King of Naples--he did not yield
+to outer pressure, and he was right--but now, on the occasion of the
+marriage of his son, an act of clemency on his part is well advised."
+
+"Is it true," I said, "that political prisoners are included in that
+Amnesty?"
+
+"Yes," His Holiness answered; "I saw the name of Settembrini, and
+I think also of that other man in whom your Government took so much
+interest--his name begins with a 'P' if I remember rightly----"
+
+"Poerio," I suggested.
+
+"That is the name," the Pope continued; "and I fancy that all the
+other political prisoners will be released; they are to be sent to
+Cadiz at the expense of the King, they are to be clothed and receive
+some money, I believe, and after that arrangements have been made
+with the Minister of the United States to have them conveyed to that
+country; they are to be exiled for life. I hope this event may
+have the effect of making your Government and that of France renew
+diplomatic relations with Naples; I always regretted that rupture, but
+the King was right not to yield to outer pressure.
+
+"It is lucky," the Pope ended with a smile, "that Lord Palmerston
+is not in office; he was too fond of interfering in the concerns of
+foreign countries, and the present crisis would just have suited
+him. _Addio, caro_," the Pope then said, and dismissed me with his
+blessing.
+
+I then, according to usage, called on Cardinal Antonelli, and
+recounted to him what had passed. He confirmed all the Pope had
+said, but denied that there was any very serious cause for immediate
+apprehension of any general disturbance of the peace of Italy. I have,
+etc.,
+
+ODO RUSSELL.
+
+    [Footnote 3: Secretary of Legation at Florence, resident in
+    Rome, afterwards Lord Ampthill.]
+
+    [Footnote 4: Secretary of Legation at Florence, afterwards
+    successively Minister at Rio Janeiro and Stockholm.]
+
+    [Footnote 5: Richard Bickerton Pemell Lyons, who had just been
+    transferred from Rome to Washington. He had recently succeeded
+    his father, the Admiral, in the Barony of Lyons, and was
+    himself subsequently promoted to an Earldom.]
+
+    [Footnote 6: Secretary of Foreign Affairs for the Papal
+    States.]
+
+
+
+
+_The Earl of Malmesbury to Queen Victoria._
+
+LONDON, _18th January 1859_.
+
+The Earl of Malmesbury presents his humble duty to the Queen, and
+has the honour to inform your Majesty that he has seen the French
+Ambassador to-day, who came of his own accord to say that we need be
+in no apprehension, of a war _at present_, as the public opinion in
+France, especially in the large towns, had been so strongly pronounced
+against a war that it was impossible. Lord Malmesbury is also glad to
+inform your Majesty that the Cabinet has agreed to-day to make a great
+addition to the effective force of your Majesty's Navy.
+
+Your Majesty's commands are obeyed respecting the telegram to Berlin.
+
+
+
+
+_The Earl of Malmesbury to Queen Victoria._
+
+LONDON, 25th _January 1859_.
+
+The Earl of Malmesbury presents his humble duty to the Queen, and
+regrets to say that he shares your Majesty's apprehensions. The
+Emperor is extremely irritated at our not concurring in his views on
+Italy, and Lord Malmesbury believes that nothing will restrain him but
+the public opinion expressed against them, in France.[7] Austria
+has, against all our advice and common prudence, made a false move by
+sending troops into the Papal States _against_ the wish of _the Pope_,
+and is now obliged to recall them. The speech of your Majesty is to
+be discussed in Cabinet to-day. Lord Derby intended to introduce a
+paragraph stating that your Majesty's Alliance with France remained
+"unimpaired," but it now appears to us that such a statement might
+provoke a question "_why_" it should be made a special one. Lord
+Malmesbury entirely agrees with your Majesty as to an allusion to
+Treaties.
+
+    [Footnote 7: Yet the Emperor had just written to Queen
+    Victoria on 20th January: "Le corps legislatif va bientot
+    s'ouvrir, presque en meme temps que le parlement; je tacherai
+    d'exprimer dans mon discours tout le desir que j'ai de vivre
+    toujours en bonne et sincere intelligence avec votre Majeste
+    et son gouvernement." Early in February the pamphlet _Napoleon
+    et l'Italie_, nominally written by M. de la Gueronniere, but
+    inspired by the Emperor, foreshadowed the war in Italy, and
+    attempted to justify it.]
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: LORD CANNING]
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to Lord Stanley._
+
+WINDSOR CASTLE, _25th January 1859_.
+
+The Queen thinks that the time is come when the bestowal of some
+honour or reward on Lord Canning ought no longer to be delayed. He has
+now nearly arrived at the end of his tremendous task of quelling the
+Rebellion, and has triumphed over all his many difficulties. If any
+man deserves an acknowledgment of his services at the hands of the
+Crown, it is surely he, and the Queen would be sorry that the grace
+of it should be taken away from her by questions being asked in
+Parliament when it is assembled again, which will now be the case very
+soon.
+
+A step in the Peerage and the G.C.B. appear to the Queen an
+appropriate reward. Perhaps a pension should be awarded to him? Lord
+Elphinstone also ought not to be left unrewarded, and a step in the
+Peerage with the G.C.B. does not appear too high an honour for him,
+for he also has greatly contributed to the saving to the Indian
+Empire.[8]
+
+    [Footnote 8: Lord Canning was made an Earl and Lord
+    Elphinstone (who had been Governor of Bombay during the
+    Mutiny) a Peer of the United Kingdom, and both received the
+    G.C.B.]
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: THE QUEEN'S FIRST GRANDCHILD]
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._
+
+BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _2nd February 1859_.
+
+MY DEAREST, KINDEST UNCLE,--Accept my warmest thanks for your most
+kind letter of the 28th. I know how pleased you would be at the
+safety of our dear Vicky, and at the birth of our first grandson![9]
+Everything goes on so beautifully, Vicky recovering as fast and well
+as I did, and the dear little boy improving so much and thriving in
+every way.... The joy and interest taken _here_ is as great almost as
+in Prussia, which is _very_ gratifying.
+
+I _think_ that _the Speech_ will do good, but it has not been easy
+to frame it, as the feeling _against_ the _Emperor here_ is _very
+strong_. I think _yet_ that if _Austria_ is _strong_ and _well
+prepared,_ and _Germany strong_ and _well inclined_ towards _us_ (as
+_Prussia certainly_ is), France will _not_ be so eager to attempt
+what I _firmly_ believe would _end_ in the _Emperor's_ downfall! Old
+Malakhoff _himself_ said to the Duchess of Wellington that if the
+French had the _slightest defeat ce serait fini avec la Dynastie!_ A
+pretty speech for an Ambassador, but a _very true one!_
+
+Pray say everything most kind to your dear children and believe me
+ever, your devoted Niece,
+
+VICTORIA R.
+
+We are just arrived here, and go back to Windsor to-morrow
+_afternoon_.
+
+    [Footnote 9: Frederick William Victor Albert, now German
+    Emperor, born on the 27th of January.]
+
+
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to the Earl of Malmesbury._
+
+BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _3rd February 1859_.
+
+The Queen has this moment received Lord Malmesbury's letter. As she
+has not yet written (only telegraphed) to announce to the Emperor the
+birth of our grandson (we being in the habit since we know the Emperor
+and Empress personally to communicate to one another _reciprocally
+family events_), the Queen has an opportunity or a pretext for writing
+to the Emperor, and is therefore prepared to do so _to-morrow_. But
+as the terms to be used are of the most _vital_ importance, she would
+wish Lord Malmesbury to consult forthwith with Lord Derby, and to let
+her have "the matter" to be put into the letter _before_ the Queen
+_leaves town_, which we do at half-past four this afternoon.
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: LETTER TO THE EMPEROR NAPOLEON]
+
+
+_The Earl of Derby to Queen Victoria._
+
+ST JAMES'S SQUARE, _3rd February 1859_.
+(_Thursday_,1 P.M.)
+
+Lord Derby, with his humble duty, and in obedience to your Majesty's
+commands, received within this half hour through Lord Malmesbury,
+submits the accompanying very hastily drawn sketch of the language
+which, in his humble opinion, your Majesty might hold in a private and
+confidential letter to the Emperor of the French. Lord Derby is not
+sure that it is what your Majesty desired that he should submit;
+but he trusts that your Majesty will be pleased to receive it as an
+attempt to obey your Majesty's commands, and will excuse its many
+imperfections on account of the extreme haste in which it has
+unavoidably been written.
+
+"I cannot refrain from taking this opportunity of expressing
+confidentially to your Imperial Majesty my deep anxiety for the
+preservation of the peace of Europe, nor can I conceal from myself how
+essentially that great object must depend upon the course which your
+Imperial Majesty may be advised to take. Your Majesty has now the
+opportunity, either by listening to the dictates of humanity and
+justice, and by demonstrating unmistakably your intention to adhere
+strictly to the faithful observance of Treaties, of calming the
+apprehensions of Europe, and restoring her confidence in your
+Majesty's pacific policy; or, by permitting yourself to be influenced
+by the ambitious or interested designs of others, of involving Europe
+in a war, the extent and termination of which can hardly be foreseen,
+and which, whatever glory it may add to the arms of France, cannot
+but interfere materially with her internal prosperity and financial
+credit. I am sure that your Majesty will not doubt the sincerity of
+the friendship which alone induces me to write thus unreservedly to
+your Majesty, and if anything could add to the sorrow with which I
+should view the renewal of war in Europe, it would be to see your
+Majesty entering upon a course with which it would be impossible for
+England to associate herself."[10]
+
+    [Footnote 10: The Queen accordingly wrote a letter, which
+    is printed in the _Life of the Prince Consort_, assuring the
+    Emperor that rarely had any man had such an opportunity as was
+    now his for exercising a personal influence for the peace
+    of Europe, and that, by faithful observance of Treaty
+    obligations, he might calm international anxieties.]
+
+
+
+
+_The King of the Belgians to Queen Victoria._
+
+LAEKEN, _4th February 1859_.
+
+MY DEAREST VICTORIA,--... Heaven knows what dance our Emperor
+_Napoleon Troisieme de nom_ will lead us. In a few days he will have
+to make his speech. I fear he is determined on that Italian War. The
+discussions in Parliament may influence him; I fear party spirit in
+lieu of a good and right sense of what is the interest of Europe. It
+was praiseworthy that you said in your Speech that _treaties_ must be
+respected, else indeed we return to the old _Faustrecht_ we have been
+striving to get rid of. It is curious that your speech has made the
+funds fall again: I presume they hoped at Paris that you would have
+been able to say that you congratulated Parliament on the prospect
+of peace being preserved. For us poor people who find ourselves _aux
+premieres loges_, these uncertainties are most unsatisfactory. Your
+devoted Uncle,
+
+LEOPOLD R.
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: THE INDIAN ARMY]
+
+[Pageheading: THE QUEEN AND LORD STANLEY]
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to the Earl of Derby._
+
+WINDSOR CASTLE. _5th February 1859_.
+
+With regard to a decision which will have to be taken when the report
+of the Indian Army Commission shall have been received, the Queen
+thinks it incumbent upon her not to leave Lord Derby in ignorance of
+her firm determination not to sanction, under any form, the creation
+of a British Army, distinct from that known at present as the Army of
+the Crown.
+
+She would consider it dangerous to the maintenance of India, to the
+dependence of the Indian Empire on the mother country, and to her
+Throne in these realms.
+
+Such an Army would be freed from the proper control of the
+constitutional monarchy. It would be removed from the direct command
+of the Crown, and entirely independent of Parliament. It would throw
+an unconstitutional amount of power and patronage into the hands of
+the Indian Council and Government; it would be raised and maintained
+in antagonism to the Regular Army of the Crown; and professional
+jealousy, and personal and private interests, would needs drive it
+into a position of permanent hostility towards that Army.
+
+This hostility has been already strongly marked in the proceedings of
+the Commission itself.
+
+Its detrimental effects would not be confined to India alone, but
+would form a most dangerous obstacle to the maintenance of the
+government of the Regular Army by the Queen. Already, during
+the Crimean War, most of the blows levelled at the Army and the
+prerogative of the Crown were directed by Indian officers, of whom,
+in future, a vast number would be at home, without employment or
+recognised position, in compact organisation, and moved by a unity of
+feeling.
+
+There may be points of detail, admitting differences of opinion as to
+the relative advantages of a purely local or general Military Force
+for India; but these are mere trifles, which sink into insignificance
+in the Queen's estimation, when she has to consider the duty which she
+owes to her Crown and her Country.
+
+The Queen hopes Lord Derby will not consider that she intends, by this
+letter, unduly to influence his free consideration and decision as
+to the advice he may think it his duty to offer, but merely to guard
+against his being taken by surprise, and to prevent, if possible, an
+unseemly public difference between herself and Lord Stanley. She is
+impelled to the apprehension that such may arise from the manner in
+which, since the first transfer of the Indian Government to the Crown,
+every act of Lord Stanley has uniformly tended to place the Queen in a
+position which would render her helpless and powerless in resisting a
+scheme which certain persons, imbued with the old Indian traditions,
+would appear to wish to force upon the Crown.
+
+The Queen does not expect an answer to this letter from Lord Derby,
+and asks him to treat it as strictly confidential.
+
+The Queen sees that Lord Stanley means to make a statement on Monday
+on the Indian Finances. She trusts that there will be nothing said in
+that statement to prejudge the Army Question.
+
+
+
+
+_Decipher from Lord Cowley._
+
+PARIS, _6th February 1859_.
+(1 A.M. _Received_ 4 A.M.)
+
+A great change for the better. The Queen's letter has produced an
+excellent effect, as also the Debates in Parliament.[11] The Emperor
+has expressed himself ready to subscribe to every word of Lord Derby's
+speech.
+
+    [Footnote 11: Parliament was opened by the Queen in person on
+    the 3rd; the ensuing debates, and especially the speeches of
+    the Liberal leaders, showed that, however much the English
+    nation, as a whole, might sympathise with Italian aspirations
+    for the expulsion of the Austrians from Lombardy, they would
+    regard unfavourably a war commenced in defiance of Treaty
+    obligations.]
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: THE INDIAN ARMY]
+
+
+_The Earl of Derby to Queen Victoria._
+
+ST JAMES'S SQUARE, _6th February 1859_.
+
+Lord Derby, with his humble duty, submits to your Majesty his
+respectful acknowledgment of the explicitness with which the letter he
+had the honour of receiving last night conveys to him the intimation
+of your Majesty's views upon the important subject of the Indian Army.
+He cannot, however, disguise from your Majesty the deep pain which
+that communication has occasioned him; first, that your Majesty should
+think that Lord Stanley has so far mistaken his duty as systematically
+to place your Majesty in a false position; and next because unless
+Lord Derby misconceives the purport of your Majesty's letter, he fears
+that it may leave him no alternative but that of humbly entreating to
+be relieved from a responsibility which nothing should have induced
+him to undertake but a sense of duty to your Majesty, and the
+conviction that he might rely with confidence upon your Majesty's
+continued support. It would ill become Lord Derby to attempt to
+argue a question on which your Majesty has expressed so strong a
+determination; he has studiously avoided taking any step which might
+prejudge a question so important as the organisation of your Majesty's
+Forces in India. He has awaited the report of the Commission appointed
+to enquire into the subject, and though aware of the wide difference
+of opinion which prevailed, has desired impartially to weigh and
+examine the arguments adduced on both sides, and he has in the
+meantime refused to give his sanction to a proposition, earnestly
+pressed upon the Government by Lord Canning, for immediately raising
+additional regiments for Indian Service. But the announcement of
+your Majesty's determination (if he rightly understands it), under no
+circumstances to continue an European Army in India, under terms of
+service different from those of the Line, paid out of Indian Revenues,
+and officered by men educated for that especial service, and looking
+to India for their whole career, places Lord Derby in a position of no
+little embarrassment; for notwithstanding the gracious intimation that
+your Majesty does not desire unduly to influence his judgment as to
+the advice which he may tender, it amounts to a distinct warning
+that if tendered in a particular direction it has no chance of being
+accepted by your Majesty. Nor, with that knowledge on his part not
+shared by his colleagues, can he freely discuss with them the course
+which they may consider it their duty to pursue.
+
+Lord Derby humbly trusts, therefore, that your Majesty will be
+graciously pleased, so far as the members of the Government are
+concerned, to absolve him from the obligation of secrecy, and to allow
+him to place before them a state of things which may lead to the most
+serious results, so far as their power of serving your Majesty is
+concerned.
+
+Lord Derby will give Lord Stanley a caution not to say anything in
+his statement of Indian Finance which may prejudge the question of a
+single or separate armies; but he hardly thinks the caution necessary,
+as European troops, whether in one Service or in two, will equally be
+chargeable to the revenues of India, which will only be affected by
+the proportion which the whole of the European may bear to the whole
+of the native forces.
+
+Lord Derby hopes that he may be permitted to offer his humble
+congratulations to your Majesty on the very favourable reports
+received from Paris by telegraph, and upon the highly satisfactory
+effects produced by your Majesty's private letter to the Emperor.
+
+The above is humbly submitted by your Majesty's most dutiful Servant
+and Subject,
+
+DERBY.
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: INDIVISIBILITY OF ARMY]
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to the Earl of Derby._
+
+WINDSOR CASTLE, _7th February 1859_.
+
+The Queen is very sorry to learn from Lord Derby's letter, received
+last evening, that her communication to him on the Indian Army
+question had caused him deep pain. She had long hesitated whether
+she should write it, from a fear that its purport and motive might
+possibly be misunderstood; but feeling that there ought to exist
+nothing but the most unreserved and entire confidence between herself
+and her Prime Minister, she thought it incumbent upon her to let Lord
+Derby see exactly what was passing in her mind.
+
+If, notwithstanding the Queen's expressed hope that Lord Derby might
+not consider the communication as intended unduly to influence his
+free consideration of the important subject, he should feel that
+its possession, without being at liberty to communicate it to his
+colleagues, does so in effect, she would ask him to return it to her,
+and to consider it as not having been written. If he should think,
+however, that a communication of the Queen's views to the Cabinet is
+due to them, she is quite prepared to make one. In that case it would
+naturally have to be differently worded, would omit every reference to
+Lord Stanley, and might go more into detail.
+
+The Queen cannot close this letter without correcting some
+misapprehensions into which Lord Derby seems to have fallen. It was
+not the Queen's intention to impute any motives of systematic action
+to Lord Stanley; she referred simply to facts and steps, known as well
+to Lord Derby as to herself, which "uniformly tended" to place her in
+a powerless position with regard to the Army question.
+
+The Queen protested against "the _creation_ of a British Army distinct
+(in its existence and constitutional position) from that of the
+Crown," and not against the "_continuance_ of an European Army, under
+terms of service different from the Line, paid out of Indian Revenues,
+and officered by men educated for that special service, and looking to
+India for their whole career." In fact, she does not understand what
+meaning Lord Derby attaches to the words "terms of service." Every
+force kept in India, however constituted, would be paid out of Indian
+Revenues. _This_ would therefore not form the distinction, and Lord
+Derby cannot intend to convey that on these revenues one set of
+Englishmen can have a greater claim than another; nor does she see
+why English officers, commanding English soldiers and charged with
+the maintenance of _their_ discipline and efficiency, should for
+that object require to be specially and differently educated, and be
+restricted to look to India for their whole career. Officers attached
+to native troops are in a different position.
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: MISAPPREHENSION REMOVED]
+
+
+_The Earl of Derby to Queen Victoria._
+
+ST JAMES'S SQUARE, _7th February 1859_.
+
+Lord Derby, with his humble duty, submits to your Majesty his grateful
+acknowledgments for your Majesty's most gracious note received this
+evening, the contents, and still more the tenor of which have relieved
+him from the painful apprehension that he might be called upon to
+choose between a strong sense of public duty, and, on the other side,
+his deep devotion to your Majesty's service, and his gratitude for the
+favourable consideration which his imperfect attempts to discharge
+his public duty had always received at your Majesty's hand. The
+explanation, with which he has now been honoured, of your Majesty's
+views has entirely dispelled those apprehensions, and he feels that
+he has only to thank your Majesty for the gracious explanation, with
+which he has been honoured, of your Majesty's motives in addressing to
+him the letter which certainly caused him "deep pain."...[12]
+
+    [Footnote 12: Lord Derby then proceeded to deal at some length
+    with the status of the troops in India, concluding with the
+    opinion that the local forces in India should never exceed
+    those sent from home as part of the Regular Army, subject to
+    the ordinary routine of service.]
+
+
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to the Earl of Derby._
+
+WINDSOR CASTLE, _8th February 1859_.
+
+The Queen has received Lord Derby's letter of yesterday, and is
+pleased to find that he now appreciates the motives which dictated her
+first letter. It needs no assurance on her side that she never doubted
+those which actuate Lord Derby. The Queen will, in compliance with
+his request, defer any further notice of the subject until the
+Commissioners shall have made their report; it would not be fair,
+however, to Lord Derby, not to add that she fears from his explanation
+that he has not now correctly estimated the nature of the Queen's
+objection, which is not to a variety of forces, terms of service,
+local or general employment, etc., etc., etc., established in one
+Army, but to the principle of _two_ British Armies.
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: THE EMPEROR'S SPEECH]
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to General Peel._[13]
+
+_13th February 1859_.
+
+The Queen relies with confidence that when the question of the Indian
+Army comes before the Cabinet, General Peel will stoutly defend the
+interests of the Crown and the British Army. On the opinion which he
+will give and maintain much of their decision must depend, and unless
+he speaks out boldly the Indian Secretary will have it all his own
+way.
+
+    [Footnote 13: General Jonathan Peel, brother of Sir Robert
+    Peel (the Premier), and Secretary of State for War.]
+
+
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._
+
+BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _15th February 1859_.
+
+MY DEAREST UNCLE,--We came here to _settle_ yesterday--and also here
+Spring seems _wonderfully forward!_ It can't last--and frost is _sure_
+to _follow_ and cut off everything. At Windsor and Frogmore everything
+is budding--willow I see is green--rose-leaves _out_, and birds
+singing like in May!
+
+Accept my warmest thanks for your kind letter of the 11th. I _still_
+hope that matters _will cool_ down--the Emperor _personally_ expressed
+regret to Huebner for his words, disclaiming the construction put upon
+them, and saying that _no one could dispute_ the right of Austria to
+her Italian possessions.[14] He has not written to me lately, but I
+wrote him ten days ago a long friendly letter, speaking out _plainly_
+our fears for the future, and urging him to aid us in averting the
+calamity of _War_....
+
+Our Parliament is as quiet as possible as _yet_, but it will soon have
+more cause for _action_ and excitement....
+
+Bertie's interview with the Pope went off extremely well. He was
+extremely kind and gracious, and Colonel Bruce was present; it would
+never have done to have let Bertie go alone, as they might hereafter
+have pretended, God knows! what Bertie had said.... With Albert's
+love, ever your devoted Niece,
+
+VICTORIA R.
+
+    [Footnote 14: See _ante_, 13th January, 1859, note 2.]
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: THE EMPEROR OF AUSTRIA]
+
+
+_The Earl of Derby to Queen Victoria._
+
+DOWNING STREET, _21st February 1859_.
+
+Lord Derby, with his humble duty, and in obedience to the commands
+which he had the honour of receiving from your Majesty last night,
+submits the following suggestions, as embodying the substance of what,
+in his humble judgment your Majesty might address with advantage in a
+private letter to the Emperor of Austria.
+
+Your Majesty might say, that deeply penetrated with the conviction
+of the duty imposed upon your Majesty of acting on the principles
+enunciated in the speech from the Throne, of exercising whatever
+influence your Majesty could employ for the preservation of
+the general peace, your Majesty had looked with anxiety to the
+circumstances which threatened its continued existence. That your
+Majesty was unable to see in those circumstances, any which were
+beyond the reach of diplomatic skill, if there were only a mutual
+desire, on the part of the Chief Powers concerned, to give fair play
+to its exercise. That the only source of substantial danger was the
+present state of Italy; and that even in that there would be little
+danger of interruption to the general tranquillity, were it not for
+the antagonism excited by interests and engagements, real or supposed,
+of France and Austria.
+
+That your Majesty believed that the supposed divergence of these
+interests and engagements might be capable of reconciliation if
+entered into with mutual frankness, and with a mutual disposition to
+avoid the calamities of war; but that, as it appeared to your Majesty,
+neither party would be willing to invite the other to a friendly
+discussion of the points of difference between them.
+
+That in this state of affairs your Majesty, as a mutual friend of both
+Sovereigns, and having no individual interests to serve, entertained
+the hope that by the spontaneous offer of good offices, your Majesty
+might be the means of establishing certain bases, on which the Powers
+mainly interested might subsequently enter into amicable negotiations
+with regard to the questions chiefly in dispute, or threatening
+serious results.
+
+Of these, the most pressing are those which relate to the Italian
+Peninsula.
+
+That your Majesty, anxiously revolving in your mind the question how
+your Majesty's influence could best be brought to bear, had come to
+the conclusion that your Majesty's Ambassador at Paris, having
+the fullest knowledge of the views entertained by that Court, and
+possessing your Majesty's entire confidence, might usefully be
+intrusted with a highly confidential, but wholly unofficial mission,
+for the purpose of ascertaining whether there were any possibility
+consistently with the views of the two Courts of offering such
+suggestions as might be mutually acceptable as the basis of future
+arrangements; and, if such should happily be found to be the case, of
+offering them simultaneously to the two parties, as the suggestions of
+a mutual friend.
+
+That your Majesty trusted His R.I.A.[15] Majesty would look upon this
+communication in the truly friendly light in which it was intended,
+and that Lord Cowley, in his unofficial and confidential character,
+might be permitted fully to develop the views which your Majesty
+entertained, and to meet with the most favourable consideration of his
+suggestions from His R.I.A. Majesty.
+
+Lord Derby, before submitting the above to your Majesty, has thought
+it right to communicate it to Lord Malmesbury and Lord Cowley, and he
+is enabled to say that it meets with their entire concurrence.[16]
+He will be highly gratified if he is permitted to know that it is
+honoured by your Majesty's gracious approval. All which is humbly
+submitted by your Majesty's most dutiful Servant and Subject,
+
+DERBY.
+
+    [Footnote 15: Royal and Imperial Apostolic.]
+
+    [Footnote 16: The Queen acted on this advice, and wrote a
+    letter on the 22nd to the Emperor of Austria, on the lines of
+    Lord Derby's suggestions. The material parts of it are printed
+    in the _Life of the Prince Consort_, vol. iv. chap. 92.]
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: CHURCH RATES]
+
+
+_Mr Disraeli to Queen Victoria._
+
+HOUSE OF COMMONS, _21st February 1859_.
+(_Monday._)
+
+The Chancellor of the Exchequer, with his humble duty to your Majesty,
+informs your Majesty that the Government measure on Church Rates was
+introduced to-night, in a very full House, and was received with so
+much favour that the Chancellor of the Exchequer has every belief that
+it will pass. This is very unexpected, and the satisfactory settlement
+of this long agitated and agitating question will be a great relief
+to public life, and tend to restore and augment the good-humour of the
+country.[17]
+
+It is generally rumoured that, on Friday next, Lord Palmerston is to
+move a vote of censure upon your Majesty's Government with respect to
+their Foreign Policy. The Chancellor of the Exchequer scarcely credits
+this, and would rather suppose that the formal censure will take the
+shape of a rattling critique, preceding some Motion for papers.
+
+
+    [Footnote 17: Since the Braintree case in 1853, no rate could
+    legally be levied except by the majority of the rate-payers.
+    The present Bill was designed to exempt Dissenters from
+    payment, excluding them at the same time from voting on the
+    subject in the vestry meeting. Sir John Trelawney, the leader
+    of the Abolitionist party in the House, however, procured
+    the rejection of the proposed measure, and a solution was not
+    arrived at till 1868.]
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: LORD COWLEY'S MISSION]
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._
+
+BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _1st March 1859_.
+
+MY DEAREST UNCLE,--Many thanks for your kind letter of the 25th.
+Matters remain much in the same state. Lord Cowley arrived on Sunday
+at Vienna, but we know nothing positive yet. I much fear the obstinacy
+of Austria.
+
+It will indeed be a blessing if _we_ could do something not only to
+avert the war for the present, but to prevent the _causes_ of it, for
+the future. Nothing but improvement in the Italian Governments _can_
+bring about a _better state_ of things. What is _really_ the matter
+with the King of Naples[18]?
+
+We found the poor Queen really very tolerably well at Claremont on
+Saturday. She is decidedly better than when we saw her at the end
+of November. Poor Joinville is suffering from an accident to his bad
+knee.
+
+Here our Reform Bill has been brought in yesterday.[19] It is
+moderate, and ... [Lord John] has therefore allied himself with Mr
+Bright and Mr Roebuck against it! He has _no_ other followers. The
+Debate on Foreign Affairs on Friday was extremely moderate, and can
+only have done good.[20]
+
+It is rumoured that you are going to Berlin to the Christening, but
+I doubt it! Oh! dearest Uncle, it _almost breaks_ my heart _not_ to
+witness our _first grandchild_ christened! I don't think I _ever_ felt
+so bitterly disappointed _about anything_ as about this! And then it
+is an _occasion_ so gratifying to both _Nations_, which brings them
+_so much_ together, that it is _most_ peculiarly mortifying! It is a
+_stupid law_ in Prussia, I must say, to be so particular about having
+the child christened so soon. However, it is now no use lamenting;
+please God! we shall be more fortunate another time! With Albert's
+affectionate love, ever your devoted Niece,
+
+VICTORIA R.
+
+Affectionate love to your children. When does Philip go to Italy?
+
+    [Footnote 18: Ferdinand II., known as Bomba, died on the 22nd
+    of May in the same year.]
+
+    [Footnote 19: See _ante_, Introductory Note to Chapter XXVIII.]
+
+    [Footnote 20: In this debate Lord Palmerston urged the
+    Ministry to mediate between Austria and France, in order
+    to obtain their simultaneous withdrawal from Rome, and Mr
+    Disraeli announced the confidential mission of Lord Cowley as
+    "one of peace and conciliation."]
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: THE EMPEROR'S REPLY]
+
+
+_The Emperor of Austria to Queen Victoria._
+
+VIENNE, _le 8 Mars 1859_.
+
+MADAME ET CHERE S[OE]UR,--J'ai recu des mains de Lord Cowley la lettre
+que votre Majeste a bien voulu lui confier et dont le contenu m'a
+offert un nouvel et precieux temoignage de l'amitie et de la confiance
+qu'elle m'a vouees, ainsi que des vues elevees qui dirigent sa
+politique. Lord Cowley a ete aupres de moi le digne interprete des
+sentimens de votre Majeste, et je me plais a lui rendre la justice,
+qu'il s'est acquitte avec le zele eclaire, dont il a deja fourni tant
+de preuves, de la mission confidentielle dont il etait charge.
+
+J'ai hautement apprecie les motifs qui vous ont inspire la pensee
+de m'envoyer un organe de confiance pour echanger nos idees sur les
+dangers de la situation. Je m'associe a tous les desirs, que forme
+votre Majeste pour le maintien de la paix, et ce n'est pas sur moi que
+pesera la responsabilite de ceux, qui evoquent des dangers de guerre
+sans pouvoir articuler une seule cause de guerre.
+
+Lord Cowley connait les points de vue auxquels j'envisage les
+questions qui forment l'objet ou le pretexte des divergences d'opinion
+qui subsistent entre nous et la France; il sait aussi que nous
+sommes disposes a contribuer a leur solution dans l'esprit le plus
+conciliant, en tant qu'on n'exige pas de nous des sacrifices que ne
+saurait porter aucune Puissance qui se respecte. Je forme des
+v[oe]ux pour que votre Majeste puisse tirer parti des elemens que Lui
+apportera son Ambassadeur, dans l'interet du maintien de la paix que
+nous avons egalement a c[oe]ur.
+
+Mais quelles que soient les chances et les epreuves que l'avenir nous
+reserve, j'aime a me livrer a l'espoir que rien ne portera atteinte
+aux rapports d'amitie et d'union que je suis heureux de cultiver avec
+votre Majeste, et que Ses sympathies seront acquises a la cause que je
+soutiens et qui est celle de tous les Etats independans.
+
+C'est dans ces sentimens que je renouvelle a votre Majeste l'assurance
+de l'amitie sincere et de l'inalterable attachement avec lesquels
+je suis, Madame et chere S[oe]ur, de votre Majeste, le bon et devoue
+frere et ami,
+
+FRANCOIS JOSEPH.
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: A PROPOSED CONFERENCE]
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to the Earl of Malmesbury._
+
+_20th March 1859._
+
+The Queen has received Lord Malmesbury's letter[21] written before
+the Cabinet yesterday. The Memorandum of Lord Cowley and the telegrams
+from Vienna give better hopes of the idea of Congress or Conference
+leading to a good result. Everything will now depend upon the Emperor
+Napoleon's acceptance of the conditions on which Austria is willing
+to agree to a Conference. The Queen would like to have a copy of Lord
+Cowley's memorandum.[22]
+
+    [Footnote 21: Lord Cowley had returned from his mission to
+    Vienna, and was now again at Paris. The complexion of affairs
+    had been changed by a suggestion on the part of Russia (which
+    may or may not have been ultimately prompted from Paris) for
+    a Conference between England, France, Austria, Prussia and
+    Russia, to settle the Italian Question. Cavour pressed for the
+    admission of Piedmont to the Conference.]
+
+    [Footnote 22: Lord Malmesbury's letter to Lord Cowley, written
+    immediately after the Cabinet, enjoined him to impress upon
+    the Emperor that England would only address herself to the
+    four points--evacuation of the Roman States by foreign troops,
+    reform, security for Sardinia, and a substitute for the
+    treaties of 1847 between Austria and the Duchies.]
+
+
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to the Earl of Malmesbury._
+
+OSBORNE, _22nd March 1859_.
+
+The Queen thanks Lord Malmesbury for his communication of yesterday,
+which she received this morning. She quite approves the steps taken
+by the Government,[23] and concurs in Lord Malmesbury's views. If the
+understanding about a Conference first of the five Powers, and then
+of the Italian States with them, _could be_ so far come to that France
+and Austria agree with us upon the conditions on which it is to take
+place, we need not wait for Russia's proposing it. She is evidently
+playing, as she always does, a double game, and from Sir John
+Crampton's[24] letter it appears that she never meant to propose a
+Congress, but merely to _accept_ one, for ulterior objects.
+
+    [Footnote 23: An attempt to obtain the disarmament of Austria
+    and Sardinia, and a proposal to obtain the co-operation of
+    France, in guaranteeing to defend Sardinia against invasion
+    by Austria for five years, unless Sardinia left her own
+    territory. On the 23rd, Lord Malmesbury wrote that all the
+    great Powers, except Austria, had agreed to a Congress upon
+    the conditions laid down by the British Government.]
+
+    [Footnote 24: English Ambassador at St Petersburg, formerly
+    Minister at Washington; see _ante_, 12th December, 1856,
+    note 61. He had succeeded to the baronetcy in 1858.]
+
+
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to the Earl of Malmesbury._
+
+OSBORNE, _27th March 1859_.
+
+The Queen trusts that Lord Malmesbury will act with the utmost
+circumspection in answering the many telegrams crossing each other
+from all directions respecting the proposed Congress. An understanding
+with Austria on every point ought, if possible, to precede our giving
+our opinion to France or Russia. If they can _once_ get the Powers
+to agree upon a point upon which Austria disagrees, they have won the
+game, and the Emperor can proceed to his war, having a declaration of
+Europe against Austria as his basis.
+
+
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to the Earl of Malmesbury._
+
+BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _12th April 1859_.
+
+The Queen has marked a passage in this draft, which she thinks it
+would be advisable to modify--so as not to _put_ upon _record_ (should
+the Austrians refuse to give way on this point) that we consider their
+conduct as "_reckless_." Should they persist, they would certainly not
+meet with as much sympathy as they would do if they yielded, and
+such a course on their part would be very much to be regretted, as
+we consider every sacrifice small, in comparison to the blessings
+of preserving peace; but still Austria would have a perfect right to
+stand out--and we originally supported her in this demand.
+
+If something which _expressed_ the _above_ sentiments and opinions
+could therefore be substituted for the present passage, the Queen
+thinks it would be very desirable _for the future_, both as regards
+Austria and England.
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: ENGLAND AND AUSTRIA]
+
+
+_The Earl of Derby to Queen Victoria._
+
+DOWNING STREET, _21st April 1859_.
+
+Lord Derby, with his humble duty, submits to your Majesty that it
+has appeared to him, in consultation with his colleagues, with the
+exception of Lord Hardwicke and Sir John Pakington, who are out of
+Town, that the only step which can properly be taken at present is to
+protest strongly against the course which Austria is now taking, and
+to warn her that whatever may be the results to herself, she deprives
+herself of all claim to the support or countenance of England.[25]
+Your Majesty will see by another telegram, received a few minutes ago
+from Lord Cowley, that Huebner!! advises that England should threaten
+to come to the aid of Sardinia, if the contemplated invasion should
+take place! Your Majesty's servants are not, however, prepared to take
+so strong a step, which would commit them to measures to which they
+might be unable at the moment to give due effect; and which, if
+Austria were to disregard the measure, would involve them in War as
+the Allies of France. They have therefore limited themselves to
+a protest, the terms of which will require to be very carefully
+considered before it is embodied in a despatch. Lord Malmesbury will
+submit to your Majesty by this messenger the terms of his telegram....
+To appeal at once to arms, when no question, except this of form,
+remained unsettled as to the meeting of Congress, and the subjects
+to be then discussed, had been unanimously agreed to, appears to Lord
+Derby to indicate a reckless determination to go to war which it will
+be very difficult to justify in the eyes of Europe.
+
+_For the moment_ these events rather diminish than increase the
+probability of a rupture with France, while they will task her means
+to the uttermost, and not improbably overthrow her personal dynasty!
+
+    [Footnote 25: On the 19th, Count Buol despatched an emissary,
+    Baron Kellersberg, to Turin, with a summons to Sardinia to
+    disarm, under the threat of immediate hostilities if she
+    declined. Sardinia indignantly refused, whereupon the Austrian
+    troops crossed the Ticino.]
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: WAR IMMINENT]
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._
+
+WINDSOR CASTLE, _26th April 1859_.
+
+MY DEAREST UNCLE,--I hardly know _what_ to say, so confused and
+bewildered are we by the reports which come in three or four times a
+day! I have _no hope_ of peace _left_. Though it is _originally_ the
+wicked folly of Russia and France that have brought about this fearful
+crisis, it is the madness and blindness of Austria which have brought
+on the war _now!_[26] It has put _them_ in the wrong, and entirely
+changed the feeling here, which was all that one could desire, into
+the most _vehement_ sympathy for _Sardinia_, though we hope now again
+to be able to _throw_ the blame of the war on France, who _now_ won't
+hear of mediation, while Austria is again inclined to do so!
+
+It is a melancholy, sad Easter; but what grieves me the most (indeed,
+distracts me)--for I have had nothing but disappointments in that
+quarter since November--is that in all probability Vicky will be
+unable to come in May! It quite _distracts me_. You also must be very
+anxious about dear Charlotte; I hope she will not remain at Trieste,
+but go to Vienna. Her being in Italy is really _not_ safe.... Now with
+kind loves to your children, ever your affectionate and devoted Niece,
+
+VICTORIA R.
+
+    [Footnote 26: Referring to an understanding reported to have
+    been arrived at between France and Russia, the suspicion
+    of which created great indignation in England. Prince
+    Gortschakoff and the French Emperor, in answer to enquiries,
+    gave conflicting explanations.]
+
+
+
+
+_The Earl of Derby to Queen Victoria._
+
+ROEHAMPTON, _27th April 1859_.
+
+... Lord Derby has thought it necessary, in consequence of the
+attitude assumed by Russia, notwithstanding her assurances that there
+is nothing hostile to England in her secret treaty with France, to
+call upon Sir J. Pakington to say what addition could be made to
+the Channel Fleet within a period of two or three months, without
+weakening that in the Mediterranean. He has the honour of enclosing
+the answer, which he has just received by messenger. Lord Derby
+proposes to go up to Town to confer with Sir J. Pakington on this
+important subject to-morrow, and Lord Malmesbury has summoned a
+Cabinet for Friday to consider the general state of affairs.
+
+France having absolutely refused the proffered mediation of England,
+and Austria having only accepted it under the condition of the
+disarmament of Sardinia, every effort to preserve the peace has been
+exhausted; and it only remains for this country to watch the course
+of events, to protect her own interests, and to look out for any
+opportunity which may offer to mediate between the contending parties.
+This policy, announced by Lord Derby in the City on Monday,[27] was
+received with unanimous approval. It will require a great deal to
+induce the country to be drawn into a war under any circumstances, and
+Lord Derby's anxious efforts will not be wanting to avoid it as long
+as possible.
+
+    [Footnote 27: He had there described Austria's action as
+    hasty, precipitate, and (because involving warfare) criminal,
+    but the Government would still (he added) strive to avert war,
+    by urging Austria, under the Treaty of Paris, to invoke the
+    mediation of the Powers. The Derby Government, however, were
+    supposed to be giving encouragement to Austria. See Lord
+    Derby's letter of the 2nd of June, _post_.]
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: LORD DERBY'S POLICY]
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to the Earl of Derby._
+
+WINDSOR CASTLE, _29th April 1859_.
+
+The Queen has read the last telegrams with much pain, as they show
+that there is no chance left of stopping war. Indeed she thinks,
+considering the progress of revolution in the Duchies, and the daily
+increase of military strength of France and financial exhaustion of
+Austria, that it would not be morally defensible to try to restrain
+Austria from defending herself while she still can.
+
+Count Buol's proposal to continue negotiations during the fight
+sounds strange, but ought not to be altogether put aside. The King of
+Sardinia's assumption of the Government of Tuscany[28] and military
+occupation of Massa-Carrara form gross infractions of the Treaties of
+1815 and international law, and can hardly be left without a protest
+from us.
+
+Has Lord Derby heard that a Russian Fleet is expected soon to appear
+in the Black Sea? The Queen has just heard it from Berlin, where it is
+supposed to be certain, and it would explain Lord Cowley's report
+of (the Queen believes) Prince Napoleon's[29] account of the Russian
+engagements, which are admitted to contemplate a junction of
+the French and Russian Fleets to defend the Treaty closing the
+Dardanelles.
+
+    [Footnote 28: See _ante_, Introductory Note to Chapter XXVIII.
+    The Duchy of Modena and the Grand Duchy of Tuscany were in
+    revolution, and the Duchy of Parma soon followed their example.]
+
+    [Footnote 29: See _post_, 1st May, 1859, note 30.]
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: FRANCE AND RUSSIA]
+
+
+_The Earl of Derby to Queen Victoria._
+
+ROEHAMPTON, _1st May 1859_.
+(_Sunday night_, 12 P.M.)
+
+... Lord Derby entirely concurs in your Majesty's opinion that no
+credit is to be attached to the denials of the French or Russian
+Governments in regard to the engagements subsisting between them.[30]
+It is very easy to convey denials in terms which are literally true,
+but practically and in spirit false; and Lord Derby has no doubt but
+that France is well assured that in any case she may rely upon the
+tacit assistance, if not the active co-operation, of Russia; and that
+both Powers are using their utmost endeavours to excite troubles
+in the East, as well as in Italy, as the result of which France may
+gratify her cherished designs of ambition in the latter, while Russia
+carries on her projects of aggrandisement in the former. This is a
+lamentable state of affairs; but it is Lord Derby's duty to assure
+your Majesty that no Government which could be formed in this country
+could hope to carry public opinion with it in taking an active part,
+as matters now stand, in opposition to France and Russia, if in truth
+they are acting in concert, as Lord Derby believes that they are. All
+that can be done is to maintain the principle of strict neutrality
+in regard to the affairs of Italy, and probably of Montenegro also,
+though there is not sufficient evidence of facts in that case to
+justify a positive conclusion. But in the meantime everything shows
+more conclusively the absolute necessity for the increase of your
+Majesty's Naval Force,[31] which was determined at the Council
+yesterday, and respecting which it will be necessary, on the very
+first day of the meeting of the new Parliament, to call for an
+explicit expression of opinion.
+
+Your Majesty enquires as to a supposed pledge given by the Emperor of
+the French as to a denial of any Treaty with Sardinia. So far as
+Lord Derby can recollect at this moment, there never was more than an
+assurance that so long as Austria remained within her own limits, he
+would not interfere; and that he would not support Sardinia, unless
+she were herself invaded in any _unjustifiable_ attack on Austria;
+and there was also a denial in the _Moniteur_, to which your Majesty
+probably refers, of there having been any engagement entered into _as
+a condition of the marriage_.[32] These are just the denials to
+which Lord Derby has already adverted, which appear at first sight
+satisfactory, but which may be afterwards explained away, so as to
+escape the charge of absolute falsehood.
+
+Lord Derby trusts that your Majesty will have understood, and excused,
+his absence from the Council on Saturday, in consequence of the
+misunderstanding as to the time appointed.
+
+    [Footnote 30: Lord Cowley, in a letter of the 29th of April
+    to Lord Malmesbury, described an interview with the Emperor of
+    the French, when the latter denied in terms the existence of
+    a signed Treaty between France and Russia. But, as Lord Cowley
+    added, there might be moral engagements which might easily
+    lead to a more specific alliance.]
+
+    [Footnote 31: The Emperor had interrogated Lord Cowley as to
+    this.]
+
+    [Footnote 32: In July 1858, the joint action of France and
+    Sardinia had been concerted at the confidential interview
+    at Plombieres, between the Emperor and Cavour, the former
+    undertaking to assist Sardinia, under certain contingencies,
+    against Austria. On the same occasion the marriage was
+    suggested of the Princess Clothilde of Sardinia to the Prince
+    Napoleon Joseph Paul, son of Prince Jerome Napoleon Bonaparte.
+    An interesting account of the events of this time, and of the
+    character and aims of Cavour, will be found in De la Gorce's
+    _Histoire du Second Empire_; see especially vol. ii. book 14.]
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: THE POSITION OF FRANCE]
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to the Earl of Malmesbury._
+
+WINDSOR CASTLE, _3rd May 1859_.
+
+The Queen has carefully read the enclosed draft. She thinks that,
+without saying anything offensive to France,[33] this important
+document would not place matters before that Power in the world in
+accordance with the facts, and would lead to erroneous inferences
+if it left out altogether, as it does, any reference to the
+responsibility which France has had in bringing about the present
+state of affairs.... Austria and Sardinia are spoken of as the
+offenders, and blamed, not without sufficient ground, for the parts
+which they have respectively acted, and France is treated as if
+standing on a line with us in fostering civilisation, liberty, and
+peace. The inference would be that _we_ forsake her in her noble
+course, and deserve again the name of "_perfide Albion_."
+
+The Queen would ask Lord Malmesbury to consider this. For the sake of
+showing how she thinks the omissions dangerous to our position might
+be supplied, she has added some pencil remarks.
+
+    [Footnote 33: _I.e._, if the despatch were to abstain from
+    reprobating the French policy.]
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: THE GENERAL ELECTION]
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._
+
+WINDSOR CASTLE, _3rd May 1859_.
+
+DEAREST UNCLE,--Many thanks for you dear, kind letter of the 30th. God
+knows we _are_ in a sad mess. The rashness of the Austrians is indeed
+a _great_ misfortune, for it has placed them in the wrong. Still there
+is _one_ universal feeling of _anger_ at the conduct of France, and
+of _great suspicion_. The Treaty with Russia is _denied_, but I am
+perfectly certain that there _are engagements_....
+
+Here the Elections are not as satisfactory as could be wished, but the
+Government still think they will have a clear gain of 25 to 30 seats,
+which will make a difference of 50 or 60 votes on a Division. It
+gives unfortunately no majority; still, it must be remembered that the
+Opposition are very much divided, and not at all a compact body, which
+the supporters of the Government are.[34]
+
+Lord John has been holding moderate and prudent language on Foreign
+Affairs, whereas Lord Palmerston has made bad and mischievous
+speeches, but _not_ at all in accordance with the feelings of
+the country. The country wishes for strict neutrality, but strong
+defences, and we are making our Navy as strong as we can.
+
+You ask me if Louis Oporto[35] is grown? He is, and his figure much
+improved. He is a good, kind, amiable boy whom one must like. He has
+sailed this morning with the Bridegroom, and on the 16th or 17th we
+may expect them back with the dear young Bride.
+
+I venture to send you a letter I received some days ago from dear
+Vicky, and the religious tone of which I think will please you. May I
+beg you to return it me, as her letters are very valuable to me?...
+
+We are well fagged and worked and worried; we return to Town to-morrow
+afternoon.
+
+With kindest love to your children, ever your devoted Niece,
+
+VICTORIA R.
+
+    [Footnote 34: After their defeat on the 1st of April on the
+    proposed Reform Bill, the Ministry had dissolved Parliament,
+    and had gained in the elections twenty-five seats--not enough
+    to counterbalance the Palmerstonian triumph of 1857. If,
+    therefore, the various sections of the Liberal Party
+    could unite, the displacement of the Derby Government was
+    inevitable. Such a combination was, in fact, arranged at a
+    meeting at Willis's Rooms organised by Lord Palmerston, Lord
+    John Russell, Mr Bright and Mr Sidney Herbert.]
+
+    [Footnote 35: Brother and successor of King Pedro V. of
+    Portugal, and father of King Carlos. The King had married in
+    May 1858 the Duchess Stephanie (born 1837), daughter of Prince
+    Antoine of Hohenzollern.]
+
+
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._
+
+BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _9th May 1859_.
+
+MY DEAREST UNCLE,--I write to-day instead of to-morrow to profit by
+the return of your messenger. Many, many thanks for your dear letter
+of the 6th. What _are_ the Austrians about? They would _not_ wait when
+they ought to have done so, and _now_ that they should have long
+ago made a rush and an attack with their overwhelming force, they
+do _nothing!_ nothing since the 30th! leaving the French to become
+stronger and more _fit_ for the struggle every day!! It is indeed
+distracting, and most difficult to understand them or do anything for
+them. The Emperor leaves Paris for Genoa to-morrow. It is _not_ true
+that the Empress was so warlike; Lord Cowley says, on the contrary,
+she is very unhappy about it, and that the Emperor himself is low and
+altered. Old Vaillant goes with him as General-Major.... Ever your
+devoted Niece,
+
+VICTORIA R.
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: POLICY OF THE EMPEROR NAPOLEON]
+
+
+_The Earl of Malmesbury to Queen Victoria._
+
+_15th May 1859._
+
+The Earl of Malmesbury presents his humble duty to the Queen, and has
+the honour to inform your Majesty that Count de Persigny[36] called on
+him yesterday. He passed an hour in attempting to prove what it seems
+he really believes himself--that the Emperor had no plan or even
+intention to make war in Italy; that His Imperial Majesty was drawn
+into it step by step by M. de Cavour, who finally menaced to publish
+his most confidential correspondence, etc.; that his army was totally
+unprepared, and is now in a very imperfect state, and that he himself
+was overcome with surprise and fear when he learnt in the middle of
+last month that the Austrians had 120,000 men on the Ticino.[37] The
+Emperor, however, now believes that he will easily gain a _couple_
+of victories, and that when he has _rejete les Autrichiens dans leur
+taniere_ (by which he means their great fortresses), he will return
+to govern at Paris, and leave a Marshal to carry on the sieges and the
+war. M. de Persigny's letters of appointment are not yet signed, and
+must go to Italy to be so. He stated that a week ago he was named
+Minister of Foreign Affairs, and that Fould,[38] Walewski, and others
+were to be dismissed, but that two days before the Emperor's departure
+Madame Walewska[39] and the Empress had on their knees obtained a
+reprieve, and that M. de Persigny was ordered to come here _sans
+raisonner_...
+
+    [Footnote 36: Who had been re-appointed to London, where
+    Marshal Pelissier, Duc de Malakhoff, had replaced him in 1858.
+    See _ante_, 23rd March, 1858. Both Malakhoff and Walewski were
+    out of sympathy with the Emperor's present policy.]
+
+    [Footnote 37: Sir James Hudson, in a letter written at
+    Turin on the 28th of February, and shown to Queen Victoria,
+    described an interview with Cavour, who, in answer to the
+    direct question, "Do you mean to attack Austria?" replied
+    that the Italian question was becoming so complex that it was
+    impossible to say what might happen. Sir J. Hudson added that
+    he had learned confidentially that the understanding on the
+    same subject between Cavour and the Emperor Napoleon was
+    complete, and that it had been expressed thus: "Non seulement
+    nous prendrons la premiere occasion de faire la guerre a
+    l'Autriche, mais nous chercherons un pretexte."]
+
+    [Footnote 38: Achille Fould, a Jewish banker, was a
+    colleague of Walewski, though not a loyal one, in the French
+    Government.]
+
+    [Footnote 39: Madame Walewska was a Florentine by birth,
+    descended on her mother's side from the princely family of
+    Poniatowski.]
+
+
+
+[Pageheader: ATTITUDE OF RUSSIA]
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to the Earl of Malmesbury._
+
+BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _20th May 1859_.
+
+The Queen was much surprised to receive the enclosed telegram. An
+alliance with Russia to _localise_ and _arrest_ the war by joint
+interference, which is here proposed to Russia, is a policy to which
+the Queen has not given her sanction, and which would require very
+mature deliberation before it could ever be entertained. The Queen
+is much afraid of these telegraphic short messages on principles of
+policy, and would beg Lord Malmesbury to be most cautious as they
+may lead us into difficulties without the possibility of previous
+consideration. How can we propose to join Russia, whom we know to
+be pledged to France? The Queen hopes Lord Malmesbury will stop the
+communication of this message, to Prince Gortschakoff.[40]
+
+    [Footnote 40: A telegram had been received from St Petersburg,
+    saying that Prince Gortschakoff entirely coincided with
+    Lord Malmesbury's views as to localising the war; and Lord
+    Malmesbury had proposed to send a telegraphic reply containing
+    the words: "We are anxious to unite with Russia, not only in
+    localising the war, but in arresting it."]
+
+
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to the Earl of Derby._
+
+OSBORNE, _22nd May 1859_.
+
+In answer to Lord Derby's letter of yesterday referring to the
+importance of concerting with Russia the best modes of preventing the
+extension of the war, the Queen wishes merely to observe: That Russia
+has acknowledged her desire to see the Austrians defeated, and her
+indifference to the maintenance of the Treaties of 1815; France
+wages war to drive the Austrians out of Italy, wresting from them
+the Italian provinces secured to them by those treaties; and that the
+Queen has declared from the Throne her adhesion to these treaties
+to which Parliament unanimously responded. France and Russia may
+therefore have an interest, and indeed _must_ have one, in not being
+disturbed in any way in the prosecution of their Italian scheme.
+England can have no such interest. If France prove successful, the
+territorial arrangements of Europe, in which England has found safety,
+and which she helped to establish in order to obtain safety against
+France after a war of twenty years' duration, will be subverted,
+and she herself may some day (perhaps _soon_) have her own safety
+imperilled. The Saxon provinces of Prussia will be in much greater
+danger when France shall have destroyed Austria in Italy and ruined
+her at home, than while the latter remains a powerful member of the
+German Confederation. What the Queen is naturally anxious to guard
+against is our being drawn by degrees into playing the game of those
+who have produced the present disturbance, and whose ulterior views
+are very naturally and very wisely by them concealed from us. The
+Queen is glad to hear that the telegram in question was not sent,
+having been alarmed by its being marked as having been despatched "at
+noon" on the 20th. The Queen wishes Lord Derby to show this letter to
+Lord Malmesbury.
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheader: ILLNESS OF DUCHESS OF KENT]
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._
+
+OSBORNE, _25th May 1859_.
+
+DEAREST UNCLE,--Thousand thanks for your dear kind letter and good
+wishes for my old birthday, and for your other dear letter of the
+21st. Albert, who writes to you, will tell you how dreadfully our
+_great, great_ happiness to have dearest Vicky, flourishing and so
+well and gay with us, was on Monday and a good deal too yesterday,
+clouded over and spoilt by the _dreadful_ anxiety we were in about
+dearest Mamma. Thank God! to-day I feel another being--for we know she
+is "in a satisfactory state," and improving in every respect, but I am
+thoroughly shaken and upset by this _awful_ shock; for it came on
+_so suddenly_--that it came like a thunderbolt upon us, and I think I
+_never_ suffered as I did those four dreadful hours till we heard she
+was better! I hardly myself _knew how_ I loved her, or how _my whole_
+existence seems bound up with her--till I saw looming in the distance
+the fearful possibility of _what_ I will _not_ mention. She was
+actually packing up to start for here! _How_ I missed her yesterday
+I cannot say, or how gloomy my poor birthday on first getting up
+appeared I _cannot_ say. However, that is passed--and please God we
+shall see her, with care, restored to her usual health ere long. I
+trust, dearest Uncle, you are quite well now--and that affairs will
+not prevent you from coming to see us next month?
+
+Dear Vicky is now a most dear, charming companion--and so _embellie!_
+
+I must end, having so much to write. Ever your devoted Niece,
+
+VICTORIA R.
+
+I shall write again to-morrow or next day how dear Mamma is.
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheader: THE QUEEN'S SPEECH]
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to the Earl of Derby._
+
+BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _1st June 1859_.
+
+The Queen takes objection to the wording of the two paragraphs[41]
+about the war and our armaments. As it stands, it conveys the
+impression of a determination on the Queen's part of maintaining a
+neutrality--_a tout prix_--whatever circumstances may arise, which
+would do harm abroad, and be inconvenient at home.[42] What the
+Queen may express is her wish to remain neutral, and her hope that
+circumstances will allow her to do so. The paragraph about the
+Navy[43] as it stands makes our position still more humble, as it
+contains a public apology for arming, and yet betrays fear of our
+being attacked by France.
+
+The Queen suggests two amended forms for these passages, in which she
+has taken pains to preserve Lord Derby's words as far as is possible,
+with an avoidance of the objections before stated.
+
+"Those endeavours have unhappily failed, and war has been declared
+between France and Sardinia on one side, and Austria on the other.
+I continue to receive at the same time assurances of friendship from
+both contending parties. It being my anxious desire to preserve to
+my people the blessing of uninterrupted peace, I trust in God's
+assistance to enable me to maintain a strict and impartial
+neutrality."
+
+"Considering, however, the present state of Europe, and the
+complications which a war, carried on by some of its great Powers, may
+produce, I have deemed it necessary, for the security of my dominions
+and the honour of my Crown, to increase my Naval Forces to an amount
+exceeding that which has been sanctioned by Parliament."
+
+    [Footnote 41: In the Speech to be delivered by the Queen at
+    the opening of Parliament on the 7th of June.]
+
+    [Footnote 42: The passage originally ran: "Receiving
+    assurances of friendship from both the contending parties, I
+    intend to maintain a strict and impartial neutrality, and
+    I hope, with God's assistance, to preserve to my people the
+    blessing of continued peace."]
+
+    [Footnote 43: The passage originally ran: "I have, however,
+    deemed it necessary, in the present state of Europe, with no
+    object of aggression, but for the security of my dominions,
+    and for the honour of my Crown, to increase my Naval Forces
+    to an amount exceeding that which has been sanctioned by
+    Parliament."]
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheader: THE QUESTION OF NEUTRALITY]
+
+[Pageheader: THE NAVY]
+
+[Pageheading: LORD DERBY'S CRITICISMS]
+
+
+_The Earl of Derby to Queen Victoria._
+
+DOWNING STREET, _2nd June 1859_.
+
+Lord Derby, with his humble duty, submits to your Majesty that he has
+most anxiously, and with every desire to meet your Majesty's wishes,
+reflected upon the effect of the alterations suggested by your
+Majesty in the proposed Speech from the Throne. He has considered
+the consequences involved so serious that he has thought it right
+to confer upon the subject with the Chancellor of the Exchequer, as
+Leader of the House of Commons; and it is a duty which he owes to your
+Majesty not to withhold the expression of their clear and unhesitating
+conviction. Lord Derby trusts that your Majesty will forgive the
+frankness with which, in the accompanying observations, he feels it
+necessary to submit to your Majesty the grounds for the view which
+they are compelled to take.
+
+The first paragraph to which your Majesty takes exception is that
+which intimates your Majesty's "intention" to maintain a strict and
+impartial neutrality, and "hope" to be enabled to preserve peace. Your
+Majesty apprehends that this may be interpreted into a determination
+to preserve neutrality _a tout prix_; but Lord Derby would venture to
+observe that such an inference is negatived by the subsequent words,
+which only imply a "hope" of preserving peace. With the cessation
+of that hope, neutrality would necessarily terminate. But as matters
+stand at present, Lord Derby is warranted in assuring your Majesty
+that if there is one subject on which more than another the mind of
+the country is unanimous, it is that of an entire abstinence from
+participation in the struggle now going on in Italy. He collects this
+from the language of politicians of almost every class, from all the
+public papers, from Addresses and Memorials which he receives every
+day--some urging, and some congratulating him upon the adoption of a
+perfectly neutral policy. The sympathies of the country are neither
+with France nor with Austria, but were it not for the intervention of
+France, they would be general in favour of Italy. The charge now
+made against your Majesty's servants, by the opposition Press, as the
+_Morning Post_ and _Daily News_, is that their neutrality covers
+such wishes and designs in favour of Austria; and any word in your
+Majesty's Speech which should imply a doubt of the continuance of
+strict impartiality, would, undoubtedly, provoke a hostile Amendment,
+which might very possibly be carried in the Sardinian sense, and
+which, if so carried, would place your Majesty in the painful position
+of having to select an Administration, pledged against the interests
+of Austria and of Germany. Lord Derby says nothing of the personal
+results to your Majesty's present servants, because, in such cases,
+personal considerations ought not to be allowed to prevail; and it is
+in the interest of the country only, and even of the very cause which
+your Majesty desires to uphold, that he earnestly trusts that your
+Majesty will not require any alteration in this part of the Speech.
+There is, at this moment, in the country, a great jealousy and
+suspicion of France, and of her ulterior designs--as indicated by
+the demand of means of defence, the formation of Volunteer Corps,
+etc.--but it is neutralised, partly by sympathy for Italy, partly by
+suspicions, industriously circulated, of the pro-Austrian tendencies
+of the present Government. It is very important that the language of
+the Speech should be so decided as to negative this impression, and
+Lord Derby cannot but feel that if neutrality be spoken of not as a
+thing decided upon, but which, it is hoped, may be maintained, such
+language will be taken to intimate the expectation of the Government
+that it may, at no distant time, be departed from. In Lord Derby's
+humble opinion Peace should be spoken of as subject to doubt, because,
+out of the present struggle, complications may arise which may
+necessarily involve us in war; but neutrality, as between the present
+belligerents, should be a matter open to no doubt or question. If
+there be no attempt made to run counter to public opinion, and Austria
+should sustain serious reverses, the jealousy of France will increase,
+and the feeling of the country will support your Majesty in a war,
+should such arise, against her aggression; but if the slightest
+pretext be afforded for doubting the _bona fide_ character of British
+neutrality, or the firm determination to maintain it, an anti-German
+feeling will be excited, which will be fatal to the Administration,
+and seriously embarrassing to your Majesty.
+
+The same observations apply, with hardly less force, to part of the
+Amendment suggested by your Majesty to the paragraph regarding the
+Navy. With submission to your Majesty, Lord Derby can hardly look upon
+it as humiliating to a great country, in announcing a large increase
+of its Naval Force, to disclaim any object of aggression. These words,
+however, might, if your Majesty were so pleased, be omitted, though
+Lord Derby cannot go so far as to say that in his humble judgment the
+omission would be an improvement; but he trusts that your Majesty will
+be satisfied with a general reference to the "state of Europe" without
+speaking of the "complications which a war carried on by some of the
+Great Powers may produce." These words would infallibly lead to a
+demand for explanation, and for a statement of the nature of the
+"complications" which the Government foresaw as likely to lead to war.
+In humbly tendering to your Majesty his most earnest advice that
+your Majesty will not insist on the proposed Amendments in his
+Draft Speech, he believes that he may assure your Majesty that he
+is expressing the unanimous opinion of his Colleagues. Of their
+sentiments your Majesty may judge by the fact that in the original
+draft he had spoken of your Majesty's "intention" to preserve peace
+"as long as it might be possible"; but by universal concurrence these
+latter words were struck out, and the "hope" was, instead of them,
+substituted for the "intention." Should your Majesty, however, be
+pleased so to order, Lord Derby will immediately submit the question
+to the consideration of his Colleagues, in order that your Majesty may
+be put, in the most authentic form, in possession of their views.
+He assures your Majesty that nothing can be more repugnant to his
+feelings than to appear to offer objections to any suggestions
+emanating from your Majesty; and he has only been induced to do so
+upon the present occasion by the deep conviction which he entertains
+of the danger attending the course proposed, and the serious
+embarrassments which it would cause your Majesty. He regrets more
+especially having been compelled to take this step at a moment when
+your Majesty's thoughts are very differently engaged, and when it may
+be doubly irksome to have matters of public business pressed upon your
+Majesty's consideration.
+
+The above is humbly submitted by your Majesty's most dutiful Servant
+and Subject,
+
+DERBY.
+
+
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to the Earl of Derby._
+
+BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _3rd June 1859_.
+
+The Queen has received Lord Derby's answer to her observations on the
+proposed Speech. There is in fact no difference of opinion between her
+and Lord Derby; the latter only keeps in view the effect which certain
+words will have in Parliament and upon the country, whilst she looks
+to the effect they will produce upon the European conflict. If
+the Queen were not obliged to speak, both positions might be well
+reconciled; but if what she is going to declare from the Throne is
+to allay suspicions purposely raised by the Opposition against the
+Government that they intended to take part at some moment or other in
+the war, and is to give absolute security to the country against this
+contingency, this will be the very thing France would wish to bring
+about in order to ensure to her the fullest liberty in prosecuting her
+schemes for disturbing and altering the territorial state of Europe.
+How is this impression to be avoided? Lord Derby thinks that the
+expression of "hope" to be able to preserve peace to this country is
+a sufficient indication that this country reserves to herself still
+a certain liberty of action; but the Queen would have interpreted
+it rather as the expression of a hope, that we may not be attacked,
+particularly when followed by the sentence in which all intention of
+aggression is disclaimed, and that our armaments are merely meant for
+defence. The sense would then appear as this: "As the belligerents
+separately assure me of their friendship, I am determined to maintain
+a strict neutrality between them, and hope they may not change their
+minds, and attack me; I arm, but merely to defend myself if attacked."
+This would abdicate on the part of this country her position as one
+of the arbiters of Europe, declare her indifference to treaties or the
+balance of power (which are, in fact, of the greatest value to her),
+and would preclude her from any action to preserve them. The Queen
+fully enters into the Parliamentary difficulty, and would deprecate
+nothing more than to expose the Government to a defeat on an Amendment
+which would lead to the formation of a new Government on the principle
+of neutrality _a tout prix_ imposed by Parliament on the Crown.
+
+It will be for Lord Derby and his colleagues to consider how far they
+may be able to avoid this danger without exposing themselves to that
+pointed out by the Queen. She puts herself entirely in his hands, and
+had suggested the verbal amendments merely with a view to indicate the
+nature of the difficulty which had struck her. Whatever decision Lord
+Derby may on further reflection come to, the Queen is prepared to
+accept.[44]
+
+    [Footnote 44: Ultimately the Cabinet recommended the
+    modification of the declaration of neutrality by the insertion
+    of the words "between them"; so as to run: "I intend to
+    maintain _between them_ a strict and impartial neutrality,"
+    etc.; and in the second paragraph proposed to omit the words
+    "with no object of aggression, but"--and adopting the form
+    of the Queen's paragraph, but omitting the words referring
+    to possible complications, to leave it thus: "Considering,
+    however, the present state of Europe, I have deemed it
+    necessary for the security of my Dominions," etc.]
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: NEGOTIATIONS WITH RUSSIA]
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to the Earl of Malmesbury._
+
+BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _5th June 1859_.
+
+The Queen has read Lord Cowley's letter with regret. Nothing could
+be more dangerous and unwise than at this moment to enter into
+negotiations with Russia on the best manner of disposing of the
+Emperor of Austria's dominions. The Queen cannot understand how Lord
+Cowley can propose anything so indefensible in a moral point of view.
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: DEBATE ON THE ADDRESS]
+
+
+_Mr Disraeli to Queen Victoria._
+
+HOUSE OF COMMONS [? _7th June 1859_.]
+(_Tuesday, quarter-past eight o'clock._)
+
+The Chancellor of the Exchequer with his humble duty to your Majesty.
+
+Lord Hartington[45] spoke like a gentleman; was badly seconded.
+
+Chancellor of Exchequer rose immediately at six o'clock, and is just
+down. The House very full, and very enthusiastic.
+
+The Chancellor of Exchequer presumes to say he thinks he satisfied his
+friends.[46]
+
+    [Footnote 45: Lord Hartington, afterwards eighth Duke of
+    Devonshire, moved an Amendment to the Address, expressing a
+    want of confidence in the Ministry.]
+
+    [Footnote 46: He flung his taunts right and left at the now
+    united Opposition, and was especially bitter against Sir
+    James Graham. Referring to the Liberal meeting on the 6th,
+    Mr Disraeli reminded the House that Willis's Rooms had, as
+    Almack's, formerly been maintained by fashionable patronesses.
+    "The distinguished assemblies that met within those walls
+    were controlled by a due admixture of dowagers and youthful
+    beauties--young reputations and worn celebrities--and it was
+    the object of all social ambition to enter there. Now Willis's
+    Rooms are under the direction of patrons, and there are two of
+    these patrons below the gangway" (indicating Lord John Russell
+    and Mr Sidney Herbert). In regard to its Foreign Policy, he
+    said the Government should not be condemned without direct
+    documentary evidence. Lord Malmesbury has since deplored
+    Mr Disraeli's neglect to produce the Blue Book with the
+    correspondence relating to the affairs of Italy and Austria,
+    and stated that, had he laid it on the table, the debate would
+    have ended differently (_Memoirs of an Ex-Minister_, vol. ii.
+    p. 188).]
+
+
+
+
+_The Earl of Derby to Queen Victoria._
+
+ST JAMES'S SQUARE, _10th June 1859_.
+
+Lord Derby, with his humble duty, submits to your Majesty that the
+tone of the Government Agents in the House of Commons is less sanguine
+to-day than it was yesterday with regard to the issue of the Debate
+to-night. There are no actual changes announced of votes, but the tone
+of the Opposition is more confident; and when an opinion begins to
+prevail that the Government are likely to be in a minority, it often
+realises itself by the effect which it produces on waverers and
+lukewarm supporters. The Division will certainly take place to-night;
+and, without absolutely anticipating failure, Lord Derby cannot
+conceal from your Majesty that he considers the situation very
+critical. Mr Gladstone expressed privately his opinion last night
+that, even if successful on the present occasion, the Government could
+not possibly go on, which does not look like an intention, on the
+part of the Liberal Party, of considering the present division as
+decisive.[47]...
+
+    [Footnote 47: The rest of the letter relates to the
+    distribution of honours to the outgoing Ministers.]
+
+
+_Mr Disraeli to Queen Victoria._
+
+HOUSE OF COMMONS, _11th June 1859_.
+(_Saturday morning, half-past two o'clock._)
+
+The Chancellor of the Exchequer with his humble duty to your Majesty:
+
+For the Amendment                             323
+For the Address                               310
+                                              ---
+  Majority against your Majesty's servants     13
+                                              ---
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: THE MINISTRY DEFEATED]
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to the Earl of Derby._
+
+BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _11th June 1859_.
+
+The Queen was very much grieved to receive Mr Disraeli's report of the
+division of yesterday, although she was fully prepared for this event.
+
+She did not answer Lord Derby's letter of yesterday in order not to
+anticipate it. Now that the fate of the Government is decided, she
+is prepared to grant those favours and acknowledgments of service for
+which Lord Derby asked in his letter. The Queen _could_ not reconcile
+it with her own feelings, however, were she to omit this opportunity,
+when Lord Derby for the second time resigns the post of her Prime
+Minister, of giving to him personally a public mark of her approbation
+of his services. The Queen therefore asks him to accept the Garter
+from her hands.
+
+As the Queen holds a Drawing-room to-day, and receives the City
+Address after it, Lord Derby will be aware how little time she has
+this morning (being naturally anxious to have some conversation with
+him with as little delay as possible); she would ask him to come here
+either at half-past eleven or half-past twelve o'clock.
+
+
+
+
+_The Earl of Derby to Queen Victoria._
+
+ST JAMES'S SQUARE, _11th June 1859_.
+
+Lord Derby, with his humble duty, submits to your Majesty the
+expression of his deep gratitude for your Majesty's most gracious note
+this moment received, and for the terms in which your Majesty has been
+pleased to speak of his very imperfect services. He gratefully accepts
+the honour which your Majesty has been pleased to confer upon him as a
+mark of your Majesty's personal favour. As a Minister, he could never
+have advised your Majesty to bestow it upon him, and he could not have
+accepted it on the recommendation of any Government to which he was
+politically opposed; but as a spontaneous act of your Majesty, it
+acquires in his eyes a value which nothing else could have given to
+it. Lord Derby is this moment going down to the Cabinet, as a matter
+of form, and will obey your Majesty's commands as soon as possible
+after half-past eleven, when he will have an opportunity of expressing
+in person his deep sense of your Majesty's goodness, and his entire
+devotedness, in whatever situation he may be placed, to your Majesty's
+service.
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: LORD GRANVILLE SUMMONED]
+
+
+_Memorandum by Earl Granville._
+
+[_Undated. 11th June 1859._]
+
+I waited at four o'clock this afternoon[48] upon the Queen by Her
+Majesty's gracious commands. The Queen was pleased to remark upon the
+importance of the present crisis. Her Majesty informed me that Lord
+Derby had resigned, and that she had sent for me to desire that I
+should attempt to form another Administration, which Her Majesty
+wished should be strong and comprehensive. I respectfully assured the
+Queen that Her Majesty's commands came upon me by surprise; that at
+any time I felt my own insufficiency for such a post, and that at this
+time there were special difficulties; that I believed the only two
+persons who could form a strong Liberal Government were either Lord
+Palmerston or Lord John Russell; and that, although it had sometimes
+happened that two statesmen of equal pretensions preferred having a
+nominal chief to serving under one another, I did not believe that
+this was the case now. I said that I had reason to believe that Lords
+Palmerston and John Russell were ready to co-operate with one another,
+while I doubted whether either would consent to serve under a younger
+man of such small pretensions as myself.
+
+The Queen in reply informed me that her first thoughts had been turned
+to Lord Palmerston and Lord John Russell, that they had both served
+her long and faithfully, and that Her Majesty felt it to be an
+invidious task to select one of the two. Her Majesty was also of
+opinion that as different sections of the Liberal Party were more or
+less represented by each, it might be more easy for the Party to act
+together under a third person. Her Majesty added that she had selected
+me as the Leader of the Liberal Party in the House of Lords, and a
+person in whom both Lord Palmerston and Lord John Russell had been in
+the habit of placing confidence, and she expressed her confident
+hope that their attachment to herself would induce them to yield that
+assistance without which it would be difficult to form a strong and
+comprehensive Government.
+
+I proceeded to state some of the most salient difficulties of the
+task, and asked Her Majesty's permission to ascertain by negotiation
+what it would be possible to do.
+
+Her Majesty informed me that Her Majesty's experience of former
+changes of administration had taught her that the construction of an
+administration had failed when the person entrusted with the task had
+acted merely as a negotiator, and that the success of other attempts
+had been owing to the acceptance of the charge by the person for whom
+she had sent. Her Majesty laid Her Majesty's commands upon me to make
+the attempt, and I had the honour of conveying two letters from Her
+Majesty to Lord Palmerston and Lord John Russell, stating that Her
+Majesty relied upon their assistance.
+
+    [Footnote 48: The 11th of June.]
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: THE RIVAL LEADERS]
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to_  {_Viscount Palmerston._
+                     {_Lord John Russell._
+
+BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _11th June 1859_.
+
+The Queen gives these lines to Lord Granville, whom she has entrusted
+with the task of forming an administration on the resignation of Lord
+Derby. She has selected him as the Leader of the Liberal Party in the
+House of Lords. She feels that it is of the greatest importance that
+both Lord Palmerston and Lord John Russell should lend their services
+to the Crown and country in the present anxious circumstances, and
+thought at the same time that they might do so most agreeably to their
+own feelings by acting under a third person. They having both served
+the Queen long and faithfully as her First Minister, she must not
+conceal from Lord Palmerston (John Russell) that it is a great relief
+to her feelings not to have to make the choice of one of them, and
+she trusts that they will feel no difficulty to co-operate with one in
+whom they have both been in the habit of placing confidence. From
+the long experience the Queen has had of Lord Palmerston's (John
+Russell's) loyal attachment to her and the service of the Crown, she
+feels confident she may rely on Lord Palmerston's (John Russell's)
+hearty assistance.[49]
+
+    [Footnote 49: In reply, Lord Palmerston (in a letter printed
+    in Ashley's _Life of Lord Palmerston_, vol. ii. p. 155)
+    accepted his responsibility for uniting with others to
+    overthrow the Derby Ministry, and undertook to serve under
+    either Lord John Russell or Lord Granville, but stipulated
+    that any Government he joined must be an efficient and
+    representative one.]
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: LORD GRANVILLE UNSUCCESSFUL]
+
+
+_Earl Granville to Queen Victoria._
+
+BRUTON STREET, _12th June 1859_.
+(2 A.M.)
+
+Lord Granville presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and begs
+to submit that he saw Lord Palmerston immediately after he had left
+Buckingham Palace. Lord Granville stated what had passed there,
+omitting any reference to your Majesty's objection to the effect
+likely to be produced on the Continent by Lord Palmerston's name, if
+he had the direction of the Foreign Affairs. Nothing could be more
+frank and cordial than Lord Palmerston's manner. He agreed to lead the
+House of Commons; he said that he had certainly anticipated that your
+Majesty would have sent for either Lord John or himself, but having
+taken a part in the defeat of the present Government, he felt bound to
+put aside any personal objects, and co-operate with me; and that there
+was no person whom he should prefer or even like as much as myself. He
+added that his co-operation must depend upon my being able to form a
+strong Government. Lord Granville then saw Lord John Russell, and
+had a very long conversation with him. Lord John had no objection
+to serving under Lord Granville, but thought that he could not give
+effect to his political views unless he was either Prime Minister
+or Leader of the House of Commons, and he doubted whether he had
+confidence in any one but Lord Palmerston for the Foreign Office. Lord
+Granville again saw Lord Palmerston, who informed him that if he had
+been sent for, he should have objected to go to the House of Lords,
+and that he could not now give up the lead of the House of Commons
+(which Lord Granville had already proposed to him to retain) to Lord
+John. This answer rendered it unnecessary for Lord Granville to allude
+to the objections to his holding the Foreign Office. Lord Granville
+has seen Lord Clarendon, who acted up to the full spirit of your
+Majesty's letter, but deprecates strongly the attempt to form a
+Government without Lord John Russell. Sir George Grey is of the same
+opinion. Sir George Lewis, Mr Herbert, and Mr Gladstone think every
+effort should be made to secure Lord John, but that it would not be
+impossible to form a Government without him. Mr Milner Gibson, with
+whom Lord Granville had a more reserved conversation, considered it a
+_sine qua non_ condition of support from the Liberal Party below the
+gangway, that Lord John should be a member of the Government. Lord
+Granville thinks that in his third interview with Lord Palmerston he
+observed more dissatisfaction at not being sent for by your Majesty.
+Lord Palmerston suggested that Lord John's absence from the Government
+would make it more difficult for a Leader of the House, who was not
+Prime Minister, to hold his position.
+
+Lord Granville has written to Lord John asking for a final answer
+before he informs your Majesty, whether he is able to attempt the task
+which your Majesty has with so much kindness and indulgence laid upon
+him.[50]
+
+    [Footnote 50: This letter, and Lord John's reply declining to
+    occupy only the third office in the State, and expressing
+    his anxiety for adequate security in the handling of Foreign
+    Affairs and Reform, are printed in Walpole's _Life of Lord
+    John Russell_, vol. ii. chap. xxvii.
+
+    Lord Granville then wrote to Lord John: "I am glad that
+    I wrote to you yesterday evening, as your answer gave me
+    information which I had not gathered from your conversation
+    in the morning. I came away from Chesham Place with the
+    impression that union between you and Palmerston with or
+    without me was impossible. Your letter afforded a good
+    opportunity of arrangement. As soon as I found by it that I
+    was an obstacle instead of a facility towards the formation of
+    a strong Government. I went to the Queen to ask her to
+    excuse me from the task which she had so unexpectedly and so
+    graciously imposed upon me. In answer to a question, I stated
+    to Her Majesty that it was disagreeable to me to advise as to
+    which of you and Palmerston she should send for, but that I
+    was ready to do so if it was her wish.
+
+    "The Queen did not press me. It is a great relief to have
+    finished this business. I have asked Palmerston to do whatever
+    would strengthen the Government, and assist him the most as
+    regards myself."]
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: LORD PALMERSTON PREMIER]
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to the Earl of Derby._
+
+BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _12th June 1859_.
+
+The Queen writes to inform Lord Derby that after a fruitless attempt
+on the part of Lord Granville to form a Government comprising Lord
+Palmerston and Lord John Russell, she has now charged Lord Palmerston
+with the task, which she trusts may prove more successful....
+
+
+
+
+_Viscount Palmerston to Queen Victoria._
+
+94 PICCADILLY, _12th June 1859_.
+
+Viscount Palmerston presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and
+begs to report that he has been to Pembroke Lodge, and has had a
+satisfactory conversation with Lord John Russell, who has agreed to
+be a Member of the Government without any suggestion that Viscount
+Palmerston should leave the House of Commons; but Viscount Palmerston
+is sorry to say that Lord John Russell laid claim to the Foreign
+Office in a manner which rendered it impossible for Viscount
+Palmerston to decline to submit his name to your Majesty for that
+post when the List of the new Government shall be made out for your
+Majesty's consideration and approval....
+
+
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to Viscount Palmerston._
+
+_13th June 1859._
+
+Lord Clarendon has just left the Queen. She had a long and full
+conversation with him. Nothing could be more friendly than his
+language, and he expressed himself ready to do anything for the
+Queen's service. But he positively declines entering the Cabinet or
+taking any _other office_. He says, as _Foreign_ Secretary, he should
+be ready to join the Government should there be a vacancy; but that
+he has never directed his attention much to general politics, and his
+taking any other office, after having held the Foreign Seals during
+a long and important time, would be of no use to the Government, and
+would only injure himself. The Queen told him that he might have any
+office almost (naming several of those which Lord Palmerston discussed
+with her), but she could not urge nor press him to do what _he felt_
+would injure him, and indeed she found him quite determined in his
+purpose.
+
+His absence from the Cabinet the Queen sincerely deplores, and she
+knows that Lord Palmerston will feel it a serious loss.
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: AN INDISCREET DISCLOSURE]
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to Earl Granville._
+
+BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _13th June 1859_.
+
+The Queen is much shocked to find her whole conversation with Lord
+Granville yesterday and the day before detailed in this morning's
+leading article of the _Times_.[51] What passes between her and a
+Minister in her own room in confidential intercourse ought to be
+sacred, and it will be evident to Lord Granville that if it were not
+so, the Queen would be precluded from treating her Ministers with that
+unreserved confidence which can alone render a thorough understanding
+possible; moreover, any Minister could state what he pleased, against
+which the Queen would have no protection, as she could not well insert
+contradictions or explanations in the newspapers herself.
+
+    [Footnote 51: A circumstantial account of the Queen's
+    conversation with Lord Granville had appeared in the _Times_,
+    and Lord Derby drew attention to the matter in the House of
+    Lords. Lord Granville in reply expressed his regret in not
+    having used more complete reserve, and frankly attributed the
+    disclosures to his non-observance of adequate discretion.]
+
+
+
+
+_Earl Granville to Queen Victoria._
+
+LONDON, _13th June 1859_.
+
+Lord Granville presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and feels
+deeply your Majesty's reproof.
+
+Lord Granville was extremely annoyed this morning at seeing the
+article in the _Times_ of to-day, repeating with some accuracy, but
+in a vulgar, inflated manner, the account which Lord Granville gave
+yesterday afternoon to many of his political friends, and which he
+believed your Majesty had authorised him to do. Lord Granville in that
+account laid much stress on the reasons which your Majesty gave for
+sending for Lord Granville, as he found that attempts had been made to
+attribute every sort of motive which might render the Court unpopular.
+
+Besides the gross impropriety of the appearance of reporting your
+Majesty's conversation, Lord Granville regrets the indirect attack
+upon Lord John Russell.
+
+Lord Granville begs respectfully to express to your Majesty his
+vexation at the annoyance, which he has thus been the cause of
+inflicting on your Majesty, particularly at a moment when your Majesty
+had just given him an additional proof of the indulgent kindness and
+confidence which your Majesty has been pleased to place in him.
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: MR COBDEN]
+
+
+_Viscount Palmerston to Queen Victoria._
+
+94 PICCADILLY, _1st July 1859_.
+
+Viscount Palmerston presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and has
+been unable till within the last few minutes to make any Report about
+Mr Cobden, from whom he had received no communication till about
+an hour ago, when Mr Cobden came to him.[52] The result of a long
+conversation between them has been that Mr Cobden, against the advice
+of all his friends and of his constituents, has decided to decline
+taking office. He grounds his decision upon feelings personal
+to himself. He thinks that after having so often and so strongly
+disapproved of the Foreign Policy of Viscount Palmerston as tending
+too much to involve this country in war, it would be inconsistent for
+him to join the present Cabinet, and he also said that, at his time of
+life and with his general habits, he does not consider himself fit for
+administrative office.
+
+Viscount Palmerston used every [means] in his power to induce him
+to change his decision, and showed that, with respect to present and
+future action, there is no apparent difference between his views and
+those of Mr Cobden, since both would desire that this country should
+remain neutral in the war now raging in Italy. All his arguments,
+however, were useless, and though Mr Cobden discussed the matter in
+the most friendly and good-humoured manner, and promised to give out
+of office all support to the Government, and said that he thought he
+could do so more effectually out of office than in office, he could
+not be persuaded to make any change in the answer which he came to
+give.
+
+Viscount Palmerston will consider what arrangement he may have to
+propose to your Majesty in consequence of Mr Cobden's answer.
+
+    [Footnote 52: Mr Cobden had been visiting the United States.
+    On landing at Liverpool he learned that he had been elected
+    at Rochdale, and at the same time he received an offer of the
+    Board of Trade.]
+
+THE MINISTRY AS FORMED BY VISCOUNT PALMERSTON.
+_in the month of June_ 1859.
+
+_First Lord of the Treasury_           VISCOUNT PALMERSTON.
+_Lord Chancellor_                      LORD CAMPBELL.
+_President of the Council_             EARL GRANVILLE.
+_Lord Privy Seal_                      DUKE OF ARGYLL.
+_Home Secretary_                       SIR G. C. LEWIS.
+_Foreign Secretary_                    LORD JOHN (afterwards EARL)
+                                         RUSSELL.
+_Colonial Secretary_                   DUKE OF NEWCASTLE.
+_Secretary for War_                    Mr SIDNEY HERBERT (afterwards
+                                         LORD HERBERT OF LEA).
+_Secretary for India_                  Sir CHARLES WOOD (afterwards
+                                         VISCOUNT HALIFAX).
+_Chancellor of the Exchequer_          Mr GLADSTONE.[53]
+_First Lord of the Admiralty_          DUKE OF SOMERSET.
+_President of the Board of Trade_      Mr MILNER GIBSON (appointed
+                                         in July).
+_Postmaster-General_                   EARL OF ELGIN.
+_Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster_ Sir GEORGE GREY.
+_Chief Secretary for Ireland_          Mr (afterwards VISCOUNT) CARDWELL.
+
+    [Footnote 53: Lord Aberdeen wrote, in a letter printed in
+    Parker's _Sir James Graham_, vol. ii. p. 388, that the wish
+    of Lord Palmerston, expressed in a speech at Tiverton, "to
+    see the Germans turned out of Italy by the war, has secured
+    Gladstone ... notwithstanding the three articles of the
+    _Quarterly_ and the thousand imprecations of late years."]
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: MR BRIGHT]
+
+
+_Viscount Palmerston to Queen Victoria._
+
+94 PICCADILLY, _2nd July 1859_.
+
+Viscount Palmerston presents his humble duty to your Majesty....
+
+Viscount Palmerston has heard from several persons that Mr Bright
+would be highly flattered by being made a Privy Councillor; would
+your Majesty object to his being so made if it should turn out that he
+wishes it? There have been instances of persons made Privy Councillors
+without office, and if Mr Bright could be led by such an honour to
+turn his thoughts and feelings into better channels such a change
+could not fail to be advantageous to your Majesty's service....
+
+
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to Viscount Palmerston._
+
+BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _2nd July 1859_.
+
+The Queen has received Lord Palmerston's letter of to-day. She is
+sorry not to be able to give her assent to his proposal with regard
+to Mr Bright.[54] Privy Councillors have sometimes exceptionally been
+made without office, yet this has been as rewards, even in such cases,
+for services rendered to the State. It would be impossible to allege
+any service Mr Bright has rendered, and if the honour were looked upon
+as a reward for his systematic attacks upon the institutions of the
+country, a very erroneous impression might be produced as to the
+feeling which the Queen or her Government entertain towards these
+institutions. It is moreover very problematical whether such an
+honour conferred upon Mr Bright would, as suggested, wean him from his
+present line of policy, whilst, if he continued in it, he would only
+have obtained additional weight in the country by his propounding his
+views as one of the Queen's Privy Councillors.
+
+    [Footnote 54: In 1859, Lord Palmerston, in offering Mr Cobden
+    a seat in the Cabinet, rejected the idea of accepting Mr
+    Bright as a colleague, on the ground that his public speeches
+    made it impossible. Mr Bright, later in life, was a welcome
+    guest at Windsor, and the Queen became warmly attached to him
+    as one of her Ministers.]
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: PACIFICATION OF INDIA]
+
+
+_Earl Canning to Queen Victoria._
+
+CALCUTTA, _4th July 1859_.
+
+Lord Canning presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and begs
+permission to offer to your Majesty his respectful thanks for your
+Majesty's most gracious letter of the 18th of May.
+
+Lord Canning ventures to believe that he is well able to figure to
+himself the feelings with which your Majesty will have welcomed the
+termination of the Mutiny and Rebellion in India, and of the chief
+miseries which these have brought in their train. He hopes that your
+Majesty will not have thought that there has been remissness in not
+marking this happy event by an earlier public acknowledgment and
+thanksgiving in India, as has already been done in England.[55] The
+truth is, that although this termination has long been steadily and
+surely approaching, it is but just now that it can be said to be
+complete in the eyes of those who are near to the scene of action. It
+is only within the last three weeks that the exertions of our Troops
+on the Oudh and Nepaulese frontier, and in some other parts, have been
+remitted, and almost every Gazette has recounted engagements with the
+rebels, which, although they have invariably had the same issue, would
+scarcely have consisted with a declaration that peace and tranquillity
+were restored. Now, however, military operations have fairly ceased,
+and the rains and the climate, which would make a continuance of those
+operations much to be regretted, will do their work amongst the rebels
+who are still in arms in the Nepaul jungles more terribly than any
+human avengers.
+
+Lord Canning has used every exertion and device to bring these
+wretched men to submission; but many--it is difficult to say how many,
+but certainly some few thousands--still hold out. With some of them
+the reason no doubt is that they belong to the most guilty Regiments,
+and to those which murdered their officers; but this cannot apply
+to all; and it is to be feared that the prevailing cause is the bad
+influence of their leaders--the Nana, Bala Rao, and the Begum;[56] or
+rather the Begum's infamous advisers. It is certain that all of these,
+believing their own position to be desperate, have spared no pains
+to persuade their followers that the Government is seeking to entrap
+them, and that, if they submit, their lives will be taken....
+
+    [Footnote 55: There had been a Public Thanksgiving in England
+    on the 1st of May.]
+
+    [Footnote 56: Bala Rao was a brother of Nana Sahib, chief
+    instigator of the Sepoy Mutiny. See _ante_, 4th July, 1857,
+    note 24.]
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: A MILITARY ENQUIRY]
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to Viscount Palmerston._
+
+BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _5th July 1859_.
+
+The Queen is much shocked to see that the Government last night moved
+for a Committee of the House of Commons to enquire into the Military
+Departments, without having previously communicated with the Queen
+on the subject. She is the more surprised at this, as Lord Palmerston
+told her, when she saw him on the formation of the present Government,
+and she expressed her anxiety on the subject, that there would be no
+more trouble about it, and he thought it would drop. The Queen
+expects that the names of those who it is proposed should compose the
+Committee, and the wording of it, will be submitted to her.
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: CONSTITUTIONAL QUESTION]
+
+
+_Viscount Palmerston to Queen Victoria._
+
+PICCADILLY, _5th July 1859_.
+
+Viscount Palmerston presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and begs
+to state that the re-appointment of the Committee on the Organisation
+of the Military Departments was unavoidable. That Committee had
+been affirmed by the House of Commons and consented to by the late
+Government, and had begun its sittings; but when a Dissolution of
+Parliament was announced, it suspended its further sittings, with the
+understanding that it should be revived in the new Parliament; and to
+have departed from that understanding would have been impossible. That
+which Viscount Palmerston intended to convey in what he said to your
+Majesty on the subject was, that the evidence given by Lord Panmure
+might be deemed as having fully set aside the objection urged against
+the present organisation by persons unacquainted with the bearing upon
+it of the fundamental principles of the Constitution, namely, that the
+Crown acts in regard to Military matters without having any official
+adviser responsible for its acts. Such a condition of things, if it
+could exist, would be at variance with the fundamental principles
+of the British Constitution, and would be fraught with danger to the
+Crown, because then the Sovereign would be held personally answerable
+for administrative acts, and would be brought personally in conflict
+in possible cases with public opinion, a most dangerous condition for
+a Sovereign to be placed in.
+
+The maxim of the British Constitution is that the Sovereign can do
+no wrong, but that does not mean that no wrong can be done by Royal
+authority; it means that if wrong be done, the public servant who
+advised the act, and not the Sovereign, must be held answerable for
+the wrongdoing.
+
+But the Ministers of the Crown for the time being are the persons who
+are constitutionally held answerable for all administrative acts in
+the last resort, and that was the pith and substance of the evidence
+given by Lord Panmure. Those persons who want to make great changes
+in the existing arrangements were much vexed and disappointed by that
+evidence, and the attempt made yesterday to put off the Committee till
+next year on the ground that the evidence now to be taken would be
+one-sided only, and would tend to create erroneous impressions, was
+founded upon those feelings of disappointment.
+
+Viscount Palmerston submits names of the persons whom Mr Sidney
+Herbert proposes to appoint on the Committee, and they seem to be well
+chosen.
+
+
+
+
+_Lord John Russell to Queen Victoria._
+
+PEMBROKE LODGE, _10th July 1859_.
+(7 P.M.)
+
+Lord John Russell presents his humble duty to your Majesty. He has
+just received from Lord Palmerston, who is here, the paper, a copy of
+which is enclosed.[57]
+
+Lord John Russell has to add that Lord Palmerston and he are humbly of
+opinion that your Majesty should give to the Emperor of the French
+the moral support which is asked. It is clearly understood that if the
+Emperor of Austria declines to accept the propositions, Great Britain
+will still maintain her neutral position.
+
+But it is probable that her moral support will put an end to the
+war, and your Majesty's advisers cannot venture to make themselves
+responsible for its continuance by refusing to counsel your Majesty to
+accept the proposal of France.
+
+    [Footnote 57: At the seat of war, a series of decisive French
+    victories had culminated in the battle of Solferino, on
+    Midsummer Day (see _ante_, Introductory Note to Chapter XXVIII).
+    But the French Emperor was beginning to think these successes
+    too dearly purchased, at the expense of so many French lives,
+    and, actuated either by this, or some similar motive, he
+    attempted, on the 6th of July, to negotiate through the British
+    Government with Austria. The attempt was a failure, but an
+    armistice was signed on the 8th, and again the Emperor sought
+    the moral support of England. The paper which Lord John
+    Russell submitted was a rough memorandum of M. de Persigny's,
+    proposing as a basis of negotiation the cession of Lombardy to
+    Piedmont, the independence of Venetia, and the erection of an
+    Italian Confederation.]
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: FRANCE AND AUSTRIA]
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to Lord John Russell._
+
+PAVILION, ALDERSHOT, _10th July 1859_.
+
+The Queen has just received Lord John Russell's letter with the
+enclosure which she returns, and hastens to say in reply, that
+she does not consider the Emperor of the French or his Ambassador
+justified in asking the support of England to proposals he means to
+make to his antagonist to-morrow. He made war on Austria in order to
+wrest her two Italian kingdoms from her, which were assured to her by
+the treaties of 1815, to which England is a party; England declared
+her neutrality in the war. The Emperor succeeded in driving the
+Austrians out of one of these kingdoms after several bloody battles.
+He means to drive her out of the second by diplomacy, and neutral
+England is to join him with her moral support in this endeavour.
+
+The Queen having declared her neutrality, to which her Parliament and
+people have given their unanimous assent, feels bound to adhere to it.
+She conceives Lord John Russell and Lord Palmerston ought not to ask
+her to give her "moral support" to one of the belligerents. As for
+herself, she sees no distinction between moral and general support;
+the moral support of England _is_ her support, and she ought to be
+prepared to follow it up.
+
+The Queen wishes this letter to be communicated to the Cabinet.[58]
+
+    [Footnote 58: The Queen not having been informed whether this
+    instruction had been complied with, a correspondence took
+    place on the subject between the Prince and Lord Granville.
+    See the _Life of Lord Granville_, vol. i. chap. xiii.]
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: END OF THE WAR]
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to Lord John Russell._
+
+OSBORNE, _12th July 1859_.
+
+The Queen has to acknowledge the receipt of Lord John Russell's letter
+reporting to her the result of the deliberations of the Cabinet, which
+has very much relieved her mind. Lord John does not say whether
+her letter was read to the Cabinet, but from his former letter she
+concludes it was. She is most anxious that there should exist no
+misapprehension on their part as to the Queen's views. Our position
+must be consistent and precisely defined. A negotiation to stop the
+effusion of blood, and to attain "a peace which would be for the
+interests of all belligerents," is a very vague term. Who is to
+judge of those interests? Is M. de Persigny or the Emperor Napoleon's
+opinion to be the guide, as they just now proposed to us? Austria must
+be considered the exponent of her own interests. Prussia has explained
+to us the interests of Germany in the maintenance of the line of the
+fortresses on the Mincio, and was answered; her views were entirely
+erroneous, and her apprehensions exaggerated. It will require the
+greatest caution on our part not to lose our neutral position, nor
+to be made the advocate of one side. Are the wishes of the Lombards,
+Tuscans, etc., really ascertainable, while their countries are
+occupied by French and Sardinian armies? The Queen encloses an extract
+of a letter from the first Napoleon to his son, Prince Eugene,[59]
+showing how the expression of a wish for annexation has already of old
+been used as a means for conquest.
+
+    [Footnote 59: Eugene de Beauharnais, Duke of Leuchtenberg, son
+    of the Empress Josephine by her first marriage, and adopted
+    son of Napoleon I.]
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: ASCENDANCY OF FRANCE]
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to Lord John Russell._
+
+OSBORNE, _13th July 1859_.
+
+The Queen has received the news of a concluded peace,[60] which Lord
+John Russell has sent to her yesterday, with as much surprise as it
+must have caused Lord John. It was a joyous intelligence, as far
+as the stopping of the further effusion of innocent blood and the
+security against further diplomatic complications is concerned, but
+it gives cause for serious reflection. The Emperor Napoleon, by
+his military successes, and great apparent moderation or prudence
+immediately after them, has created for himself a most formidable
+position of strength in Europe. It is remarkable that he has acted
+towards Austria now just as he did towards Russia after the fall of
+Sebastopol; and if it was our lot then to be left alone to act the
+part of the extortioner whilst he acted that of the generous victor,
+the Queen is doubly glad that we should not now have fallen into the
+trap, to ask Austria (as friends and neutrals) concessions which he
+was ready to waive. He will now probably omit no occasion to cajole
+Austria as he has done to Russia, and turn her spirit of revenge upon
+Prussia and Germany--the Emperor's probable next victims. Should he
+thus have rendered himself the master of the entire Continent, the
+time may come for us either to obey or to fight him with terrible odds
+against us. This has been the Queen's view from the beginning of this
+complication, and events have hitherto wonderfully supported them. How
+Italy is to prosper under the Pope's presidency, whose misgovernment
+of his own small portion of it was the ostensible cause of the war,
+the Queen is at a loss to conceive. But the Emperor will be able to
+do just as he pleases, being in military command of the country, and
+having Sardinia, the Pope, and Austria as his debtors.
+
+The Queen would like this letter to be communicated to the Cabinet.
+
+    [Footnote 60: The armistice had arranged that the Emperors
+    should meet at Villafranca, where peace was concluded. See
+    _ante_, Introductory Note to Chapter XXVIII. The Italian
+    Confederation was to be under the presidency of the Pope.]
+
+
+
+
+_Lord John Russell to Queen Victoria._
+
+FOREIGN OFFICE, _13th July 1859_.
+
+Lord John Russell presents his humble duty to your Majesty; he will
+read your Majesty's letter to the Cabinet to-morrow.
+
+The Emperor Napoleon is left no doubt in a position of great power.
+That position has been made for him by allowing him to be the only
+champion of the cause of the people of Italy.
+
+But that is no reason why we should seek a quarrel with France, and
+there is some reason to doubt whether the speeches made in the House
+of Lords, while they display our weakness and our alarm, are really
+patriotic in their purpose and tendency.
+
+To be well armed, and to be just to all our neighbours, appears to
+Lord John Russell to be the most simple, the most safe, and the most
+honest policy.
+
+
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to Lord John Russell._
+
+OSBORNE, _14th July 1859_.
+
+The Queen acknowledges the receipt of Lord John Russell's
+communications of yesterday. She entirely agrees with him "that we
+have no reason to seek a quarrel with France," and that "the most
+simple and most safe and most honest" line of conduct for us will be
+"to be well armed, and to be just to all our neighbours."
+
+She trusts that as the poor Duchess of Parma[61] appears to be
+overlooked in the Italian Peace merely because nobody thinks it his
+business to befriend her, we shall in the above spirit ask for justice
+and consideration for her.
+
+The Queen concurs with Lord John that it will now be useless to
+communicate to France the advice given to the Porte.
+
+    [Footnote 61: Louise Marie de Bourbon, daughter of the Duc de
+    Berri, and widow of Charles III., Duke of Parma. She was at
+    this time Regent for her son Robert, a minor (born 1848), the
+    present Duke.]
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: THE VIEWS OF THE POPE]
+
+[Pageheading: THE POPE ON ENGLISH LIBERALISM]
+
+[Pageheading: THE TEMPORAL POWER]
+
+
+_Mr Odo Russell to Lord John Russell._
+(_Submitted to the Queen._)
+
+ROME, _17th July 1859_.
+
+MY LORD,--Some days since a letter from the "Pontifical Antechamber,"
+directed to "Signor Odoni Russell, Agente Officioso di Sua Maesta
+Britannica," informed me that His Holiness the Pope desired to see me.
+
+In consequence I proceeded to the Vatican, and was ushered into the
+presence of His Holiness by Monsignore Talbot, the "Cameriere" in
+waiting, who immediately withdrew, and I remained alone with the Pope.
+
+His Holiness welcomed me with his usual benevolence and good humour.
+He seemed very gay, and spoke with more than customary frankness, so
+much so indeed that I have felt some hesitation as to the propriety of
+submitting what passed between us to your Lordship. But after mature
+reflection, I think it best you should be in possession of an accurate
+and conscientious account of the sentiments of His Holiness in the
+present important juncture of affairs.
+
+"Caro mio Russell," the Pope said, "you have been so long at Naples
+that I was already thinking of sending after you to bring you back; we
+do not like you to leave us, and the more so as I have heard you were
+attached to the Mission of Mr Elliot,[62] who is a son of Lord Minto;
+and if he entertains the same political views as his father, he is a
+dangerous man to the peace of Italy. Now I knew Lord Minto here, and
+although he may be a very good man, I do not think him a man of any
+capacity, and his doctrines were calculated to bring on the ruin of
+Italy."
+
+I replied, "I cannot agree with your Holiness, for I consider Lord
+Minto to be a very clever man, whose honest, sound, and liberal views,
+had they been listened to, might have prevented the crisis which is
+now convulsing Italy."
+
+The Pope said, "Well, of course you belong to his party, but, _Poveri
+noi!_ what is to become of us with your uncle and Lord Palmerston at
+the head of affairs in England? They have always sympathised with the
+turbulent spirits of Italy, and their accession to power will greatly
+increase the hopes of the Piedmontese Party. Indeed, I well know what
+the English Government want: they want to see the Pope deprived of his
+temporal power."
+
+I replied, "Again I regret to find your Holiness so entirely mistaken
+with respect to the policy of England. We derive great happiness from
+our free institutions, and we would be glad to see our neighbours in
+Europe as happy and as prosperous as we are, but we have no wish to
+interfere with the internal concerns of other nations, or to give
+advice without being asked for it; least of all as a Protestant
+Power would _we_ think of interfering one way or the other with the
+Government of your Holiness."
+
+The Pope said, "I do not doubt the good intentions of England, but
+unfortunately you do not understand this country, and your example
+is dangerous to the Italian minds, your speeches in Parliament excite
+them, and you fancy because constitutional liberties and institutions
+suit you, that they must suit all the world. Now the Italians are a
+dissatisfied, interfering, turbulent and intriguing race; they can
+never learn to govern themselves, it is impossible; only see how they
+follow Sardinia in all she tells them to do, simply because they love
+intrigue and revolution, whilst in reality they do not know what they
+want; a hot-headed people like the Italians require a firm and just
+government to guide and take care of them, and Italy might have
+continued tranquil and contented, had not the ambition of Sardinia led
+her to revolutionise the whole country. The Grand Duke of Tuscany,
+for instance, is an excellent and just man, and nevertheless, at the
+instigation of Piedmont, he was turned out of the country, and for no
+earthly purpose. I suppose you have read Monsieur About's book about
+Rome[63]? well, all he says is untrue, pure calumny, and it would be
+easy for me to have it all refuted; but he is really not worthy of
+such an honour. His book, I see, has been translated into English,
+and I have no doubt it will be much read and believed in England. Such
+books and our refugees mislead your countrymen, and I often wonder at
+the language your statesmen hold about us in the Houses of Parliament.
+I always read their speeches. Lord Palmerston, Lord John Russell,
+and Mr Gladstone do not know us; but when I think how kindly and
+hospitably Lord Granville was received at Rome last winter, and then
+read the extraordinary speech he made last February about us, I think
+the gout he suffered from here must have gone to his head when he
+reached England, and I wonder how Her Majesty the Queen could send
+for him to form a Government! Then again, Mr Gladstone, who allowed
+himself to be deceived about the Neapolitan prisoners--he does not
+know us and Italy--and Mr Cobden,--I knew him in 1847--he is always in
+favour of peace, and he must be very fond of animals, for when he came
+here from Spain he wanted me to write to that country and put a stop
+to bull-fights--a very good man, but I do not know his views about
+Italy. And Lord Stratford de Redcliffe, do you think he will be
+employed again? he seemed so anxious to get a place. Mr Disraeli was
+my friend; I regret him. But tell me, _caro mio Russell_, if you are a
+prophet, how all this war and fuss is to end?"
+
+I replied, "Your Holiness has better claims to being a prophet than
+I have, and I sincerely hope all this may end well for Italy; but
+as regards the present and the past, I must again say that I deeply
+regret to see your Holiness misconceive the honest views and sincere
+sympathies of the statesmen you have named, for the welfare of Italy;
+they would like to see Italy independent, prosperous, progressing and
+contented, and able to take care of herself without foreign troops.
+Your Holiness has done me the honour to speak freely and openly with
+me; permit me to do the same, and ask your Holiness what England must
+think when she sees the temporal power of your Holiness imposed
+upon three millions of people by the constant presence of French
+and Austrian bayonets, and when, after ten years of occupation,
+the Austrians withdraw suddenly, there is at once an insurrection
+throughout the country; and if the French were to leave Rome it is
+generally acknowledged that a revolution would compel your Holiness to
+seek refuge in some foreign country. At the same time, when the troops
+of your Holiness are employed as at Perugia,[64] the Government is
+too weak to control them; they pillage and murder, and, instead
+of investigating their conduct, the excesses committed by them are
+publicly rewarded."
+
+The Pope smiled, paused, took a pinch of snuff, and then said
+good-humouredly: "Although I am not a prophet, I know one thing; this
+war will be followed by an European Congress, and a Congress about
+Italian Affairs is even worse for us than war. There will be changes
+in Italy, but mark my words, whatever these changes are, the Pope will
+ever be the Pope, whether he dwells in the Vatican or lives concealed
+in the Catacombs.
+
+"Lastly, I will give you some advice. Prepare and take care of
+yourselves in England, for I am quite certain the French Emperor
+intends sooner or later to attack you."
+
+The Pope then beckoned to me to approach, and making the sign of the
+Cross, he gave me his blessing in Latin, then with both his hands,
+he took one of mine, pressed it, and said with great warmth, "Be our
+friend in the hour of need." I have the honour to be, etc., etc.,
+
+ODO RUSSELL.
+
+    [Footnote 62: Mr (afterwards Sir) Henry Elliot, P.C., G.C.B.,
+    was Plenipotentiary to Naples. He was subsequently Ambassador
+    at Vienna, and died in 1907.]
+
+    [Footnote 63: Edmond About, a French journalist (1828-1885),
+    had published _La Question Romaine,_ an attack on the Papacy.
+    See De la Gorce, _Histoire du Second Empire_, vol. ii. p.
+    365.]
+
+    [Footnote 64: An insurrection against the Pope at Perugia bad
+    been put down with great cruelty on the 20th of June.]
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: DISAPPOINTMENT OF CAVOUR]
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to Lord John Russell._
+
+OSBORNE, _18th July 1859_.
+
+The Queen returns these interesting letters to Lord John.[65]
+
+The whole aspect of affairs gives cause for serious reflection and
+great anxiety for the future.
+
+The conduct of France as regards Italy shows how little the Emperor
+Napoleon cared for, or thought of, its independence when he undertook
+this war, which (though in the last instance begun by Austria) _he_
+brought on, for purposes of his own.
+
+The manifesto of the Emperor of Austria shows how unfortunate for her
+own interests the policy of Prussia has been.[66] She had made herself
+answerable for the issue of the war by restraining the minor states,
+and stands now humiliated and isolated. Her position in Germany is at
+present very painful, and may be for the future very dangerous.
+
+The Queen feels strongly that we are not without considerable
+responsibility in having from the first urged her to take no part in
+the war, which certainly had great influence on her actions--and she
+will very naturally look to us not to desert her when the evil hour
+for her may come.[67]
+
+    [Footnote 65: These were letters from Lord Cowley and Sir
+    James Hudson in reference to the Peace of Villafranca. The
+    former announced, as a result of his conversation with the
+    Empress and other persons, that among the causes which induced
+    the French Emperor to consent to peace were his horror at
+    any further sacrifice of life and time, disgust at what he
+    considered Italian apathy for the cause which the French
+    were upholding, and distrust of the intentions of the King
+    of Sardinia and Count Cavour. Sir James Hudson described the
+    unanimous feeling at Turin that the Nationalist cause had been
+    betrayed. Cavour, he wrote, could obtain no further response
+    to his remonstrances with Napoleon than "Il fait bien chaud:
+    il fait bien chaud." Moreover, Napoleon knew (continued Sir
+    James) "that Mazzini had dogged his footsteps to Milan, for,
+    the day before yesterday, sixty-six Orsini bombshells were
+    discovered there by the chief of the Sardinian police, who
+    arrested the man (a known follower of Mazzini) who had them.
+    The story is that he brought them from England for the purpose
+    of using them against the Austrians!!" Count Cavour, who
+    resigned in disgust and was succeeded by Rattazzi, remained
+    out of office till the following January.]
+
+    [Footnote 66: He stated that he believed he could obtain
+    better terms direct from the French Emperor than those to
+    which England, Russia, and Prussia were likely to give their
+    moral support as a basis of mediation.]
+
+    [Footnote 67: Lord Cowley wrote to Lord John Russell on the
+    20th of July:--
+
+    "... The two Emperors met in the most cordial manner, shaking
+    hands as if no difference had existed between them. As soon as
+    they were alone, the Emperor of Austria took the initiative,
+    and stated at once that he was ready to cede to the Emperor
+    of the French, for the sake of the restoration of peace, the
+    territory which the latter had conquered, but that he could
+    not do more, giving the reasons which I have mentioned to
+    your Lordship in former despatches. The Emperor of the French
+    replied that his own position in France, and the public
+    declarations which he had made, rendered something in addition
+    necessary: that the war had been undertaken for the freedom of
+    Italy, and that he could not justify to France a peace
+    which did not ensure this object. The Emperor Francis
+    Joseph rejoined that he had no objection to offer to the
+    Confederation which formed part of the Emperor Napoleon's
+    programme, and that he was ready to enter it with Venetia, and
+    when the Emperor Napoleon remarked that such a result would be
+    a derision, if the whole power and influence of Austria were
+    to be brought to bear upon the Confederation, the Emperor
+    Francis Joseph exclaimed against any such interpretation being
+    given to his words, his idea being that Venetia should be
+    placed on the same footing, in the Italian Confederation, as
+    Luxemburg holds in the Germanic Confederation....
+
+    "In the course of conversation between the two Imperial
+    Sovereigns, the Emperor of Austria remarked to the Emperor of
+    the French with many expressions of goodwill, and of a desire
+    to see the dynasty of the latter firmly established on
+    the throne of France, that His Majesty took an odd way to
+    accomplish his end. 'Believe me,' said the Emperor Francis
+    Joseph, 'dynasties are not established by having recourse to
+    such bad company as you have chosen; revolutionists overturn,
+    but do not construct.' The Emperor Napoleon appears to have
+    taken the remark in very good part, and even to have excused
+    himself to a certain degree, observing that it was a further
+    reason that the Emperor Francis Joseph should aid him in
+    putting an end to the war, and to the revolutionary spirit to
+    which the war had given rise.
+
+    "The Emperors having separated in the same cordial manner in
+    which they had met, the Emperor of the French himself drew up
+    the preliminaries and sent them in the evening to Verona
+    by his cousin, the Prince Napoleon. Being introduced to the
+    Emperor of Austria, who received His Imperial Highness
+    very courteously, His Majesty said, after reading the
+    preliminaries, that he must beg the Prince to excuse him for
+    a short time, as he had others to consult before signing them.
+    He then went into an adjoining room where, according to Prince
+    Napoleon's account, a loud and angry discussion ensued, in
+    which the Prince distinguished the Emperor's voice broken by
+    tears, as if His Majesty had been obliged to have recourse to
+    persuasion, to silence the opposition made to the conditions,
+    and it was not until some time had elapsed that His Majesty
+    returned and signed the paper containing them, or rather
+    I infer that he retained the paper signed by the Emperor
+    Napoleon, and returned one of similar purport signed by
+    himself; for among all the curious circumstances connected
+    with this transaction, not the least curious is the fact that
+    there does not exist any document recording the preliminaries
+    with the double signature of both Emperors."]
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: INDIAN AFFAIRS]
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to Sir Charles Wood._
+
+OSBORNE, _23rd July 1859_.
+
+The Queen's attention has been attracted by No. 86 (Foreign
+Department) of the printed abstracts of letters received from India,
+relating to the affairs of Bussahir.[68] She would ask Sir C. Wood
+to consider, with his Council, whether means could not be found for
+making acts of confiscation, sequestration, spoliation, transfer of
+Government, or whatever they may be called, dependent upon some formal
+and judicial proceeding which should secure the Queen from acts being
+done in her name--which might not be entirely justifiable morally, as
+well as legally--which should relieve the Government agents from
+the fearful responsibility of being sole advisers on steps implying
+judicial condemnation without trial on their mere personal opinion,
+and from which they derive themselves additional personal advancement
+in power, position, possibly emolument, etc., etc., and lastly, which
+would give the people of India security that the Government only acts
+after impartial judicial investigation and the sifting of evidence.
+
+The Queen would wish a report to be made to her upon this important
+subject.
+
+    [Footnote 68: Bussahir was a State in the upper course of the
+    Sutlej. In January, the Punjab, including the Sutlej States,
+    had been made a distinct presidency, but Bussahir was not
+    finally included until 1862.]
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: NON-INTERVENTION]
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to Lord John Russell._[69]
+
+OSBORNE, _21st August 1859_.
+
+The Queen sends the enclosed draft to Lord John Russell; she is very
+sorry that she cannot give her approval to it. There are many points
+in it to which she cannot but feel the gravest objections. It is
+unnecessary, however, for her to go into these details, as it is
+against the principle of England volunteering at this moment the
+intrusion of a scheme of her own for the redistribution of the
+territories and Governments of Northern Italy, that she must above all
+protest. Moreover, a step of such importance, reversing the principle
+of non-intervention, which the Queen's Government has hitherto
+publicly declared and upheld, should, in the Queen's opinion, not be
+brought before her without having received the fullest deliberation
+and concurrence of the assembled Cabinet.
+
+    [Footnote 69: A month earlier, on his return from the war, the
+    Emperor had tried to enlist British support in his scheme for
+    a European congress. But the Cabinet decided (24th July),
+    with the Queen's full concurrence, that no answer should
+    be returned to this proposal, till a Treaty, embodying the
+    preliminaries of Villafranca, should have been signed.]
+
+
+
+
+_Lord John Russell to Queen Victoria._
+
+PEMBROKE LODGE, _23rd August 1859_.
+
+Lord John Russell presents his humble duty to your Majesty; he begs
+to explain that with respect to reversing the principle of
+non-intervention, he has never proposed any such course. If
+intervention were to mean giving friendly advice, or even offering
+mediation, your Majesty's Government from January to May would have
+pursued a course of intervention, for they were all that time advising
+Austria, France, Sardinia, and Germany.
+
+If by friendly and judicious advice we can prevent a bloody and
+causeless war in Italy we are bound to give such advice.
+
+If we refrain from doing so, we may ultimately be obliged to have
+recourse to intervention; that is to say, we may have to interfere
+against the ruthless tyranny of Austria, or the unchained ambition
+of France. It is with a view to prevent the necessity of intervention
+that Lord John Russell advises friendly representations.
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: NON-INTERVENTION]
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to Lord John Russell._
+
+ALDERSHOT, _23rd August 1859_.
+
+... With regard to Lord John's letter of to-day, the Queen wishes
+merely to say that from the outbreak of the war our negotiations have
+ceased, and that the war is not over till the peace is concluded. Our
+interference before that period may be prompted by a desire to prevent
+a future war; but our first duty is not to interfere with the closing
+of the present. The desire to guard Italy against "the ruthless
+tyranny of Austria, and the unchained ambition of France" may produce
+a state of things in Italy, forcing both to make common cause against
+her, and backed by the rest of Europe to isolate England, and making
+her responsible for the issue. It will be little satisfaction then to
+reflect upon the fact that our interference has been merely _advice_.
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: FOREIGN POLICY]
+
+
+_Viscount Palmerston to Queen Victoria._
+
+94 PICCADILLY, _23rd August 1859_.
+
+Viscount Palmerston presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and
+begs to state that Lord John Russell has shown him your Majesty's
+communication, in which your Majesty objects to a proposed despatch
+to Lord Cowley, on the ground that it would be a departure from the
+principle of non-intervention which has been publicly proclaimed
+as the rule for Great Britain in the late events between France and
+Austria. But Viscount Palmerston would beg humbly to submit to your
+Majesty that the intervention which all parties agreed that this
+country ought to abstain from, was active interference by force of
+arms in the war then going on, but that neither of the great political
+parties meant or asserted that this country should not interfere by
+its advice and opinions in regard to the matters to which the war
+related. Viscount Palmerston can assert that neither he nor any of
+those who were acting with him out of office ever contemplated giving
+such a meaning to the doctrine of non-intervention; and that such a
+meaning never was attached to it by the Conservative Leaders while
+they were in office, is proved from one end of their Blue Book to the
+other.[70] The whole course of the Derby Government, in regard to
+the matters on which the war turned, was one uninterrupted series of
+interventions by advice, by opinions, and by censure now addressed to
+one party and now to another. Whatever may be thought of the judgment
+which was shown by them, or of the bias by which they were guided, the
+principle on which they acted was undoubtedly right and proper.
+
+England is one of the greatest powers of the world, no event or series
+of events bearing on the balance of power, or on probabilities of
+peace or war can be matters of indifference to her, and her right to
+have and to express opinions on matters thus bearing on her interests
+is unquestionable; and she is equally entitled to give upon such
+matters any advice which she may think useful, or to suggest any
+arrangements which she may deem conducive to the general good.
+
+It is no doubt true that the Conservative Party, since they have
+ceased to be responsible for the conduct of affairs, have held a
+different doctrine, and in their anxiety lest the influence of England
+should be exerted for the benefit of Italy, and to the disadvantage of
+Austria, have contended that any participation by Great Britain in the
+negotiations for the settlement of Italy would be a departure from the
+principle of non-intervention; but their own practice while in office
+refutes their newly adopted doctrine in opposition; and if that
+doctrine were to be admitted, Great Britain would, by her own act,
+reduce herself to the rank of a third-class European State.
+
+    [Footnote 70: This was the Blue Book, the production of which
+    would, according to Lord Malmesbury, have saved the Derby
+    Ministry.]
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: ITALIAN POLICY]
+
+[Pageheading: THE QUEEN AND LORD JOHN RUSSELL]
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to Lord John Russell._
+
+OSBORNE, _24th August 1859_.
+
+The Queen is really placed in a position of much difficulty, giving
+her deep pain. She has been obliged to object to so many drafts sent
+to her from the Foreign Office on the Italian Question, and yet, no
+sooner is one withdrawn or altered, than others are submitted exactly
+of the same purport or tendency, if even couched in new words. The
+Queen has so often expressed her views that she is almost reluctant
+to reiterate them. She wishes, however, Lord John to re-peruse the two
+drafts enclosed, which just came to her. If they have any meaning or
+object, it must be to show to France that it would be to her interest
+to break in the Treaty of Zurich the leading conditions to which
+she pledged herself to Austria at Villafranca. Those preliminaries
+contained but three provisions affecting Austria: (1) That Austria
+was to cede Lombardy; (2) That an Italian Confederation should be
+encouraged, of which Venetia was to form part; (3) That the Dukes of
+Tuscany and Modena were to return to their Duchies. The two latter
+clauses must be considered as compensations for the losses inflicted
+in the first. Both the latter are now to be recommended by England, a
+neutral in the war, to be broken.
+
+Now, either it is expected that our advice will not be listened to, in
+which case it would not be useful and hardly dignified to give it,
+or it is expected that France will follow it. If, on finding herself
+cheated, Austria were to feel herself obliged to take up arms again,
+we should be directly answerable for this fresh war. What would then
+be our alternative? Either to leave France in the lurch, to re-fight
+her own battle, which would entail lasting danger and disgrace on this
+country, or to join her in the fresh war against Austria--a misfortune
+from which the Queen feels herself equally bound to protect her
+country.
+
+As this is a question of principle on which she clearly understood her
+Cabinet to have been unanimous, she must ask her correspondence to be
+circulated amongst its members, with a view to ascertain whether they
+also would be parties to its reversal, and in order to prevent the
+necessity of these frequent discussions, which, as the Queen has
+already said, are very painful to her.
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: MEDIATION OF LORD GRANVILLE]
+
+
+_Earl Granville to the Prince Albert._
+
+LONDON, _29th August 1859_.
+
+SIR,--In the middle of last week I received at Aldenham a letter from
+Mr Sidney Herbert,[71] in which he told me that he had just received
+a visit from Lord Palmerston, much perturbed and annoyed, saying that
+the Queen had objected to all Lord John's despatches, and appeared to
+think that it was objectionable for England to give any advice on the
+subject of Italian affairs. Mr Herbert gave some good advice to Lord
+Palmerston, but, from the tone of his letter, I gather that he
+thought the objections made at Osborne unreasonable. I answered that
+I entirely concurred with him in the interest of everybody, that no
+feelings of irritation should exist between the Sovereign and her
+leading Ministers; that it was possible that the Queen, forgetting
+how very sensitive Lord John was to criticism, had pulled him up more
+sharply than he liked, but that I was convinced the objections made
+were not exactly those mentioned by Lord Palmerston. I heard nothing
+more till I received on Saturday evening a telegram, summoning me to a
+Cabinet this day. I came to Town immediately, and saw Lord Palmerston
+yesterday. I enquired the reason of the sudden summons for a Cabinet.
+He told me that there had been a discussion between the Queen and Lord
+John; that the Queen had objected to his (Lord John's) proposal that
+the despatch of 25th July should be now communicated to the French
+Government. Lord John had informed him of the fact, and had requested
+him to communicate with the Queen on the subject. Lord Palmerston
+then read to me a well-written memorandum on the abstract question of
+giving advice, which he had sent to Her Majesty. He told me that he
+had been to Osborne; that the Queen had expressed a wish through Sir
+Charles Wood that he should not discuss the whole matter with her;
+that he had had a satisfactory conversation with your Royal Highness,
+of which he gave me an abstract, which, however, contained his own
+arguments at greater length than your Royal Highness's. He said that
+Lord John had made a mistake with respect to the end of the despatch,
+in which Lord Cowley is desired to withhold it till after the Peace of
+Zurich was concluded. Lord John gave a different interpretation to it
+from what appeared to be the case, as described by a previous letter
+of Lord John, in which he had said that the sentence was added at
+the suggestion of the Cabinet, and with his entire approval. Lord
+Palmerston states that the Queen did not feel herself authorised
+to sanction a departure from what had been decided by the Cabinet,
+without the concurrence of the Cabinet, and that she thought it
+desirable, if the Cabinet met, that they should agree on the future
+policy as regards Italy. Lord John also wished for a Cabinet.
+
+I replied that there seemed to be a double question: first, a
+difference between the Queen and Lord John Russell and himself; and
+second, the whole question of our Italian Policy. On the first point
+I could not but remember the apprehension generally felt at the
+formation of his first Government; that the feeling between the
+Sovereign and himself might not be such as to give strength to the
+Government; that the result, however, was most satisfactory. I was not
+aware of either the Queen or himself having given way on any one
+point of principle, but the best understanding was kept up in the most
+honourable way to both, and that, at the end of his Ministry, I knew
+that the Queen had expressed to several persons how much she regretted
+to lose his services. That I most sincerely hoped that there was
+no chance of misunderstanding now arising; that would be most
+disadvantageous to the Sovereign, to the public service, to the
+Government, and, above all, to himself. He interrupted me by assuring
+me that there was not the slightest chance of this. He repeated to
+me flattering things said by the Queen at the close of his last
+Administration, and told me that it was impossible for the Queen to
+have been more kind and civil than at his visit last week at Osborne.
+I continued that in Italian matters I believed the Cabinet was agreed.
+Our language to Italian Governments ought to show sympathy with Italy,
+and let them know that we were anxious that they should be left free
+to act and decide for themselves; that it should inform them in the
+clearest manner that in no case were they to obtain active assistance
+from us, and it ought to avoid giving any advice as to their conduct,
+which might make us responsible for the evil or danger which might
+accrue from following such advice. That our language to France and
+Austria ought to press upon them in every _judicious_ manner the
+expediency of doing that which was likely to secure the permanent
+happiness of Italy, and to persuade them to abstain from forcing upon
+the Italians, persons and forms of Government to which they objected;
+nothing like a menace or a promise to be used....
+
+I then saw Sidney Herbert, who told me that Charles Wood's report
+had entirely changed the aspect of things; that it was clear that the
+Queen had come to the assistance of the Cabinet, instead of opposing
+them; that reason had been entirely on her side, and that Johnny had
+reduced the question now to the single point, which was not of much
+importance, whether the 25th July despatch should now be communicated
+or not. He told me that Lord John was in a state of great irritation,
+and ready to kick over the traces. I dined at Lord Palmerston's, and
+met Sir Charles Wood and Mr Gladstone. I had some guarded conversation
+with the latter, who seemed very reasonable. Sir Charles Wood gave me
+all the information which I required. It appears to me that the
+really important point is that the whole Cabinet should know the real
+question between the Queen and her Ministers, and that, if Lord John
+can find plausible reasons for changing the date of the communication
+of the despatch, it may be better for the Queen to consent to this.
+Some of us will take care to have a decided opinion about the future
+course of our policy.
+
+I presume Sir George Grey will be at the Cabinet, and will be able to
+report to your Royal Highness what has passed. If he is not there, I
+will write again. I have the honour to be, Sir, with great respect,
+your Royal Highness's obedient, humble, and faithful Servant,
+
+GRANVILLE.
+
+    [Footnote 71: See Lord Fitzmaurice's _Life of Lord Granville_,
+    vol. i. chap. xiii.]
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: THE QUEEN'S POSITION]
+
+
+_Earl Granville to the Prince Albert._
+
+PRIVY COUNCIL OFFICE, _29th August 1859_.
+
+SIR,--The Cabinet was very satisfactory. Lord John looked ill, and
+evidently ashamed of much of his case. Many of the Cabinet
+thought that the despatch of 25th July had not only been sent but
+communicated. Others attached a different meaning to the closing
+paragraph than what it appears to bear. Lord John produced a most
+objectionable draft of despatch in lieu of that of the 25th. It was
+universally condemned, and Lord Palmerston was empowered to tell the
+Queen that the Cabinet now thought that the despatch of the 25th might
+be communicated.
+
+Lords Palmerston and John Russell asked for further powers during the
+Recess, and recommended that we should give an opinion in favour of
+annexation of duchies to Sardinia. This was decidedly objected to, and
+we all professed our readiness to meet again if necessary.[72]
+
+The Cabinet thoroughly understood what had passed between the Queen
+and her two Ministers, although we could not get Lord John to show us
+all we required.
+
+Gladstone took me aside after it was over to say that I must have
+thought him stupid yesterday evening, that now he knew the facts he
+thought Her Majesty had been put to most unnecessary annoyance. The
+Chancellor said something of the same sort. I never saw the Cabinet
+more united.
+
+The Duke of Argyll, Lord Elgin, and Mr Cardwell were absent. I am,
+Sir, with great respect, your obedient, humble, and faithful Servant,
+
+GRANVILLE.
+
+    [Footnote 72: "Pam. asked for fuller powers to act during the
+    recess, which was met by a general assurance of readiness
+    to come up by night trains." Lord Granville to the Duke of
+    Argyll. See the _Life of Lord Granville_, vol. i. p. 358.]
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: SARDINIA AND CENTRAL ITALY]
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to Lord John Russell._
+
+Balmoral, _5th September 1859_.
+
+Lord John Russell will not be surprised if the despatches of Lord
+Cowley and drafts by Lord John in answer to them, which the Queen
+returns to him, have given her much pain. Here we have the very
+interference with advice to which the Queen had objected when
+officially brought before her for her sanction, to which the Cabinet
+objected, and which Lord John Russell agreed to withdraw, carried
+on by direct communication of the Prime Minister through the French
+Ambassador with the Emperor; and we have the very effect produced
+which the Queen dreaded, viz. the French Minister insinuating that
+we called upon his master to do that which he would consider so
+dishonourable that he would rather resign than be a party to it! What
+is the use of the Queen's open and, she fears, sometimes wearisome
+correspondence, with her Ministers, what the use of long deliberations
+of the Cabinet, if the very policy can be carried out by indirect
+means which is set aside officially, and what protection has the Queen
+against this practice? Lord John Russell's distinction also between
+his own official and private opinion or advice given to a Foreign
+Minister is a most dangerous, and, the Queen thinks, untenable theory,
+open to the same objections, for what he states will have the weight
+of the official character of the Foreign Secretary, whether stated
+as his private or his public opinion. His advice to the Marquis
+d'Azeglio[73] is moreover quite open to the inference drawn by Count
+Walewski, that it is an encouragement to _Sardinia_, to Military
+intervention in and occupation of the Duchies, and Lord John Russell's
+answer hardly meets this point if left as it stands at present;
+for "the _name_ of the King of Sardinia,... _the chief of a
+well-disciplined army_," will have little influence unless he is
+prepared to use that army.
+
+The Queen must ask Lord John to instruct Lord Cowley to state to Count
+Walewski that no opinions expressed on Foreign Policy are those of
+"Her Majesty's Government" but those which are given in the official
+and regular way, and that Her Majesty's Government never thought of
+advising the French Government to break the solemn engagements into
+which the Emperor Napoleon entered towards the Emperor of Austria at
+Villafranca.
+
+The Queen asks Lord John to communicate this letter to Lord
+Palmerston.
+
+    [Footnote 73: Massimo d'Azeglio, Sardinian Commissioner in the
+    Romagna. He had been Prime Minister of Sardinia from 1849 till
+    1852, when Cavour, who had been in his ministry, succeeded
+    him.]
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: ENGLAND INVOLVED]
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to Lord John Russell._
+
+BALMORAL, _6th September 1859_.
+
+The Queen returns Lord Palmerston's letter, together with the other
+papers sent to her, to Lord John. She is glad to find that he thinks
+that no answer ought to be given to Count Persigny, but she thinks
+it important that it should be _stated to him that no answer can
+be given_. Unfortunately, here has been again the Prime Minister
+declaring that he _quite agrees_ with the French Ambassador, but that
+the proposal should come officially from France to be placed before
+the Cabinet. The inference must be that the Cabinet and the Queen
+will, as a matter of course, agree also, when it is so submitted. Now
+what is it that Lord Palmerston has approved? A plan for an alliance
+of England with France for the purpose of _overruling_ Austria, if the
+Duchies in which she is the heir, and to which the Archdukes were to
+return in accordance with the stipulations of Villafranca, were given
+to Sardinia and Austria should object. It is hoped indeed that this
+will not immediately lead to war with her, but France is to expect
+that she will not be left to fight single-handed for an object
+declared to be more English than French! Thus we are dragged step by
+step into the position of a party in the Italian strife. The Queen
+thinks it incumbent upon her not to leave Lord John Russell in
+ignorance of the fact that _she_ could not approve such a policy
+reversing our whole position since the commencement of the War.
+
+The Queen must leave it to Lord John to consider how far it would be
+fair to his colleagues in the Cabinet to leave them unacquainted with
+the various private steps lately taken, which must seriously affect
+their free consideration of the important question upon which they
+have hitherto pledged themselves to a distinct principle.
+
+
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to Viscount Palmerston._
+
+BALMORAL, _6th September 1859_.
+
+The Queen returns to Lord Palmerston his correspondence with M. de
+Persigny. Lord John Russell will have sent him her letter to him on
+this subject. She has nothing to add, but to repeat her conviction
+of the great danger and inconvenience arising out of such private
+communications, and the apprehension she must naturally feel that
+the attempt to convince the Emperor Napoleon that it would be for his
+interest to break his word to the Emperor of Austria should reflect
+upon the honour of the Queen's Government. She must insist upon this
+being distinctly guarded against.
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: LORD JOHN RUSSELL'S CRITICISMS]
+
+
+_Lord John Russell to Queen Victoria._
+
+ABERGELDIE, _7th September 1859_.
+
+Lord John Russell presents his humble duty to your Majesty; he
+cannot refrain from making some remarks on your Majesty's letter of
+yesterday.
+
+Lord Palmerston appears to have answered M. de Persigny by saying
+that he personally agreed with him, but that the proposition he had
+sketched must come from the French Government; that it must come from
+them officially, and it would then have to be maturely considered by
+the Cabinet.
+
+Lord John Russell sees nothing to object to in this language. It might
+be embarrassing to Lord Palmerston if such a proposition were to
+come from France, and were to be rejected by the Cabinet. But Lord
+Palmerston could easily explain the matter to M. de Persigny. Lord
+Palmerston does not appear to have committed your Majesty, or Lord
+John Russell, or the Cabinet in any way.
+
+On the other hand, your Majesty cannot mean that the Cabinet is to
+be precluded from maturely considering any proposition which may come
+officially from France.
+
+Lord John Russell feels, on his own part, that he must offer to your
+Majesty such advice as he thinks best adapted to secure the interests
+and dignity of your Majesty and the country. He will be held by
+Parliament responsible for that advice. It will be always in your
+Majesty's power to reject it altogether.
+
+Lord John Russell is of opinion that there never was a time when it
+was less expedient to fetter this country by prospective engagements.
+But it does not follow that the policy pursued last autumn and winter,
+and which ended in a war in Italy, would be the best course in any
+future contingency. Should another war arise it will be very difficult
+for Great Britain to remain neutral. For this reason it is desirable
+to prevent such a war, if possible. It was difficult last winter, and
+may be still more difficult this winter. For the present there is no
+better course than to keep this country free from engagements. After
+the peace of Zurich is made, or not made, we shall see our way better.
+
+Lord John Russell has never concealed his opinions from his
+colleagues. He even warned them that France might make such a
+proposition as M. de Persigny now contemplates.
+
+The enclosed letter from Lord Palmerston and Mr Fane's[74] despatch
+will show the feelings which exist between Austria and Prussia. The
+Emperor Napoleon does not appear to have satisfied Prince Metternich.
+His object evidently is to gain time.
+
+    [Footnote 74: Julian Henry Fane, son of the eleventh Earl of
+    Westmorland, and Secretary of Embassy at Vienna.]
+
+
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to Lord John Russell._
+
+BALMORAL, _7th September 1859_.
+
+The Queen has received Lord John Russell's letter. She can ask for
+nothing better than "that we should be kept from any engagements," and
+she never could have intended to convey the impression that she wished
+to "see the Cabinet precluded from taking into consideration any
+proposal France might make." What she objects to is binding beforehand
+the Government by expressions of opinion of its leading members to the
+French Government, and thus _bringing about_ those French proposals
+which it will be most embarrassing to the Cabinet either to reject
+or adopt. It is absolutely necessary, therefore, that the French
+Government should be told that the opinions given were private
+opinions not binding the Government. Lord John has not yet sent to the
+Queen drafts in conformity with her wishes expressed in her letter of
+the day before yesterday.
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: LETTERS TO FOREIGN SOVEREIGNS]
+
+
+_Viscount Palmerston to Queen Victoria._
+
+BROADLANDS, _9th September 1859_.
+
+Viscount Palmerston presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and has
+had the honour to receive your Majesty's communication of the 6th of
+this month; and although he had the honour of addressing your Majesty
+yesterday afternoon, he deems it his duty to submit some observations
+upon this communication.
+
+Your Majesty states that Viscount Palmerston in his letter to Count
+Persigny endeavoured to persuade the Emperor of the French to break
+his word to the Emperor of Austria, but Viscount Palmerston must beg
+very respectfully but entirely to deny that accusation....[75]
+
+Your Majesty is pleased to observe upon the danger and inconvenience
+of private communications with Foreign Ministers, and to add that
+your Majesty must insist upon this being distinctly guarded against.
+Viscount [Palmerston] would be very desirous of knowing the precise
+meaning of those last words. If your Majesty means that what is to be
+guarded against is any attempt to induce a Foreign Sovereign to break
+his word, Viscount Palmerston cordially subscribes to that opinion,
+and maintains that he has not done so in the past, and declares that
+he has no intention of doing so in the future. But if your
+Majesty's meaning is that Viscount Palmerston is to be debarred
+from communicating with Foreign Ministers except for the purpose
+of informing them officially of formal decisions of the British
+Government, Viscount Palmerston would beg humbly and respectfully to
+represent to your Majesty that such a curtailment of the proper and
+constitutional functions of the office which he holds would render
+it impossible for him to serve your Majesty consistently with his own
+honour or with advantage to the public interest.
+
+    [Footnote 75: Lord Palmerston then gives a very long and
+    detailed account of his position.]
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: THE QUEEN'S OPINION]
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to Viscount Palmerston._
+
+BALMORAL, _11th September 1859_.
+
+Lord Palmerston has written (on the 8th) a long letter to the Queen,
+which, besides giving his private opinion on the politics of Italy,
+which were not disputed, purports to show that when a principle
+of policy had been adopted by the Cabinet and sanctioned by the
+Sovereign, the Foreign Secretary ought not to be impeded in carrying
+out the details, either by objections raised to them by the Sovereign,
+or by making them dependent on the meetings of Cabinets, difficult to
+obtain at this time of year. Now the question raised by the Queen
+was _just the reverse_. The principle adopted by the Cabinet and
+sanctioned by the Queen was: not to interfere by active advice with
+the peace to be made at Zurich; the Foreign Secretary had submitted a
+draft which had appeared to the Queen to be in contradiction to this
+principle, which, upon the Sovereign's objection, he withdrew; the
+Cabinet was summoned and rejected a similar draft submitted to them,
+and the Queen then complained that the very same advice should have
+been given by the Prime Minister in an indirect way to which the
+Sovereign and Cabinet could not agree openly. Lord Palmerston's letter
+was not communicated to the Queen until it had been alluded to in a
+public despatch, and Count Walewski had insinuated to our Ambassador
+that, rather than be a party to a line of conduct, which he would look
+upon as dishonourable for his master, he would resign office. What the
+Queen has asked for is: an intimation to the French Government that
+private communications like that of Lord Palmerston to M. de Persigny
+must not be looked upon as the official expression of the opinion of
+Her Majesty's Government, and that we disclaim ever having intended
+to induce the Emperor to break his engagements made at Villafranca,
+whatever they may have been. The Queen does not conceive that Lord
+Palmerston can object to this course, nor does he attempt to do so in
+his letter.
+
+_P.S._--Since writing the above the Queen has received Lord
+Palmerston's letter of the 9th. As she has just written at length,
+she does not conceive that it would be necessary to make any further
+observations in reply, except to a distinct question put by him in
+the latter part of his letter, viz. what the Queen wishes to have
+"distinctly guarded against."
+
+It is the danger and inconvenience of private communications with
+Foreign Ministers, without a distinct understanding that they are
+strictly private, and not to be treated as conveying the opinions of
+Her Majesty's Government, where the sanction of the Crown and adhesion
+of the Cabinet have not been obtained. Lord John Russell has now
+expressed this in a paragraph in one of his drafts to Lord Cowley,
+which he will send to Lord Palmerston.
+
+As a proof of the necessity of such caution, the Queen, has only to
+refer to the public use made of Lord Palmerston's private letter
+to Count Persigny, and the use made to our prejudice by the Emperor
+Napoleon at the time of the armistice at Villafranca of a private
+communication with Count Persigny, which was represented to imply
+assent to certain conditions of peace by England, with a desire of
+pressing them on Austria, when no opinion had been expressed by the
+Government to justify such an inference.
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: ST JUAN]
+
+
+_The Duke of Newcastle to Queen Victoria._
+
+DOWNING STREET, _26th September 1859_.
+
+The Duke of Newcastle presents his humble duty to your Majesty.
+
+Your Majesty will receive from Sir George Lewis full information
+of the serious intelligence which has been received to-day from
+Washington and Vancouver Island respecting the Military occupation
+by United States troops of the island of St Juan,[76] and of the view
+taken of it by your Majesty's Government.
+
+The Duke of Newcastle begs leave to receive your Majesty's
+instructions upon the acceptance of an offer made by Lord Clarendon
+whilst on a visit at Clumber last week. Lord Clarendon received not
+long ago a private letter from the President of the United States. He
+proposes that in answering this letter he should express his concern
+at these untoward events, and particularly at their occurrence at a
+time when, if not speedily settled, they would prevent the fulfilment
+of a project which he had reason to think had been in contemplation--a
+visit to Washington by the Prince of Wales on his return from Canada.
+
+Lord Clarendon expresses his belief that nothing would so much gratify
+Mr Buchanan as a visit from His Royal Highness to the United States
+during his Presidency....
+
+Lord Palmerston and Lord John Russell see no objection to such a
+letter from Lord Clarendon, which, whilst it would carry weight as
+coming from one occupying so high a position in this country, would
+bear no official character; but as the name of the Prince of Wales
+would be used, however hypothetically, such a letter would not be
+written by Lord Clarendon or accepted by the Government without your
+Majesty's sanction.
+
+The Duke of Newcastle therefore requests to be favoured with your
+Majesty's commands that he may communicate them to Lord Clarendon.
+
+    [Footnote 76: A dispute had arisen out of the Oregon affair
+    (see _ante_, vol. ii., Introductory Notes to Chapters XIV,
+    and XV), concerning the rival claims of this country and
+    the United States to the small island of St Juan, situated
+    between Vancouver Island and the State of Washington, which
+    is adjacent to the Canadian frontier.]
+
+
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to Lord John Russell._[77]
+
+WINDSOR CASTLE, _1st December 1859_.
+
+The Queen returns Lord Cowley's interesting letter. She trusts that
+it will be made quite clear to the Emperor that he has no chance
+of getting us to join him in the war with Austria, which he may be
+tempted or driven to renew. This alternative constantly recurs to his
+mind....
+
+    [Footnote 77: On the 10th of November the Treaty of Zurich,
+    embodying the terms arranged at Villafranca, had been
+    signed, and a Congress was determined upon, to settle Italian
+    affairs.]
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: ENGLAND AND FRANCE]
+
+
+_Lord John Russell to Queen Victoria._
+
+FOREIGN OFFICE, _1st December 1859_.
+
+Lord John Russell presents his humble duty to your Majesty; he
+has written to Lord Cowley, according to your Majesty's gracious
+permission. The question of supporting the Emperor of the French, if
+Austria should attempt force to impose a government in Italy against
+the popular will, must be judged of according to the circumstances,
+should they arise. Lord John Russell is certainly not prepared to say
+that a case may not arise when the interests of Great Britain might
+require that she should give material support to the Emperor of the
+French. But he considers such a case as very improbable, and that
+the fear of such an alliance will prevent Austria from disturbing the
+peace of Europe.
+
+
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to Lord John Russell._
+
+WINDSOR CASTLE, _2nd December 1859_.
+
+The Queen was extremely sorry to find from Lord John Russell's letter
+of yesterday that he contemplates the possibility of our joining
+France in a fresh Italian war or demonstration of war against Austria,
+which the Queen had put entirely out of the question. If the Emperor
+of the French were allowed to believe in such a possibility, he would
+have it in his power to bring it about, or obtain a just cause
+of complaint against us, if we abandoned him. It would be just as
+dangerous and unfair towards the Emperor to mislead him in this
+respect as it would be for the Queen to conceal from Lord John that
+under no pretence will she depart from her position of neutrality
+in the Italian quarrel, and inflict upon her country and Europe the
+calamity of war on that account.
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: SIR JAMES HUDSON]
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to Lord John Russell._
+
+WINDSOR CASTLE, _6th December 1859_.
+
+The Queen has received Lord John Russell's letter recommending Sir
+James Hudson[78] as the Second Representative at the Congress of
+Paris. The Queen must decline sanctioning this selection. Lord John
+Russell has in his last letters avowed his conviction that England
+cannot again remain neutral in an Italian war, and his opinion that
+she ought to support France and Sardinia by arms if Austria were to
+attempt to recover her supremacy by force. Lord Cowley wrote on the
+29th ult. that Prince Metternich declared that Austria kept her Army
+ready because she could not permit either the military occupation
+of the Duchies by Sardinia or their annexation to that kingdom. Lord
+Palmerston sent to the Queen yesterday evening the copy of a letter he
+wrote to Count Persigny urging the Emperor Napoleon by every argument
+he can find to consent to this annexation, even to the length of
+assuring him that such a state would always be obliged to lean on
+France.
+
+The Queen cannot help drawing her conclusions from these facts, and
+feels more than ever the great responsibility resting on her, to
+preserve to her people the blessings of peace. She wishes this letter
+to be communicated to Lord Palmerston and to the Cabinet.
+
+The Queen approves of Lord Cowley as her First Representative at the
+Congress.
+
+    [Footnote 78: Sir James Hudson, Minister at Turin, had been
+    a sympathiser in the policy of Cavour, to an extent almost
+    incompatible with his position as a British representative.]
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: CENTRAL ITALY]
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to Lord John Russell._
+
+OSBORNE, _7th December 1859_.
+
+The Queen has received Lord John Russell's letter of yesterday.
+Although to avoid a long written discussion, she has not in her last
+letter stated any reason for her objecting to Sir James Hudson as
+Plenipotentiary at the Congress, she has no objection to state to Lord
+John that it is simply her want of confidence in him, being the result
+of her having watched his conduct at his post at Turin during these
+last years. The Queen's representative at Paris ought to be a person
+in whom she can have entire confidence, that _English_ interests alone
+will sway his conduct. From Lord John Russell's letter it appears
+that many of his colleagues in Cabinet saw equal objections to the
+appointment.
+
+The Queen repeats her wish that her letter of yesterday may be
+communicated to the Cabinet.
+
+Lord Cowley's letter, which she returns, is not calculated to
+diminish the Queen's alarm as to the direction in which we are being
+systematically driven, viz. _War_ to support the Emperor Napoleon,
+who almost claims such support already as his right! He has already
+shifted his ground further, and asks for it in case Austria should
+oppose "the armed interference of Sardinia in the affairs of Central
+Italy." Now Sardinia can have no more right to such interference than
+Austria; yet the Emperor says "he is quite determined to renew the
+war in case Austria resists." It is under these circumstances that the
+advice of the Prime Minister of England to the Emperor, to withdraw
+the only impediment which restrains the action of Sardinia, becomes a
+matter of such grave moment.
+
+The Queen is determined to hold to her neutrality in the Italian
+intrigues, revolutions, and wars. It is true, Lord John says, "it
+becomes a great power like Great Britain to preserve the peace of
+Europe, by throwing her great weight into the scale which has justice
+on its side." But where justice lies, admits of every variety of
+opinion.
+
+The Party placed in absolute power by a revolution and a foreign
+invasion is not necessarily the exponent of the real wishes of a
+people, and Lord Cowley reports Mr Layard "hot from Italy to confirm
+him in the opinion he has always held, that the annexation of Tuscany
+to Sardinia is not practicable." This, however, Lord Palmerston urges,
+and if it be agreed to by the Emperor and attempted by Sardinia,
+Lord John would probably wish England to fight for it as the cause of
+justice.
+
+Has Lord John ever contemplated the probability of Austria not being
+abandoned a second time by Germany, when attacked by France? The
+Emperor is sure to have calculated upon this, and has not played his
+game badly, if he can get the Alliance of England to sanction and
+foster his attack upon the Rhine, which would inevitably follow.
+The Queen believes this to be a cherished object of France, and the
+success certain if we become her dupes. The Queen can hardly for a
+moment bring herself to think of the consequences.
+
+She would wish this letter also to be shown to the Cabinet.
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: MEETING OF THE CABINET]
+
+
+_Earl Granville to the Prince Albert._
+
+LONDON, _8th December 1859_.
+
+SIR,--Lord John stated in what appeared to me a very fair way what
+had taken place between himself and Lord Palmerston in their
+communications with Her Majesty, and read Her Majesty's letters. At
+the end of his statement the Chancellor asked what was the question to
+be decided by the Cabinet. Lord John answered that he wished to know
+whether he was to inform Her Majesty that the Cabinet were of opinion
+that they were still respectfully of opinion that Sir James Hudson was
+the fittest person to be named Second Plenipotentiary, or whether he
+should acquiesce in Her Majesty's commands, reserving his own opinion
+as to the fitness of Sir James. The Chancellor answered: "Undoubtedly
+the second course will be the best." I then stated my reasons, or
+rather repeated them, for objecting to Sir James Hudson. Mr Gladstone
+made a hesitating remark. Sir G. Lewis and the Duke of Argyll, Sir
+Charles Wood, and Sir George Grey--the latter very strongly--supported
+the second course proposed by Lord John. Lord Palmerston spoke with
+some temper and dogmatically as to who were right and who were wrong,
+but advised Lord John to take the second course. The appointment of
+Lord Wodehouse[79] was proposed. Some of us do not think it a very
+good one, but there are no sufficient grounds for our opposing it.
+I am not sure that Gladstone would not go any lengths in supporting
+Lords Palmerston and John Russell on the Italian Question, although
+he is more cautious than they are. The feeling of the rest of the
+Cabinet, as far as I can judge, is perfectly sound about war, and on
+our taking an English and not a purely Sardinian attitude; but they
+are all inclined to sympathise with the national feeling in Italy, and
+averse to the restoration of the Dukes by force or by intrigue.
+
+Lord John was sore and nervous, but talked of his letter to the Queen,
+and Lord Palmerston's to Persigny, as "unlucky." Lord Palmerston seems
+convinced that he is perfectly in the right, and everybody else in the
+wrong, and would, I am sure, take advantage of any step, taken without
+sufficient consideration by the Queen, to make a stand for his own
+policy....
+
+I have the honour to be, Sir, with great respect, your Royal
+Highness's obedient and faithful Servant,
+
+GRANVILLE.
+
+    [Footnote 79: Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs,
+    and afterwards, as Earl of Kimberley, a member of successive
+    Liberal Cabinets.]
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: DIVORCE CASES]
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to the Lord Chancellor_ (_Lord Campbell_).
+
+WINDSOR CASTLE, _26th December 1859_.
+
+The Queen wishes to ask the Lord Chancellor whether no steps can be
+taken to prevent the present publicity of the proceedings before the
+new Divorce Court. These cases, which must necessarily increase when
+the new law becomes more and more known, fill now almost daily a large
+portion of the newspapers, and are of so scandalous a character that
+it makes it almost impossible for a paper to be trusted in the hands
+of a young lady or boy. None of the worst French novels from which
+careful parents would try to protect their children can be as bad
+as what is daily brought and laid upon the breakfast-table of every
+educated family in England, and its effect must be most pernicious to
+the public morals of the country.[80]
+
+    [Footnote 80: Lord Campbell replied that having attempted in
+    the last session to introduce a measure to give effect to the
+    Queen's wish, and having been defeated, he was helpless to
+    prevent the evil.]
+
+
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to the Emperor of the French._
+
+WINDSOR CASTLE, _le 31 Decembre 1859_.
+
+SIRE ET MON CHER FRERE,--Je viens comme de coutume offrir a votre
+Majeste nos felicitations bien sinceres a l'occasion de la
+nouvelle annee. Puisse-t-elle ne vous apporter que du bonheur et du
+contentement! L'annee qui vient de s'ecouler a ete orageuse et penible
+et a fait souffrir bien des c[oe]rs. Je prie Dieu que celle dans
+laquelle nous entrons nous permette de voir s'accomplir l'[oe]uvre de
+la pacification, avec tous ses bienfaits pour le repos et le progres
+du monde. Il y aura encore a reconcilier bien des opinions divergentes
+et des interets apparemment opposes; mais avec l'aide du Ciel et une
+ferme resolution de ne vouloir que le bien de ceux dont nous avons a
+regler le sort, il ne faut pas en desesperer.
+
+Nous avons eu le plaisir de posseder pendant quelques semaines notre
+chere fille et son mari, qu'il nous a ete bien doux de revoir au sein
+de notre famille. Notre fils aine passe ses vacances avec nous, mais
+retournera prochainement a Oxford pour reprendre ses etudes.
+
+Lady Ely vient de nous dire qu'elle a trouve votre Majeste ainsi que
+l'Imperatrice et le petit Prince dans la meilleure sante ce qui nous a
+fait bien du plaisir d'entendre.
+
+Le Prince me charge d'offrir ses hommages les plus affectueux a votre
+Majeste, et, en vous renouvelant les expressions de ma sincere amitie,
+je me dis, Sire et cher Frere, de V.M.I, la bonne et affectionnee
+S[oe]ur et Amie,
+
+VICTORIA R.
+
+
+
+
+
+INTRODUCTORY NOTE
+
+TO CHAPTER XXIX
+
+
+At the end of 1859, Mr Cobden had offered his services to the
+Government to negotiate a commercial treaty with France, and had been
+warmly encouraged in the scheme by Mr Gladstone. In January 1860, he
+was officially appointed a Plenipotentiary, with Lord Cowley, for
+this purpose, and on the 23rd of that month the treaty was signed. It
+included mutual remissions and reductions of import duties, and was
+contingent on obtaining the assent of the British Parliament, but
+neither party was fettered by any engagement not to extend similar
+concessions to other countries. In February, on the introduction of
+the Budget, the treaty was brought before the House of Commons, and
+ratified by a great majority; at the same time Mr Gladstone abolished
+a large number of import duties, but increased the income-tax for
+incomes over L150, from ninepence to tenpence in the pound. His
+proposal to repeal the paper duties was rejected by the Peers, the
+majority in its favour in the Commons having sunk to nine. A Commons
+Committee was appointed to deal with this conflict between the Houses,
+and resolutions defining the powers of the Peers in money bills were
+passed by the Lower House, Lord Palmerston clearly showing himself in
+sympathy with the Lords. Mr Gladstone expressed a desire to resign,
+in consequence of his difference with his colleagues, while Lord Derby
+and Lord Malmesbury intimated privately that they would support Lord
+Palmerston in office against any Radical secession. A Reform Bill of
+Lord John Russell, reducing the Borough Franchise to L6, and making a
+moderate redistribution of seats, was received with indifference, and
+eventually dropped.
+
+Italian affairs mainly absorbed the attention of the country. The
+intended international congress was abandoned, owing to the attitude
+adopted by the French Emperor towards the Pope, but the former now
+obtained the annexation of Savoy and Nice, not, as had been arranged
+in 1858 as a reward for assisting to set Italy free "from the Alps to
+the Adriatic"--an ideal which had not been realised--but as a price
+for assisting Piedmont to incorporate the Central Italian Provinces.
+The annexation was strongly resented, and suspicions of French designs
+were aroused to such an extent as to give a substantial impetus to the
+Volunteer movement in this country. By the summer, 130,000 Volunteers
+had been enrolled, and, at a review in Hyde Park, 21,000 men
+marched past the Queen, while in August, in consequence of the
+same apprehensions, it was decided by a large vote to carry out the
+recommendations of the National Defence Commission.
+
+The Swiss made an ineffectual protest against the annexation of that
+part of Savoy which had been neutralised by the treaty of Vienna,
+while, on the other hand, the Emperor Napoleon maintained that the
+people of Savoy and Nice had the same right to transfer their country
+to France, as Tuscany and the Aemilia (under which name the Duchies
+of Parma and Modena and the Romagna were now united) had to place
+themselves under the King of Sardinia. This they decided in March,
+by universal suffrage, to do; a few days later the treaty for the
+annexation of Savoy and Nice was signed, and in April it was ratified
+in the Piedmontese Parliament, Garibaldi, the deputy for Nice, his
+native town, voting against it. In the same month, a _plebiscite_,
+taken in the provinces affected, showed an immense majority in favour
+of annexation. Garibaldi himself was soon afterwards engaged in
+rendering assistance to the Sicilians in their insurrection against
+the despotic King Francis II. Assuming the title of "Dictator of
+Sicily, in the name of Victor Emmanuel," Garibaldi attacked and
+occupied Palermo, and having established his ascendency in the island,
+invaded the Neapolitan territory on the mainland. The Sardinian
+Government, for diplomatic reasons, disavowed the expedition, but gave
+a retrospective assent to it later in the year.
+
+The French Emperor's policy in Syria added to the distrust with which
+he was regarded. The Maronites, a Christian tribe, had been attacked
+and massacred by the Druses, and the Emperor had proposed to send
+troops to restore order. This step was eventually taken, after a
+European conference had been held; but the Emperor's proposal was
+so severely criticised that he wrote a long letter to the French
+Ambassador in London, reviewing and justifying his policy in Italy and
+elsewhere, since the Peace of Villafranca.
+
+Garibaldi had ignored the instructions of Victor Emmanuel to abstain
+from further operations against Naples, until the two Sicilies had
+voted for absorption into United Italy; King Francis fled to Gaeta,
+and Garibaldi entered the capital. At the same time, Cavour, in spite
+of a French protest, determined upon the invasion of the Papal States,
+and acted so promptly that in three weeks all effective opposition to
+the Italian cause in that territory was put down, and Umbria and the
+Marches were conquered. In October, the Piedmontese Parliament voted
+for the annexation of such of the southern Italian provinces as should
+declare themselves in favour of it; the Two Sicilies having accepted
+the offer by overwhelming majorities, the King and Garibaldi joined
+hands at Teano, and finally defeated the Bourbon army, afterwards
+entering Naples. The Marches and Umbria also declared for
+incorporation in the new Kingdom.
+
+In July, the Prince of Wales, accompanied by the Duke of Newcastle,
+left England for a tour in Canada, where he was welcomed with
+unbounded enthusiasm; he afterwards proceeded to the United States,
+visiting New York, Chicago, and other great cities, being received
+by President Buchanan at Washington. The Prince returned home in the
+course of November.
+
+The Abolitionist troubles, which for some time had been acute in the
+States, came to a crisis in the last days of the year, South Carolina
+adopting autonomous ordinances, declaring her own independence and
+sovereignty as a State, and her secession from the Union.
+
+The refusal of the Chinese Government to ratify the Treaty of
+Tien-tsin, and an unwarranted attack on certain British ships, led to
+a revival of hostilities. A desire being expressed by the Chinese to
+resume negotiations, some of the British representatives despatched
+for that purpose were treacherously captured, and treated with great
+cruelty. The allied troops of England and France thereupon, marched
+to Pekin, when reparation was made, and retribution, exacted for the
+outrages. A Convention was eventually signed on the 24th of October.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIX
+
+1860
+
+
+_The King of the Belgians to Queen Victoria._
+
+LAEKEN, _6th January 1860_.
+
+MY DEAREST VICTORIA,--I have to thank you for a _most affectionate_
+and gracious letter of the 3rd....
+
+I will speak to my pianist about Wagner's _Lohengrin_; he plays with
+great taste and feeling, and I purchased a fine Parisian piano to
+enable him to go on satisfactorily.
+
+Now I must speak a little of passing events. Louis Napoleon wished
+for a Congress because it would have placed a new authority between
+himself and the Italians, whom he fears evidently concerning their
+fondness of assassinating people. The pamphlet, "The Pope and the
+Congress," remains _incomprehensible_[1]; it will do him much harm,
+and will deprive him of the confidence of the Catholics who have
+been in France his most devoted supporters. Now the Congress is then
+postponed, but what is to be done with Italy? One notion is, that
+there would be some arrangement by which Piedmont would receive more,
+Savoy would go to France, and England would receive Sardinia. I am
+sure that England would by no means wish to have Sardinia. It will
+give me great pleasure to hear what Lord Cowley has reported on these
+subjects. I understand that Louis Napoleon is now much occupied with
+Germany, and studies its resources. This is somewhat alarming, as he
+had followed, it seems, the same course about Italy. _Gare la bombe_,
+the Prussians may say. One cannot understand why Louis Napoleon is
+using so many odd subterfuges when plain acting would from the month
+of September have settled everything. I must say that I found Walewski
+at that time very sensible and conservative. His retiring will
+give the impression that things are now to be carried on in a less
+conservative way, and people will be much alarmed. I know Thouvenel,
+and liked him, but that was in the poor King's time. In England his
+nomination will not give much pleasure, I should imagine, as he was in
+the situation to oppose English notions in the Orient.... Your devoted
+Uncle,
+
+LEOPOLD R.
+
+    [Footnote 1: This famous pamphlet, issued (like that of
+    February 1859, _ante_, 25th January, 1859, note 7) under
+    the nominal authorship of M. de la Gueronniere, expounded
+    the Emperor'sview that the Pope should be deprived of his
+    temporal dominions, Rome excepted. Its publication brought
+    about the resignation of Count Walewski (who was succeeded
+    by M. de Thouvenel) and the abandonment of the proposed
+    Congress.]
+
+
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to Lord John Russell._
+
+WINDSOR CASTLE, _11th January 1860_.
+
+The Queen has received Lord John Russell's letter, written after the
+Cabinet yesterday evening. She was much relieved by finding a proposal
+to call upon France and Austria not to interfere in Italy substituted
+for the former one implying war on our part for the defence of the
+Provisional Governments of Central Italy. The Queen must consider this
+new proposal, however, as partial and incomplete as long as Sardinia
+is not asked as well to abstain from interference. Austria has
+reversionary rights in Tuscany and Modena, Sardinia has no rights
+at all, if a desire for acquisition is not to be considered as one.
+Austria will probably say she has no intention of interfering as long
+as Sardinia does not, but she cannot allow Sardinia to possess herself
+of her inheritance under her very eyes. It is also incorrect to place
+France and Austria entirely in the same line; Austria being an Italian
+power in virtue of Venetia, and France having nothing whatever to do
+in Italy.
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: WHIG TRADITIONS]
+
+
+_Lord John Russell to Queen Victoria._
+
+PEMBROKE LODGE, _11th January 1860_.
+
+Lord John Russell presents his humble duty to your Majesty; he has
+just had the honour to receive your Majesty's letter of this date.
+
+Lord John Russell has sent to Lord Palmerston the proposal he humbly
+submits to your Majesty.
+
+He will therefore only venture to say that the doctrines of the
+Revolution of 1688, doctrines which were supported by Mr Fox, Mr Pitt,
+the Duke of Wellington, Lord Castlereagh, Mr Canning, and Lord Grey,
+can hardly be abandoned in these days by your Majesty's present
+advisers. According to those doctrines, all power held by Sovereigns
+may be forfeited by misconduct, and each nation is the judge of its
+own internal government.[2]
+
+Lord John Russell can hardly be expected to abjure those opinions, or
+to act in opposition to them.
+
+    [Footnote 2: In a despatch of the 27th of October, Lord John
+    took the same ground in the case of Naples. After quoting with
+    approval the view taken by Vattel of the lawfulness of the
+    assistance given by the United Provinces to the Prince of
+    Orange, and his conclusion that it is justifiable to assist
+    patriots revolting against an oppressor for "good reasons," he
+    stated that the question was whether the people of Naples and
+    of the Roman States took up arms against their Government
+    for good reasons; and of this matter, he added, the people
+    themselves were the best judges.]
+
+
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to Lord John Russell._
+
+WINDSOR CASTLE, _11th January 1860_.
+
+The Queen has received Lord John Russell's note of this day, in which
+she is not able to find any answer to her letter, or even an allusion
+to what she had written, viz. that Austria and France being asked to
+abstain from interference, such an arrangement would be partial and
+incomplete unless Sardinia was pledged also to non-interference. The
+Queen cannot make out what the doctrines of the Revolution of 1688 can
+have to do with this, or how it would necessitate Lord John to abjure
+them.
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: AFFAIRS OF ITALY]
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._
+
+WINDSOR CASTLE, _17th January 1860_.
+
+MY BELOVED UNCLE,--Your dear letter of the 13th reached me on
+Saturday, and I at once forwarded your letter to good and faithful
+Clark, who was for _two_ months unable to attend us from a severe
+attack of illness, but who is, I am happy to say, much better, indeed
+his own good self again, and who is now _here_.[3] This good account
+you give us of your precious health makes us truly happy. It is such a
+blessing.
+
+Affairs are in a sad and complicated state, and though we modify
+matters as much as we _can_, we can't entirely keep our Ministers
+(_the two_) from doing _something_. You will hear no doubt of the last
+proposal soon, viz. that France and Austria should _both_ agree _not_
+to interfere in Italy--France withdrawing her troops from Rome, and
+Sardinia to be asked not to send any troops into the Duchies until
+there has been a _final vote_ expressive of their wishes. We could
+_not prevent_ this _proposal_, which I doubt being accepted--as the
+rest of the Cabinet thought it could _not_ be opposed, and entailed
+_no_ material _support_. This country _never_ would consent to be
+entangled in a _war_ for this Italian quarrel....
+
+We have a large party again to-day for the _Play_ which we have
+to-morrow. We had a very successful one last week. The Persignys come
+to-day.
+
+Now I must end. With Albert's love, ever your devoted Niece,
+
+VICTORIA R.
+
+    [Footnote 3: The Queen, later in the year, lent Bagshot Park
+    temporarily to Sir James Clark.]
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: ANNEXATION OF SAVOY]
+
+[Pageheading: VICTOR EMMANUEL]
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to Lord John Russell._
+
+WINDSOR CASTLE, _21st January 1860_.
+
+The Queen returns the enclosed important letter from Lord Cowley,
+and Lord John Russell's answers--documents which she trusts will
+be communicated to the Cabinet. The Emperor shows unwillingness to
+evacuate Rome and Lombardy, disinclination to admit of the annexation
+of the Duchies to Sardinia, a feeling that he could not do so without
+appearing dishonourable in the eyes of Austria, and a determination
+to rob Sardinia of Savoy in order to repay the French Nation for the
+rupture with the Pope, and the abandonment of a protective tariff by
+the reconquest of at least a portion of the "_frontieres naturelles de
+la France_."[4] Lord Cowley's letter proves clearly that it is (as the
+Queen all along felt and often said) most dangerous for us to offer
+to bind ourselves to a common action with the Emperor with regard to
+Italy, whilst he has entered into a variety of engagements with the
+different parties engaged in the dispute, of which we know nothing,
+and has objects in view which we can only guess at, and which have not
+the good of Italy in view, but his own aggrandisement to the serious
+detriment of Europe.
+
+With regard to Lord John Russell's answer, the Queen will only say
+that our proposal having been made by us after serious reflection and
+the anxious discussion of the Cabinet and the Queen, no deviation from
+it ought to take place without affording them ample opportunity to
+consider the bearings and probable results of such alteration.
+
+    [Footnote 4: The cession by King Victor Emmanuel of Savoy
+    (the cradle of his race) and of Nice to France was the
+    consideration offered at Plombieres for obtaining French
+    support to the movement for freeing Italy "from the Alps to
+    the Adriatic"; that result not having been achieved, a like
+    price was now offered for French assistance in effecting the
+    annexation of the Central Italian provinces.]
+
+
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to Viscount Palmerston._
+
+WINDSOR CASTLE, _22nd January 1860_.
+
+The Queen has received Lord Palmerston's note and enclosures. She
+rather expects to be advised by her Ministers as to the course to
+be adopted in matters which may lead to angry debate in the House
+of Lords, than to give personal directions on a case so incompletely
+placed before her; Lord Willoughby's letter does not even name the
+persons in question nor the grounds upon which he assumes "they
+would not be received at Court."[5] The Queen does not know how far
+admission or non-admission trenches upon the privileges of the House;
+from the submitted printed regulation, however, she would gather that
+the Lord High Chamberlain has full power to admit or exclude. If
+Lord Palmerston were to see Lord Granville as Leader, and the Lord
+Chancellor as Speaker, of the House of Lords together with Lord
+Willoughby, they might so far discuss the question as to enable
+Lord Palmerston to submit a decision for the Queen's consideration
+to-morrow.
+
+    [Footnote 5: Lord Willoughby's question had reference to a
+    Peeress, who, he thought, would not be received at Court.
+    The difference between a State Opening of Parliament and
+    a Drawing-room was pointed out in Lord Palmerston's reply.
+    Though it would be "unpleasant to the Peeresses to find
+    themselves sitting next to a person with whom they do not
+    associate," the Premier advised no interference with the lady
+    in question, if she persisted in attending.]
+
+
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._
+
+WINDSOR CASTLE, _31st January 1860_.
+
+MY DEAREST UNCLE,--Accept my warmest thanks for your kind letter of
+the 27th, received on Saturday--by which I am delighted to see what
+sport you have had. I have _such_ an aversion for hunting that I am
+_quite_ pleased to hear of the destruction of the _fifty-one_ foxes. I
+suppose it was not cold enough for _wolves_.
+
+I think Parliament has had a wholesome effect upon certain people;
+and that they are _altogether frightened_. There has been a strong
+despatch written relative to Savoy--and altogether I think matters are
+taking a better turn. The feeling of _all_ parties and this _whole_
+country is--to _let Italy settle its own affairs_--and _England to
+keep quite out of it_....
+
+We shall see the good Aumales to-night, who are staying with the Van
+de Weyers at _New Lodge_,[6] which is _un vrai bijou_: you _must_
+see it when you come here again, for it is one of the nicest and most
+charming houses I know.
+
+I must now end. With Albert's affectionate love, ever your devoted
+Niece,
+
+VICTORIA R.
+
+    [Footnote 6: On the borders of Windsor Forest.]
+
+
+
+
+_The King of the Belgians to Queen Victoria._
+
+LAEKEN, _3rd February 1860_.
+
+MY DEAREST VICTORIA,--... New Lodge must be exceedingly pretty, and,
+God willing, I ought once to get sight of it. By all one can hear, the
+Italians certainly will attack the Austrians, if they are not told to
+leave it alone; Victor Emmanuel speaks openly of it, just as he did
+last year, when one also thought it was a mere bravado. Things look
+in most directions very gloomy; my neighbour is creating dangers for
+himself by the constitutional Government he gives to Italy. The
+French say, "Sommes-nous moins que les Italiens pour avoir un peu de
+liberte?" This may become more dangerous as things move on, not that
+I should regret it; we can never have any security as long as France
+remains without a constitutional Government. We have had slight
+beginnings of cold, but not much of it, but the glass was fearfully
+low. My ball of the 1st was rather pretty, and people were in great
+dancing mood. Princess Orloff, a Troubetzkoi, is a very pleasing young
+woman. There is also a pretty Princess Metchersky. We had some new
+English families _inconceivably ugly_; it is quite a calamity,
+they look as if they had been selected on purpose. Having still the
+happiness of being one of your Privy Council, I mean to propose some
+measure to obviate such a sad state of affairs. We have all of a
+sudden snow.... Your truly devoted Uncle,
+
+LEOPOLD R.
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: INDIAN HONOURS]
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to Sir Charles Wood._
+
+WINDSOR CASTLE, _9th February 1860_.
+
+The Queen has attentively read Lord Canning's letter and enclosure.
+She quite agrees in his proposal as to the nature of the Order of
+Chivalry to be instituted, and the details which he recommends with
+regard to it. She also thinks that titles should be confined to those
+now known and borne in India, and to be given sparingly; but would
+object to the illimited power of the Governor-General and Viceroy
+in this respect. The highest dignities and titles ought to proceed
+directly from the Crown at the Viceroy's recommendation. The Queen
+concurs in the view that honours cannot well be made hereditary
+amongst Hindoos and Mussulmans, but where Princes (as we may hope
+will be the case sometimes hereafter) have become Christians, the
+hereditary nature of honours should not be withheld.[7] ...
+
+    [Footnote 7: Lord Canning had written that he thought it would
+    be best to adhere to the precise titles already in use in
+    India, and that they should be at the direct disposal of the
+    Queen's Representative, without reference to the Crown. He did
+    not recommend that titles should be hereditary (except in
+    very special cases), in a country where primogeniture was
+    not established. As to the proposed Order of Knighthood, Lord
+    Canning thought that the institution of such an Order would
+    be both expedient and opportune. He recommended that it should
+    include both British-born and Native subjects.]
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: THE QUEEN AND HER MINISTERS]
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to Viscount Palmerston._
+
+WINDSOR CASTLE, _10th February 1860_.
+
+The Queen sends a letter to Lord Palmerston which she has received
+yesterday evening from Lord John Russell.[8] She is induced to do
+so from a feeling that it is to Lord Palmerston, as head of the
+Government, that she has to look, when she may have reason to take
+exception to the tone of communications she may receive from members
+of his Cabinet. Lord Palmerston will not fail to perceive that the
+enclosed is not the kind of communication which the Foreign Secretary
+ought to make, when asked by his Sovereign to explain the views of the
+Cabinet upon a question so important and momentous as the annexation
+of Savoy to France, and the steps which they propose to take with
+regard to it. She need not remind Lord Palmerston that in her letter
+communicated to the Cabinet she had given no opinion whatever upon
+Italian liberation from a foreign yoke, nor need she protest against
+a covert insinuation, such as is contained in Lord John's letter, that
+she is no well-wisher of mankind and indifferent to its freedom and
+happiness. But she must refer to the constitutional position of her
+Ministers towards herself. They are responsible for the advice they
+gave her, but they are bound fully, respectfully, and openly to place
+before her the grounds and reasons upon which their advice may be
+founded, to enable her to judge whether she can give her assent to
+that advice or not. The Government must come to a standstill if
+the Minister meets a demand for explanation with an answer like the
+following: "I was asked by the Cabinet to give an answer, but as I do
+not agree with you, I think it useless to explain my views."
+
+The Queen must demand that respect which is due from a Minister to his
+Sovereign. As the Queen must consider the enclosed letter as deficient
+in it, she thinks Lord John Russell might probably wish to reconsider
+it, and asks Lord Palmerston to return it to him with that view.
+
+That Lord Palmerston may be acquainted with the course the
+correspondence has taken, the Queen encloses the two preceding
+letters.
+
+    [Footnote 8: The letter ran:--"Lord John Russell unfortunately
+    does not partake your Majesty's opinions in regard to Italy,
+    and he is unwilling to obtrude on your Majesty unnecessary
+    statements of his views.... Whatever may be the consequence,
+    the liberation of the Italian people from a foreign yoke
+    is, in the eyes of Lord Palmerston and Lord John Russell, an
+    increase of freedom and happiness at which as well-wishers to
+    mankind they cannot but rejoice."]
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: MR GLADSTONE'S BUDGET]
+
+
+_Viscount Palmerston to Queen Victoria._
+
+94 PICCADILLY, _10th February 1860_.
+
+Viscount Palmerston presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and
+begs to state that Mr Gladstone made this afternoon his financial
+statement.[9] His speech lasted three hours, from five to eight, and
+was admirable, detailed, clear, comprehensive and eloquent; and he did
+not appear to be fatigued by the effort.[10] The statement was well
+received by the House, and though parts of the arrangement may, and no
+doubt will, be disputed and attacked as the various measures of which
+the arrangement is composed, pass through the House, there seems to
+be a fair probability that the Government will not sustain any serious
+defeat upon any part of the arrangement. The scheme is too extensive
+and complicated to admit of an abstract of it being given to your
+Majesty in this Report; but no doubt a condensed summary of it will be
+given in the newspapers of to-morrow.
+
+    [Footnote 9: The Budget of 1860 was contemporaneous with
+    the commercial treaty with France negotiated by Mr Cobden,
+    reducing _inter alia_ the import duties on French wine and
+    brandy, and English coal, flax, and pig-iron. Mr Gladstone
+    abolished the duties on a large number of imports, and
+    proposed to repeal that on paper (regarded not only as a means
+    for the diffusion of knowledge, but a commodity in various
+    industries).]
+
+    [Footnote 10: This was all the more remarkable, as the Budget
+    had been postponed owing to his illness.]
+
+
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to Viscount Palmerston._
+
+WINDSOR CASTLE, _11th February 1860_.
+
+The Queen acknowledges the receipt of Lord Palmerston's two letters
+of yesterday evening. She willingly accepts Lord John Russell's
+expressions of regret, and certainly was led to read that one passage
+which Lord Palmerston explains in the sense which he supposed.
+
+The Queen has received the draft to Lord Cowley, and has written her
+observations upon it to Lord John, who will communicate them to him.
+She thinks that the omissions which she has pointed out can be very
+well supplied consistently with that international courtesy which Lord
+Palmerston truly says ought to be observed.[11]
+
+    [Footnote 11: In this despatch, Lord John wrote that
+    the Government could not believe that a country in the
+    circumstances of France could be endangered by the existence,
+    "on the other side of the Alps, of a State of 11,000,000 of
+    people lately joined by a cement not yet dry, threatened, on
+    the side of Lombardy, by Austria, and not very certain of its
+    own independence."]
+
+
+
+
+_Earl Granville to the Prince Albert._
+
+BRIGHTON, _11th February 1860_.
+
+SIR,--Lord John produced before the Cabinet his draft of despatch
+in answer to M. Thouvenel. He read, without allusion to the previous
+correspondence, the Queen's Memorandum on his draft.
+
+Lord Palmerston supported Lord John, who was fidgety and nervous. We
+all criticised the draft. We thought it too much or too little. We
+recommended that he should either write shortly, saying that he
+did not acquiesce in M. Thouvenel's arguments, but as the French
+Government did not consider the question as now in existence, and
+promised that it should not be revised without the consent of Savoy,
+and consultation with the Great Powers, if the Government would
+reserve what they had to say on a question of such immense European
+importance--or going into the subject he should state the whole
+argument and objections of the Government to the scheme.
+
+We thought the historical reminiscences offensive to France, while the
+language of the despatch was not sufficiently firm to satisfy what was
+expected from the Government. We warned him that in this case public
+opinion would be at least as critical as the Queen.
+
+Lord John gave us to understand that he would alter his draft, but
+I do not feel any security that it will be done in a satisfactory
+manner.
+
+I am, Sir, with the greatest respect, your Royal Highness's obedient,
+humble, and faithful servant,
+
+GRANVILLE.
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: LORD COWLEY AND THE EMPEROR]
+
+
+_Earl Cowley to Lord John Russell._
+(_Submitted to the Queen._)
+
+PARIS, _7th March 1860_.
+
+MY DEAR LORD JOHN,--I send a messenger this evening, in order that you
+may not hear from any one else of the passage of arms which took place
+between the Emperor and myself yesterday evening. You will find the
+account of it in the enclosed despatch. The more I reflect on it, the
+less I think that I could pass over the Emperor's conduct and language
+without notice. His tone and manner were really offensive, and if
+I had let them pass unheeded might have been repeated on another
+occasion. I must say that nothing could have been more friendly than
+His Majesty's bearing after I had spoken to him. He was profuse in
+his excuses, and the Empress told me later in the evening that he was
+_desole_--"qu'il s'etait laisse entrainer par un mouvement d'humeur,"
+etc. I, of course, said that I should think no more about it.
+
+One good thing has been gained by it, that the Emperor has declared
+that he does not mean to act in defiance of the opinion of the Great
+Powers....
+
+I wish that I had not this disagreeable history to trouble you with,
+but do not attach greater importance to it than it merits. I look upon
+it as at an end.
+
+COWLEY.
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: LORD COWLEY AND THE EMPEROR]
+
+[Pageheading: LORD COWLEY'S REMONSTRANCE]
+
+[Pageheading: THE EMPEROR'S _AMENDE_]
+
+
+[_Enclosure._]
+
+_Earl Cowley to Lord John Russell._
+(_Submitted to the Queen._)
+
+PARIS, _7th March 1860_.
+
+MY LORD,--It is with extreme regret that I call your Lordship's
+attention to the following occurrence.
+
+There was a concert last night at the Tuileries, to which the Chiefs
+of the Diplomatic Body were invited. On these occasions seats are
+assigned to the Ambassadors according to their accidental rank, and
+I was placed between the Nuntio and the Russian Ambassador. It is
+customary for the Emperor, during the interval between the two
+parts of the concert, to say a few words to each of the Ambassadors
+individually, and it is obvious that what His Majesty says to one may
+easily be overheard by that one's immediate neighbours.
+
+Yesterday evening the Emperor, after saying a few words of no
+importance to the Nuntio, addressed himself to me in a manner and
+tone very unusual with him, animadverting upon the hostile sentiments
+evinced towards him in the English Parliament and Press.[12] "Wishing
+to avoid a discussion, I merely observed that I regretted that matters
+should be in such a state, but that His Majesty must be aware that
+there was quite as great irritation on this side the water. The
+Emperor enquired sharply whether this was to be wondered at,
+considering the terms and imputations applied to himself, and to the
+French nation, in England? They were only defending themselves against
+unfair attacks, His Majesty said. It was really too bad, he continued;
+he had done all in his power to maintain a good understanding with
+England, but the conduct of England rendered it impossible. What had
+England to do with Savoy? And why was she not to be satisfied with the
+declaration that His Majesty had made to me, that he had no intention
+to annex Savoy to France without having previously obtained the
+consent of the Great Powers.
+
+"Pardon me, Sire," I said, "for interrupting your Majesty, but it
+is just what you did not say. Had you permitted me to convey that
+assurance to Her Majesty's Government, I will answer for it that all
+those interpellations in Parliament would long since have ceased, and
+that Her Majesty's Government and the country would at all events have
+awaited the decision at which the Great Powers might have arrived."
+
+"But I told you," continued the Emperor, "that I would consult the
+Great Powers."
+
+"Yes, Sire," I replied, "but your Majesty did not add that you would
+abide by their decision."
+
+This conversation had taken place, not only within the hearing of the
+Russian Ambassador, but the Emperor's remarks were addressed almost
+as much to my colleague as to myself. Turning then entirely towards
+General Kisseleff, the Emperor continued: "The conduct of England is
+inexplicable. I have done all in my power to keep on the best terms
+with her; but I am at my wits' end _(je n'en puis plus)._ What," His
+Majesty exclaimed again, "has England to do with Savoy? What would
+have been the consequence if, when she took possession of the Island
+of Perim[13] for the safety of her Eastern dominions, I had raised the
+same objections that she has now raised to the annexation of Savoy,
+which I want as much for the safety of France?"
+
+His Majesty continued to speak for a few seconds in the same strain,
+and I felt my position to be most awkward. With the remembrance of
+His Majesty's intemperate words to M. de Huebner on New Year's Day,
+1859,[14] in my mind, I did not like to leave unnoticed observations
+of the tendency I have mentioned. At the same time I had to bear in
+mind that I was not present on an official occasion, but that I was
+the Emperor's guest, and that it would not be right to continue a
+discussion in the presence of others. These thoughts passed rapidly
+through my mind, and I determined to be guided by a night's reflection
+in taking any further step in this matter. What that reflection might
+have produced I cannot say, but circumstances led to more immediate
+explanations.
+
+As the Emperor moved on, the circle in which we were standing was
+not strictly kept, and after a few minutes I found myself standing a
+little in front, in the open space round which the circle was formed.
+The Emperor again accosted me, and was beginning in the same strain,
+when I ventured to interrupt His Majesty and to tell him that I
+considered myself justified in calling his attention to the unusual
+course he had adopted, in indulging, in presence of the Russian
+Ambassador, in his animadversions on the conduct of England. That His
+Majesty, if he had, or thought he had, any cause for remonstrance or
+blame with regard to England, should address himself to me, was not
+only natural, but would be a course which I should always beg him to
+take, because free discussion was the best remedy for pent-up feeling.
+I should answer as best I could, and endeavour to convince His Majesty
+when I thought him wrong. Or if His Majesty considered it right to
+complain of the conduct of England to the Russian Ambassador, I had no
+desire to interfere, provided it was not done in my presence; but what
+I could not approve, or consider compatible with my own dignity,
+or that of the Government which I represented, was that complaints
+respecting England should be addressed to me in the hearing of the
+Russian Ambassador, and to the Russian Ambassador in my hearing.
+
+Leaving then this official tone, I added that, considering the long
+and intimate relations which His Majesty had been graciously pleased
+to permit should exist between himself and me, and knowing, as he did,
+the personal attachment which I bore him, and the anxiety which I had
+ever manifested to smooth difficulties and prevent misunderstandings
+between the two Governments, in doing which I had perhaps exposed
+myself to the suspicion of being more French than I ought to be, I had
+not expected to have been addressed, as I had been, in the presence
+of the Russian Ambassador, or to have heard words addressed to that
+Ambassador complaining of the sentiments of the English nation.
+
+The Emperor frequently interrupted me, expressing his great regret at
+what had occurred. He could assure me, His Majesty said, that he
+had spoken without any bad intention--that he had just read what had
+occurred in Parliament the night before, and that he had been greatly
+hurt at the strictures passed upon his conduct; I must recollect
+further that he had not spoken of the Government, but of those who
+attacked him. Again, His Majesty begged me to think no more of the
+matter, repeating the assurance that he had spoken without intention.
+
+In the course of this second conversation the Emperor again asked,
+but in a very different tone, why England had taken up the question of
+Savoy which so little regarded her. Had it been Prussia or one of the
+Continental Powers, His Majesty could have understood it, but not a
+word of remonstrance had proceeded from any one of them. I replied
+that I did not think the Emperor could rely on that silence as
+indicating approbation, but at all events, I said, the position of Her
+Majesty's Government was very different from that of the other powers.
+How was it possible, I asked, for Her Majesty's Government to remain
+silent in presence of the interpellations respecting Savoy which were,
+night after night, put to them? And if His Majesty enquired why these
+interpellations were put, I would answer him that, if my judgment was
+correct, it was not so much on account of the actual plan of annexing
+Savoy, as on account of the circumstances connected with the whole
+transaction. They were, in fact, interpellations of mistrust. And how,
+I asked, could it be otherwise? What could the English people think
+on its transpiring that in spite of His Majesty's declarations,
+both before and during the war, that in going to war he meditated
+no special advantages for France, overtures had positively been made
+months before, to Sardinia, for the eventual cession of Savoy; why had
+not His Majesty told us fairly, in commencing this war, that if, by
+the results of the war, the territory of Sardinia should be greatly
+augmented, he might be obliged, in deference to public opinion in
+France, to ask for some territorial advantage? Such a declaration,
+although it might have rendered the British Government still more
+anxious to prevent the war, would have hindered all the manifestation
+of public opinion which is now taking place.
+
+The Emperor seemed to feel the weight of these observations, and
+he ended the conversation by saying, that if this question of Savoy
+should go further, he had pledged himself to consult the Great
+Powers, and that he need hardly add that if their opinion should be
+unfavourable to his wishes, it would have great weight with him.
+"It is not likely," said His Majesty, "that I should act against the
+advice of Europe."
+
+I end, my Lord, as I commenced, in regretting this occurrence. I
+could have wished that the Emperor had not spoken to me a second time
+yesterday, and that I had had a little time for reflection. I feel
+that I spoke to His Majesty under considerable emotion, caused by the
+tone and manner which he had adopted; but I am certain that not a word
+escaped me which was not respectful to himself. To have passed the
+matter over, would, in my judgment, have been a fault, but on the
+whole I should have preferred conveying impressions to His Majesty
+through M. Thouvenel. I earnestly trust, however, that Her Majesty's
+Government will view my conduct in a favourable light.
+
+It is but justice to my Russian colleague to state that nothing could
+have been in better taste than his remarks in answer to the Emperor's
+observations to him. I have told General Kisseleff this morning that
+having had an opportunity to do so, I had expressed to the Emperor
+the opinion that it would have been better had His Majesty avoided
+irritating topics concerning England in the presence of another
+foreign representative. It is not my intention to open my lips on the
+subject to any one else.
+
+COWLEY.
+
+    [Footnote 12: The annexation of Savoy had been debated in the
+    House of Commons, and Mr Bright had expressed his readiness
+    that Savoy should rather perish than that England should
+    interfere in a matter in which she had no concern. He was
+    sharply censured by Lord John Manners.]
+
+    [Footnote 13: Perim had been permanently taken possession of
+    by Great Britain, in 1857.]
+
+    [Footnote 14: See _ante_, p. 310, note 2.]
+
+
+
+
+_Lord John Russell to Queen Victoria._
+
+CHESHAM PLACE, _9th March 1860_.
+
+Lord John Russell presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and has
+the honour to submit a despatch which he received in a private letter
+from Lord Cowley.
+
+The strange scene related in it will remind your Majesty of some
+scenes already famous in the history of Napoleon I. and Napoleon III.
+
+Lord John Russell requests your Majesty's permission to write a secret
+despatch in answer, entirely approving the conduct and language of
+Lord Cowley.
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: THE QUEEN'S APPROVAL]
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to Lord John Russell._
+
+OSBORNE, _10th March 1860_.
+
+The Queen, in returning Lord Cowley's private letter and secret
+despatch, agrees with Lord John Russell, that he has deserved praise
+for his mode of answering the Emperor's Napoleonic address.[15] ...
+
+    [Footnote 15: The ratification by the House of Commons of the
+    Commercial Treaty, and Mr Gladstone's message to the Emperor,
+    enclosing a copy of his Budget speech, gave the Emperor an
+    opportunity of making amends to Lord Cowley for his hasty
+    language.]
+
+
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to Sir Charles Wood._
+
+OSBORNE, _12th March 1860_.
+
+The Queen is sorry to find that Lord Canning does not approve of any
+of the modes suggested by Sir Charles Wood, for giving the Chiefs
+security of title and possession. The object appears to the Queen so
+important as a means of protection against the temptation of our own
+representatives to seize upon the possessions of these Chiefs at any
+convenient opportunity--and as a means of giving confidence to those
+Chiefs that the Queen's Government is not actuated by rapacity--that
+she must hope Lord Canning will indicate some mode, appearing less
+objectionable to him, for attaining the same object. The Queen would
+be glad to have a copy of Lord Canning's letter.
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: SWISS CLAIMS]
+
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to Lord John Russell._
+
+BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _25th March 1860_.
+
+The Queen has just seen the Swiss Note, and has returned it to the
+Foreign Office.[16] With reference to Lord John Russell's letter of
+this morning, she has only to express her anxiety that her Government
+should not look upon this question as one of an _optional_ character
+to take up or not. We have no choice, and the consideration whether
+what we are doing may be pleasing or displeasing to France cannot be
+entertained for a moment, although the Queen is grieved to find from
+Lord Cowley's last letter that he considers the question from that
+point of view. We are parties to a treaty of guarantee together with
+other Powers, and have as such a clear and solemn _duty_ to perform.
+We should therefore openly and avowedly call upon our partners in
+this treaty and guarantee to consider the note addressed by the Swiss
+Confederation to us.
+
+The proper course would be to summon the Ministers of the Contracting
+Powers to the Foreign Office (not excluding the French Ambassador),
+and to go with them into the matter. This would take it out of the
+hands of the Emperor and M. de Thouvenel, and make (the Queen is
+certain of it) a deep impression upon them.
+
+The Queen wishes this letter to be shown to Lord Palmerston and Lord
+John's other colleagues.
+
+    [Footnote 16: The Swiss Government claimed that the districts
+    of Chablais and Faucigny (being parts of Savoy which had
+    been handed over to Sardinia by the Treaty of Vienna under a
+    guarantee for their neutrality) should be given to Switzerland
+    for the protection of their frontier. The French Emperor
+    maintained that it was sufficient for him to guarantee the
+    neutrality of those districts. Speaking on the night of the
+    26th, Lord John Russell said: "The powers of Europe, if they
+    wish to maintain peace, must respect each other's limits, and,
+    above all, restore and not disturb that commercial confidence
+    which is the result of peace, which tends to peace, and which
+    ultimately forms the happiness of nations."]
+
+
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to Lord John Russell._
+
+BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _2nd April 1860_.
+
+The Queen has received Lord John Russell's letter and Memorandum.[17]
+In whatever Lord John might say in the House of Commons, care should
+be taken not to give the French a handle to make the other Powers
+believe that there exists an understanding between them and us. It
+is by making each of them believe in their turn that the others have
+agreed with France that the Emperor paralyses their action. If he will
+promise distinctly to give up the neutral territory to Switzerland,
+that would be an understanding which we might well avow, but the Queen
+fears Count Persigny with all his anxiety to smooth matters (as he
+says) will not be able to give this assurance, and consequently if
+Lord John sent the Commons home with a declaration that matters would
+be _satisfactorily_ settled, and the Emperor intends to keep the
+neutral territory after all, it would unnecessarily make them dupes
+once more, as the Government have from time to time given assurances
+based on French promises, which were belied by subsequent acts.
+
+Is the Memorandum for the Queen to keep?
+
+The Conference should be here, and on _no_ account at Paris.
+
+    [Footnote 17: Describing a conversation between Lord
+    Palmerston and Persigny, the former suggesting that a
+    statement should be made by Lord John in the House, in
+    reference to the securities to be given for the neutrality
+    and independence of Switzerland, such as would pacify the
+    Emperor.]
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: DEATH OF PRINCE HOHENLOHE]
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._
+
+BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _25th April 1860_.
+
+MY DEAREST UNCLE,--I write to you on this paper to-day, as it is our
+good Alice's birthday--her seventeenth! She is a good, dear, amiable
+child, and in very good looks just now. Her future is still undecided,
+she is quite free, and _all_ we wish is a good, kind husband--_no_
+brilliant position (which there is not to be got), but a quiet,
+comfortable position.
+
+Bertie returned last night delighted with his tour,[18] and with our
+beloved old Coburg, in _spite of snow_. I will tell him to give you an
+account of it. He made a very favourable impression there. He gives a
+good account of dear Stockmar too.
+
+Many, many thanks for your dear kind letter of the 20th, with the
+enclosure from dear Charlotte, whose happy, contented disposition is a
+great blessing.
+
+I was sure you would grieve for poor, dear, honest Ernest
+Hohenlohe[19]; Feodore feels it dreadfully, and writes beautifully
+about it. Thank God! she has every comfort in her second son, Hermann,
+who--by an arrangement made last year with the eldest and poor
+Ernest--has the entire management of everything; Charles has a certain
+income and Weikersheim[20]; while Hermann has Langenburg and the
+management of everything else; he naturally leaves the Austrian
+Service.
+
+We are too delighted to hear that you are, D.V., ready to come by the
+2nd of June; it will be so great a pleasure, and to dear Mamma
+too, who is _unberufen_ wonderfully well. She is here again since
+yesterday, and will stay till the 2nd. Clem was quite astonished at
+her looks. The poor Queen will be seventy-eight to-morrow. She is very
+tolerably well.
+
+How well do I remember that speech of Oscar's in the carriage. It
+certainly took us _all_ in....
+
+I fear I must end for to-day. With Albert's affectionate love, ever
+your devoted Niece,
+
+VICTORIA R.
+
+Bertie was much pleased with little Louise.[21]
+
+    [Footnote 18: The Prince of Wales had been spending a week at
+    Coburg and Gotha, which he had not previously seen.]
+
+    [Footnote 19: Prince Ernest died on the 12th of April, and was
+    succeeded by his second son Hermann.]
+
+    [Footnote 20: A small town in Wuertemberg, and part of the
+    estate of the Princes of Hohenlohe-Langenburg.]
+
+    [Footnote 21: Elder child of the Duke of Brabant (now King
+    Leopold II.).]
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: ENGLAND AND NAPLES]
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to Lord John Russell._
+
+[_Undated._ ? _26th April 1860._]
+
+The Queen has just received Lord John Russell's letter. She must say
+that she would consider it the _deepest_ degradation to this country
+if she was compelled to appear at the Emperor's Congress summoned to
+Paris, in order to register and put her seal to the acts of spoliation
+of the Emperor!
+
+Lord Cowley was very strong on the effect which our yielding that
+point would have on his position at the French Court.
+
+
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to Lord John Russell._
+
+BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _30th April 1860_.
+
+The Queen thinks that the main argument is omitted in the draft, viz.
+that the attempts, such as Sardinia is suspected to contemplate, are
+morally bad and reprehensible in themselves, besides being politically
+inexpedient. The Queen would be sorry to see a despatch go forth on
+this subject, arguing on the ground of expediency alone. She trusts
+Lord John Russell will find it easy to introduce a passage which would
+place it on record, that we do attach importance to public justice
+and morality. When amended, the Queen would like to have a copy of the
+draft.
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: THE DOCTRINES OF 1688]
+
+
+_Lord John Russell to Queen Victoria._
+
+HOUSE OF COMMONS, _30th April 1860_.
+
+Lord John Russell presents his humble duty to your Majesty. He is
+sorry he cannot agree that there would be any moral wrong in assisting
+to overthrow the Government of the King of the Two Sicilies. The
+best writers on International Law consider it a merit to overthrow
+a tyrannical government, and there have been few governments so
+tyrannical as that of Naples. Of course the King of Sardinia has no
+right to assist the people of the Two Sicilies unless he was asked by
+them to do so, as the Prince of Orange was asked by the best men in
+England to overthrow the tyranny of James II.--an attempt which has
+received the applause of all our great public writers, and is the
+origin of our present form of government.[22]
+
+    [Footnote 22: See _ante_, 11th January, 1860.]
+
+
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to Lord John Russell._
+
+BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _30th April 1860_.
+
+The Queen has received Lord John Russell's letter, and trusts he will
+see, upon further reflection, that the case before us is not one in
+which the Revolution of 1688, and the advent of William III. called
+to the Throne, can be appealed to as a parallel. The draft warns the
+Government of Sardinia "_not to seek for new acquisitions_," as
+the new "_Provinces_ annexed have hardly as yet been thoroughly
+amalgamated." Now, no public writer nor the International Law will
+call it morally right, that one state should abet revolution in
+another, not with the disinterested object of defending a suffering
+people against tyranny, but in order to extinguish that State and make
+it "an acquisition" of its own. If William III. had made England a
+Province of Holland, he would not have received the applause Lord John
+quotes. The Queen trusts that in appreciation of this distinction,
+he will introduce some amendment in the sense indicated in her former
+letter.
+
+
+
+
+_Lord John Russell to Queen Victoria._
+
+HOUSE OF COMMONS, _30th April 1860_.
+
+Lord John Russell presents his humble duty to your Majesty; he
+confesses he cannot see anything morally wrong in giving aid to an
+insurrection in the kingdoms of Naples and Sicily. But he admits that
+to do so for the sake of making new acquisitions would be criminal,
+and that he is not justified in imputing this motive to the King of
+Sardinia. Count Cavour would probably at once disclaim it.
+
+He therefore proposes to alter these words. The despatch went this
+evening by the usual messenger; but, if your Majesty approves of the
+alteration, it can be made to-morrow morning by telegraph to Turin.
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: INDIAN HONOURS]
+
+
+_Sir Charles Wood to Queen Victoria._
+
+INDIA OFFICE, _3rd May 1860_.
+
+Sir Charles Wood, with his humble duty, begs to submit for your
+Majesty's consideration, whether the letters of thanks to those Civil
+Servants who have not been thought deserving of the honour of C.B.
+should run in your Majesty's name, or in that of the Government.
+
+Your Majesty desired that thanks for service should be in your
+Majesty's name, but there will be nearly two hundred of these letters
+to different officers, and Sir Charles Wood doubted whether it would
+be right to use your Majesty's name so profusely. He is inclined to
+think that it would be better to use your Majesty's name only when
+addressing higher officers. Sir Charles Wood encloses drafts of
+letters in both ways.
+
+Sir Charles Wood also encloses an address on the occasion of the
+Thanksgiving in India, delivered by a Hindoo.
+
+
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to Sir Charles Wood._
+
+BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _4th May 1860_.
+
+The Queen returns these papers. She wishes the thanks to Civil
+Servants to be given in all cases, where to be given by the Home
+Government, in her own name. The Bath or Knighthood comes directly
+from the Sovereign, and so should the thanks; the Civil Servants are
+the Queen's servants, and not the servants of the Government. The
+Hindoo address is very striking and gratifying as a symptom.[23]
+Presuming that Sir Charles does not want the copy back again, the
+Queen has kept it.
+
+    [Footnote 23: The copy of this address does not seem to have
+    been preserved.]
+
+
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._
+
+BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _8th May 1860_.
+
+MY DEAREST UNCLE,--... Really it is too bad! _No_ country, no human
+being would ever dream of _disturbing_ or _attacking_ France; every
+one would be glad to see her prosperous; but _she_ must needs disturb
+every quarter of the Globe and try to make mischief and set every
+one by the ears; and, of course, it will end some day in a _regular
+crusade_ against _the universal disturber_ of _the world!_ It is
+really monstrous!
+
+Dear Mamma returned to Frogmore on Friday, and Alfred left us on
+Thursday, sailed from Portsmouth on Saturday, but had to stop at
+Plymouth for some derangement in the machinery till to-day. He was
+very low at going, though very happy to return to his ship. Now, with
+Albert's affectionate love, ever your devoted Niece,
+
+VICTORIA R.
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: VISIT TO ALDERSHOT]
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._
+
+BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _15th May 1860_.
+
+MY DEAREST UNCLE,--Many, many thanks for your very kind letter
+received on Saturday. We returned yesterday evening from Aldershot,
+where we spent two very pleasant days with very warm weather. Sunday
+was a beautiful day and we rode over to Farnham, the Bishop of
+Winchester's Palace, and it was quite beautiful, the country is
+so green and sweet--and enjoyable. The warm rain of last week has
+produced a burst of Spring which is quite beautiful. Yesterday
+morning it rained when we first went out, but it cleared and became a
+beautiful day, and we had a pretty field day. Your old Regiment
+looked extremely well. In the afternoon we saw some very interesting
+rifle-shooting. The whole Army practises this now most unremittingly,
+and we saw three different companies of the Guards fire at 300 yards,
+and so on to 900 yards, and _hit_ the target! They fired in _volleys_.
+It is very satisfactory, as this precision would be very _telling_ in
+action. I think you would be interested by it.
+
+I _hope_ you have forgiven my hurried note of Saturday--but I was _so_
+anxious at the time. We go to Osborne on the 19th, I am happy to say,
+till the 31st.
+
+Affairs continue to be very threatening, and keep everybody in
+suspense.... Ever, dearest Uncle, your devoted Niece,
+
+VICTORIA R.
+
+
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._
+
+OSBORNE, _22nd May 1860_.
+
+MY DEAREST UNCLE,--I write to you from here, where it is wonderfully
+beautiful and unusually _hot_ for May--it is _quite_ like July, but
+the _late_ Spring has brought out everything together in the most
+wonderful manner. The foliage of many trees is hardly out yet, but
+there are all the fruit-trees in fullest blossom--the lilacs and
+peonies out--the thorns only beginning and every wild flower
+in profusion--the grass splendidly green, and a fragrance about
+everything which is too delicious; and the birds singing _most_
+beautifully. The nightingales were last night singing all round the
+house....
+
+Affairs are in a most bewildered state. Lord Palmerston is _very stout
+and right_ about our neighbour. I am glad to be able to _refute
+most positively_ the report of our _ships_ having _prevented_ the
+Neapolitans from firing; the _case_ is _quite_ clear, and the French
+and Neapolitan Governments themselves have spread this falsehood.
+
+The House of Lords have thrown the Bill for the Abolition of the
+paper Duties[24] _out_ by a very large majority, which is a _very good
+thing_. It will save us a large amount of revenue.
+
+I must end for to-day. Hoping that these lines will find you quite
+well, ever your devoted _Daughter_ (I _wrote_ by mistake _but_ will
+leave, as it _only_ expresses what _my feelings_ are) and Niece,
+
+VICTORIA R.
+
+We have quite a small party on the 1st, with some choral singing.
+
+    [Footnote 24: This part of Mr Gladstone's financial scheme had
+    lost a good deal of its early popularity: it had only passed
+    the third reading in the Commons by the small majority of
+    nine, and the Premier had already told the Queen that the
+    Peers would perform a public service by rejecting it. The
+    majority against it in the House of Lords was 89.]
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: THE HOUSE OF LORDS AND MONEY BILLS]
+
+[Pageheading: COMMITTEE OF THE COMMONS]
+
+
+_Viscount Palmerston to Queen Victoria._
+
+94 PICCADILLY, _22nd May 1860_.
+
+Viscount Palmerston presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and begs
+to state that the Cabinet met to-day at half-past twelve to consider
+what (if anything) should be done in consequence of the vote of the
+House of Lords last night. Lord John Russell, Mr Gladstone, and Mr
+Milner Gibson were desirous of finding some means of visiting their
+displeasure upon the House of Lords, but it was shown to them that
+the only measures which could be adopted were far too violent for the
+occasion, and that the House of Commons itself is powerless in the
+matter. When the Lords do anything inconsistent with the asserted
+privileges of the House of Commons, as, for instance, inserting a
+taxing Clause in a Bill sent up to them, or making an alteration in
+a Money Bill sent up to them, the House of Commons is necessarily
+invited to do something afterwards in the matter, by assenting to what
+has been done by the Lords; and the Commons then assert their claimed
+rights by throwing out the Bill thus, improperly, as the Commons say,
+meddled with by the Lords; but when the Lords throw out a Bill there
+is nothing for the Commons to do, as the Bill has vanished, and the
+Commons are therefore furnished with no opportunity of asserting the
+right which they may claim. But, moreover, the Commons have always
+contended that the Lords cannot originate or alter a Money Bill, but
+it has never been contended that the Lords may not reject a Money
+Bill, though there are few instances of their having done so. These
+arguments at length prevailed, and by four o'clock it was agreed that
+Viscount Palmerston should give notice that he would on Thursday move
+that a Committee be appointed to examine the Journals of the House
+of Lords to ascertain the fate of the Bill thus lost like Sir John
+Franklin, and that on Friday he should move the appointment of a
+Committee to search for precedent applicable to the case. This course
+it was thought, while binding the Government to no particular course,
+would in some degree satisfy those who think some step necessary. The
+measures mentioned, though it is fair to say not actually proposed,
+were that Parliament should be prorogued, and reassembled either in
+the Autumn or Winter, that then the same Bill should be brought
+in, and be sent up to the Lords, and that if that Bill were again
+rejected, Parliament should be dissolved. It was objected to all this,
+that the case did not warrant such a course; that whether the Lords
+have or have not overstepped their proper functions, the opinion of
+the great majority of the public is that the Lords have done a right
+and useful thing (in confirmation of which it may be stated that the
+people in the gallery of the House of Lords are said to have joined
+in the cheers which broke out when the numbers of the division were
+announced).
+
+Viscount Palmerston, at the meeting of the House, gave notice
+accordingly that he should on Thursday move for a Committee to search
+the Lords' Journals--a usual form of motion; and that he should on
+Friday move to appoint a Committee to search for precedents in order
+to ascertain facts; but he added that he did not take this course with
+any view of hostility towards the House of Lords. An attempt was made
+by Mr Whalley and Mr Digby Seymour to set up a complaint that this was
+not the sort of proceeding which the gravity of the occasion required,
+but this endeavour was put down by an unmistakable manifestation of a
+contrary opinion by the rest of the House....
+
+
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to the Duke of Somerset._
+
+BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _29th June 1860_.
+
+Before sanctioning the proposed change in the Naval Uniform,[25] the
+Queen wishes to know what the State occasions are on which the full
+dress is to be worn. The officers generally wear an undress without
+epaulettes, which in consequence are of little inconvenience to
+them. She has always understood the Service to cling very much to its
+present uniform, and she would be sorry to shock their feelings.
+
+    [Footnote 25: The principal change proposed was that full
+    dress should cease to be obligatory at Courts-Martial.]
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: MR GLADSTONE SUGGESTS RESIGNATION]
+
+
+_Viscount Palmerston to Queen Victoria._
+
+HOUSE OF COMMONS, _2nd July 1860_.
+(8.30 P.M.)
+
+Viscount Palmerston has had the honour of receiving your Majesty's
+letter of this afternoon. Nothing of much importance as to Foreign
+Affairs was done at the Cabinet to-day.... The material question for
+discussion was the course to be pursued about the Tax Bill Report.
+Lord John Russell had altered his opinion since Saturday, and had
+yesterday sent Viscount Palmerston a Draft of Resolution which he
+wished to be circulated to the members of the Cabinet before their
+meeting at twelve to-day....
+
+After a long discussion, the draft, of which the enclosed is a copy,
+was agreed to by all except Mr Gladstone. This draft is a combination
+of parts of Lord John's, parts of Sir James Graham's, and parts of
+Viscount Palmerston's. No mention of course was made in Cabinet of Sir
+James Graham having made any suggestion.
+
+When all the other members had left the room Mr Gladstone requested
+Viscount Palmerston to submit to your Majesty that he could no longer
+continue to carry on the business of his Department.[26] His opinion
+strongly was that action and not a Resolution was required, that
+one of three courses ought to be pursued: either that the Paper Duty
+Repeal Bill should again be sent up to the Lords; or that a Bill
+should be sent up for suspending the Paper Duties for a year; or that
+a Bill should be sent up reducing those duties gradually year by year;
+or fourthly that with the Repeal of the Paper Duties should be coupled
+the imposition of Spirit Duties. Viscount Palmerston said he really
+could not undertake the communication which Mr Gladstone wished to
+be submitted to your Majesty, and earnestly entreated Mr Gladstone to
+reconsider the matter; he urged in detail all the reasons which ought
+to dissuade such a step, and he thought that he had produced some
+impression on Mr Gladstone. It was agreed between them that Viscount
+Palmerston, instead of giving notice this afternoon of a Motion
+to-morrow, and laying the Resolution on the table this evening, should
+give notice this afternoon of a Motion for Thursday, and promise to
+lay the Resolution on the table to-morrow. This gives Mr Gladstone
+more time to think, and more room to turn round in. Mr Milner Gibson
+has no intention of going out, and has so told Mr Gladstone, strongly
+advising him to stay in; and Viscount Palmerston's impression is
+that Mr Gladstone, having failed to become master of the Cabinet by a
+threat of resignation, will in the end yield to the almost unanimous
+decision of his colleagues. The only person who supported Mr
+Gladstone's views, except Mr Milner Gibson, was the Duke of
+Argyll, who, however, like Mr Gibson, had no intention whatever of
+accompanying Mr Gladstone in resignation.[27]...
+
+    [Footnote 26: This is said to have been an incident of
+    frequent occurrence during the second administration of Lord
+    Palmerston.]
+
+    [Footnote 27: The Queen wrote to King Leopold: "As I told
+    you in my little note of Sunday, Lord John became _quite_
+    reasonable, and is very moderate about this affair; on the
+    other hand Mr Gladstone has threatened to resign--and it is
+    still uncertain if he will not persist in his intention. He is
+    terribly excited."]
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: PRIVILEGE RESOLUTIONS]
+
+
+_Viscount Palmerston to Queen Victoria._
+
+PICCADILLY, _6th July 1860_.
+
+Viscount Palmerston presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and
+begs to state that the House of Commons this night passed the three
+Privilege Resolutions after two divisions.[28]...
+
+The Debate which did not begin till half-past eight, after questions
+on the adjournment to Monday, was commenced by Mr Digby Seymour,
+Member for Southampton, who went into an elaborate discussion of the
+precedents mentioned in the appendix to the Report of the Committee,
+arguing against the right of the Lords. He attacked Viscount
+Palmerston's speech, and highly praised that of Mr Gladstone, who,
+he said, if he lost his place in the Cabinet in consequence of that
+speech would be rewarded by a Throne in the affections of the Nation.
+Mr Horsman then made a very able, eloquent, and remarkable speech,
+well worth reading....
+
+Mr Bright made an indignation speech in reply. He went over the same
+ground as the former speaker about the precedents, was astonished and
+shocked at Mr Horsman's speech, was displeased with the Resolutions,
+and with Viscount Palmerston's speech, was in admiration unbounded of
+Mr Gladstone, but all the time was so hoarse that his efforts to make
+himself heard gave to his utterance an appearance of passion even
+greater than that which he actually felt. After his speech the House
+began skirmishing as to the question of finishing the Debate or
+adjourning it, but the Resolutions were at last agreed to.
+
+    [Footnote 28: The Resolutions, which the Committee
+    recommended, and the House of Commons adopted, declared _inter
+    alia_ that the Commons had in their own hands the power "so to
+    impose and remit taxes, and frame bills of supply, that their
+    rights as to the matter, manner, measure, and time might be
+    maintained inviolate."]
+
+
+
+
+_The King of the Belgians to Queen Victoria._
+
+LAEKEN, _13th July 1860_.
+
+MY BELOVED VICTORIA,--... Bertie has then set out on his interesting
+journey,[29] which though not without fatigue will be full of
+information and satisfaction for his young mind. I am glad to hear
+that dear Albert went with him,[30] he can have no equal to his good
+and distinguished father for kindness, and a wise guidance of his
+young life....
+
+    [Footnote 29: In consequence of the loyal and patriotic
+    assistance rendered by Canada during the Crimean War, and the
+    expressed desire of the Canadians to be visited by the Queen
+    in person and to welcome one of her sons as Governor-General,
+    it was decided that the Prince of Wales should make a tour
+    there. During the course of the visit, which was made in
+    company with the Duke of Newcastle, the Prince opened the
+    magnificent bridge over the St Lawrence; he subsequently
+    availed himself of President Buchanan's invitation already
+    referred to (_ante_, p. 373), and was received with the
+    greatest enthusiasm at Washington. The Prince returned to
+    England in November.]
+
+    [Footnote 30: Referring to a previous letter, in which the
+    Queen had informed the King of the Belgians that Prince Albert
+    had accompanied the Prince of Wales as far as Plymouth.]
+
+
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._
+
+OSBORNE, _31st July 1860_.
+
+MY DEAREST UNCLE,--... I venture now to confide a _secret_ to
+you--the details of which you shall hear verbally from us when we
+have the happiness of seeing you in October. It is that _our_ surmises
+respecting Louis of Hesse[31] have turned out to be true, and that
+we have _reason_ to _hope_ that this _affair_ will be in due time
+realised. The feelings are very reciprocal on both sides, though
+nothing definitive will be settled till the young people meet again,
+probably later this Autumn (_but not in Germany_). Please do not say
+anything about it to any one. Your very great kindness and affection
+for our children has induced me to mention this to _you_, who moreover
+_saw the first dawning of these prospects_.
+
+Dear Mamma starts to-day for Edinburgh--sleeping to-night at York.
+With Albert's affectionate love, ever your devoted Niece,
+
+VICTORIA R.
+
+    [Footnote 31: Prince Louis of Hesse, afterwards Grand Duke
+    Louis IV.]
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: TRANQUILLITY OF INDIA]
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to Earl Canning._
+
+OSBORNE, _2nd August 1860_.
+
+The Queen thanks Lord Canning very much for a most interesting letter
+of the 30th of May, giving a most comprehensive and gratifying account
+of his progress through her Indian dominions, and of his reception
+of the different Princes and Chiefs. Such reception and such kind
+considerate treatment of them is, as Lord Canning knows, entirely
+in unison with the Queen's _own_ feelings, and both the Prince and
+herself have been peculiarly gratified at reading this account, and
+feel sure of the good effect it must have on these Princes, and on
+India in general.
+
+We have just seen Lord Clyde looking wonderfully well; he speaks in
+high terms of Lord Canning, and enthusiastically of dear Lady Canning.
+Alas! another most valuable public servant and friend of ours, Lord
+Elphinstone,[32] only returned to die! Lord Canning will grieve much
+no doubt to hear this.
+
+Both he and Lady Canning will have heard with interest of the birth
+of our second grandchild and first grand-daughter.[33] Nothing can go
+better than the Princess Royal does. Of the Prince of Wales's arrival
+in Canada we could not yet hear, but shall do so in a few days.
+
+This country and Europe continue to be in a state of alarms, or rather
+more profound distrust in, the conduct and purposes of our neighbour.
+Fortunately the feeling of Germany is so unanimous upon this subject,
+and the Emperor's attempt to produce disaffection or division there
+has so signally failed and produced so diametrically a contrary
+effect, and Belgium has shown such an enthusiastic spirit of loyalty
+only equal to the public spirit which this country has shown in the
+Volunteer movement, that it is to be hoped these sinister designs are
+checked for a time at least.
+
+With the Prince's kind remembrance to Lord Canning, the Queen
+concludes, hoping this letter will find him in good health, and Lady
+Canning safely returned from her expedition.
+
+    [Footnote 32: See _ante_, 25th January, 1859, note 8.]
+
+    [Footnote 33: The Princess Charlotte of Prussia, now
+    Hereditary Princess of Saxe-Meiningen, was born on the 24th of
+    July.]
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: VISIT TO SCOTLAND]
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._
+
+HOLYROOD, _7th August 1860_.
+
+MY DEAREST UNCLE,--I have _many_ excuses for sending a few hurried
+lines from here, instead of my usual letter, but I was much hurried
+yesterday; the separation from baby quite upset me, as she too cried
+very much--but she is consoled again.
+
+Many thanks for your dear letter of the 3rd, which I shall duly answer
+on Friday.
+
+We came down here by _night_ train, arriving at eight. We paid dear
+Mamma a visit at her really charming residence at Cramond,[34] quite
+near the sea, with beautiful trees, and very cheerful.
+
+And this afternoon she was present the whole time at the splendid
+Volunteer Review, which lasted from half-past three till near six,
+in the open carriage with me, and enjoyed it so much; and I was so
+_happy_ to have _her_ with me on this memorable occasion, having
+had _you_ with me on the previous occasion.[35] And it was
+magnificent--finer decidedly than in London--there were more (1,400
+more), and then the scenery here is so splendid! That fine mountain
+of Arthur's Seat, crowded with thousands and thousands to the very
+top--and the Scotch are very noisy and demonstrative in their loyalty.
+Lord Breadalbane, at the head of his Highlanders, was the picture of
+a Highland chieftain. The dust was quite fearful! At nine we leave for
+Balmoral. Ever your devoted Niece,
+
+VICTORIA R.
+
+    [Footnote 34: The Duchess of Kent was spending the summer at
+    Cramond House, near Edinburgh.]
+
+    [Footnote 35: The Review in Hyde Park, which took place on the
+    23rd of June.]
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: THE HIGHLANDS]
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._
+
+BALMORAL, _10th September 1860._
+
+MY BELOVED UNCLE,--I have no letter from you, but trust you are quite
+well. Here we have had a week of very fine weather, but since Saturday
+it has been extremely cold. We made a most delightful incognito
+expedition on Tuesday last, 4th, returning on Wednesday, 5th. We drove
+off from here quite early at eight, for twenty-one miles up to the
+_Geldie_, a small river--_rode_ from here on ponies across the hills
+to Glen Fishie, a beautiful spot, where the old Duchess of Bedford
+used to live in a sort of encampment of wooden huts--on to Loch Inch,
+a beautiful but not wild lake (another twenty miles), crossed the
+Spey in a ferry, and posted in very rough vehicles to Grantown, again
+twenty miles, coming in there at nine. We passed close by Kinrara
+where you used to be, but, unfortunately, not by the house. _No_ one
+knew us--anywhere or at the little inn. We went under the names of
+Lord and Lady Churchill, and Lady Churchill and General Grey who went
+with us, under the names of Miss Spencer and Dr Grey! Two maids
+_only_ went with us (whom we had sent round with our things), and
+_no_ servants but our two excellent Highlanders, viz. Albert's
+first stalker or head keeper, and _my own Highland servant_ and
+factotum--_both_ excellent, intelligent, devoted people. _Only_ when
+we had _left_ was it found out. We posted to Tomantoul, a wretched
+village--fourteen miles, _in four hours!!_ with a pair of wretched
+tired horses--over a big hilly road. At Tomantoul we again took our
+ponies and rode by Avon Side and Glen Avon, also very fine; back to
+Loch Bulig--eight miles from here--whence we returned home in our
+carriage. It was a _most delightful_ and enjoyable, as well as
+_beautiful_, expedition. I have been besides on many other ones for
+the day.
+
+In Italy I fear the state of affairs is very distressing--but really
+the miserable, weak, and foolish conduct of the King of Naples[36] and
+the squabbles of the whole family takes away all one's sympathy! We
+leave here alas! on Saturday, stop till Monday evening at Edinburgh to
+see Mamma, and go on that night straight to Osborne, where we expect
+to arrive on Tuesday for breakfast. With Albert's affectionate love,
+ever your devoted Niece,
+
+VICTORIA R.
+
+    [Footnote 36: King Francis had just fled from Naples to Gaeta,
+    and Garibaldi shortly afterwards arrived in Naples.]
+
+
+
+
+_Viscount Palmerston to Queen Victoria._
+
+BROADLANDS, _18th September 1860._
+
+Viscount Palmerston presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and will
+have the honour of waiting upon your Majesty at Osborne to-morrow.
+Your Majesty must naturally feel regret at shortening so much your
+Majesty's agreeable holiday in the Highlands, though the happiness of
+meeting the Princess Royal must amply make amends for it; but the
+fact is that of all the gifts which good fairies were in the habit
+of bestowing on their favourites, that which would have been the most
+desirable would have been the power which the Irishman ascribed to a
+bird, of being in two places at one and the same time.
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: AUSTRIAN PROPOSAL]
+
+
+_Viscount Palmerston to Queen Victoria._
+
+OSBORNE, _20th September 1860._
+
+Viscount Palmerston presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and
+submits the accompanying letters which he has received from Lord John
+Russell, together with Lord John's letter to him; and he certainly
+agrees with Lord John in thinking that a meeting at present between
+your Majesty and the Emperor of Austria, though in many
+respects likely to be useful, would on the whole be so liable
+to misconstruction, and would prove such a fertile source of
+misrepresentation, that it would be better to avoid it. Such a meeting
+would undoubtedly be useful to the Emperor of Austria, by reason of
+the good advice which he would receive from your Majesty, and from His
+Royal Highness the Prince Consort; but your Majesty will probably
+be able to find some other way of conveying to the Emperor counsel
+calculated to save him from some of the dangers by which he appears to
+be beset.
+
+
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to Lord John Russell._
+
+_21st September 1860._
+
+The Queen received these letters from Lord Palmerston, who likewise
+communicated to her Lord John Russell's letter, respecting the hint
+thrown out by Count Rechberg[37] of a meeting with the Emperor of
+Austria. The Queen agrees with Lord Palmerston, that while such an
+interview might for many reasons have been desirable, under present
+circumstances it might lead to much talk and to many rumours which
+might do harm, or at any rate give rise to useless conjectures. It
+would therefore be better to "nip this project in the bud" as Lord
+John suggests, but care should be taken to do this in such a manner as
+not to let it appear that there was any disinclination on the Queen's
+part to meet the Emperor of Austria.
+
+    [Footnote 37: In a letter to Mr Julian Fane, Count Rechberg,
+    the Austrian Foreign Minister, had said that he had desired to
+    bring about an interview between the Queen and the Emperor of
+    Austria, but that there would have been difficulties in the
+    way. Lord John Russell was of opinion that the idea should
+    be nipped in the bud, and in this Lord Palmerston fully
+    concurred.]
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: APPEAL FROM KING OF NAPLES]
+
+
+_The King of Naples to Queen Victoria._
+
+GAETA, _le 6 Octobre 1860._
+
+MADAME MA S[OE]UR,--Le memorandum qu'a la date d'aujourd'hui mon
+Gouvernement adresse a celui de votre Majeste, les protestations que
+dans ces derniers temps je lui ai fait parvenir donneront a votre
+Majeste une idee claire des conflits par lesquels j'ai passe, et de la
+situation ou je me trouve.
+
+A la sagacite de votre Majeste ne peut echapper la transcendance des
+evenements qui se passent dans le Royaume des Deux Siciles, et dans
+les Etats Pontificaux. J'etais, et je suis seul a lutter contre
+toutes les forces de la revolution Europeenne. Cette revolution s'est
+presentee avec un pouvoir que jamais on ne lui avait connu, armes,
+parcs d'artillerie, munitions, vaisseaux, rien ne lui a manque, pas
+meme les ports d'une puissance pour se recruter, et son drapeau pour
+la couvrir.
+
+Ces evenements etablissent un nouveau droit public, fonde sur la
+destruction des anciens traites et des principes reconnus du droit
+des gens. La cause que je defends seul a Naples n'est pas seulement ma
+propre cause; elle est la cause de tous les Souverains et de tous les
+Etats independants.
+
+La question qui se debat dans le Royaume des Deux Siciles, est une
+question de vie ou de mort pour d'autres Etats d'Europe.
+
+C'est a ce titre, et non par un interet personnel que j'ose m'adresser
+a la haute raison de votre Majeste, a Sa prevoyance et a Sa justice.
+
+La grande position qu'occupe votre Majeste dans le monde, Sa sagesse,
+les relations amicales qui ont toujours existe entre nos deux
+familles, et la bienveillance particuliere dont votre Majeste a daigne
+toujours m'honorer, me font esperer, que votre Majeste verra dans cet
+appel que je fais avec confiance a Sa politique et a Sa justice,
+une nouvelle preuve du respect que j'ai eu toujours pour Elle, de
+l'affection sincere, et des sentiments de haute consideration avec
+lesquels j'ai l'honneur d'etre, Madame ma S[oe]ur, de votre Majeste,
+le bon Frere,
+
+FRANCOIS.
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: TOUR OF PRINCE ALFRED]
+
+[Pageheading: SARDINIA AND NAPLES]
+
+
+_The King of the Belgians to Queen Victoria._
+
+LAEKEN, _2nd November 1860._
+
+MY BELOVED VICTORIA,--... Bertie's visit seems to have gone off most
+splendidly; its effects will be useful. The enemies of England always
+flatter themselves that mischief may come from that part of the world.
+To see, therefore, friendly feelings arise, instead of war, will
+disappoint them much. Alfred's appearance at the Cape[38] has also
+been a most wise measure. South Africa has a great future to expect,
+it is a pity it is so far and I too old to go there; the plants alone
+are already a great temptation. I should like very much to hear what
+came to your knowledge of the Warsaw meeting.[39] Prince Gortschakoff
+tried hard to make it believe that it would bring _Russia nearer to
+France_. If this was to be the result of the meeting it would be a
+very sad one indeed....
+
+The way in which the English Press misunderstands all these things is
+quite lamentable. The meeting of the Sovereigns had this time a better
+object than the oppression of the liberties of Nations; that this
+should not be seen by people who would be the first sufferers of
+the supremacy of a certain power is very lamentable, but they see
+everything only according to the colour of _their_ spectacles. _Le
+Flibustive_ movement at Naples is very shameful, but that poor King
+has been so calumniated that Garibaldi is the rage of the present
+moment; Colonel Walker[40] has been shot, and Garibaldi, who comes out
+of that self-same school, is divinised. But it is time I should end.
+With my best love to dear Albert, I remain ever, my beloved Victoria,
+your devoted old Uncle,
+
+LEOPOLD R.
+
+    [Footnote 38: Prince Alfred, who, some time before, had been
+    appointed to the _Euryalus_, in the course of the summer
+    visited South Africa. After making a tour through Kaffraria,
+    Natal, and the Orange Free State, he returned to Cape Town,
+    where, in September, he laid the foundation stone of the
+    breakwater in Table Bay. In a letter written by the Prince
+    Consort a few weeks earlier to Baron Stockmar, he remarks upon
+    the noteworthy coincidence that almost in the same week in
+    which the elder brother would open the great bridge across the
+    St Lawrence, the younger would lay the foundation stone of the
+    breakwater for the Cape Town Harbour. "What a cheering picture
+    is here," he wrote, "of the progress and expansion of the
+    British race, and of the useful co-operation of the Royal
+    Family in the civilisation which England has developed and
+    advanced" (_Life of the Prince Consort_, vol. v. p. 88).]
+
+    [Footnote 39: The Emperors of Russia and Austria, and the
+    Prince Regent of Prussia met at Warsaw on 20th October, and
+    held a conference which extended over several days.]
+
+    [Footnote 40: Walker, in the course of one of the Nicaraguan
+    revolutions, had seized the supreme power, and had been
+    recognised as President by the U.S. Government; he was
+    afterwards expelled, and, on venturing to return, was
+    arrested, and shot on the 25th of September 1860.]
+
+
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to Lord John Russell._
+
+WINDSOR CASTLE, _3rd November 1860._
+
+The Queen returns the enclosed draft,[41] which she is afraid is not
+likely to produce the beneficial results which Lord John seems to
+anticipate.
+
+The expression of our hope, that Rome and Venetia, from their Italian
+nationality, will soon share in the freedom and good government of
+the rest of Italy, can only be understood as a declaration on our part
+that we wish to see them share the annexation to Sardinia, after that
+of the Two Sicilies shall have been completed.
+
+The declaration at the end after the quotations of the former
+protests, vague as it is, viz. "That if other Powers interfere England
+would do as she pleases," means either nothing at all (for England
+is free to do as she pleases) or it means a threat of war, either
+an empty threat, or one intended to be followed up when the occasion
+arises. The first would hardly be dignified for a great Power like
+England, and as to the second, the Queen for one is not prepared to
+decide to go to war to ensure the success of the Italian Revolution.
+
+But is such a declaration at the present moment called for by anything
+that has happened? Another despatch has accepted as satisfactory the
+French explanation about the order given to the fleet before Gaeta,
+and Austria has renewed her assurances that she will not interfere;
+the only Power likely to continue to interfere and to produce
+war--Sardinia--is held to have an exceptional right to it, as an
+"Italian" Power.
+
+The Queen thinks this important despatch should not be laid before
+her again without its having received the deliberate consideration
+and assent of the whole Cabinet, and in case Lord John should bring it
+before them the Queen would wish him to communicate this letter also
+to them, as embodying her views on the subject.
+
+    [Footnote 41: This draft despatch, prepared in order to be
+    sent to all the Powers, expressed approval of the Italian
+    Revolution. It concluded: "Her Majesty's Government deem
+    it right to declare that if any other Power should attempt
+    forcible interference, Her Majesty's Government will hold
+    themselves free to act in such a manner as the rights of
+    nations, the independence of Italy, and the interests of
+    Europe may seem to them to require."]
+
+
+
+
+_Lord John Russell to Queen Victoria._
+
+PEMBROKE LODGE, _3rd November 1860._
+
+Lord John Russell presents his humble duty to your Majesty....
+
+With regard to the position of Great Britain, Lord John Russell
+is bound to advise that it shall not suffer by the change of
+circumstances.
+
+From 1815 to 1859 Austria ruled Italy. If Italians had reason to
+complain, England had nothing to fear from the use of Austrian
+influence against British interests.
+
+But if France were to sway the united Navies of Genoa and Naples, and
+Great Britain to look on from fear or apathy, or excessive love of
+peace, she might soon have to defend her possessions of Malta, Corfu,
+and Gibraltar.
+
+Austria would hardly attempt any new aggression on Italy, unless she
+were assisted by France.
+
+Italy as one Power would derive strength from the declaration of Great
+Britain, as a disinterested friend.
+
+A letter of Lord Cowley will show your Majesty the suspicions and
+doubts which exist as to French policy in Italy.[42] All these
+projects will be scattered to the winds by the word of the British
+Government.
+
+    [Footnote 42: Lord Cowley wrote that he had heard through
+    Count Metternich that the Emperor of the French would never
+    consent to the annexation of Naples to Piedmont, that he
+    wished the Pope to retain Umbria and the Marches, and that the
+    Romagna should be an independent State.]
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: REPLY TO KING OF NAPLES]
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to the King of Naples._
+
+WINDSOR CASTLE, _3rd November 1860._
+
+SIR, MY BROTHER,--The letter I have received from your Majesty, dated
+from Gaeta on the 6th of October, is altogether devoted to political
+considerations.
+
+These considerations have for a long time occupied the thoughts of
+my confidential advisers, and I have directed them to convey to my
+Ministers abroad such instructions as occasion appeared to me to
+require.
+
+I will therefore confine this letter to those topics which are not the
+immediate subjects of political controversy.
+
+Upon your Majesty's accession to the Throne I lost no time in assuring
+your Majesty of my sincere wishes for the prosperity of your reign,
+and the permanence of your dynasty.
+
+At the same time I was fully aware of the difficulties of the period
+at which your Majesty succeeded to the Crown. That these difficulties
+should not have been surmounted, and that they should now threaten to
+overwhelm the Monarchy, of which your Majesty is the heir, is to me a
+source of deep concern.
+
+It only remains that I should ask your Majesty to express to the
+Queen my sincere sympathy in her misfortunes. I avail myself of this
+opportunity to renew to your Majesty the assurance of the invariable
+friendship and high consideration with which I am, Sir, my Brother,
+your Majesty's good Sister,
+
+VICTORIA R.
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: RETURN OF PRINCE ALFRED]
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._
+
+WINDSOR CASTLE, _13th November 1860_.
+
+MY BELOVED UNCLE,--... Here we have the happiness of having our dear
+Alfred back since the 9th, who gives _very_ interesting accounts of
+his expedition, and has brought back _many_ most interesting trophies,
+splendid horns of _all_ those wonderful animals, photographs, etc. He
+_is_ grown, though very _short_ for his age, but I think less so than
+his brother at the same age. Major Cowell[43] gives an _excellent_
+report of him in _every way_, which, as you will readily believe,
+makes us _very_ happy. He is really such a dear, gifted, handsome
+child, that it makes one doubly anxious he should have as few failings
+as mortal men can have. Our poor Bertie is still on the Atlantic,
+detained by very contrary winds, which those large vessels with only
+an auxiliary screw and only eight days' coal cannot make any way
+against. Two powerful steamers have now gone out to look for him and
+bring him in....
+
+With Albert's affectionate love, ever your devoted Niece,
+
+VICTORIA R.
+
+    [Footnote 43: Major (afterwards Sir John) Cowell was appointed
+    as Tutor to Prince Alfred in 1856. He was then a Lieutenant
+    of Engineers, and had been Adjutant to Sir Harry Jones at
+    Bomarsund and before Sebastopol.]
+
+
+
+
+_Viscount Palmerston to Queen Victoria._
+
+PICCADILLY, _22nd November 1860_.
+
+Viscount Palmerston presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and begs
+to submit that, as it appears from a despatch from Lord Cowley
+that the commercial negotiations at Paris have been brought to a
+conclusion, and that Mr Cobden has left Paris, the time has come
+for your Majesty to consider what substantial mark of your Majesty's
+approval your Majesty would be pleased to confer upon Mr Cobden.
+Mr Cobden has now for about twelve months been laboriously employed
+without salary or emolument in negotiating the complicated details of
+commercial arrangements between England and France, which cannot
+fail to tend to the material advantage of both countries, but more
+especially to the increased development of the industry and commerce
+of your Majesty's subjects. It would be an ungracious proceeding to
+leave the services of Mr Cobden with no other acknowledgment than
+the praises contained in a Foreign Office despatch, and Viscount
+Palmerston therefore with the concurrence of Lord John Russell would
+beg to submit for the gracious approval of your Majesty that Mr Cobden
+might be offered his choice of being created a Knight Grand Cross
+of the Civil Order of the Bath, or of being made a Member of your
+Majesty's Privy Council.
+
+(_Note, in Queen's hand._--Was agreed to offer him either to be made a
+P.C., or a Baronet.)[44]
+
+    [Footnote 44: Mr Cobden declined both the Honours.]
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: THE EMPRESS OF AUSTRIA]
+
+
+_The King of the Belgians to Queen Victoria._
+
+LAEKEN, _22nd November 1860_.
+
+MY BELOVED VICTORIA,--I have to thank you for a most kind letter
+of the 20th. I hope you will see the young and very nice Empress of
+Austria,[45] perhaps you made a little excursion to Plymouth. I had,
+and have still, some cold, and therefore I was apprehensive of waiting
+at the station on the 20th in the evening; I sent Marie and Philip
+to receive the Empress. Yesterday before daybreak I went myself to
+Antwerp. I first paid the Empress a visit, and then I took her to your
+beautiful ship. She was much struck with it, and it was _very kind_
+of you, and indeed, for an invalid, invaluable. It will show,
+besides, that even beyond Garibaldi, and that amiable, disinterested
+_Annex_ander, you can feel some interest. I saw the Empress already
+dressed for her departure, but I think there is something very
+peculiar about her, which is very pleasing. Poor soul, to see her go
+away under, I fear, not very safe circumstances, as she coughs a great
+deal, quite grieves one; though it certainly increased my stupid cold,
+still I should have been sorry not to have assisted at her going to
+sea. It was a beautiful day, but this night it has begun to blow from
+the West-south-west, which I fear will create a sea to the Westward.
+
+That you had your sons about you must have been a great satisfaction
+to you. Bertie got well through his truly tremendous tour. I think
+that the effect on the Americans will last for some time. That the
+poor Duke of Newcastle got home without accident is surprising. Affy
+has something most winning, and is a dear little rogue. Eugenie's
+expedition[46] is most astonishing. She also coughs much, and I never
+heard Scotland recommended for Winter excursions. I believe that the
+death of her sister affected her a good deal. She seems to have been a
+good deal _choquee_ that she had been dancing in Africa when that poor
+sister was dying. Next to this, there seems a difference of opinion
+with her master on the subject of the Pope. You will recollect that
+at the time of his elections the clergy rendered him undoubted good
+service; I even doubt that he would have been elected without their
+aid. Now he puts the axe to the root of the whole Catholic Church
+by destroying the Pope, and he does this _without the slightest
+provocation_, and for the benefit of the revolution _et des
+revolutionnaires_....
+
+I remain ever, my beloved Victoria, your devoted Uncle,
+
+LEOPOLD R.
+
+    [Footnote 45: The Empress Elizabeth was on her way to Madeira,
+    in a ship placed at her disposal by the Queen.]
+
+    [Footnote 46: The Empress of the French was making a tour in
+    England and Scotland for the benefit of her health; she
+    had sustained a bereavement by the death of her sister, the
+    Duchess of Alba.]
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: BETROTHAL OF PRINCESS ALICE]
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._
+
+WINDSOR CASTLE, _1st December 1860_.
+
+DEAREST UNCLE,--I hasten to announce to you that yesterday our dear
+young couple here were engaged, and that we _are all_ very happy.[47]
+Louis was spoken to yesterday on our return from Aldershot by
+Albert,--who told him he would have an opportunity of speaking to
+Alice--and this opportunity he took last night after dinner when
+he was standing alone with her at the fire, and every one else was
+occupied in talking. They whispered it to me, and then, after we left
+the drawing-room, we sent for good Louis--and the young people met and
+confirmed in a very touching manner _what_ they had merely been able
+to whisper to one another before. He was very much overcome. He is
+a dear, good, amiable, high-principled young man--who I am sure will
+make our dearest Alice _very_ happy, and she will, I am sure, be a
+most devoted loving wife to him. She is _very, very_ happy, and it is
+a pleasure to see their young, happy faces beaming with love for
+one another. Alice is so extremely reasonable and quiet. She wishes
+everything kind and affectionate to be said to you, and _hopes_ for
+your _blessing!_ I am very, very happy, so are we both, but I am still
+a good deal agitated and flurried by the whole event.
+
+On Tuesday the Empress arrives, but only to luncheon. I must end now
+in haste. Ever your devoted Niece,
+
+VICTORIA R.
+
+Pray tell it to good Philip, and also to Leopold and Marie.
+
+    [Footnote 47: See _ante_, 31st July, 1860, and note 31.]
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: THE SEE OF WORCESTER]
+
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to Viscount Palmerston._
+
+WINDSOR CASTLE, _1st December 1860_.
+
+The Queen has received Lord Palmerston's second letter respecting the
+Bishopric of Worcester,[48] just as she was going to answer the first.
+While not objecting to the nomination of Mr Bayley,[49] she wanted to
+point out the importance of, at a future vacancy, not to confine the
+selection to respectable parish priests, but to bear in mind that the
+Bench of Bishops should not be left devoid of some University men of
+acknowledged standing and theological learning; it would be seriously
+weakened if, in controversies on points of doctrine agitating the
+Church, no value were attached to the opinions at least of some
+of those who are to govern her. Lord Palmerston may now have an
+opportunity of selecting a stronger man of Liberal views from
+Cambridge.
+
+    [Footnote 48: Bishop Henry Pepys had died in November, and was
+    succeeded in the following January by Canon Henry Philpott of
+    Norwich, Master of St Catharine's College, Cambridge.]
+
+    [Footnote 49: Probably the Rev. Emilius Bayley, Rector of St
+    George's, Bloomsbury; now the Rev. Sir Emilius Laurie.]
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: EPISCOPAL APPOINTMENTS]
+
+
+_Viscount Palmerston to Queen Victoria._
+
+PICCADILLY, _2nd December 1860_.
+
+Viscount Palmerston presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and
+very sincerely congratulates your Majesty upon the arrangement of
+a marriage which bids so fair to secure for Her Royal Highness the
+Princess Alice that happiness to which her amiable and estimable
+qualities so justly entitle her.
+
+With respect to bishops, Viscount Palmerston would beg to submit that
+the bishops are in the Church what generals of districts are in the
+Army: their chief duties consist in watching over the clergy of their
+diocese, seeing that they perform properly their parochial duties, and
+preserving harmony between the clergy and the laity, and softening
+the asperities between the Established Church and the Dissenters. For
+these purposes it is desirable that a bishop should have practical
+knowledge of parochial functions, and should not be of an overbearing
+and intolerant temperament. His diocesan duties are enough to occupy
+all his time, and the less he engages in theological disputes the
+better. Much mischief has been done by theological bishops, and if the
+Bench were filled with men like the Bishops of Oxford and Exeter there
+would be no religious peace in the land. Nor have men chosen merely
+for their learning succeeded better; Thirlwall, Bishop of St David's,
+and Blomfield, the late Bishop of London, were chosen on account of
+their learning; the former is acknowledged to be inefficient, the
+latter greatly mismanaged his diocese. The theological learning of
+the Bishop of Exeter[50] has caused much mischief to the Established
+Church. Viscount Palmerston would also beg to submit that the
+intolerant maxims of the High Church bishops have exasperated the
+Dissenters who form a large portion of the nation, and have given
+offence to many good Churchmen. The Bishop of Exeter, the late Bishop
+of Carlisle,[51] and the late Bishop of Rochester,[52] the two latter
+individuals kind-hearted and good-natured men, refused to consecrate
+burial grounds unless a wall of separation divided the portion
+allotted to Churchmen from the portion allotted to Dissenters--a
+demand which gave offence to both communities. Viscount Palmerston
+would beg to submit that several of the bishops whom he has had the
+honour of recommending to your Majesty had distinguished themselves by
+their classical and academical attainments, and he may mention in this
+respect the names of Baring, Longley, Tait, Wigram, and Waldegrave.
+Viscount Palmerston can assure your Majesty that although his
+selection of bishops has been much found fault with by the High
+Church, Puseyite, and semi-Catholic Party, they have given great
+satisfaction to the nation at large, and Viscount Palmerston has
+received communications to that effect, verbal and written, from
+persons of all classes, and political parties in all parts of the
+country. The people of this country are essentially Protestant, they
+feel the deepest aversion to Catholicism, and they see that the High
+Church, Tractarian, and Puseyite doctrines lead men to the Church of
+Rome. The disgraceful scenes last year at St George's in the East[53]
+were only an exaggerated outburst of a very general and deeply-rooted
+feeling. Viscount Palmerston believes that the clergy of the
+Established Church were never more exemplary in the performance of
+their duties, more respected by the Laity and, generally speaking, on
+better terms with the Nonconformist body than at the present time.
+
+    [Footnote 50: Henry Phillpotts, who was Bishop from 1830 to
+    1869.]
+
+    [Footnote 51: The Hon. Henry Montagu Villiers, who was
+    transferred to Durham.]
+
+    [Footnote 52: George Murray, who had died in the previous
+    February.]
+
+    [Footnote 53: For a considerable period, during 1859,
+    discreditable scenes of brawling took place at this Church as
+    a protest against the High Church practices of the Rector, the
+    Rev. Bryan King.]
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: AFFAIRS OF NAPLES]
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._
+
+WINDSOR CASTLE, _4th December 1860_.
+
+MY BELOVED UNCLE,--I have to thank you for another dear letter of
+the 29th. I trust that you have received both mine now. We expect the
+Empress at half-past one, and I will certainly give her your message.
+She is very amiable, and one must like her. There seems to be no
+doubt that there were many scenes, partly about the Pope, and also on
+account of her sister's funeral; she was so angry with Fould about it
+that she insisted on his dismissal.[54] Then the Priests are said to
+try and work upon her, and say that her son will die if the Emperor
+continues _dans cette voie_ against the Pope.
+
+We saw Mr Elliot[55] from Naples yesterday, who has always been very
+fair. He says that _if_, when the King came to the Throne, he had
+_only_ insisted on the laws of the country being properly carried
+out, _no_ reforms or change in the Constitution would have been
+necessary--but from the want of energy, and also no strength of
+intellect and great indecision of character of the poor King, as well
+as an unfortunate _Pietaet_ for the memory of his father, nothing right
+was done; bad counsellors surrounded him, the Queen Mother had a bad
+influence, and finally everything was given up as lost--when it might
+yet have been prevented. They dislike extremely being annexed, but
+prefer it to having back the former state of things.
+
+We have since ten or twelve days almost incessant rain, so that we
+shall soon be on an island. This is the more distressing as we can't
+go to Osborne at present--there being a sort of epidemic fever which
+the doctors declare is in the air and that it would be running too
+great a risk if we went. But we have perpetual sunshine in the house
+when we look at our dear young lovers, who are _so_ happy, so devoted
+to each other, that it does one good to see it; he is so modest and
+unassuming that we feel as if he was one of our own children; and he
+is _so_ good and amiable, has such an open honest character, such
+a warm heart, such high principles, and is withal so merry and
+_aufgeweckt_ that I feel we have _gained_ a son and shall _not_ lose a
+daughter--for we shall be able to have them a good deal with us, Louis
+not having any duties to detain him much at home at present. I can't
+say what happiness and comfort it is to me. I feel my dear child
+will first of all have a peaceful, quiet, happy home, without
+difficulties--and secondly, that she will not be entirely cut off from
+us and monopolised as our poor Vicky is.
+
+I add a few lines since we have seen the Empress. She came at
+half-past one, and stayed till a little after three. She looked very
+pretty, but very sad--and in speaking of her health and of her return
+from Algiers began to cry. She seems to be much better, however, for
+her journey; before she could neither eat nor sleep, nor would she
+take notice of anything. She never mentioned the Emperor but once when
+she offered his compliments, and there was not the slightest allusion
+to politics. It is altogether very strange. She remains another week
+in England, and then goes back as she came. I gave her your message,
+and she enquired after you. Ever your devoted Niece,
+
+VICTORIA R.
+
+    [Footnote 54: See _ante_, 15th May, 1859, note 38.]
+
+    [Footnote 55: See _ante_, 17th July, 1859, note 62.]
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: VISIT OF THE EMPRESS EUGENIE]
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._
+
+_Windsor Castle, 11th December 1860_.
+
+MY BELOVED UNCLE,--I have to thank you for two _most_ kind letters
+of the 4th and 7th. Your kind interest in our dear child's
+happiness--your approval of this marriage of our dear Alice, which,
+I cannot deny, has been for _long_ an ardent wish of mine, and just
+therefore I feared _so_ much it _never_ would come to pass, gives
+us the greatest pleasure. _Now_--that _all_ has been so _happily_
+settled, and that I find the young man so very charming--my joy, and
+my _deep_ gratitude to God are very great! He is so loveable, so
+very _young_, and like one of our own children--not the _least in
+the way_--but a dear, pleasant, _bright_ companion, full of fun and
+spirits, and I am _sure_ will be a _great_ comfort to us, besides
+being an excellent husband to our dear, good Alice, who, though
+radiant with joy and much in love (which well she may be), is as quiet
+and sensible as possible.
+
+The Empress is still here, and enjoys her liberty of _all_ things. We
+went to town for the Smithfield Cattle Show yesterday, and visited her
+at Claridge's Hotel. She very civilly wanted us to avoid the trouble,
+but we felt that it would not be civil if we did not, and that
+hereafter even the French might say that she had not been treated with
+due respect. She looked very pretty, and was in very good spirits, but
+again carefully avoided any allusion to her husband and to politics,
+though she talked a great deal about all she was seeing!...
+
+I must now wish you good-bye. Ever your devoted Niece,
+
+VICTORIA R.
+
+
+
+
+INTRODUCTORY NOTE
+
+TO CHAPTER XXX
+
+
+Early in 1861--a year destined to close in sorrow and
+desolation--Queen Victoria experienced a heavy grief in the death of
+her mother, the Duchess of Kent, at the age of seventy-four.
+
+In January, fresh overtures were made to Lord Palmerston by the
+Conservative leaders, with a view of supporting him in office against
+the dissentients in his Ministry, especially Lord John Russell and Mr
+Gladstone, whose views on the questions of Reform and National Defence
+respectively were opposed to those of the Premier. Lord Palmerston was
+indifferent to the support of Mr Gladstone; but a unity of view on
+the Italian policy of the Government held the three Liberal statesmen
+together.
+
+The attack on the Paper Duties was repeated by Mr Gladstone, who, on
+this occasion, combined all his fiscal proposals in a single Bill. The
+measure, after strong opposition, passed the Commons by a majority of
+fifteen, and the Peers subsequently accepted the Budget, which took a
+penny off the income tax, while maintaining the existing tea and sugar
+Duties. In July, Lord John Russell, who had entered Parliament in
+1813, before he came of age and had been leader of the House of
+Commons at the time of the Queen's accession, was transferred to the
+House of Lords. In August, the Queen and the Prince Consort, with the
+Prince of Wales and Prince Alfred, paid a third visit to Ireland.
+
+The affairs of Italy still continued to attract public attention.
+At the end of 1860, the French fleet had been despatched to Gaeta
+to protect the interests of King Francis; this protection, given
+in violation of the principle of non-intervention, was withdrawn in
+January, and the garrison surrendered to the Piedmontese Admiral. On
+the 18th of February, the new Parliament of Italy met at Turin, the
+debates emphasising the vital necessity of including both Rome and
+Venetia in a united nation; Victor Emmanuel was declared King of
+Italy, a title promptly recognised by Great Britain; but in June, to
+the profound grief of the Italian nation, Cavour, its Prime Minister,
+and the mainspring of the Piedmontese policy, died while still in the
+prime of life.
+
+King Frederick William of Prussia had died in January, and was
+succeeded by his brother, William I., Prince of Prussia, who was
+crowned with Queen Augusta, at Koenigsberg, on the 18th of October,
+Lord Clarendon attending as British representative. In the following
+month, King Pedro of Portugal, son and successor of Donna Maria, and
+his brother Ferdinand, died of typhoid fever; another brother, Prince
+John, succumbed to the same malady before the close of the year.
+
+Events of great importance took place in North America, where the
+secession of South Carolina was followed by that of other Southern
+States. The delegates of the latter assembled in February at
+Montgomery, Alabama, and nominated Jefferson Davis as their President,
+Abraham Lincoln having been previously elected as the new President
+of the United States. The first shot had been fired, on the 9th of
+January, in Charleston Harbour, where a Secessionist battery opened
+its guns on a vessel sent by the Federal Government to reinforce Fort
+Sumter. In April, the Confederate troops attacked the Fort, which
+was compelled to surrender, whereupon President Lincoln issued a
+proclamation calling for 75,000 volunteers; President Davis replied
+by issuing (in default of an official fleet) letters of marque to
+privately owned vessels, and Lincoln declared the Southern ports in
+a state of blockade. In May, Lord John Russell announced that the
+British Government would recognise the South as a belligerent power,
+and a proclamation of neutrality was issued. At Bull Run, on the
+21st of July, the Federals were defeated, and fled in confusion to
+Washington. Hostilities continued during the year, and Great Britain
+was nearly involved in war, by the seizure, on the 8th of November, by
+the captain of a Federal vessel, the _San Jacinto_, of Messrs Slidell
+and Mason, the envoys accredited by the Confederate States to Great
+Britain and France. This high-handed action was taken while the envoys
+in question were passengers to Europe, by the British mail steamer
+_Trent_, between Havana and St Thomas, and the public mind of Great
+Britain was greatly excited in consequence; but eventually the envoys
+were transferred to a British ship-of-war, and arrived in Great
+Britain, not, however, until in view of a threatened aggression on
+British North America, troops had been despatched from England to
+strengthen the Canadian garrisons on the frontier. The despatch
+of Lord Russell to the American Government, which led to a pacific
+result, had been revised by Prince Albert, in the direction of leaving
+open to that Government an honourable retreat from the aggressive
+attitude they had taken up; the Prince's action in this respect, the
+beneficial effect of which it would be difficult to exaggerate,
+was destined to be the last of a long series of political services
+rendered to this country.
+
+It had become apparent in the autumn that Prince Albert's normal
+health was impaired, and in November he began to suffer from
+persistent insomnia; towards the end of the month the fever originated
+which was to prove fatal to him. He suffered at first from rheumatic
+pains and constant weakness, until, early in December, what was
+thought to be influenza developed, and the Prince was confined to
+his room. By the 11th his condition, though not hopeless, had become
+grave, and the serious nature of the illness was made public; and,
+although on the 12th the Queen could write hopefully to King Leopold,
+the malady continued to increase. On the evening of the 13th, a rally
+took place, and encouraging reports were brought hourly to the Queen
+through the night; but congestion of the lungs supervened on the
+following day, in the closing hours of which, to the inexpressible
+grief both of the Queen and her subjects, the Prince passed peacefully
+away. The letters of the Queen to King Leopold and Lord Canning
+express, in language to which nothing can be added, the intensity of
+her grief, and, no less, the noble and unselfish courage with which
+she resolved to devote her life to her children and country.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXX
+
+1861
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: CONSERVATIVE OVERTURES]
+
+
+_Viscount Palmerston to Queen Victoria._
+
+BROADLANDS, _1st January 1861_.
+
+VISCOUNT PALMERSTON presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and begs
+to be allowed to wish your Majesty and His Royal Highness the Prince
+Consort many prosperous returns of New Year's Day, with increasing
+happiness to your Majesty and the Royal Family, and progressive
+advantage to the Nation who have the good fortune to have your Majesty
+for their Sovereign; and to adopt the language of Pope, he would say,
+
+  "May day improve on day, and year on year,
+  Without a pain, a trouble, or a fear."
+
+This Autumn and Winter, however, have been productive of events in
+three of the four quarters of the Globe, which future years are not
+likely to repeat. The capture of Pekin in Asia by British and French
+troops; the Union in Europe of nearly the whole of Italy into one
+Monarchy; and the approaching and virtually accomplished Dissolution
+in America of the great Northern Confederation, are events full
+of importance for the future, as well as being remarkable in time
+present.
+
+Viscount Palmerston submits two letters which your Majesty may feel an
+interest in seeing. With regard to that from Lord John Russell stating
+a half-formed wish to go to the House of Lords, Viscount Palmerston
+does not expect that the desire will be repeated when the Session
+begins, although Lord John said last year that he felt attendance in
+the House of Commons in addition to the labour of his office, more
+than he could well get through. He would be a loss to Viscount
+Palmerston in the House of Commons, especially after the removal of Mr
+Sidney Herbert to the House of Lords;[1] and speaking confidentially
+to your Majesty with regard to the future, Viscount Palmerston would
+think himself doing better service by recommending the House of Lords
+for Mr Gladstone, than for Lord John Russell.
+
+Mr Herbert will take the title of Lord Herbert of Lea, the title of
+Herbert being that borne by his elder brother during the life of the
+late Lord Pembroke.
+
+The other letter from Lord Malmesbury relates to a communication
+which he made to Viscount Palmerston last year from Lord Derby and Mr
+Disraeli at the beginning of the Session, to the effect that, if
+the Government were then to break up from internal dissensions, the
+Conservative Party would support during the then ensuing Session any
+administration which Viscount Palmerston might be able provisionally
+to make, to carry through the business of the Session.[2] Viscount
+Palmerston is not aware of any circumstances which can have led to the
+expectation that the present administration is likely to be broken up
+by internal divisions in the course of this next Session. There are
+no questions ahead so likely to produce discord as the Reform Bill of
+last year, and the differences between the two Houses about the Paper
+Duties, about which it was very difficult to prevent Lord John and Mr
+Gladstone from flying off, or the Fortification Question, upon which
+Mr Gladstone announced to his colleagues, nearly a dozen times, that
+he was firmly resolved to resign. Viscount Palmerston has asked Lord
+Malmesbury to come over to him to Broadlands at any time before the
+21st or 22nd of this month, which is the probable time at which the
+Cabinet will have to meet in London.
+
+Viscount Palmerston finds he has not got Lord John Russell's letter
+at hand, but the only thing of any interest in it was the intimation
+which Viscount Palmerston quoted.
+
+    [Footnote 1: Mr Herbert had been latterly in bad health, and
+    resigned office in the summer. He died on the 2nd of August.]
+
+    [Footnote 2: In his memoirs, Lord Malmesbury describes an
+    interview with Lord and Lady Palmerston on the 1st of June
+    1860, apparently the one at which this communication was made.
+    "It is evident," he writes, "he [Lord Palmerston] does not
+    wish to lose Lord John, though he would be very glad if
+    Gladstone resigned."]
+
+
+
+
+_The Emperor of the French to Queen Victoria._
+
+PARIS, _le 31 Decembre 1860_.
+
+MADAME ET TRES CHERE S[OE]UR,--Je ne veux pas laisser cette annee
+s'ecouler sans venir porter a votre Majeste l'expression de mes
+souhaits pour son bonheur et celui du Prince et de sa famille.
+J'espere que l'annee qui va commencer sera heureuse pour nos deux
+nations, et qu'elle verra encore nos liens se resserrer. L'Europe est
+bien agitee, mais tant que l'Angleterre et la France s'entendent, le
+mal pourra se localiser.
+
+Je felicite votre Majeste du succes que nos deux armees ont obtenu
+en Chine; laissons toujours nos etendards unis; car Dieu semble les
+proteger.
+
+J'ai bien envie l'Imperatrice qui a pu vous faire une visite et revoir
+votre charmante famille: elle en a ete bien heureuse.
+
+Je saisis avec empressement cette occasion de renouveler a votre
+Majeste les sentiments de haute estime et de sincere amitie avec
+lesquels je suis, de votre Majeste le bon Frere,
+
+NAPOLEON.
+
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: DEATH OF KING OF PRUSSIA]
+
+
+_The Princess Royal to Queen Victoria and the Prince Albert._
+
+POTSDAM, _2nd January 1861_.
+
+BELOVED PARENTS,--At last I can find a moment for myself to sit down
+and collect my thoughts and to write to you an account of these two
+last dreadful days! My head is in such a state, I do not know where
+I am hardly--whether I am in a dream or awake, what is yesterday and
+what to-day! What we have so long expected is come at last! All the
+confusion, bustle, excitement, noise, etc., is all swallowed up in
+that one thought for me--I have seen death for the first time! It has
+made an impression upon me that I shall never, never forget as long
+as I live--and I feel so ill, so confused and upset by all that I have
+gone through in the last forty-eight hours, that you must forgive
+me if I write incoherently and unclearly. But to go back to Monday
+evening (it seems to me a year now). At a quarter to eight in the
+evening of Monday the 31st, I took dear darling Affie to the railway
+station, and took leave of him with a heavy heart. You know I love
+that dear boy distractedly, and that nothing could have given me more
+pleasure than his dear, long-wished-for visit. At nine o'clock Fritz
+and I went to tea at the Prince Regent's; we four were alone together.
+The Princess was rather low and unwell, the Prince low-spirited, and
+I thinking of nothing but Affie and of how dear he is. While we were
+sitting at tea we received bad news from Sans Souci,[3] but nothing
+to make us particularly uneasy. Fritz and I went home and to bed, not
+being in a humour to sit up till twelve.
+
+About half-past one we heard a knock at the door and my wardrobe maid
+brought in a telegram saying the King was given up, and a note from
+the Prince Regent saying he was going up immediately. We got up in the
+greatest hurry and dressed--I hardly know how; I put on just what
+I found, and had not time to do my hair or anything. After we had
+hurried on our clothes we went downstairs and out--for there was no
+time to get a carriage or a footman or anything--it was a splendid
+night, but twelve degrees of cold (Reaumur). I thought I was in a
+dream finding myself alone in the street with Fritz at two o'clock
+at night. We went to the Prince Regent's, and then with them in their
+carriages to the railway station--we four all alone in the train. We
+arrived at Sans Souci and went directly into the room where the King
+lay--the stillness of death was in the room--only the light of the
+fire and of a dim lamp. We approached the bed and stood there at the
+foot of it, not daring to look at one another or to say a word. The
+Queen was sitting in an armchair at the head of the bed, her arm
+underneath the King's head, and her head on the same pillow on which
+he lay; with her other hand she continually wiped the perspiration
+from his forehead. You might have heard a pin drop; no sound was heard
+but the crackling of the fire and the _death-rattle_, that dreadful
+sound which goes to one's heart, and which tells plainly that life is
+ebbing. This rattling in the throat lasted about an hour longer, and
+then the King lay motionless. The doctors bent their heads low to hear
+whether he still breathed--and we stood, not even daring to sit down,
+watching the death-struggle; every now and then the King breathed very
+fast and loud, but never unclosed his eyes; he was very red in the
+face, and the cold perspiration pouring from his forehead. I never
+spent such an awful time! And to see the poor Queen sitting there
+quite rent my heart--three, four, five, six, seven struck, and we were
+still standing there--one member of the family came in after the other
+and remained motionless in the room, sobs only breaking the silence.
+Oh! it is dreadful to see a person die! All the thoughts and feelings
+that crowded on my mind in those hours I cannot describe, more than in
+my whole past lifetime. The light of the morning dawned, and the lamps
+were taken away--oh, how sad for the first morning in the year! We
+all went into the next room, for I assure you, anxiety, watching,
+standing, and crying had worn us out. The Princess fell asleep on a
+chair, I on a sofa, and the rest walked up and down the room asking
+one another, How long will it last? Towards the middle of the day,
+Marianne and I went into the room alone, as we wished to stay there;
+we came up and kissed the Queen's hand and knelt down and kissed the
+King's; it was quite warm still. We stood about and waited till five
+o'clock and then had some dinner, and I felt so sick and faint and
+unwell, that Fritz sent me here to bed. At one o'clock this morning I
+got up and dressed, and heard that the King had not many minutes more
+to live, but by the time I had got the carriage I heard all was over.
+I drove to Sans Souci and saw the King and Queen. May God bless and
+preserve them, and may theirs be a long and happy and blessed reign.
+Then I went into the room where the King lay, and I could hardly bring
+myself to go away again. There was so much of comfort in looking
+at that quiet, peaceful form, at rest at last after all he had
+suffered--gone home at last from this world of suffering--so peaceful
+and quiet he looked, like a sleeping child. Every moment I expected to
+see him move or breathe--his mouth and eyes closed, and such a sweet
+and happy expression--both his hands were on the coverlid. I kissed
+them both for the last time; they were quite cold then. Fritz and I
+stood looking at him for some time. I could hardly bring myself
+to believe that this was really death, that which I had so often
+shuddered at and felt afraid of; there was nothing there dreadful or
+appalling, only a heavenly calm and peace. I felt it did me so much
+good, and was such a comfort. "Death, where is thy sting? Grave,
+where is thy victory?" He was a just and good man, and had a heart
+overflowing with love and kindness, and he has gone to his rest after
+a long trial which he bore with so much patience. I am not afraid of
+death now, and when I feel inclined to be so, I shall think of that
+solemn and comforting sight, and that death is only a change for the
+better. We went home and to bed and this morning went there at ten.
+I sat some time with the poor Queen, who is so calm and resigned and
+touching in her grief. She does not cry, but she looks heartbroken.
+She said to me: "I am not longer of any use in this world. I have no
+longer any vocation, any duties to perform. I only lived for him."
+Then she was so kind to me, kinder than she has ever been yet, and
+said I was like her own child and a comfort to her. I saw the corpse
+again this morning; he is unaltered, only changed in colour, and the
+hands are stiffened.
+
+The funeral will be on Saturday; the King will lie in state till then.
+His wish was to be buried in Friedenskirche before the altar--and his
+heart at Charlottenburg in the Mausoleum. Of course all will be done
+that he wishes. His servants are in a dreadful state. They adored him,
+and nursed him day and night for three years with the most devoted
+attachment. The King and Queen stay at Sans Souci till after the
+funeral, and Fritz and I here at Potsdam.... Ever your most dutiful
+and devoted Daughter,
+
+VICTORIA.
+
+_P.S._--The funeral will only take place on Monday, and the body will
+be embalmed to-morrow. To-morrow evening there will be prayers at the
+bedside, and the day after the lying in state.
+
+    [Footnote 3: The palace at Potsdam, built by Frederick the
+    Great, the usual residence of the King of Prussia.]
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: LETTER TO THE EMPEROR NAPOLEON]
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to the Emperor of the French._
+
+OSBORNE, _le 3 Janvier 1861_.
+
+SIRE ET CHER FRERE,--Les bons v[oe]ux que votre Majeste veut bien
+m'exprimer a l'occasion de la nouvelle annee me sont bien chers, et
+je vous prie d'en accepter mes remerciments sinceres, ainsi que
+l'expression des v[oe]ux que je forme pour le bonheur de votre
+Majeste, de l'Imperatrice et de votre cher enfant; le Prince se joint
+a moi dans ces sentiments.
+
+Votre Majeste a bien raison si elle regarde avec quelque inquietude
+l'etat agite de l'Europe, mais je partage aussi avec elle le ferme
+espoir, que le mal peut etre beaucoup amoindri, tant que la France et
+l'Angleterre s'entendent, et j'y ajouterai, tant que cette entente a
+pour but desinteresse de preserver au monde la paix et a chaque
+nation ses droits et ses possessions, et d'adoucir des animosites, qui
+menacent de produire les plus graves calamites, des guerres civiles
+et des luttes de races. La benediction de Dieu ne manquera pas a
+l'accomplissement d'une tache aussi grande et sacree.
+
+Je me rejouis avec votre Majeste des glorieux succes que nos armees
+alliees viennent d'obtenir en Chine, et de la belle paix que ces
+succes ont amenee. Elle sera feconde, je l'espere, en bienfaits pour
+nos deux pays aussi bien que pour ce peuple bizarre que nous avons
+force a entrer en relations avec le reste du monde.
+
+Il nous a fait bien du plaisir de voir l'Imperatrice et d'entendre
+depuis que son voyage en Angleterre lui a fait tant de bien.
+
+Agreez l'assurance de la parfaite amitie avec laquelle je suis, Sire
+et mon Frere, de votre Majeste Imperiale, la bonne S[oe]ur,
+
+VICTORIA R.
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: ITALIAN AFFAIRS]
+
+
+_Viscount Palmerston to Queen Victoria._
+
+BROADLANDS, _10th January 1861_.
+
+Viscount Palmerston presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and has
+many apologies to make for not having sooner answered your Majesty's
+previous communications. He is glad to be able to say that Lady
+Jocelyn's youngest boy, whose illness has been the cause of very great
+anxiety, is now in the course of gradual, but favourable recovery.
+
+Viscount Palmerston returns to your Majesty the letter of the Emperor
+of the French, and your Majesty's excellent answer; it is to be hoped
+that he will profit by the sound advice which that answer contains.
+
+Upon the subject of Italy your Majesty reminds Viscount Palmerston
+that he stated last summer that it would be better for the interests
+of England that Southern Italy should be a separate Monarchy, rather
+than that it should form part of an united Italy. Viscount Palmerston
+still retains that opinion; because a separate kingdom of the Two
+Sicilies would be more likely, in the event of war between England and
+France, to side, at least by its neutrality, with the strongest Naval
+Power, and it is to be hoped that such Power would be England. But
+then it would be necessary that the Two Sicilies as an independent and
+separate State should be well governed, and should have an enlightened
+Sovereign. This unfortunately has become hopeless and impossible under
+the Bourbon Dynasty, and no Englishman could wish to see a Murat or a
+Prince Napoleon on the Throne of Naples.[4] The course of events
+since last summer seems to have finally decided the fate of Sicily and
+Naples, and there can be no doubt that for the interest of the people
+of Italy, and with a view to the general balance of Power in Europe,
+a united Italy is the best arrangement. The Italian Kingdom will never
+side with France from partiality to France, and the stronger that
+kingdom becomes the better able it will be to resist political
+coercion from France. The chief hold that France will have upon the
+policy of the Kingdom of Italy consists in the retention of Venetia by
+Austria.
+
+Viscount Palmerston has heard no more from Lord John Russell about his
+wish eventually to go to the House of Lords, and it is probable that
+this wish often before expressed will, as upon former occasions, be
+allowed to sleep undisturbed....
+
+    [Footnote 4: Prince Napoleon Murat, a son of Joachim Murat,
+    King of Naples, 1808-1815, had returned to France from the
+    United States in 1848; an attempt was now being made to form a
+    Murat party in Southern Italy.]
+
+
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to Lord John Russell._
+
+WINDSOR CASTLE, _19th January 1861_.
+
+The Queen has received Lord John Russell's letter enclosing his
+correspondence with Lord Clarendon.[5] She has kept the latter in
+order to show it to Lord Palmerston this evening, not knowing whether
+he has seen it already. She must say that Lord Clarendon's arguments
+are very conclusive. Has it ever occurred to Lord John Russell that,
+if Lord Clarendon were to go to Berlin carrying the highest compliment
+the Queen has to bestow, viz. the Order of the Garter to the new King
+of Prussia, and from thence to Vienna empty-handed to the Emperor of
+Austria for the purpose of giving good advice, the Emperor might look
+upon it as an offensive public proceeding towards him?
+
+    [Footnote 5: Lord Clarendon was appointed to represent the
+    Queen at the Coronation of the King of Prussia.]
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: CONSERVATIVE OVERTURES]
+
+
+_Viscount Palmerston to Queen Victoria._
+
+PICCADILLY, _27th January 1861_.
+
+Viscount Palmerston presents his humble duty to your Majesty....
+
+Viscount Palmerston saw Lord Malmesbury on Friday before the Cabinet.
+They both came up in the same train though not in the same carriage,
+and Lord Malmesbury came to Viscount Palmerston's in Piccadilly at
+three o'clock.
+
+He said that he was charged by Lord Derby and Mr Disraeli with a
+message similar to that which he had conveyed last year, namely, that
+if Mr Gladstone were to propose a democratic Budget making a great
+transfer of burthens from indirect to direct Taxation, and if, the
+Cabinet refusing its concurrence, Mr Gladstone were to retire, the
+Conservative Party would give the Government substantial support
+except in the case of the Government wishing to take an active part
+in war against Austria. That this did not of course mean an abstinence
+from usual attacks and criticisms in debate, but that no step would
+in such case be taken to produce a change of Government. In fact, said
+Lord Malmesbury, neither the Conservative leaders nor the Party wish
+at present to come into office, and have no intention of taking any
+step to turn the present Government out. Mr Bright had indeed
+proposed to Mr Disraeli to join together with the Radical Party, the
+Conservatives, for the purpose of turning out the present Government;
+and especially to get rid of Viscount Palmerston and Lord John
+Russell. Mr Bright said he would in that case give the Conservative
+Government a two years' existence, and by the end of that time the
+country, it might be hoped, would be prepared for a good and real
+Reform Bill, and then a proper Government might be formed.
+
+This proposal, which it must be owned was not very tempting, Lord
+Malmesbury said had been declined. He also said that Count Persigny,
+on returning from one of his trips to Paris, had brought a
+similar proposal from Mr Cobden for a co-operation of Radicals and
+Conservatives to overthrow the present Government; but that also had
+been declined. Viscount Palmerston requested Lord Malmesbury to
+convey his thanks to Lord Derby and Mr Disraeli for the handsome
+communication which they had thus made to him, and to assure them that
+he fully appreciated the honourable and patriotic motives by which it
+had been prompted....
+
+
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._
+
+WINDSOR CASTLE, _29th January 1861_.
+
+MY BELOVED UNCLE,--I write to you on a sad anniversary--already
+_seventeen_ years ago, that it pleased God to take dearest Papa away
+from us all! He, who _ought_ to have lived for twenty years longer at
+least!...
+
+We hear from Berlin that the poor King is much _angegriffen_, and very
+irritable, but that my letter announcing to him that I would give him
+the Garter had given him _so_ much pleasure that he had been seen to
+smile for the _first_ time since the 2nd of January.
+
+I think you will be gratified by the little extract from a letter
+from our dear friend the Queen, about Vicky, which I venture to send
+you--as well as by the following extract from Vicky's own letter to
+me, written on her wedding day, in which she says:--"Every time our
+dear wedding day returns I feel so happy and thankful--and live every
+moment of that blessed and never-to-be-forgotten day over again in
+thought. I love to dwell on every minute of that day; not a hope has
+been disappointed, not an expectation that has not been realised, and
+much more--that few can say--and I _am_ thankful as I ought to be."
+
+These two extracts are very gratifying to our hearts.
+
+I must now wish you good-bye. With Albert's affectionate love, ever
+your devoted Niece,
+
+VICTORIA R.
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: THE PROVOSTSHIP OF ETON]
+
+[Pageheading: DR GOODFORD]
+
+
+_Viscount Palmerston to Sir Charles Phipps._
+
+94 PICCADILLY, _10th February 1861_.
+
+MY DEAR PHIPPS,--In the box which I sent to the Queen on Friday
+morning, giving a short account of the Debate on Thursday, I placed
+a separate paper submitting for her approval that Dr Goodford,
+Headmaster of Eton, might be recommended to the Fellows to be elected
+to the office of Provost now vacant; and I mentioned that the matter
+was rather pressing. I have had no answer as yet, and the election is
+fixed for to-morrow.
+
+The election is on the same footing as that of a bishop who is
+nominally elected by the Chapter of the Diocese, but who is named for
+being so elected by the Crown. The Crown recommends the person to be
+named Provost, and the Fellows as a matter of course elect him. But
+the election must be made within a stated period--I believe fifteen
+days after the vacancy has happened; and if the Crown does not within
+that period recommend, the Fellows proceed to make their own choice.
+
+The election is fixed for to-morrow, and it would not, I think, be
+desirable to let the Royal prerogative drop on this occasion. The
+persons who have been named as candidates are Dr Goodford, Headmaster,
+and with regard to him it is to be said that the office has generally
+been given to the Headmaster, and that, as far as the Provost has any
+function connected with improvements in the arrangement of the school,
+there is an advantage in his having been conversant with the details
+of the existing system. Dr Goodford is qualified for the office by his
+degree.
+
+The next candidate is Mr Coleridge, once a master in the school, but
+he is not qualified by a sufficient degree, and there was a prejudice
+against him on account of his Puseyite tendencies.
+
+The third is Dr Chapman, late Bishop of Colombo, qualified by his
+degree, but having no peculiar claims or other recommendations for the
+office.
+
+The fourth is Mr Birch, formerly tutor to the Prince of Wales,
+scarcely of sufficient calibre for the office, and not qualified by a
+sufficient degree.
+
+Between Dr Goodford and Dr Chapman I think the preference should be
+given to Dr Goodford, and the more especially because Dr Chapman is
+supposed to entertain theological opinions similar to those of Mr
+Coleridge, his brother-in-law.
+
+If the Queen should approve of Dr Goodford being recommended,
+perhaps she would have the goodness to sign the document sent in the
+accompanying box, and if it is returned by the earliest opportunity it
+is just possible that I may be able to send it to Windsor in time for
+the election to-morrow.[6] Yours sincerely,
+
+PALMERSTON.
+
+    [Footnote 6: Dr Goodford was elected, and remained Provost
+    till his death in 1884.]
+
+
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to Lord John Russell._
+
+_10th February 1861._
+
+The Queen has received Lord John Russell's letter enclosing the draft
+of one to General Garibaldi, which she now returns. She had much
+doubt about its being altogether safe for the Government to get into
+correspondence, however unofficial, with the General, and thinks
+that it would be better for Lord John _not_ to write to him. Lord
+Palmerston, who was here this afternoon on other business, has
+undertaken to explain the reasons in detail to Lord John--in which he
+fully concurs.
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: GARIBALDI]
+
+
+_Lord John Russell to Queen Victoria._
+
+CHESHAM PLACE, _11th February 1861_.
+
+Lord John Russell presents his humble duty to your Majesty; he
+earnestly entreats your Majesty to consider whether any step ought to
+be omitted by which the peace of Europe may be preserved.
+
+General Garibaldi is generally esteemed by Italians; even Count Ludolf
+speaks of him in the highest terms of praise. General Garibaldi
+has lost his country, and is full of resentment at Count Cavour for
+selling it. He respects and admires England for her disinterested
+conduct.
+
+But it is evident the French Emperor is again exciting the Hungarian
+party. The Garibaldian legion is told to hold itself in readiness, and
+the _Pays_ and _Patrie_ are instructed to praise the Legion. They are
+being assembled in Genoa and Piedmont.
+
+There is little chance of Garibaldi's refusing to take part in this
+expedition, and if he does proceed to the Dalmatian or Istrian coast,
+his name will have an immense effect.
+
+It does not seem reasonable to throw away any chance of saving the
+Austrian Empire and the peace of Europe.
+
+Lord John Russell will wait till Monday next to learn definitively
+your Majesty's pleasure.
+
+The proposed letter appears to him to give some hope of preventing
+great misfortunes. In this belief it is Lord John Russell's duty to
+endeavour to prevent the frightful war which is impending.
+
+Kossuth is fabricating paper to the extent of from 140 to 300,000,000
+of florins to furnish the sinews of insurrection. In the month of
+March Hungary will be in a blaze. But if Italy, Germany, and France
+keep away, the fire may burn out of itself.
+
+
+
+
+_Viscount Palmerston to Queen Victoria._
+
+_11th February 1861._
+
+Viscount Palmerston presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and in
+returning Lord John's letter begs to submit, that as Lord John is so
+anxious to send it, and seems so strongly of opinion that it is
+an effort which might be successful in dissuading Garibaldi from
+attempting to create disturbances in the Austrian territory by going
+thither with a band of adventurers, it may be best to let the letter
+go, though it might perhaps be improved by pointing more directly
+to the nature of the expedition which it advises Garibaldi not to
+undertake.
+
+There may be inconveniences which may arise from the letter, but they
+might be dealt with; on the other hand, if Garibaldi undertakes his
+expedition, it would be a matter of regret if it could be thought
+or said that a step which might have prevented the mischief had been
+omitted.
+
+
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to Lord John Russell._
+
+BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _12th February 1861_.
+
+The Queen has received Lord John Russell's reiterated request for her
+sanction to his writing to General Garibaldi. She still entertains
+the same objections to the step, as implying a recognition of the
+General's position as a European Power as enabling him to allow the
+impression to prevail, that he is in communication with the British
+Government and acts under its inspiration, as possibly leading to a
+prolonged and embarrassing correspondence, and as implying for the
+future that when the disapprobation of the Government is not expressed
+(as in the present instance), it gives its consent to his aggressive
+schemes. The Queen will not prevent, however, Lord John from taking
+a step which he considers gives a chance of averting a great European
+calamity. Should Lord John therefore adhere to his opinion, she asks
+him to let her see the letter again, upon the precise wording of which
+so much depends.
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: A HAPPY ANNIVERSARY]
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._
+
+BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _12th February 1861_.
+
+MY DEAREST UNCLE,--Many, many thanks for your dear letter of the 8th.
+Here we have cold again since the day before yesterday, and last night
+seven degrees of frost. On Sunday we celebrated, with feelings of
+_deep gratitude_ and love, the _twenty-first_ anniversary of our
+blessed marriage, a day which had brought us, and I may say the
+_world_ at _large_, such incalculable blessings! _Very_ few can say
+with me that their husband at the end of twenty-one years is _not_
+only full of the friendship, kindness, and affection which a truly
+happy marriage brings with it, but the same tender love of the _very
+first days of our marriage!_
+
+We missed dear Mamma and _three_ of our children,[7] but had _six_
+dear ones round us--and assembled in the evening those of our
+Household _still_ remaining who were _with us then!_...
+
+In Parliament things go on quietly enough, and every one _hopes_ for a
+short session....
+
+Hoping that these lines will find you well, believe me ever, your
+devoted Niece,
+
+VICTORIA R.
+
+    [Footnote 7: The Duchess of Kent was at Frogmore; the Princess
+    Royal, now Crown Princess of Prussia, was at Potsdam; the
+    Prince of Wales had just entered upon his first term at
+    Cambridge; and Prince Alfred had joined his ship, the
+    _Euryalus_, at Plymouth.]
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: LORD JOHN RUSSELL AND GARIBALDI]
+
+
+_Viscount Palmerston to Queen Victoria._
+
+DOWNING STREET, _13th February 1861_.
+
+Viscount Palmerston presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and
+begs to state that the Cabinet at its meeting this afternoon were
+of opinion that Lord John Russell's proposed letter to Garibaldi, as
+altered by Lord John, might do good, and could scarcely be attended
+with any material inconvenience, and that therefore it might go.[8]
+
+    [Footnote 8: It accordingly was sent in the following form:--
+
+    GENERAL,--You did me the honour, some time ago, to write me a
+    letter, thanking me for a speech I made in Parliament.
+
+    I was not insensible to the value of that compliment. My
+    present purpose however is not compliment.
+
+    I wish you seriously to reconsider your declaration that you
+    propose to begin a war in the Spring.
+
+    It seems to me that no individual, however distinguished, has
+    a right to determine for his country the momentous question of
+    peace or war with a foreign State.
+
+    Italy, represented by a free Parliament, is about to assemble
+    and declare her own sentiments and wishes.
+
+    It is surely for the King and the Parliament together to
+    decide on questions which may involve all Europe in bloodshed.
+
+    I cannot believe that you will be the man to give the signal
+    of dissension in Italy. I remain, General, your obedient
+    Servant,
+
+    JOHN RUSSELL.
+
+
+
+
+    The reply received was as follows:--
+
+
+    CAPRERA, _4th March 1861_.
+
+    NOBLE LORD,--Italy owes you much gratitude. You, however,
+    judge me somewhat harshly; giving credence to rumours which
+    attribute to me projects that are not known to any one.
+
+    I hope to make war again for my country. But I desire that
+    you, deserving as you are of my esteem and attachment, should
+    believe that I will not undertake anything which may injure or
+    be in contradiction with the rights of the King and Parliament
+    of Italy.
+
+    I do not love war, Minister, but, in the present condition of
+    my country, it appears most difficult to constitute her in a
+    normal manner, without war.
+
+    I am sure that Italy is able to make her war of liberation
+    even this year. The person who directs does not feel the same
+    certainty, and I leave it to you to weigh his motives. I, if
+    I am not called upon by events, shall continue in my retreat,
+    and I will, in every way, endeavour to gain your good-will,
+    and that of the generous nation to whom my country owes so
+    much, etc., etc., etc. I am your devoted Servant,
+
+    G. GARIBALDI.]
+
+
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to Viscount Palmerston._
+
+BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _22nd February 1861_.
+
+The Queen is very glad to see that the Government is seriously taking
+up the question of iron-sided ships, and looks forward to the result
+of Lord Palmerston's conference with the Duke of Somerset. The
+number wanted appears large, but the Queen must add that she does not
+consider one ship a sufficient preponderance over the French Navy for
+this country. Twenty-seven to twenty-six would give that number.
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: DEATH OF DUCHESS OF KENT]
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._
+
+FROGMORE, _16th March 1861_.
+
+MY DEARLY BELOVED UNCLE,--On this, the most dreadful day of my
+life, does your poor broken-hearted child write one line of love and
+devotion. _She_ is gone![9] That _precious, dearly beloved tender_
+Mother--whom I never was parted from but for a few months--without
+whom _I_ can't _imagine life_--has been taken from us! It is _too_
+dreadful! But she is at peace--at rest--her fearful sufferings at
+an end! It was quite painless--though there was very _distressing_,
+heartrending breathing to witness. I held her dear, dear hand in mine
+to the very last, which I am truly thankful for! But the watching that
+precious life going out was fearful! Alas! she never knew me! But she
+was spared the pang of parting! How this will _grieve_ and _distress
+you!_ _You_ who are now doubly precious to us. Good Alice was with us
+all through, and _deeply_ afflicted, and wishes to say everything kind
+to you. Bertie and Lenchen are now here--all much grieved, and have
+seen her _sleeping_ peacefully and eternally! Dearest Albert is
+dreadfully overcome--and well he may, for _she_ adored him! I feel
+so truly _verwaist_. God bless and protect you. Ever your devoted and
+truly unhappy Niece and Child,
+
+VICTORIA R.
+
+_P.S._--The devotion of dearest Mamma's ladies and maids is not to be
+described. Their love and their devotion were _too touching_. There we
+all were round her--the poor, good, old Clark, who is so devoted to us
+all. Ever again, your devoted Child,
+
+VICTORIA R.
+
+    [Footnote 9: The Duchess of Kent died on the 16th of March.
+    She had had a surgical operation in the arm, on account of an
+    abscess, a short time before, but till the 15th the medical
+    reports had been encouraging. On that day the Queen went to
+    Frogmore, and was with her mother at the time of her death.]
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: BEREAVEMENT]
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._
+
+WINDSOR CASTLE, _26th March 1861_.
+
+MY DEAREST UNCLE,--Your sad little letter of the 21st reached me on
+Saturday. On Sunday I took leave of those dearly beloved remains--a
+dreadful moment; I had never been near a coffin before, but dreadful
+and heartrending as it was, it was so beautifully arranged that it
+would have pleased _her_, and most probably _she_ looked down and
+blessed _us_--as we poor sorrowing mortals knelt around, overwhelmed
+with grief! It was covered with wreaths, and the carpet strewed
+with sweet, white flowers. _I_ and our daughters did _not_ go
+_yesterday_--it would have been _far_ too much for _me_--and Albert
+when he returned, with tearful eyes told me it was well I did not
+go--so affecting had been the sight--so _universal_ the sympathy.
+
+Poor little Arthur went too. I and my girls prayed at home together,
+and dwelt on her happiness and peace.
+
+But oh! dearest Uncle--the loss--the truth of it--which _I cannot, do
+not_ realise even when I go (as I do _daily_) to Frogmore--the _blank_
+becomes _daily_ worse!
+
+The constant intercourse of _forty-one_, years cannot cease without
+the _total want_ of _power_ of _real enjoyment_ of _anything_. A sort
+of cloud which hangs over you, and seems to _oppress_ everything--and
+a positive _weakness_ in the powers of reflection and mental exertion.
+The doctors _tell_ me I _must not_ attempt to _force_ this. Long
+conversation, loud talking, the talking of many people together, I
+_can't_ bear yet. It must come _very_ gradually....
+
+I try to be, and very often am, quite _resigned_--but dearest Uncle,
+this is a life sorrow. On _all_ festive or mournful occasions, on
+_all_ family events, _her love_ and _sympathy_ will be so _fearfully
+wanting_. Then again, except Albert (who I very often don't see but
+very little in the day), I have _no human_ being except our children,
+and that is not the same _Verhaeltniss_, to _open_ myself to; and
+besides, a _woman_ requires _woman's_ society and sympathy sometimes,
+as men do _men's_. All this, beloved Uncle, will show you that,
+without _dwelling_ constantly upon it, or _moping_ or becoming
+_morbid_, though the _blank_ and the _loss to me_, in my isolated
+position especially, is _such_ a _dreadful_, and such an _irreparable
+one_, the worst _trials_ are _yet_ to come. My poor birthday, I
+can hardly think of it! Strange it is how often _little trifles_,
+insignificant in themselves, upset one more even than greater
+things....
+
+But the general sympathy for _me_, and approval of the manner in
+which I have shown my grief, as well as the affection and respect for
+dearest Mamma's memory in the country, is _quite wonderful and most
+touching_. Ever your devoted Niece,
+
+VICTORIA R.
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: RENEWED GRIEF]
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._
+
+BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _30th March 1861_.
+
+MY DEARLY BELOVED UNCLE,--It is a comfort for me to write to you, and
+I think you may like to hear from your poor motherless child. It is
+_to-day_ a _fortnight_ already, and it seems but yesterday--_all_ is
+before me, and at the same time _all, all_ seems _quite impossible_.
+The blank--the desolation--the fearful and awful _Sehnsucht und
+Wehmuth_ come back with redoubled force, and the _weeping_, which day
+after day is my welcome friend, is my greatest relief.
+
+We have an immense deal to do--and everything is in the greatest
+_order_; but to _open her_ drawers and presses, and to look at all her
+dear jewels and trinkets in order to identify everything, and relieve
+her really excellent servants from all responsibility and anxiety, is
+like a sacrilege, and I feel as if my heart was being torn asunder! So
+many recollections of my childhood are brought back to me, and these
+dumb souvenirs which she wore and used, and which so painfully survive
+_what_ we so _dearly_ and _passionately_ loved, touch chords in one's
+heart and soul, which are _most_ painful and yet pleasing too. We have
+found many most interesting and valuable letters--the existence of
+which I was not aware of--and which, I _think_, must have come back
+with poor Papa's letters, viz. letters from _my_ poor father asking
+for dearest Mamma's hand--and sending a letter from you, encouraging
+him to ask her. And many others--very precious letters--from dear
+Grandmamma; Albert has also found at Clarence House, where he went
+to-day, many of dear Grandpapa's.[10] ...
+
+Frogmore we mean to keep just as dear Mamma left it--and keep it
+cheerful and pretty as it still is. I go there constantly; I feel so
+accustomed to go down the hill, and _so_ attracted to it, for I fancy
+_she_ must be there.
+
+Was poor dear Grandpapa's death-bed such a sad one? You speak of its
+distressing impressions.[11] ...
+
+She watches _over us now_, you may be sure! Ever your devoted,
+sorrowing Child and Niece,
+
+VICTORIA R.
+
+Albert is so kind, and does all with such tenderness and feeling.
+Vicky goes on Tuesday, and we on Wednesday, to Osborne, where I think
+the air and quiet will do me good.
+
+    [Footnote 10: Duke Francis Frederick of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld,
+    and Duchess Augusta Caroline Sophia, the parents of the
+    Duchess of Kent and King Leopold.]
+
+    [Footnote 11: In a recent letter King Leopold had said that he
+    was not quite sixteen years old when his father died (1806),
+    and the elder son, Ernest, being alarmingly ill at Koenigsberg,
+    he was himself called upon to be the support of his mother.
+    "The recollections of that death-bed," he adds, "are fresh in
+    my memory, as if it had been yesterday. I thank God that your
+    recollections of that terrible moment are so peaceful,
+    and that you may preserve an impression ... without any
+    distressing addition."]
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: FATHERLY ADVICE]
+
+
+_The King of the Belgians to Queen Victoria._
+
+LAEKEN, _1st April 1861_.
+
+MY BELOVED VICTORIA,--Your dear letter of the 30th _moved me very
+much_. I can see everything, and it makes me shed tears of the
+sincerest sorrow.
+
+The bereavement, the impossibility, they are what one feels most
+deeply and painfully, that nothing will bring back the beloved object,
+that there is a rupture with everything earthly that nothing can
+remedy. Your good, dear Mamma was without ostentation, sincerely
+religious, a great blessing, and the only solid support we can find.
+Happy those whose faith cannot be shaken; they can bear the hardships
+of earthly life with fortitude.
+
+True it is that if we compare the sorrows of our earthly life with the
+hope of an eternal existence, though painfully felt, still they shrink
+as it were in appreciation.
+
+You feel so _truly_, so _affectionately_, that even in that you must
+gratify the dear being we lost. When I think of poor Aunt Julia,[12]
+she was so alone that I cannot help to pity her even in all the
+objects she valued and left behind; the affectionate care which is
+shown to everything connected with your dear Mamma could not have
+existed, and still she was a noble character, and with a warm,
+generous heart. In all your dear Mamma's letters there will everywhere
+be found traces of the affection which united us. From early childhood
+we were close allies; she recollected everything so well of that
+period which now, since the departure of the two sisters, is totally
+unknown to every one but me, which, you can imagine, is a most
+melancholy sensation. Time flies so fast that all dear recollections
+soon get isolated. Your stay at Osborne will do you good, though
+Spring, when fine, affects one very much, to think that the one that
+was beloved does not share in these pleasant sensations. You must try,
+however, not to shake your precious health too much. Your dear Mamma,
+who watched your looks so affectionately, would not approve of it....
+Your devoted old Uncle,
+
+LEOPOLD R.
+
+    [Footnote 12: Sister of King Leopold, and widow of the Grand
+    Duke Constantine, who had lived in retirement at Geneva for
+    many years, and died at Elfenau on the 15th of August 1860.]
+
+
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._
+
+OSBORNE, _9th April 1861_.
+
+MY DEARLY BELOVED UNCLE,--Your dear, _sad_ letter of the 5th found a
+warm response in my poor heart, and I thank you with all my heart
+for it. I am _now most_ anxiously waiting for an answer to my letter
+asking you to come to us _now_. You would, I think, find it soothing,
+and it would painfully interest you to look over her letters and
+papers, which make me _live_ in times I heard her talk of when I was
+a child. It is touching to find how she treasured up every little
+flower, every bit of hair. I found some of dear Princess Charlotte's,
+and touching relics of my poor Father, in a little writing-desk of his
+I had never seen, with his last letters to her, and her notes _after_
+his death written in a little book, expressing such longing to be
+reunited to him! _Now_ she _is!_ And what a comfort it is to think
+_how many very dear ones_ are gone on before her whom she will find!
+All these notes show how very, very much she and my beloved Father
+_loved_ each other. _Such_ love and affection! I hardly knew it was
+_to that extent_. Then her love for _me_--it is _too_ touching! I have
+found little books with the accounts of my babyhood, and they show
+_such_ unbounded tenderness! Oh! I am so wretched to think _how_, _for
+a time_, _two people most_ wickedly estranged us!... To miss a mother's
+friendship--not to be able to have her to confide in--when a girl
+_most_ needs it, was fearful! I _dare not_ think of it--it drives me
+_wild_ now! But thank God! that is all passed _long, long_ ago, and
+she had forgotten it, and only thought of the last very happy years.
+
+And all that was brought by my good angel, dearest Albert, whom _she_
+adored, and in whom she had such unbounded confidence....
+
+On Sunday our dear little Beatrice was four years old. It upset me
+much, for she was the idol of that beloved Grandmamma, and the child
+so fond of her. She continually speaks of her--how she "is in Heaven,"
+but hopes she will return! She is a most darling, engaging child....
+Ever your devoted Niece,
+
+VICTORIA R.
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: THE DANISH QUESTION]
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to Lord John Russell._
+
+OSBORNE, _27th May 1861_.
+
+The Queen returns the proposed draft of answer to the observations of
+the Russian Government on Lord John Russell's proposals with regard to
+the Danish Question. She has to observe that this reverses the whole
+position taken by us hitherto. Prince Gortschakoff is quite right in
+reminding us that the engagements taken in 1852[13] did not contain
+a formal guarantee (_obliging_ to take up arms for the defence of
+the object guaranteed) in deference to the opinion of the British
+Government which, on general principles, has always objected to such
+engagements. These principles are as important now as ever, and yet
+Lord John proposes "to renew the _guarantee_ of the integrity of the
+Danish Monarchy contained in the Treaty of 8th May 1852," thereby
+giving those engagements the force of a guarantee, which was on
+principle objected to by us at the time. Both Russia and France in
+their answers object to such a guarantee now, even with regard to
+Schleswig alone, as involving the guaranteeing powers in future grave
+difficulties, and Lord John proposes to extend it to Holstein, a part
+of Germany and not of Denmark, by way of obviating the difficulty. The
+Queen cannot give her sanction to this proposal.
+
+    [Footnote 13: A Treaty was signed by the European Powers on
+    the 8th of May 1852, by which the succession of the line of
+    Sonderburg-Gluecksburg to the Danish throne was settled, and
+    the integrity of the kingdom guaranteed. See _ante_, vol. ii.,
+    4th January, 1852.]
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: WAR IN AMERICA]
+
+
+_Lord John Russell to Queen Victoria._
+
+FOREIGN OFFICE, _30th May 1861_.
+
+Lord John Russell presents his humble duty to your Majesty; he has the
+honour to submit letters from the Emperor and Empress of Austria of a
+private nature. The Cabinet decided yesterday that the ports of
+your Majesty's Dominions ought to be closed to the ships of war and
+privateers of the Belligerents in America.[14] A letter for that
+object has been sent to the Law Officers of the Crown, and will be,
+when put into proper form, submitted for your Majesty's approbation.
+
+    [Footnote 14: See _ante_, Introductory Note to Chapter XXX.]
+
+
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to Viscount Palmerston._
+
+OSBORNE, _30th May 1861_.
+
+The Queen returns these papers. She thinks it of great importance that
+we should be strong in Canada, and thinks an increase in Artillery as
+important as the sending of two more battalions, as that Arm cannot
+be supplied at all by the Colony. The Naval forces would, however,
+require strengthening even more. It is less likely that the remnant
+of the United States could send expeditions by land to the North
+while quarrelling with the South, than that they should commit acts of
+violence at sea.
+
+
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to Lord John Russell._
+
+BUCKINGHAM PALACE, _5th June 1861_.
+
+The Queen has perused the accompanying draft to Sir James Hudson. She
+is of opinion that so important a step as proposals on our part for
+the solution of the Roman Question, with which we are not directly
+concerned, and for the solution of which we are for many obvious
+reasons perhaps the Power possessing the least favourable position, is
+a subject of such great importance, that it should not be undertaken
+without the most mature consideration. Has this draft been brought
+before the Cabinet? The Queen wishes to have their united advice
+before giving her decision. Her opinion at present is against our
+volunteering a scheme which will render us responsible for the result
+of grave complications, from which we have hitherto stood happily
+quite clear. The Queen wishes these lines to be communicated to the
+Cabinet.[15]
+
+    [Footnote 15: Lord John Russell had written that the
+    withdrawal of the French troops from Rome would probably be
+    followed by tumults and bloodshed; and as both the Roman party
+    and Garibaldi hated the Government of the Pope, and wished to
+    put an end to his temporal power, he suggested that the
+    Pope should be allowed to retain his sovereignty during
+    his lifetime, in a restricted territory and with restricted
+    powers; that Italian troops should occupy the towns and
+    villages outside a limit of five miles from Rome; and that the
+    King of Italy and the Emperor of the French should agree not
+    to recognise the temporal power of any future Pope.]
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: DEATH OF CAVOUR]
+
+
+_Lord John Russell to Queen Victoria._
+
+PEMBROKE LODGE, _6th June 1861_.
+
+Lord John Russell presents his humble duty to your Majesty; the
+despatch relating to Rome had been sent, seeming to Lord John Russell
+quite unobjectionable. But your Majesty will see that it was instantly
+suspended, and that Count Cavour is dying.[16] The despatch was solely
+intended to save the poor old Pope from insult, and Rome from tumult,
+but beyond this it is of no consequence, and the death of Cavour may
+give a new complexion to the affairs of Italy.
+
+Nothing will be done on the despatch at present.
+
+    [Footnote 16: Count Cavour died at Turin on the 6th of June.
+    It is curious to note that the words of the Emperor Napoleon,
+    on hearing of the death of Cavour, appear to have been "Le
+    cocher est tombe du siege; il faut voir maintenant si les
+    chevaux iront s'emporter, ou rentrer a l'ecurie."]
+
+
+
+
+_Viscount Palmerston to Queen Victoria._
+
+PICCADILLY, _18th June 1861_.
+
+Viscount Palmerston presents his humble duty to your Majesty....
+
+Viscount Palmerston submits a note from Garter King at Arms, by which
+your Majesty will see that there are now three Garters vacant;
+and Viscount Palmerston would beg to suggest for your Majesty's
+consideration that those Garters might appropriately be conferred upon
+Lord Canning for his great services in India, upon Lord John Russell
+for his long political services under your Majesty, and upon the
+Duke of Somerset, senior Duke after the Duke of Norfolk, and the able
+administrator of an important branch of your Majesty's service.[17]
+
+Viscount Palmerston is not aware whether by the regulations of the
+Order the Garter could be sent out to Lord Canning in India. If that
+were possible, it might have the double advantage of strengthening his
+hands during the remainder of his stay, by affording so public a mark
+of your Majesty's approval; and moreover of making sure that Lord
+Canning should receive this mark of your Majesty's royal favour, while
+the Government is in the hands of an administration similar to that
+at whose recommendation he was sent out, which perhaps might be more
+agreeable to his feelings than running the chance, always possible,
+though Viscount Palmerston hopes it may not be probable, that
+political combinations might, before his return in May or June 1862,
+have produced administrative changes.
+
+    [Footnote 17: The Duke was First Lord of the Admiralty. All
+    the three Peers mentioned received the Garter early in 1862.]
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: DEATH OF LORD CAMPBELL]
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to Viscount Palmerston._
+
+_24th June 1861._
+
+The Queen approves of Sir R. Bethell[18] as Lord Campbell's successor.
+Lord Palmerston is aware of the Queen's objections to the appointment;
+they will have weighed with him as much as with her. If therefore he
+finally makes this recommendation, the Queen must assume that under
+all the circumstances he considers it the best solution of the
+difficulty, and that his Colleagues take the same view.
+
+    [Footnote 18: Lord Campbell died at the age of eighty-two; his
+    successor was created Lord Westbury.]
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: THE DUCHESS OF SUTHERLAND]
+
+
+_The Duchess of Sutherland to Queen Victoria._
+
+STAFFORD HOUSE, _26th June 1861_.
+
+MADAM,--I shall never forget your Majesty and the Prince's
+kindness.[19]
+
+I am anxious to tell your Majesty as strongly as _it was_, what _his_
+feeling was of my service to your Majesty; he approved and delighted
+in it; dear as it was to me--it could not have been if this had not
+been so, nor those occasional absences, if he had not had devoted
+children when I was away; still, when the great parting comes one
+grudges every hour, and the yearning is terrible.
+
+Even in his last illness he showed an anxious feeling, as if he feared
+I might resign, saying that I knew what an interest it had been to
+him, how he had liked hearing of the Queen and her family. He spoke
+very late in life of your Majesty's constant kindness. This feeling
+and early associations made him take a great interest in the Princess
+Royal's marriage, which did not leave him. If it ever crossed your
+Majesty--if your Majesty should ever feel that I might have been
+devoted, if I had had but one service, pray believe that he took the
+greatest pleasure and pride in that other great service; and that
+therefore he really felt it best it should be so.
+
+Since I have written this I have received your Majesty's most kind
+letter--and the precious gift of the photograph so wonderfully like,
+and rendering exactly that most kind and loving countenance. I shall
+like much sending one to your Majesty of my dearest husband.
+
+I repeat to myself the precious word that I am dear to your Majesty
+again and again; and that my love to your Majesty was returned. How
+often I shall think of this in my altered life, in my solitude of
+heart! The admiration I have ever felt for the Prince has been one
+of the great pleasures of my life; that he should be your Majesty's
+husband, a constant thankfulness. I feel I owe him much, and that
+great approbation and admiration are not barren feelings. I have the
+honour to remain, Madam, your Majesty's devoted Subject,
+
+HARRIET SUTHERLAND.
+
+I fear I have written worse than usual--I can hardly see to do
+so--weak eyes and tears.
+
+    [Footnote 19: The Duke of Sutherland had died in the preceding
+    February.]
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: MR LAYARD]
+
+
+_Viscount Palmerston to Queen Victoria._
+
+PICCADILLY, _8th July 1861_.
+
+Viscount Palmerston presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and begs
+to state that Lord Elcho[20] this afternoon moved a Resolution that
+the new Foreign Office should not be built in the Palladian style. Mr
+Charles Buxton seconded the Motion. Mr Cowper[21] opposed it, stating
+reasons for preferring the Italian style to the Gothic. Mr Layard was
+for neither, but seemed to wish that somebody would invent a new style
+of architecture. Mr Tite,[22] the architect, was strongly for the
+Italian style; Lord John Manners, swayed by erroneous views in
+religion and taste, was enthusiastic for Gothic;[23] Mr Dudley
+Fortescue confided in a low voice to a limited range of hearers some
+weak arguments in favour of Gothic; Mr Osborne seemed to be against
+everything that anybody had ever proposed, and wanted to put off the
+building till some plan better suited to his own taste should have
+been invented. Viscount Palmerston answered the objections made to the
+Italian plan, and Lord Elcho's Motion was negatived by 188 to 75. The
+House then went into Committee of Supply, and the first estimate being
+that for the Foreign Office, some of the Gothic party who had not been
+able to deliver their speeches on Lord Elcho's Motion, let them off on
+this estimate....
+
+    [Footnote 20: Now Earl of Wemyss.]
+
+    [Footnote 21: Mr William Cowper, at this time First
+    Commissioner of Works.]
+
+    [Footnote 22: Mr (afterwards Sir) William Tite, was now Member
+    for Bath; he had been the architect entrusted with the task of
+    rebuilding the Royal Exchange.]
+
+    [Footnote 23: Mr Gilbert Scott had made his first designs for
+    the new Foreign Office in the Gothic style; his appointment as
+    architect for the building was made by the Derby Government,
+    but the scheme which they favoured, for a Gothic building,
+    was opposed by Lord Palmerston, and Scott adopted the Italian
+    style in deference to his views.]
+
+
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to Viscount Palmerston._
+
+OSBORNE, _24th July 1861_.
+
+The Queen is sorry that she cannot alter her determination about Mr
+Layard.[24] She fully recognises the importance of the Parliamentary
+exigencies; but the Queen cannot sacrifice to them the higher
+interests of the country. Neither Mr Layard nor Mr Osborne ought to
+be proposed as representatives of the Foreign Office in the House
+of Commons, and therefore of the Crown to foreign countries. If Lord
+Palmerston can bring Mr Layard into office in some other place, to get
+his assistance in the House of Commons, she will not object.
+
+    [Footnote 24: In the course of July, Lord John Russell, who
+    had entered Parliament for the first time in 1813, was raised
+    to the Peerage as Earl Russell and Viscount Amberley. To
+    supply the loss to the Government of two such powerful
+    debaters as Lord Russell and Lord Herbert, Lord Palmerston had
+    suggested Mr Layard as Under-Secretary for Foreign Affairs,
+    mentioning also the claims of Mr Bernal Osborne.]
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: MR LAYARD]
+
+
+_Viscount Palmerston to Queen Victoria._
+
+94 PICCADILLY, _24th July 1861_.
+
+Viscount Palmerston presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and
+regrets very much to find that he has not succeeded in removing your
+Majesty's objections to Mr Layard as Under-Secretary of State for the
+Foreign Department; but he still hopes that he may be able to do so.
+If he rightly understands your Majesty's last communication on this
+subject, he is led to infer that your Majesty's main objection is
+founded on a dislike that Mr Layard should be the representative and
+organ of the Foreign Policy of the Crown in the House of Commons.
+
+With regard to his being a subordinate officer in the Foreign Office,
+your Majesty's sanction to that was obtained in 1851-52, when Mr
+Layard was Under-Secretary to Lord Granville. His tenure of office
+at that time was short; not from any fault of his, but because the
+Government of that day was overthrown by Viscount Palmerston's Motion
+in the House of Commons in February 1852 about the Militia; and Lord
+Granville speaks highly of Mr Layard's performance of his official
+duties at that time. There is no reason, but the reverse, for thinking
+him less competent now than then; and an Under-Secretary of State is
+only the instrument and mouthpiece of his principal to say what he is
+told, and to write what he is bid.
+
+With regard to Mr Layard's position in the House of Commons, he would
+in no respect be the representative of the Foreign Policy of the
+country; that function will belong to Viscount Palmerston, now that
+the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs will be removed to the
+House of Lords, and it will be Viscount Palmerston's duty and care
+to see that nobody infringes upon that function. Mr Layard would be
+useful to answer unimportant questions as to matters of fact, but all
+questions involving the Foreign Policy of the country will be answered
+by Viscount Palmerston as head of the Government, as was done when
+Lord Clarendon was Foreign Secretary and in the House of Lords. But
+there are not unfrequently great debates on Foreign Affairs in the
+House of Commons, and there are many members, some of them not perhaps
+of great weight, who join in attacks on such matters. It is of great
+importance to your Majesty's Government to have a sufficient number
+of speakers on such occasions. Lord John Russell and Lord Herbert
+were ready and powerful. Mr Gladstone is almost the only one on the
+Treasury Bench who follows up foreign questions close enough to take
+an active part; it would be of great advantage to Viscount Palmerston
+to have as assistant on such occasions a man like Mr Layard, knowing
+the details of matters discussed, able to make a good speech in reply
+to Mr Fitzgerald, or Mr Baillie Cochrane,[25] or Mr Hennessy,[26] or
+Sir G. Bowyer,[27] and who would shape his course in strict conformity
+with the line which might be chalked out for him by Viscount
+Palmerston. Your Majesty need therefore be under no apprehension that
+Mr Layard or anybody else, who might in the House of Commons hold the
+office of Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, would appear
+to the world as the organ or representative of the Foreign Policy of
+your Majesty's Government. With respect to giving Mr Layard any other
+office of the same kind, there is none other in which he could be
+placed without putting into the Foreign Office somebody far less fit
+for it, and putting Mr Layard into some office for which he is far
+less fit. His fitness is for the Foreign Department, and to use the
+illustration, which was a favourite one of the late Mr Drummond,
+it would be putting the wrong man into the wrong hole. Viscount
+Palmerston has, as charged with the conduct of the business of the
+Government in the House of Commons, sustained a severe loss by the
+removal of two most able and useful colleagues, Lord Herbert and
+Lord John Russell, and he earnestly hopes that your Majesty will be
+graciously pleased to assist him in his endeavours, not indeed to
+supply their place, but in some degree to lessen the detriment which
+their removal has occasioned.
+
+    [Footnote 25: Afterwards Lord Lamington.]
+
+    [Footnote 26: Mr (afterwards Sir) John Pope Hennessy, M.P. for
+    King's County.]
+
+    [Footnote 27: M.P. for Dundalk.]
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: MR LAYARD]
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to Viscount Palmerston._
+
+OSBORNE, _25th July 1861_.
+
+The Prince has reported to the Queen all that Lord Palmerston said
+to him on the subject of Mr Layard; this has not had the effect of
+altering her opinion as to the disqualifications of that gentleman
+for the particular office for which Lord Palmerston proposes him. This
+appointment would, in the Queen's opinion, be a serious evil. If Lord
+Palmerston on sincere self-examination should consider that without it
+the difficulty of carrying on his Government was such as to endanger
+the continuance of its success, the Queen will, of course, have to
+admit an evil for the country in order to avert a greater. She still
+trusts, however, that knowing the nature of the Queen's objections, he
+will not place her in this dilemma.
+
+
+
+
+_Viscount Palmerston to Queen Victoria._
+
+94 PICCADILLY, _26th July 1861_.
+
+Viscount Palmerston presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and begs
+to be allowed to make his grateful and respectful acknowledgments
+for your Majesty's gracious and condescending acquiescence in his
+recommendation of Mr Layard for the appointment of Under-Secretary
+of State for the Foreign Department. It is always a source of most
+sincere pain to Viscount Palmerston to find himself differing, on any
+point, in opinion with your Majesty, a respect for whose soundness
+of judgment, and clearness of understanding, must always lead him to
+distrust the value of his own conclusions when they differ from those
+to which your Majesty has arrived. But the question about Mr Layard
+turned mainly upon considerations connected with the conduct of public
+business of your Majesty's Government in the House of Commons.
+
+Viscount Palmerston sits in that House four days in every week during
+the Session of Parliament, from half-past four in the afternoon to any
+hour however late after midnight at which the House may adjourn. It
+is his duty carefully to watch the proceedings of the House, and to
+observe and measure the fluctuating bearings of Party and of sectional
+associations on the present position of the Government, and on its
+chances for the future; and he is thus led to form conclusions as to
+persons and parties which may not equally strike, or with equal force,
+those who from without and from higher regions may see general results
+without being eye- and ear-witnesses of the many small and successive
+details out of which those results are built up.
+
+It was thus that Viscount Palmerston was led to a strong conviction
+that the proposed appointment of Mr Layard would be a great advantage
+to your Majesty's Government as regards the conduct of business in
+the House of Commons, and the position of your Majesty's Government
+in that House; and he is satisfied that he will be able to prevent
+Mr Layard in any subsidiary part which he may have to take in any
+discussion on foreign questions, from departing from the line
+which may be traced out for him by Lord John Russell and Viscount
+Palmerston....
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: THE KING OF SWEDEN]
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._
+
+OSBORNE, _13th August 1861_.
+
+MY BELOVED UNCLE,--Since Saturday we have great heat. _Our_ King of
+Sweden[28] arrived yesterday evening. We went out in the yacht to meet
+him, and did so; but his ship going slow, the _dress_ of the _hohen
+Herrn only_ arrived at a quarter to nine, and we only sat down to
+dinner at a quarter past nine! The King and Prince Oscar[29] are
+very French, and very Italian! I think that there is a dream of a
+Scandinavian Kingdom floating before them. The King is a fine-looking
+man.... He is not at all difficult to get on with, and is very civil.
+Oscar is very amiable and mild, and very proud of his three little
+boys. They leave again quite early to-morrow.
+
+Our _dear_ children leave us, alas! on Friday quite early, for
+Antwerp.[30] It will again be a painful trial! Their stay has been
+very pleasant and _gemuethlich_, and we have seen more of and known
+dear Fritz more thoroughly than we ever did before, and really he is
+_very_ excellent, and would, I am convinced, make an excellent King.
+The little children are _very great_ darlings, and we shall miss them
+sadly.
+
+On the 16th we go to poor, dear Frogmore, and on the 17th we shall
+visit that dear grave! Last year she was still so well, and so full
+of life; but it was a _very_ sad birthday, two days after the loss of
+that dear beloved sister, whom she has joined so soon! Oh! the agony
+of _Wehmuth_, the bitterness of the blank, do _not_ get better with
+time! Beloved Mamma, how hourly she is in my mind!
+
+The King of Prussia will have great pleasure in visiting you at
+Wiesbaden; he will arrive at Ostend on the 16th....
+
+Good-bye, and God bless you, dearest Uncle. Ever your devoted Niece,
+
+VICTORIA R.
+
+    [Footnote 28: Charles XV., who succeeded to the throne in
+    1859.]
+
+    [Footnote 29: Brother and heir to Charles XV., whom he
+    succeeded, as Oscar II., in 1872; died 1907.]
+
+    [Footnote 30: The Crown Prince and Princess of Prussia,
+    accompanied by their two children, were on a visit to the
+    Queen.]
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: SWEDISH POLITICS]
+
+
+_Viscount Palmerston to Queen Victoria._
+
+DOWNING STREET, _14th August 1861_.
+
+Viscount Palmerston presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and
+hastens to answer the enquiry contained in your Majesty's note, which
+was delivered to him at Southampton. He must, in the first place,
+explain that much of what was said to him by the King of Sweden and by
+Prince Oscar was not clearly understood by him. They would both
+speak English--which they spoke with difficulty and in an indistinct
+utterance of voice--and he did not like to break the conversation into
+French, because to have done so would have looked like a condemnation
+of their English, of any imperfection of which they did not seem to be
+at all conscious.
+
+The King was very guarded in all he said about France; the Prince
+spoke with more freedom and with less caution. The result of what
+Viscount Palmerston gathered from their conversation, and perhaps for
+this purpose they may be put together, because they probably both feel
+and think nearly alike, though the Prince lets his thoughts out more
+than the King, may be summed up as follows.
+
+They were much pleased and flattered by the kind and friendly
+reception given them by the French Emperor, and both he and they seem
+to have had present to their minds that the existing Royal Family of
+Sweden is descended from General Bernadotte--a General in the Army of
+the First Napoleon. They think the French Emperor sincerely desirous
+of maintaining his alliance with England, believing it to be for his
+interest to do so. But they consider the French Nation essentially
+aggressive, and they think that the Emperor is obliged to humour
+that national feeling, and to follow, as far as the difference of
+circumstances will allow, the policy of his Uncle. They consider the
+principle of nationalities to be the deciding principle of the day,
+and accordingly Venetia ought to belong to Italy, Poland ought to
+be severed from Russia, and Finland ought to be restored to Sweden.
+Holstein should be purely German with its own Duke, Schleswig should
+be united to Denmark, and when the proper time comes, Denmark, so
+constituted, ought to form one Monarchy with Sweden and Norway. But
+they see that there are great if not insuperable obstacles to all
+these arrangements, and they do not admit that the Emperor of the
+French talked to them about these things, or about the map of Europe
+revised for 1860. They lamented the dangerous state of the Austrian
+Empire by reason of its financial embarrassments, and its differences
+between Vienna and Hungary. They admitted the difficulty of
+re-establishing a Polish State, seeing that Russia, Prussia, and
+Austria are all interested in preventing it; but they thought that
+Russia might make herself amends to the Eastward for giving up part of
+her Polish possessions.
+
+They said the Swedes would be more adverse than the Danes to a Union
+of Denmark with Sweden. They said the Finns are writhing under the
+Russian yoke, and emigrate in considerable numbers to Sweden. They
+think Russia paralysed for ten years to come by her war against
+England and France, by her internal changes, and her money
+embarrassments. When the Prince asked Viscount Palmerston to sit down,
+it was for the purpose of urging in the strongest and most earnest
+manner that some British ships of war, or even one single gunboat, if
+more could not be spared, should every year visit the Baltic, and make
+a cruise in that sea. He said that the British Flag was never seen
+there, although Great Britain has great interests, commercial and
+political, in that sea. That especially for Sweden it would be a great
+support if a British man-of-war were every year to show itself in
+Swedish waters. He said that our Navy know little or nothing of the
+Baltic, and when a war comes, as happened in the late war with Russia,
+our ships are obliged, as it were, to feel their way about in the
+dark; that the Russians send ships of war into British ports--why
+should not England send ships of war into Russian ports? That we
+survey seas at the other side of the Globe, why should we not survey
+a sea so near to us as the Baltic; that as far as Sweden is concerned,
+British ships would be most cordially received. I said that this
+should receive due consideration; and in answer to a question he said
+the best time for a Baltic cruise would be from the middle of June to
+the latter end of August.
+
+They both thought the Emperor of the French extremely popular in
+France--but, of course, they only saw outward demonstrations. They
+are very anxious for the maintenance of the Anglo-French Alliance;
+and they think the Emperor obliged to keep a large Army and to build a
+strong Navy in order to please and satisfy the French Nation. Such
+is the summary of the impression made upon Viscount Palmerston by the
+answers and observations drawn out by him in his conversations with
+the King and the Prince; most of these things were said as above
+reported, some few of the above statements are perhaps inferences and
+conclusions drawn from indirect answers and remarks.
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: SWEDEN AND DENMARK]
+
+[Pageheading: FRANCE AND SWEDEN]
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to Viscount Palmerston._
+
+OSBORNE, _18th August 1861_.
+
+The Queen is very much obliged to Lord Palmerston for his detailed
+account of his conversation with the King of Sweden, and sends
+both Memorandums back to him in accordance with his wishes, in the
+expectation of having them returned to her after they shall have been
+copied.
+
+The King may have been embarrassed by the presence of the Crown
+Prince of Prussia here at Osborne, and have on that account postponed
+speaking openly to Lord Palmerston. His desire to acquire Denmark and
+Finland is not unnatural, and would not be very dangerous; but
+the important part of the matter is, that the Emperor Napoleon has
+evidently tried to bribe him for his schemes by such expectations.
+After having established a large kingdom, dependent upon him and
+possessing a fleet, in the South of Europe on his right flank, he
+evidently tries to establish by the same means a similar power on his
+left flank in the North. If then the Revolution of Poland and Hungary
+takes Germany also in the rear, he will be exactly in the all-powerful
+position which his Uncle held, and at which he himself aims, with that
+one difference: that, unlike his Uncle, who had to fight England all
+the time (who defended desperately her interests in Europe), he tries
+to effect his purposes in alliance with England, and uses for this end
+our own _free_ Press and in our own free country!
+
+The Polish and Hungarian Revolutions (perhaps the Russian) and the
+assistance which may be (nobly?) given to them by Sweden, can easily
+be made as popular in this country as the Italian has, and efforts
+to produce this result are fully visible already. The position and
+prospects of the Ally, when the Emperor shall have the whole Continent
+at his feet, and the command of the Mediterranean and the Baltic,
+will not be a very pleasant one. Moreover, the Ally will probably have
+irritated him and the French Nation all the time by abusing them, and
+by showing that, although we may have approved of her policy, we did
+not intend that France should reap any benefits from it. All this is
+probably not thought of by our journalists, but requires the serious
+attention of our statesmen.
+
+Lord Palmerston will perhaps show this letter to Lord Russell when he
+sends him the copies of the Memoranda, which he will probably do.
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: FROGMORE]
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._
+
+OSBORNE, _20th August 1861_.
+
+MY BELOVED UNCLE,--Before I thank you for your dear letter of the
+14th, or at least before I answer it, I wish to tell you _how soothed_
+I was by that visit to that _lovely_ peaceful _Mausoleum at Frogmore_.
+
+We parted from our dear children and grandchildren with heavy hearts
+at seven on the morning of the 16th, for their visit, excepting the
+_blank_ which clouds over everything, has been most peaceful and
+satisfactory, and we have learnt to know and most highly
+appreciate the great _excellence_ of dear Fritz's character; noble,
+high-principled, so anxious to do what is right, and to improve
+in every way, and so sweet-tempered and affectionate--so, beyond
+everything, devoted to Vicky.
+
+I thought much of poor, dear Aunt Julia on the 15th; _that loss_ was
+the _signal_ for my irreparable one!
+
+We went that afternoon (16th) to Frogmore, where we slept. The first
+evening was terribly trying, and I must say quite overpowered me for a
+short time; _all_ looked _like life_, and yet _she_ was not there! But
+I got calmer; the very fact of being surrounded by all she liked, and
+of seeing the dear pretty house inhabited again, was a satisfaction,
+and the next morning was beautiful, and we went after breakfast
+with wreaths up to the Mausoleum, and into the vault which is _a
+plain-pied_, and so pretty--so airy--_so_ grand and simple, that,
+affecting as it is, there was no anguish or bitterness of grief,
+but calm repose! We placed the wreaths upon the splendid granite
+sarcophagus, and at its feet, and _felt_ that _only_ the _earthly
+robe_ we loved so much was there. The pure, tender, loving spirit
+_which loved us_ so tenderly, is above us--loving us, praying for us,
+and _free_ from _all_ suffering and woe--_yes_, that _is_ a _comfort_,
+and that _first birthday_ in _another_ world must have been a _far_
+brighter one than _any_ in this poor world below! I only grieve _now_
+that we should be going so far away from Frogmore, as I long to go
+there; only Alice and dear Augusta Bruce[31](who feels as a daughter
+of hers) went with us. The morning was so beautiful, and the garden
+_so_ lovely!...
+
+The news from Austria are very sad, and make one very anxious. The
+King of Sweden is full of wild notions put into his head by the
+Emperor Napoleon, for whom he has the greatest admiration!...
+
+It is high time I should end my long letter. With Albert's
+affectionate love, ever your devoted Niece,
+
+VICTORIA R.
+
+    [Footnote 31: Lady Augusta Bruce, who bad been living with the
+    Duchess of Kent at the time of her death, was appointed by the
+    Queen to be her resident Bedchamber Woman.]
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: VISIT TO IRELAND]
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._
+
+VICE-REGAL LODGE, PHOENIX PARK, _26th August 1861_.
+
+MY BELOVED UNCLE,--_Not_ to miss your messenger I write a few hurried
+lines to thank you for your two dear letters of the 16th and the 22nd,
+the last of which I received yesterday morning here.... Would to God
+that affairs in Hungary took a favourable turn--_mais j'en ai bien
+peur_. We had a very good passage on Wednesday night, since which it
+has blown very hard. We left Osborne on Wednesday morning (21st) at
+quarter to nine, and anchored in Kingstown Bay at half-past eleven
+that night. The next day (22nd) we landed at eleven and came here,
+and it rained the whole day. On Saturday we all went over to the camp,
+where there was a field-day. It is a fine _emplacement_ with beautiful
+turf. We had two cooling showers. Bertie marched past with his
+company, and did not look at all so very small.
+
+Yesterday was again a very bad day. I have felt weak and very nervous,
+and so low at times; I think _so_ much of dearest mamma, and miss her
+love and interest and solicitude _dreadfully_; I feel as if we were no
+longer cared for, and miss writing to her and telling her everything,
+dreadfully. At the Review they played one of her marches, which
+entirely upset me.
+
+Good Lord Carlisle[32] is most kind and amiable, and so much beloved.
+We start for Killarney at half-past twelve. This is the _dearest of
+days_, and one which fills my heart with love, gratitude, and emotion.
+God bless and protect for ever my beloved Albert--the purest and best
+of human beings! We miss our four little ones and baby sadly, but have
+our four eldest (except poor Vicky) with us.
+
+Now good-bye, dearest Uncle. Ever your devoted Niece,
+
+VICTORIA R.
+
+    [Footnote 32: Lord Carlisle was Viceroy in both the
+    administrations of Lord Palmerston; as Lord Morpeth he had
+    been Chief Secretary in the Melbourne Government.]
+
+
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to Earl Canning._
+
+BALMORAL, _9th September 1861_.
+
+The Queen has not heard of Lord Canning for some time, but is happy to
+hear indirectly that he is well, and that everything is going on well
+under his admirable administration.
+
+It is most gratifying to the Queen to see how peaceful her Indian
+Dominions are, and considering the very alarming state of affairs
+during the years 1857, '58, and even '59, it must be a source of
+unbounded satisfaction and pride to Lord Canning to witness this state
+of prosperity at the end of his Government.
+
+As Lord Canning will now soon return to England, the Queen is anxious
+to offer him the Rangership of the Park at Blackheath, with the house
+which dear Lord Aberdeen had for some years, hoping that he might find
+it acceptable and agreeable from its vicinity to London.[33]
+
+    [Footnote 33: Lord Aberdeen had died on the 14th of December
+    1860.]
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: THE ORLEANS PRINCES]
+
+
+_The King of the Belgians to Queen Victoria._
+
+LAEKEN, _17th October 1861_.
+
+MY BELOVED VICTORIA,--Receive my sincerest thanks for your dear letter
+of the 14th, which arrived very exactly. I am so happy to see all the
+good which your stay in the Highlands has done you, and I am sure it
+will be _lasting_, though Windsor must have the effect of reviving
+strongly some feelings.... When one looks back on those times, one
+must say that they were full of difficulties, and one ought to feel
+very grateful that such a happy present has grown out of them. I
+regret much Paris and Robert[34] having joined the Federal Army,
+mixing in a civil war!! The object is to show courage, to be able to
+say: "_Ils se sont beaucoup distingues_." They have a chance of being
+shot for Abraham Lincoln and the most rank Radicalism. I don't think
+that step will please in France, where Radicalism is at discount
+fortunately. The poor Queen is very unhappy about it, but now nothing
+can be done, only one may wish to see them well out of it. Poor Queen!
+constantly new events painful to her assail her. I had rather a kind
+letter from the Emperor Napoleon about the state of Mexico. I fear he
+will find his wishes to see there a stable Government not much liked
+in England, though his plans are _not_ for any advantage France is to
+derive from it. To-morrow we go to Liege to be in readiness for the
+following day. The King William III.[35] will arrive for dinner, stay
+the night, and go very early on Sunday. He will be extremely well
+received here, his _procede_ being duly appreciated. To be very
+civilly received in a country which one was heir to, is rather _un
+peu penible_, and one feels a little awkward.... Your devoted and only
+Uncle,
+
+LEOPOLD R.
+
+    [Footnote 34: The Comte de Paris and the Duc de Chartres, sons
+    of the Duc d'Orleans, eldest son of King Louis Philippe.]
+
+    [Footnote 35: The King of Holland.]
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: THE COURT OF HANOVER]
+
+
+_The Duchess of Manchester[36] to Queen Victoria._
+
+HANOVER [_Undated. October 1861_].
+
+MADAM,--Though your Majesty has only very lately seen the Princess
+Royal, I cannot refrain from addressing your Majesty, as I am sure
+your Majesty will be pleased to hear how well Her Royal Highness was
+looking during the Man[oe]uvres on the Rhine, and how much she seems
+to be beloved, not only by all those who know her, but also by those
+who have only seen and heard of her. The English could not help
+feeling proud of the way the Princess Royal was spoken of, and the
+high esteem she is held in. For one so young it is a most flattering
+position, and certainly as the Princess's charm of manner and her kind
+unaffected words had in that short time won her the hearts of all the
+officers and strangers present, one was not astonished at the praise
+the Prussians themselves bestow on Her Royal Highness. The Royal
+Family is so large, and their opinions politically and socially
+sometimes so different, that it must have been very difficult indeed
+at first for the Princess Royal, and people therefore cannot praise
+enough the high principles, great discretion, sound judgment, and
+cleverness Her Royal Highness has invariably displayed.
+
+Your Majesty would have been amused to hear General Wrangel[37] tell
+at the top of his voice how delighted the soldiers were to see the
+Princess on horseback, and the interest she showed for them. What
+pleased them specially was to see Her Royal Highness ride without a
+veil--such an odd thing in soldiers to remark. The King of Prussia
+is looking very well, but the Queen I thought very much altered. Her
+Majesty looks very pale and tired, and has such a painful drawn look
+about the mouth. How the Queen will be able to go through all the
+fatigues of the Coronation I do not know, as Her Majesty already
+complained of being tired, and knocked up by the man[oe]vres and
+dinners, and had to go to Mentz for a few days to rest herself.
+Their Majesties' kindness was very great, and the Duke told me of the
+extreme hospitality with which they were entertained. Every one,
+high and low, were rivalling each other in civility and friendliness
+towards the strangers, especially the English, and one really felt
+quite ashamed of those wanton attacks the _Times_ always makes on
+Prussia, and which are read and copied into all the Prussian papers.
+The last night all the officers dined together. General Forey put
+himself into the President's place and insisted, to the exclusion of
+Lord Clyde, who was by far the senior officer, and who was expected
+to do it, on proposing the health of the King, the Royal Family, the
+Army, and Nation. Not content with doing it in French, he drew out of
+his pocket a document written for him in German, for he did not know
+the language, and read it with the most extraordinary pronunciation.
+The English officers all admired the way the Germans kept their
+countenance notwithstanding the absurdity of the exhibition.
+
+On the 21st they have had great doings here at Hanover. I hear that to
+the astonishment of everybody the Queen appeared at the _Enthuellung_,
+where all other people were _en grande tenue_, in a little small round
+hat with a lilac feather. Her Maids of Honour--she has only one now
+besides that English Miss Stewart--were ordered to wear hats to keep
+Her Majesty in countenance. I wonder if your Majesty has read the
+speech the King has addressed to his people on the occasion of the
+_Enthuellung_ and the Crown Prince's birthday. It cannot fail to excite
+the greatest pity that such things, however well meant, should be
+written. Has your Majesty also heard of the pamphlet that has been
+published here called _Das Welfe_--that name Welfe is quite an _idee
+fixe_ of the King now, and he brings it in on every occasion, and
+this pamphlet is written throwing the whole idea into ridicule, and
+beginning with the last years of the late King's reign. The Crown
+Prince[38] is very much liked, but, unfortunately, his new tutor will
+probably also leave very shortly--he has no authority over him, the
+Prince still regretting M. de Issendorf. Besides, he is not allowed
+to exercise his judgment in the smallest way--the King going on the
+principle that a King only can educate a King. The reason the
+other tutor left, or was dismissed, was partly on account of his
+remonstrating against the religious instructions, which were carried
+so far that the Prince had hardly any time left to learn other
+things. Besides the Prince, who dislikes the clergyman, had drawn a
+caricature, to which the man very much gives himself, and the King
+thought M. de Issendorf had known of it, which turned out not to be
+the case.... I have the honour to remain, your Majesty's most obedient
+and devoted Servant and Subject,
+
+LOUISE MANCHESTER.
+
+    [Footnote 36: Louise Frederica Augusta, wife of the seventh
+    Duke of Manchester, and Mistress of the Robes. She was
+    daughter of the Count von Alten of Hanover, and is now Dowager
+    Duchess of Devonshire.]
+
+    [Footnote 37: The Queen had met General von Wrangel at
+    Babelsberg in August 1858. "He is seventy-six," she wrote,
+    "and a great character." He had commanded a division in the
+    Danish war of 1848, and it had fallen to him in the same year,
+    as Commandant of the troops, to dissolve the Berlin Assembly
+    by force.]
+
+    [Footnote 38: Prince Ernest Augustus, born 1845; the present
+    Duke of Cumberland.]
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: CORONATION OF KING OF PRUSSIA]
+
+[Pageheading: A BRILLIANT CEREMONY]
+
+[Pageheading: DISTINGUISHED GUESTS]
+
+
+_The Crown Princess of Prussia to Queen Victoria._
+
+KOENISBERG, _19th October 1861_.
+
+MY BELOVED MAMMA,--Last night I could not write to you as I would have
+wished, because I felt so knocked up that I went to bed. I have got
+such a very bad cold on my chest, with a cough that leaves me no rest,
+and of course cannot take care of myself, and am obliged to stand and
+sit in every sort of draught with a low gown and without a cloak, so
+it is no wonder to have caught cold. I have not had a cough since
+I don't know when. I should like to be able to describe yesterday's
+ceremony to you, but I cannot find words to tell you how fine and how
+touching it was; it really was a magnificent sight! The King looked so
+very handsome and so noble with the crown on; it seemed to suit him so
+exactly. The Queen, too, looked beautiful, and did all she had to do
+with perfect grace, and looked so _vornehm_; I assure you the whole
+must have made a great impression on everybody present, and all those
+to whom I have talked on the subject quite share my feeling. The
+moment when the King put the crown on the Queen's head was very
+touching, I think there was hardly a dry eye in the church. The
+_Schlosshof_ was the finest, I thought--five bands playing "God save
+the Queen," banners waving in all directions, cheers so loud that they
+quite drowned the sound of the music, and the procession moving slowly
+on, the sky without a cloud; and all the uniforms, and the ladies'
+diamonds glittering in the bright sunlight. I shall never forget it
+all, it was so very fine! Dearest Fritz's birthday being chosen for
+the day made me very happy; he was in a great state of emotion and
+excitement, as you can imagine, as we all were. Mr Thomas[39] was in
+the chapel. I hope he will have been able to take down some useful
+memoranda. The Grand Duke of Weimar,[40] the King and ourselves, have
+ordered drawings of him.
+
+The _coup d'[oe]il_ was really beautiful; the chapel is in itself
+lovely, with a great deal of gold about it, and all hung with red
+velvet and gold--the carpet, altar, thrones and canopies the same. The
+Knights of the Black Eagle with red velvet cloaks, the Queen's four
+young ladies all alike in white and gold, the two Palastdamen in
+crimson velvet and gold, and the Oberhofmeisterin in gold and white
+brocade with green velvet, Marianne and Addy in red and gold and red
+and silver; I, in gold with ermine and white satin, my ladies, one
+in blue velvet, the other in red velvet, and Countess Schulenberg,
+together with the two other Oberhofmeisterin of the other Princesses,
+in violet velvet and gold. All these colours together looked very
+beautiful, and the sun shone, or rather poured in at the high windows,
+and gave quite magic tinges.
+
+The music was very fine, the chorales were sung so loud and strong
+that it really quite moved one. The King was immensely cheered,
+wherever he appeared--also the Queen, and even I.
+
+There were illuminations last night, but I did not go to see them,
+as I was too tired and felt so unwell. There are five degrees of cold
+(Reaumur), and one is exposed to draughts every minute.
+
+Sixteen hundred people dined in the Schloss last night! The King and
+Queen were most kind to me yesterday; the King gave me a charming
+little locket for his hair, and only think--what will sound most
+extraordinary, absurd, and incredible to your ears--made me Second
+_Chef_ of the 2nd Regiment of Hussars! I laughed so much, because
+really I thought it was a joke--it seemed so strange for ladies; but
+the Regiments like particularly having ladies for their _Chefs!_ The
+Queen and the Queen Dowager have Regiments, but I believe I am the
+first Princess on whom such an honour is conferred.
+
+The Archduke addressed the King yesterday, in the name of all the
+foreign Princes present, in a very pretty speech.
+
+It is such a pleasure to see good Philip here, and the two Portuguese
+cousins. Juan[41] is very nice, but he does not talk much; he has a
+very fine, tall figure, and is nice-looking. I should think he must
+be like his father. Prince Hohenzollern [42] is become Royal Highness,
+and the title is to descend to his eldest son. Half Europe is here,
+and one sees the funniest combinations in the world. It is like
+a happy family shut up in a cage! The Italian Ambassador sat near
+Cardinal Geisel, and the French one opposite the Archduke. The
+Grand Duke Nicolas is here--he is so nice--also the Crown Prince
+of Wuertemberg,[43] Crown Prince of Saxony,[44] Prince Luitpold of
+Bavaria,[45] Prince Charles of Hesse[46] (who nearly dies of fright
+and shyness amongst so many people), and Heinrich; Prince Elimar of
+Oldenburg,[47] Prince Frederic of the Netherlands,[48] and the
+Grand Duke and Duchess of Weimar, who wish to be most particularly
+remembered to you and Papa.
+
+The King and Queen are most kind to Lord Clarendon, and make a marked
+difference between their marked cordiality to him and the stiff
+etiquette with which the other Ambassadors are received.
+
+I think he is pleased with what he sees. The King has given the Queen
+the Order of the Black Eagle in diamonds. I write all these details,
+as you wish them, at the risk of their not interesting you, besides
+my being, as you know, a very bad hand at descriptions. I shall make a
+point of your having newspapers.
+
+I am unable to appear at the _cour_ this morning, as my cough is too
+violent: I hope to be able to be at the concert this evening, but I
+own it seems very doubtful. The state dinner looked very well; we were
+waited on by our _Kammerherren_ and pages--the King being waited on
+by the _Oberhofchargen_--and our ladies stood behind our chairs. After
+the first two dishes are round, the King asks to drink, and that is
+the signal for the ladies and gentlemen to leave the room and go to
+dinner, while the Pages of Honour continue to serve the whole dinner
+really wonderfully well, poor boys, considering it is no easy task.
+
+To-morrow we leave Koenigsberg for Dantzic--we have not had one day's
+bad weather here, nothing but sunshine and a bright blue sky. I was so
+glad that Heaven smiled upon us yesterday, it would have been so sad
+if it had poured; it looked a little threatening early in the morning
+and a few drops fell, but it cleared completely before nine o'clock.
+
+Fritz would thank you for your dear letters himself, but he is at the
+University, where they have elected him _Rector Magnificus_, and where
+he has to make a speech. We have all got our servants and carriages
+and horses here _every_ day--300 footmen in livery, together with
+other servants in livery, make 400. All the standards and colours of
+the whole Army are here, and all the Colonels. Altogether, you cannot
+imagine what a crush and what a scramble there is on every occasion;
+there was a man crushed to death in the crowd the other day, which
+is quite dreadful. I must say good-bye now, and send this scrawl by
+a messenger, whom Lord Clarendon means to expedite. Ever your most
+dutiful and affectionate Daughter,
+
+VICTORIA.
+
+    [Footnote 39: George Housman Thomas, artist (1824-1868). The
+    picture he produced on this occasion was entitled, _Homage of
+    the Princess Royal at the Coronation of the King of Prussia_.]
+
+    [Footnote 40: Charles Alexander, 1818-1901, grandfather of the
+    present Grand Duke.]
+
+    [Footnote 41: Prince John, brother of King Pedro, was making a
+    tour with his elder brother, Louis, the Duc d'Oporto.]
+
+    [Footnote 42: Prince Charles Anthony of Hohenzollern was the
+    father of the young Queen Stephanie of Portugal, who had died
+    in 1859.]
+
+    [Footnote 43: Prince Charles Frederick, 1823-1891.]
+
+    [Footnote 44: Prince Albert, who became King in 1873.]
+
+    [Footnote 45: Brother of King Maximilian II.]
+
+    [Footnote 46: Son of the Elector Frederick William I.]
+
+    [Footnote 47: Brother of the reigning Grand Duke.]
+
+    [Footnote 48: Uncle of the King of Holland.]
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: THE PRINCESS ROYAL]
+
+
+_The Earl of Clarendon to Queen Victoria._
+
+KOENIGSBERG, _19th October 1861_.
+
+Lord Clarendon presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and humbly
+hopes that your Majesty will not be displeased at his not having
+written sooner, but every moment has been occupied by _fetes_ and
+ceremonies here, and the visits to Royal Personages, who are in great
+numbers, and Lord Clarendon also wished to delay sending off the
+messenger until the Coronation was over.
+
+That most interesting and imposing ceremony took place yesterday, and
+with the most complete and unalloyed success; everything was conducted
+with the most perfect order; the service not too long, the vocal music
+enchanting, but _the_ great feature of the ceremony was the manner in
+which the Princess Royal did homage to the King. Lord Clarendon is at
+a loss for words to describe to your Majesty the exquisite grace and
+the intense emotion with which Her Royal Highness gave effect to her
+feelings on the occasion. Many an older as well as younger man than
+Lord Clarendon, who had not his interest in the Princess Royal, were
+quite as unable as himself to repress their emotion at that which was
+so touching, because so unaffected and sincere....
+
+If His Majesty had the mind, the judgment, and the foresight of the
+Princess Royal, there would be nothing to fear, and the example
+and influence of Prussia would soon be marvellously developed. Lord
+Clarendon has had the honour to hold a very long conversation with
+Her Royal Highness, and has been more than ever astonished at the
+_statesmanlike_ and comprehensive views which she takes of the policy
+of Prussia, both internal and foreign, and of the _duties_ of a
+Constitutional King.
+
+Lord Clarendon is not at all astonished, but very much pleased, to
+find how appreciated and beloved Her Royal Highness is by all classes.
+Every member of the Royal Family has spoken of her to Lord Clarendon
+in terms of admiration, and through various channels he has had
+opportunities of learning how strong the feeling of educated and
+enlightened people is towards Her Royal Highness. All persons say
+most truly that any one who saw Her Royal Highness yesterday can never
+forget her.
+
+Lord Clarendon is sorry to say that the Princess Royal has a feverish
+cold to-day--nothing at all serious--and as Her Royal Highness stayed
+in bed this afternoon, did not attend the great concert at the Palace
+this evening, and, as Lord Clarendon hopes, will not go to Dantzic
+to-morrow, Her Royal Highness will probably be quite fit for the many
+fatiguing duties she will have to perform next week....
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: THE EMPEROR NAPOLEON'S AIMS]
+
+[Pageheading: AUSTRIA AND PRUSSIA]
+
+
+_The Earl of Clarendon to Queen Victoria._
+
+BERLIN, _20th October 1861_.
+
+Lord Clarendon presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and humbly
+begs to say that yesterday he had the honour of being sent for by the
+Queen, with whom he had a long and interesting conversation....
+
+The Queen expressed her deep regret at the tone of the English
+newspapers, but admitted that the German Press repaid the English
+insults with large interest. Her Majesty said, however, that she
+and the King, and all sensible men with whom their Majesties hold
+communication, were determined to disregard the attacks, and by every
+possible means to draw nearer to England.
+
+Lord Clarendon took the opportunity of warning the Queen respecting
+the Emperor and his _idee fixe_, that his dynasty could only be
+secured by the territorial aggrandisement of France. Lord Clarendon
+expressed his conviction that if the King had resembled M. de Cavour,
+some strong proposals would already have been made to them, but that
+the Emperor's plans had been foiled by the honourable character of the
+King. There ought, nevertheless, to be no delusion here, but on the
+contrary, a careful avoidance of the traps which cajolery and flattery
+were setting for Prussia, because at any moment the Emperor might
+think it necessary for his own purposes in France to seize upon the
+left bank of the Rhine, and that all classes in France, no matter
+to what party belonging, would be delighted at his so doing, and his
+popularity and power in France would be enormously increased by it.
+The Queen agreed, but was under the notion, which Lord Clarendon
+was able effectually to dispel, that the dilapidated state of French
+finances would prevent the Emperor from undertaking a war upon a large
+scale.
+
+Lord Clarendon thinks that he strengthened the Queen's opinion
+respecting "eventualities" and the necessity of making preparations
+and evoking a national spirit against foreign aggression, such as that
+recently manifested in England, and which had done so much in favour
+of peace as far as we ourselves were concerned. Her Majesty, however,
+said that Prussian policy towards Germany opened so large a chapter
+that she wished to reserve the discussion of it for our next
+conversation.
+
+Lord Clarendon fears that Count Bernstorff is disposed to think that
+Austria's difficulty is Prussia's opportunity, and to be exigent as
+to the concessions upon which a better understanding between the two
+countries must be based. Lord Clarendon was confidentially informed
+yesterday that a Cabinet had just been held for the first time since
+Count Bernstorff became a member of it, and that with respect to
+internal affairs he had greatly alarmed and annoyed some of his
+colleagues by his retrograde opinions. Lord Clarendon had the honour
+of dining with the Crown Prince and Princess last night. The dinner
+was perfect, and everything conducted in the most admirable manner;
+there was afterwards a ball at "The Queen's" which was really a
+splendid fete. The festivities and the visitings are so uninterrupted
+that everybody is unwell and tired. The Duc de Magenta's grand fete
+takes place on the 29th. The Austrian Minister gives a ball to-morrow
+(_Sunday_), which day has unfortunately been fixed by the King, to the
+annoyance of all the English; but Lord Clarendon has determined that
+the Embassy shall attend, otherwise the King might consider that we
+wished to give him a public lesson upon the observance of the Sabbath.
+Lord Clarendon trusts that your Majesty will approve the decision.
+Lord Granville's visit appears to be highly appreciated by the Court.
+
+
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._
+
+BALMORAL, _21st October 1861_.
+
+MY DEAREST UNCLE,--You will excuse a long letter as this is our last
+day, alas! Many, many thanks for your dear letters of the 17th and
+18th, which I received yesterday. I am glad to see that my account of
+our mountain expedition amused you, and that you remember all so well.
+If it could amuse you later, I would send you my _Reisebeschreibung_
+to read. I will have it copied and send it you later. We have had a
+most beautiful week, which we have thoroughly enjoyed--I going out
+every day about twelve or half-past, taking luncheon with us, carried
+in a basket on the back of a Highlander, and served by an _invaluable_
+Highland servant I have, who is _my factotum here_, and takes the most
+wonderful care of me, combining the offices of groom, footman, page,
+and _maid_, I might almost say, as he is so handy about cloaks and
+shawls, etc. He always leads my pony, and always attends me out of
+doors, and _such_ a good, handy, _faithful_, attached servant I have
+nowhere; it is quite a sorrow for me to leave him behind. Now, with
+Albert's affectionate love, ever your devoted Niece,
+
+VICTORIA R.
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: THE _TIMES_ AND PRUSSIA]
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to Viscount Palmerston._
+
+WINDSOR CASTLE, _25th October 1861_.
+
+The Queen has long seen with deep regret the persevering efforts
+made by the _Times_, which leads the rest of our Press, in attacking,
+vilifying, and abusing everything German, and particularly everything
+Prussian. That journal had since years shown the same bias, but it is
+since the Macdonald affair of last year,[49] that it has assumed
+that tone of virulence, which could not fail to produce the deepest
+indignation amongst the people of Germany, and by degrees estrange the
+feelings of the people of this country from Germany. Lord Palmerston,
+probably not reading any German newspaper, nor having any personal
+intercourse with that country, can hardly be aware to what extent the
+mischief has already gone, though he will agree with the Queen that
+national hatred between these two peoples is a real political calamity
+for both. The Queen had often intended to write to Lord Palmerston
+on the subject, and to ask him whether he would not be acting in the
+spirit of public duty if he endeavoured, as far at least as might
+be in his power, to point out to the managers of the _Times_ (which
+derives some of its power from the belief abroad that it represents
+more or less the feelings of the Government) how great the injury is
+which it inflicts upon the best interests of this country. She has,
+however, refrained from doing so, trusting in the chance of a change
+in tone, and feeling that Lord Palmerston might not like to enter into
+discussion with the Editors of the _Times_....
+
+The Queen believes that Lord Palmerston is the only person who could
+exercise any influence over Mr Delane, and even if this should not
+be much, it will be important that that gentleman should know the
+mischief his writings are doing, and that the Government sincerely
+deplore it.
+
+    [Footnote 49: At Bonn, in September 1860, Captain Macdonald, a
+    railway passenger, had been ejected from his seat in the
+    train by the railway authorities, and committed to prison.
+    The incident became the subject of considerable diplomatic
+    correspondence, as well as of some fierce attacks on Prussia
+    in the _Times_.]
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: THE ENGLISH PRESS]
+
+
+_Mr Delane to Viscount Palmerston._[50]
+
+16 SERJEANT'S INN, _28th October 1861_.
+
+MY DEAR LORD,--I shall be very glad to give the Prussians a respite
+from that most cruel of all inflictions--good advice.
+
+Indeed, I would not have intruded anything so unwelcome during the
+splendid solemnities of the Coronation had not the King uttered those
+surprising anachronisms upon Divine Right.
+
+Pray observe, too, in extenuation of my offence that I sent a faithful
+chronicler to Koenigsberg, who has described all the splendours in a
+proper and reverent spirit, and done what man can do to render such
+ceremonies intelligible, and the recital of them not too wearisome to
+those who believe in Divine Right as little as your Lordship's very
+faithful Servant,
+
+JOHN T. DELANE.
+
+    [Footnote 50: Enclosed in the following letter.]
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: THE _TIMES_]
+
+
+_Viscount Palmerston to Queen Victoria._
+
+WINDSOR CASTLE, _30th October 1861_.
+
+Viscount Palmerston presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and begs
+to state that when he received a few days ago from Lord Russell the
+Memorandum which your Majesty intended for him, and which he returned
+to Lord Russell, he wrote to Mr Delane in accordance with your
+Majesty's wishes, and he has this morning received the accompanying
+answer.
+
+Viscount Palmerston would, however, beg to submit that an erroneous
+notion prevails on the Continent as to English newspapers.
+
+The newspapers on the Continent are all more or less under a certain
+degree of control, and the most prominent among them are the organs of
+political parties, or of leading public men; and it is not unnatural
+that Governments and Parties on the Continent should think that
+English newspapers are published under similar conditions.
+
+But in this country all thriving newspapers are commercial
+undertakings, and are conducted on commercial principles, and none
+others are able long to maintain an existence. Attempts have often
+been made to establish newspapers to be directed by political men,
+and to be guided by the same considerations by which those men would
+govern their own conduct, but such papers have seldom succeeded.
+The Peelite Party tried some years ago such an experiment with the
+_Morning Chronicle_, but after spending a very large sum of money
+on the undertaking they were obliged to give it up. The _Times_ is
+carried on as a large commercial enterprise, though, of course, with
+certain political tendencies and bias, but mainly with a view to
+profit upon the large capital employed.
+
+The actual price at which each copy of the newspaper is sold barely
+pays the expense of paper, printing, and establishment; it is indeed
+said that the price does not repay those expenses. The profit of
+the newspaper arises from the price paid for advertisements, and
+the greater the number of advertisements the greater the profit. But
+advertisements are sent by preference to the newspaper which has the
+greatest circulation; and that paper gets the widest circulation which
+is the most amusing, the most interesting, and the most instructive.
+A dull paper is soon left off. The proprietors and managers of the
+_Times_ therefore go to great expense in sending correspondents to all
+parts of the world where interesting events are taking place, and they
+employ a great many able and clever men to write articles upon all
+subjects which from time to time engage public attention; and as
+mankind take more pleasure in reading criticism and fault-finding than
+praise, because it is soothing to individual vanity and conceit to
+fancy that the reader has become wiser than those about whom he reads,
+so the _Times_, in order to maintain its circulation, criticises
+freely everybody and everything; and especially events and persons,
+and Governments abroad, because such strictures are less likely to
+make enemies at home than violent attacks upon parties and persons in
+this country. Foreign Governments and Parties ought therefore to look
+upon English newspapers in the true point of view, and not to be too
+sensitive as to attacks which those papers may contain.
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: DEMOCRACY IN PRUSSIA]
+
+
+_The Earl of Clarendon to Queen Victoria._
+
+BERLIN, _5th November 1861_.
+
+Lord Clarendon presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and humbly
+begs to say that as he leaves Berlin to-morrow, the Princess Royal has
+most kindly just given him an Audience of leave, although Her Royal
+Highness was still suffering considerable pain in her ear, and was
+quite unfit for any exertion. Her Royal Highness's countenance bears
+traces of the severe illness of the last few days, but Lord Clarendon
+trusts that the worst is now over, and that care alone is necessary
+for her complete recovery. Her Royal Highness is still so weak that
+she was obliged to desist from writing, which she attempted this
+morning, and Lord Clarendon took the liberty of earnestly recommending
+that the journey to Breslau, upon which Her Royal Highness appeared to
+be bent, should be given up. Lord Clarendon intends to repeat the same
+advice to the Queen, whom he is to see this evening, as there are to
+be four days of rejoicings at Breslau, for the fatigue of which the
+Crown Princess must be utterly unfit.
+
+Her Royal Highness is much alarmed at the state of things here, and
+Lord Clarendon thinks with great reason, for the King has quite made
+up his mind as to the course that he will pursue. He sees democracy
+and revolution in every symptom of opposition to his will. His
+Ministers are mere clerks, who are quite content to register the
+King's decrees, and there is no person from whom His Majesty seeks
+advice, or indeed who is capable or would have the moral courage to
+give it. The King will always religiously keep his word, and will
+never overturn the institutions he has sworn to maintain, but they
+are so distasteful to him, and so much at variance with his habit of
+thought and settled opinions as to the rights of the Crown, that His
+Majesty will never, if he can avoid it, accept the consequences
+of representative Government, or allow it to be a reality. This is
+generally known, and among the middle classes is producing an uneasy
+and resentful feeling, but as far as Lord Clarendon is able to judge,
+there is no fear of revolution--the Army is too strong, and the
+recollection of 1848 is too fresh to allow of acts of violence.
+
+Lord Clarendon had the honour of an Audience of the King on Sunday.
+His Majesty was most friendly and kind, but evidently unwell and
+irritable. Lord Clarendon therefore thought that it would be neither
+prudent nor useful to say the many things that the Queen had wished
+that the King should hear from Lord Clarendon. He touched upon the
+subject of Constitutional Government, and His Majesty said: "I have
+sworn to maintain our Institutions, and I declare to you, and I wish
+you to inform your Government, that I will maintain them."
+
+Lord Clarendon proposes to remain Friday at Brussels, and hopes to
+have the honour of seeing the King.
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: DEATH OF KING OF PORTUGAL]
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._
+
+WINDSOR CASTLE, _12th November 1861_.
+
+MY BELOVED UNCLE,--I hardly know _how_ to _write_, for my head reels
+and swims, and my heart is very sore![51] _What_ an awful misfortune
+this is! How the hand of death seems bent on pursuing that poor,
+dear family! once so prosperous. Poor Ferdinand so proud of his
+children--of his five sons--now the eldest and _most_ distinguished,
+the head of the family, _gone_, and also another of fifteen, and the
+youngest _still_ ill! The two others at sea, and will land to-morrow
+in utter ignorance of everything, and poor, dear, good Louis (whom I
+thought dreadfully low when we saw him and Jean for an hour on Friday)
+King! It is an almost incredible event! a terrible calamity for
+Portugal, and a _real_ European loss! Dear Pedro was so good, so
+clever, so distinguished! He was so attached to my beloved Albert, and
+the characters and tastes suited so well, and he had such confidence
+in Albert! _All, all gone!_ _He_ is happy now, united again to dear
+Stephanie,[52] whose loss he never recovered.... Ever your devoted
+Niece,
+
+VICTORIA R.
+
+    [Footnote 51: King Pedro of Portugal died of typhoid fever on
+    the 11th of November; his brother Ferdinand had died on the
+    6th; and Prince John, Duke of Beja, succumbed in the following
+    December.]
+
+    [Footnote 52: The young Queen Stephanie of Portugal had died
+    in 1859.]
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: THE AFFAIR OF THE _TRENT_]
+
+
+_Viscount Palmerston to Queen Victoria._
+
+DOWNING STREET, _13th November 1861_.
+
+... Viscount Palmerston met yesterday at dinner at Baron Brunnow's
+the Grand Duke Constantine and the Grand Duchess, and they were
+overflowing with thankfulness for the kind and gracious reception they
+had met with at Windsor Castle.
+
+There was reason to suspect that an American federal steamer of war of
+eight guns, which had lately arrived at Falmouth, and from thence at
+Southampton, was intended to intercept the Mail Packet coming home
+with the West Indian Mail, in order to take out of her Messrs Mason
+and Slidell, the two Envoys from the Southern Confederacy, supposed to
+be coming in her.[53]
+
+Viscount Palmerston had on Monday a meeting at the Treasury of the
+Chancellor, Doctor Lushington, the three Law Officers,[54] the Duke
+of Somerset, Sir George Grey, and Mr Hammond.[55] The result of their
+deliberation was that, according to the Law of Nations, as laid down
+by Lord Stowell, and practised and enforced by England in the war
+with France, the Northern Union being a belligerent is entitled by its
+ships of war to stop and search any neutral Merchantmen, and the West
+India Packet is such; to search her if there is reasonable suspicion
+that she is carrying enemy's despatches, and if such are found on
+board to take her to a port of the belligerent, and there to proceed
+against her for condemnation. Such being ruled to be the law, the only
+thing that could be done was to order the _Phaeton_ frigate to drop
+down to Yarmouth Roads from Portsmouth, and to watch the American
+steamer, and to see that she did not exercise this belligerent right
+within the three-mile limit of British jurisdiction, and this was
+done. But Viscount Palmerston sent yesterday for Mr Adams to ask him
+about this matter, and to represent to him how unwise it would be to
+create irritation in this country merely for the sake of preventing
+the landing of Mr Slidell, whose presence here would have no more
+effect on the policy of your Majesty with regard to America than the
+presence of the three other Southern Deputies who have been here for
+many months. Mr Adams assured Viscount Palmerston that the American
+steamer had orders not to meddle with any vessel under any foreign
+flag; that it came to intercept the _Nashville_, the Confederate ship
+in which it was thought the Southern Envoys might be coming; and not
+having met with her was going back to the American coast to watch some
+Merchantmen supposed to be taking arms to the Southern ports.
+
+Viscount Palmerston heard from a source likely to be well informed
+that at the interview between the Emperor and the King of Prussia
+at Compiegne, the Emperor, among other things, said to the King that
+there were three systems of alliance between which France and Prussia
+might choose: an alliance of France with England, an alliance of
+Prussia with England, an alliance of France with Prussia. The first
+the Emperor said now to a certain degree exists, but is precarious and
+not likely to last long, because England is too exacting; the second
+would not be useful to Prussia, but might be dangerous, inasmuch as it
+would look like hostility to France, and England would not be likely
+to back Prussia effectually if a rupture took place between Prussia
+and France. The last was the system best for Prussia, and was
+calculated to promote her interests; at all events, the Emperor hoped
+that if at any time there should be a rupture between France and
+England, Prussia would remain neutral. The King of Prussia said he was
+not come to discuss matters of that kind with the Emperor, but only
+to pay him a visit of compliment. Your Majesty will be able to compare
+this statement with the accounts your Majesty may have received of
+what passed at that visit....
+
+The Chancellor[56] told the Cabinet as he was going away that he would
+soon have to shut up the Court of Chancery in consequence of having
+disposed of all the suits before it; and that in future the progress
+of a Chancery suit will be the emblem of rapidity, and not as formerly
+synonymous with endless delay.
+
+    [Footnote 53: See _ante_, Introductory Note to Chapter XXX.]
+
+    [Footnote 54: Sir William Atherton, Attorney-General, Sir
+    Roundell Palmer, Solicitor-General, and Dr Phillimore, Counsel
+    to the Admiralty.]
+
+    [Footnote 55: Permanent Under-Secretary of State for Foreign
+    Affairs, afterwards Lord Hammond.]
+
+    [Footnote 56: Lord Westbury.]
+
+
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._
+
+WINDSOR CASTLE, _26th November 1861_.
+
+MY BELOVED UNCLE,--... Albert is a little rheumatic, which is a
+plague--but it is very difficult not to have something or other of
+this kind in this season, with these rapid changes of temperature;
+_unberufen, unberufen_, he is much better this winter than he was the
+preceding years.[57] ...
+
+    [Footnote 57: The Prince had been unwell, even before the
+    receipt of the distressing news from Portugal, and began to
+    suffer from a somewhat continuous insomnia. On the 22nd of
+    November, he drove to Sandhurst to inspect the new buildings
+    in progress there. The day was very wet, and, though he
+    returned in the middle of the day to Windsor, the exertion
+    proved too severe for him; on the 24th he complained of
+    rheumatic pains, and of prolonged sleeplessness.]
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: REDRESS DEMANDED]
+
+
+_Viscount Palmerston to Queen Victoria._
+
+DOWNING STREET, _29th November 1861_.
+
+Viscount Palmerston presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and begs
+to state that the Cabinet at its meeting this afternoon resumed the
+consideration of the forcible capture of the Southern Envoys from on
+board the _Trent_ steamer upon which the law officers had yesterday
+given the opinion contained in the accompanying report. The law
+officers and Doctor Phillimore, Counsel to the Admiralty, were in
+attendance. The result was that it appeared to the Cabinet that a
+gross outrage and violation of international law has been committed,
+and that your Majesty should be advised to demand reparation and
+redress. The Cabinet is to meet again to-morrow at two, by which time
+Lord Russell will have prepared an instruction to Lord Lyons for the
+consideration of the Cabinet, and for submission afterwards to your
+Majesty. The general outline and tenor which appeared to meet the
+opinions of the Cabinet would be, that the Washington Government
+should be told that what has been done is a violation of international
+law, and of the rights of Great Britain, and that your Majesty's
+Government trust that the act will be disavowed and the prisoners set
+free and restored to British Protection; and that Lord Lyons should
+be instructed that if this demand is refused he should retire from the
+United States.
+
+It is stated by Mrs and Miss Slidell, who are now in London, that the
+Northern officer who came on board the _Trent_ said that they
+were acting on their own responsibility without instructions from
+Washington; that very possibly their act might be disavowed and the
+prisoners set free on their arrival at Washington. But it was known
+that the _San Jacinto_, though come from the African station, had
+arrived from thence several weeks before, and had been at St Thomas,
+and had there received communications from New York; and it is also
+said that General Scott, who has recently arrived in France, has
+said to Americans in Paris that he has come not on an excursion of
+pleasure, but on diplomatic business; that the seizure of these envoys
+was discussed in Cabinet at Washington, he being present, and was
+deliberately determined upon and ordered; that the Washington Cabinet
+fully foresaw it might lead to war with England; and that he was
+commissioned to propose to France in that case to join the Northern
+States in war against England, and to offer France in that case the
+restoration of the French Province of Canada.
+
+General Scott will probably find himself much mistaken as to the
+success of his overtures; for the French Government is more disposed
+towards the South than the North, and is probably thinking more about
+Cotton than about Canada....
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: AN ULTIMATUM]
+
+
+_Earl Russell to Queen Victoria._
+
+FOREIGN OFFICE, _29th November 1861_.
+
+Lord Russell presents his humble duty to your Majesty; Mr Gladstone
+has undertaken to explain to your Majesty what has taken place at the
+Cabinet to-day.
+
+Lord Russell proposes to frame a draft for to-morrow's Cabinet of a
+despatch to Lord Lyons, directing him to ask for the release of Messrs
+Mason and Slidell and their two companions, and an apology. In case
+these requirements should be refused, Lord Lyons should ask for his
+passports.
+
+The Lord Chancellor and the law officers of the Crown are clear upon
+the law of the case.
+
+Lord Russell will be glad to have your Majesty's opinion on the draft
+which will go to your Majesty about four o'clock to-morrow, without
+loss of time, as the packet goes to-morrow evening.[58]
+
+    [Footnote 58: The draft of the despatch to Lord Lyons reached
+    Windsor on the evening of the 30th, and, in spite of his weak
+    and suffering state, the Prince prepared the draft of the
+    Queen's letter early the following morning. The letter has
+    been printed in _facsimile_ by Sir Theodore Martin, who
+    adds that it has a special value as "representing the last
+    political Memorandum written by the Prince, while it was at
+    the same time inferior to none of them, as will presently be
+    seen, in the importance of its results. It shows, like most of
+    his Memorandums, by the corrections in the Queen's hand, how
+    the minds of both were continually brought to bear upon the
+    subjects with which they dealt."]
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: THE PRINCE'S LAST LETTER]
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to Earl Russell._
+
+WINDSOR CASTLE, _1st December 1861_.
+
+_Note in the Queen's handwriting._
+
+[This draft was the last the beloved Prince ever wrote; he was very
+unwell at the time, and when he brought it in to the Queen, he said:
+"I could hardly hold my pen."
+
+VICTORIA R.]
+
+The Queen returns these important drafts, which upon the whole she
+approves, but she cannot help feeling that the main draft, that for
+communication to the American Government, is somewhat meagre. She
+should have liked to have seen the expression of a hope that the
+American captain did not act under instructions, or, if he did, that
+he misapprehended them--that the United States Government must be
+fully aware that the British Government could not allow its flag to be
+insulted, and the security of her mail communications to be placed to
+jeopardy, and Her Majesty's Government are unwilling to believe that
+the United States Government intended wantonly to put an insult upon
+this country, and to add to their many distressing complications by
+forcing a question of dispute upon us, and that we are therefore glad
+to believe that upon a full consideration of the circumstances, and
+of the undoubted breach of international law committed, they would
+spontaneously offer such redress as alone could satisfy this country,
+viz. the restoration of the unfortunate passengers and a suitable
+apology.
+
+
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._
+
+WINDSOR CASTLE, _4th December 1861_.
+
+MY DEAREST UNCLE,--I have many excuses to make for not writing
+yesterday, but I had a good deal to do, as my poor dear Albert's
+rheumatism has turned out to be a regular influenza, which has pulled
+and lowered him very much. Since Monday he has been confined to his
+room. It affects his appetite and sleep, which is very disagreeable,
+and you know he is always _so_ depressed when anything is the matter
+with him. However, he is decidedly better to-day, and I hope in two or
+three days he will be quite himself again. It is extremely vexatious,
+as he was so particularly well till he caught these colds, which came
+upon worries of various kinds.... Ever your devoted Niece,
+
+VICTORIA R.
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: ILLNESS OF THE PRINCE]
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._
+
+WINDSOR CASTLE, _6th December 1861_.
+
+MY BELOVED UNCLE,--I am thankful to report decidedly better of my
+beloved Albert. He has had much more sleep, and has taken much more
+nourishment since yesterday evening. Altogether, this nasty, feverish
+sort of influenza and deranged stomach is _on_ the mend, but it will
+be slow and tedious, and though there has _not_ been one alarming
+symptom, there has been such restlessness, such sleeplessness, and
+such (till to-day) _total_ refusal of all food, that it made one
+_very, very_ anxious, and I can't describe the _anxiety_ I have gone
+through! I feel to-day a good deal shaken, for for four nights I got
+only two or three hours' sleep. We have, however, every reason to hope
+the recovery, though it may be _somewhat_ tedious, will not be _very_
+slow. You shall hear again to-morrow. Ever your devoted Niece,
+
+VICTORIA R.
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: HOPE NOT ABANDONED]
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._
+
+WINDSOR CASTLE, _9th December 1861_.
+
+MY BELOVED UNCLE,--I enclose you Clark's report, which I think you
+may like to hear. Our beloved invalid goes on well--but it _must_ be
+tedious, and I need not tell you _what_ a trial it is to me. Every
+day, however, is bringing us nearer the end of this tiresome illness,
+which is much what I had at Ramsgate, only that I was much worse, and
+not at first well attended to. You shall hear daily.
+
+You will, I know, feel for me! The night was excellent; the first good
+one he had. Ever your devoted Niece,
+
+VICTORIA R.
+
+The Americans _may_ possibly get out of it.
+
+
+
+
+_The King of the Belgians to Queen Victoria._
+
+LAEKEN, _11th December 1861_.
+
+MY BELOVED VICTORIA,--_How I do feel for you from the bottom of my
+heart_; that you should have this totally unexpected tribulation of
+having dear Albert unwell, when not long ago we rejoiced that he was
+bearing this time of the year so well. Now we must be very patient,
+as an indisposition of this description at this time of the year is
+generally mending slowly. The great object must be to arrange all the
+little details exactly as the patient may wish them; that everything
+of that description may move very smoothly is highly beneficial.
+Patients are very different in their likings; to the great horror
+of angelic Louise, the moment I am ill I become almost invisible,
+disliking to see anybody. Other people are fond of company, and wish
+to be surrounded. The medical advisors are, thank God! excellent, and
+Clark knows Albert so well. Albert will wish you not to interrupt your
+usual airings; you want air, and to be deprived of it would do you
+harm. The temperature here at least has been extremely mild--this
+ought to be favourable. I trust that every day will now show
+some small improvement, and it will be very kind of you to let me
+frequently know how dear Albert is going on. Believe me ever, my
+beloved Victoria, your devoted Uncle,
+
+LEOPOLD R.
+
+
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._
+
+WINDSOR CASTLE, _11th December 1861_.
+
+DEAREST UNCLE,--I can report another good night, and _no_ loss of
+strength, and continued satisfactory symptoms. But more we dare _not_
+expect for some days; _not_ losing ground is a _gain, now_, of _every_
+day.
+
+It is very sad and trying for me, but I am well, and I think really
+_very_ courageous; for it is the first time that _I_ ever witnessed
+anything of this kind though _I_ suffered from the same at Ramsgate,
+and was much worse. The trial in every way is so very trying, for I
+have lost my guide, my support, my all, _for a time_--as we can't
+ask or tell him anything. Many thanks for your kind letter received
+yesterday. We have been and are reading Von Ense's book[59] to Albert;
+but it is _not_ worth much. He likes very much being read to as
+it soothes him. W. Scott is also read to him. You shall hear again
+to-morrow, dearest Uncle, and, please God! each day will be more
+cheering. Ever your devoted Niece,
+
+VICTORIA R.
+
+    [Footnote 59: The _Memoirs_ of Varnhagen von Ense (1785-1858),
+    who served for some years in the Austrian and the Russian
+    Armies, and was later in the Prussian Diplomatic Service.]
+
+
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._
+
+WINDSOR CASTLE, _12th December 1861_.
+
+MY BELOVED UNCLE,--I can again report favourably of our _most_
+precious invalid. He maintains his ground well--had another very good
+night--takes plenty of nourishment, and shows surprising strength.
+I am constantly in and out of his room, but since the _first four
+dreadful_ nights, _last_ week, _before_ they had declared it to be
+_gastric fever_--I do not sit up with him at night as I could be of
+no use; and there is nothing to cause alarm. I go out twice a day
+for about an hour. It is a very trying time, for a fever with its
+despondency, weakness, and occasional and _invariable_ wandering, is
+most painful to witness--but we have _never_ had _one unfavourable_
+symptom; to-morrow, reckoning from the 22nd, when dear Albert first
+fell ill--after going on a wet day to look at some buildings--having
+likewise been unusually depressed with worries of different kinds--is
+the _end_ of the _third week_; we _may_ hope for improvement _after_
+that, but the Doctors say they should _not_ be _at all disappointed
+if_ this did _not_ take place till the _end_ of the _fourth week_. I
+cannot sufficiently praise the skill, attention, and devotion of
+Dr Jenner,[60] who is the _first fever_ Doctor in Europe, one may
+say--and good old Clark is here every day; good Brown is also _most_
+useful.... We have got Dr Watson[61] (who succeeded Dr Chambers[62])
+and Sir H. Holland[63] has also been here. But I have kept clear of
+these two. Albert sleeps a good deal in the day. He is moved every day
+into the next room on a sofa which is made up as a bed. He has only
+_kept_ his bed entirely since Monday. Many, many thanks for your dear,
+kind letter of the 11th. I knew how _you_ would _feel_ for and think
+of me. I am very wonderfully supported, and, excepting on three
+occasions, have borne up very well. I am sure Clark will tell you so.
+Ever your most devoted Niece,
+
+VICTORIA R.
+
+    [Footnote 60: Dr (afterwards Sir) William Jenner, K.C.B.
+    (1815-1898), was at this time Physician-Extraordinary to the
+    Queen.]
+
+    [Footnote 61: Afterwards Sir Thomas Watson (1792-1882),
+    F.R.S.]
+
+    [Footnote 62: Dr. William Frederick Chambers (1786-1855) was
+    well known as a consulting physician.]
+
+    [Footnote 63: Sir Henry Holland (1788-1873) was
+    Physician-in-Ordinary to the Queen and the Prince Consort.]
+
+
+
+
+_General Grey to Sir Charles Wood._
+
+WINDSOR CASTLE, _13th December 1861_.
+
+MY DEAR WOOD,--The Queen desires me to acknowledge the receipt of
+your letter, and to say that she quite approves of the purport of your
+despatch to the Governor-General, understanding it to be, not that
+there is to be any reduction of the Artillery force which it had been
+determined to leave permanent in India as the proper establishment
+for that country, but simply that some batteries which it had been
+resolved to bring home, at all events, are to return somewhat sooner
+than had been intended, etc., etc., etc.,
+
+GREY.
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: DEATH OF THE PRINCE]
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._
+
+OSBORNE, _20th December 1861_.
+
+MY _OWN_ DEAREST, KINDEST _FATHER_,--For as such have I _ever_ loved
+you! The poor fatherless baby of eight months is now the utterly
+broken-hearted and crushed widow of forty-two! My _life_ as a _happy_
+one is _ended!_ the world is gone for _me!_ If I _must live_ on (and I
+will do nothing to make me worse than I am), it is henceforth for our
+poor fatherless children--for my unhappy country, which has lost _all_
+in losing him--and in _only_ doing what I know and _feel_ he would
+wish, for he _is_ near me--his spirit will guide and inspire me! But
+oh! to be cut off in the prime of life--to see our pure, happy, quiet,
+domestic life, which _alone_ enabled me to bear my _much_ disliked
+position, CUT OFF at forty-two--when I _had_ hoped with such
+instinctive certainty that God never _would_ part us, and would let
+us grow old together (though _he_ always talked of the shortness of
+life)--is _too awful_, too cruel! And yet it _must_ be for _his_ good,
+his happiness! His purity was too great, his aspiration _too high_ for
+this poor, _miserable_ world! His great soul is _now only_ enjoying
+_that_ for which it _was_ worthy! And I will _not_ envy him--only pray
+that _mine_ may be perfected by it and fit to be with him eternally,
+for which blessed moment I earnestly long. Dearest, dearest Uncle,
+_how_ kind of you to come! It will be an unspeakable _comfort_, and
+you _can do_ much to tell people to do what they ought to do. As for
+my _own good, personal_ servants--poor Phipps in particular--nothing
+can be more devoted, heartbroken as they are, and anxious only to live
+as _he_ wished!
+
+Good Alice has been and is wonderful.[64]
+
+The 26th will suit me perfectly. Ever your devoted, wretched Child,
+
+VICTORIA R.
+
+    [Footnote 64: By a singular coincidence, the Princess was to
+    pass away on the anniversary of the Prince's death. She died
+    on the 14th of December 1878.]
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: DEATH OF LADY CANNING]
+
+
+_Sir Charles Wood to Queen Victoria._
+
+_22nd December 1861._
+
+Sir Charles Wood, with his humble duty, begs to enclose to your
+Majesty two letters from India, one giving an account of Lord
+Canning's investing the Indian Chiefs with the Star of India; and the
+other an account of poor Lady Canning's illness and death, which, even
+at this sad moment, may not be without interest for your Majesty.
+
+Sir Charles Wood hopes that he may be forgiven if, when having to
+address your Majesty, he ventures to lay before your Majesty the
+expression of his heartfelt sympathy in the sorrow under which your
+Majesty is now suffering, and his deep sense of the irreparable
+calamity which has befallen your Majesty and the country.
+
+Though it cannot be any consolation, it must be gratifying to your
+Majesty to learn the deep and universal feeling of regret and sorrow
+which prevails amongst all classes of your Majesty's subjects, and
+in none so strongly as in those who have had the most opportunity of
+appreciating the inestimable value of those services, of which by this
+awful dispensation of Providence the country has been deprived.
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: DEATH OF LADY CANNING]
+
+
+_Earl Canning to Queen Victoria._
+
+BARRACKPORE, _22nd November 1861_.[65]
+
+Lord Canning presents his humble duty to your Majesty. Your Majesty
+will have heard by the last mail of the heavy blow which has fallen
+upon Lord Canning. The kindness of your Majesty to Lady Canning has
+been so invariable and so great that he feels it to be right that
+your Majesty should receive a sure account of her last illness with as
+little delay as possible.
+
+The funeral is over. It took place quite privately at sunrise on the
+19th. There is no burial-place for the Governor-General or his family,
+and the cemeteries at Calcutta are odious in many ways: Lord Canning
+has therefore set a portion of the garden at Barrackpore (fifteen
+miles from Calcutta) apart for the purpose. It is a beautiful
+spot--looking upon that reach of the grand river which she was so
+fond of drawing--shaded from the glare of the sun by high trees--and
+amongst the bright shrubs and flowers in which she had so much
+pleasure.
+
+Your Majesty will be glad, but not surprised, to know of the deep
+respect which has been paid to her memory, not only by the familiar
+members of the household and intimate friends, who refused to let any
+hired hands perform the last offices, but by the Civil and Military
+bodies, and by the community at large. The coffin was conveyed to
+Barrackpore by the Artillery, and was borne through the Garden by
+English soldiers.
+
+Lord Canning feels sure that your Majesty will not consider these
+details as an intrusion. He feels sure of your Majesty's kind
+sympathy. She loved your Majesty dearly, and Lord Canning is certain
+that he is doing what would have been her wish in thus venturing to
+write to your Majesty. In the last connected conversation which he had
+with her, just before the illness became really threatening, she said
+that she must write again to the Queen, "for I don't want her to think
+that it was out of laziness that I was not at Allahabad." The fact is,
+that she had always intended to be present at the Investiture, and had
+made all her arrangements to go from Darjeeling to Allahabad for the
+purpose; but Lord Canning, hearing of the bad state of the roads,
+owing to the heavy and unseasonable rains, and knowing how fatiguing
+an additional journey of nearly 900 miles would be, had entreated her
+to abandon the intention, and to stay longer in the Hills, and then go
+straight to Calcutta. Whether all might have gone differently if the
+first plan had been held to, God alone knows. His will has been done.
+
+    [Footnote 65: Received on the 22nd of December, or
+    thereabouts.]
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: A NOBLE RESOLVE]
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to the King of the Belgians._
+
+OSBORNE, _24th December 1861_.
+
+MY BELOVED UNCLE,--Though, please God! I am to see you so soon, I must
+write these few lines to prepare you for the trying, sad existence you
+will find it with your poor forlorn, desolate child--who drags on
+a weary, pleasureless existence! I am also anxious to repeat _one_
+thing, and _that one_ is _my firm_ resolve, my _irrevocable decision_,
+viz. that _his_ wishes--_his_ plans--about everything, _his_ views
+about _every_ thing are to be _my law!_ And _no human power_ will make
+me swerve from _what he_ decided and wished--and I look to _you_ to
+_support_ and _help_ me in this. I apply this particularly as regards
+our children--Bertie, etc.--for whose future he had traced everything
+_so_ carefully. I am _also determined_ that _no one_ person, may _he_
+be ever so good, ever so devoted among my servants--is to lead or
+guide or dictate _to me_. I know _how he_ would disapprove it. And I
+live _on_ with him, for him; in fact _I_ am only _outwardly_ separated
+from him, and _only_ for _a time_.
+
+_No one_ can tell you more of my feelings, and can put you more in
+possession of many touching facts than our excellent Dr Jenner, who
+has been and is my great comfort, and whom I would _entreat_ you to
+_see and hear_ before you see _any one else_. Pray do this, for _I
+fear much_ others trying to see you first and say things and wish for
+things which I _should not_ consent to.
+
+Though miserably weak and utterly shattered, my spirit rises when I
+think _any_ wish or plan of his is to be touched or changed, or I
+am to be _made to do_ anything. I know you will help me in my utter
+darkness. It is but for a short time, and _then_ I go--_never, never_
+to part! Oh! that blessed, blessed thought! He seems so _near_ to
+_me_, so _quite my own_ now, my precious darling! God bless and
+preserve you. Ever your wretched but devoted Child,
+
+VICTORIA R.
+
+What a Xmas! I won't think of it.
+
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: BUSINESS STILL TRANSACTED]
+
+
+_Viscount Palmerston to Queen Victoria._
+
+PICCADILLY, _30th December 1861_.
+
+Viscount Palmerston presents his humble duty to your Majesty, and has
+read with deep emotion your Majesty's letter of the 26th, every
+word of which went straight to the heart. Viscount Palmerston would,
+however, humbly express a hope that the intensity of your Majesty's
+grief may not lead your Majesty to neglect your health, the
+preservation of which is so important for the welfare of your
+Majesty's children, and for that of your Majesty's devotedly attached
+and affectionate subjects; and which is so essentially necessary
+to enable your Majesty to perform those duties which it will be the
+object of your Majesty's life to fulfil.
+
+Lord Granville has communicated to Viscount Palmerston your Majesty's
+wish that Mr Dilke[66] should be made a Baronet, and that Mr
+Bowring[67] should be made a Companion of the Bath, and both of these
+things will be done accordingly. But there are three other persons
+whose names Viscount Palmerston has for some time wished to submit to
+your Majesty for the dignity of Baronet, and if your Majesty should
+be graciously pleased to approve of them, the list would stand as
+follows:
+
+Mr Dilke.
+
+Mr William Brown,[68] of Liverpool, a very wealthy and
+  distinguished merchant, who lately made a magnificent
+  present of a public library to his fellow-citizens.
+
+Mr Thomas Davies Lloyd, a rich and highly respectable
+  gentleman of the county of Carnarvon.
+
+Mr Rich, to whom the Government is under great obligation,
+  for having of his own accord and without any condition
+  vacated last year his seat for Richmond in Yorkshire,
+  and having thus enabled the Government to obtain the
+  valuable services of Mr Roundell Palmer as your Majesty's
+  Solicitor-General.
+
+Viscount Palmerston has put into this box some private letters which
+Lord Russell thinks your Majesty might perhaps like to look at.
+
+    [Footnote 66: Sir Charles Wentworth Dilke was on the Executive
+    Committee of the Exhibition of 1851, and on the Royal
+    Commission for the Exhibition of 1862. He died in 1869.]
+
+    [Footnote 67: Mr Edgar Bowring's Companionship was conferred
+    on him for services in connection with the earlier Exhibition.
+    He was afterwards M.P. for Exeter, 1868-1874.]
+
+    [Footnote 68: Mr Brown became a baronet in 1863.]
+
+
+
+[Pageheading: COMFORT AND HOPE]
+
+
+_Queen Victoria to Earl Canning._
+
+OSBORNE, _10th January 1862_.
+
+Lord Canning little thought when he wrote his kind and touching letter
+of the 22nd November, that it would only reach the Queen when _she_
+was _smitten_ and _bowed_ down to the earth by an event similar to
+the one which he describes--and, strange to say, by a disease greatly
+analogous to the one which took from him _all_ that he loved best. In
+the case of her adored, precious, perfect, and great husband, her dear
+lord and master, to whom this Nation owed more than it ever can truly
+know, however, the fever went on most favourably till the day previous
+to the awful calamity, and then it was congestion of the lungs and
+want of strength of circulation (the beloved Prince had always a weak
+and feeble pulse), which at the critical moment, indeed only two hours
+before God took him, caused this awful result. To lose one's partner
+in life is, as Lord Canning knows, like losing _half_ of one's _body_
+and _soul_, torn forcibly away--and dear Lady Canning was such a dear,
+worthy, devoted wife! But to the Queen--to a poor helpless woman--it
+is not that only--it is the stay, support and comfort which is lost!
+To the Queen it is like _death_ in life! Great and small--_nothing_
+was done without his loving advice and help--and she feels _alone_
+in the wide world, with many helpless children (except the Princess
+Royal) to look to her--and the whole nation to look to her--_now_ when
+she can barely struggle with her wretched existence! Her misery--her
+utter despair--she _cannot_ describe! Her _only_ support--the _only_
+ray of comfort she gets for _a moment_, is in the _firm conviction_
+and certainty of his nearness, his undying love, and of their eternal
+reunion! Only she prays always, and pines for the latter with an
+anxiety she cannot describe. Like dear Lady Canning, the Queen's
+darling is to rest in a garden--at Frogmore, in a Mausoleum the Queen
+is going to build for him and herself.
+
+Though ill, the Queen was able to tell her precious angel of Lord
+Canning's bereavement, and he was deeply grieved, recurring to it
+several times, and saying, "What a loss! She was such a distinguished
+person!"
+
+May God comfort and support Lord Canning, and may he think in his
+sorrow of his widowed and broken-hearted Sovereign--bowed to the earth
+with the greatest of human sufferings and misfortunes! She lived but
+_for_ her husband!
+
+The sympathy of the many thousands of her subjects, but above all
+their sorrow and their admiration for him, are soothing to her
+bleeding, pierced heart!
+
+The Queen's precious husband, though wandering occasionally, was
+conscious till nearly the last, and knew her and kissed her an hour
+before his pure spirit fled to its worthy and fit eternal Home!
+
+
+
+
+INDEX
+
+_(The page references in italics refer to Introductory Notes or
+footnotes.)_
+
+
+Abd-el-Kader, i, _43_, _57_; ii. _31_, 146
+
+Abercorn, Marchioness of, i. 310
+
+Abercrombie, Dr, physician, i. 448
+
+Abercromby, James, _see_ Dunfermline, Lord
+
+Abercromby, Sir Ralph, iii. 111
+
+Aberdeen, Earl of, Foreign Secretary, i. 22, 309;
+  political power and views, i. _29_, _30_;
+  Palmerston's opinion of, i. 375;
+  Emperor Nicholas, ii. _1_;
+  Queen's appreciation of, ii. 17, 87, 105; iii. 101, 102, 190;
+  Corn Laws, ii. 49;
+  takes leave of the Queen, ii. 85;
+  ii. 103, 248, 263, 291, 293, 294;
+  failure to form a Government, ii. 296, 298, 299;
+  ii. _356,_ 393;
+  forms a Government, ii. 413-429;
+  Lord Derby's attack on, ii. _418_;
+  Queen Victoria's approval of, ii. 430;
+  Eastern Question, ii. _432_, 437-444, 449-451, 452, _455_-472;
+  India Bill, ii. 447;
+  as to giving up office, ii. 458;
+  on Lord Palmerston's resignation, ii. 467, 468;
+  Crimea, iii. _1_, 44;
+  anomalous position of Prince Consort, iii. 3, 4;
+  Orleans family, iii. 7;
+  declaration of war with Russia, iii. 12, _13_, _19_;
+  unsatisfactory speech, iii, 34;
+  Lord John Russell's possible resignation, iii. 57-60;
+  Queen's confidence in, iii. 66;
+  Knight of the Garter, iii. 67, 68;
+  Lord John Russell's resignation, iii. 71, 72;
+  Government's resignation on result of Roebuck's motion, iii. 77-80;
+  Lord John Russell, iii. _88_;
+  Government of 1855, iii. 97-104;
+  iii. 190;
+  on Oudh Proclamation, iii. 286;
+  and W. E. Gladstone, iii. _349_;
+  death, iii. _453_
+
+About, Edmond, French writer, iii. 357
+
+Accession, Queen Victoria's reminiscences of, i. 75
+
+Achmet Bey, i. 57
+
+Adams, Mr, iii. 467
+
+Adelaide, Madame, King Louis Philippe's sister,
+  death, ii. 143-147;
+  will, ii. 148
+
+Adelaide, Queen (wife of William IV.), parentage and marriage,
+i. 23, 24;
+  character, i. 24;
+  interests in life, i. 24;
+  letter on Queen's accession, i. 77;
+  on Queen's coronation, i. 120;
+  Protestant Church at Valetta, i. 138;
+  letters, i. 371, 399, 437;
+  visits a convent, i. 437;
+  letter, i. 464;
+  death, ii. 230
+
+Adelaide, Princess, of Hohenlohe, question of marriage,
+ii. _356_, 408, 409
+
+Adelaide, Queen Marie, of Sardinia, death, iii. _206_
+
+Adolphus, John, _History of England_, i. 453
+
+Adrianople, Treaty of, i. 229
+
+Adriatic, reported demonstration in, ii. 193
+
+Aemilia, The, iii. _380_
+
+Afghanistan, Dost Mahommed dethroned, i. _142_;
+  surrender, i. _209_;
+  insurrection, i. _254_;
+  disasters retrieved, proclamation, i. _370_;
+  troubles, i. 373, 382;
+  Fall of Cabul, i. 385;
+  successful issue, i. 441;
+  medals, i. 444;
+  operations against Afghans, ii. 218
+
+Africa, South, The Transvaal and Orange Free States, ii. _142_;
+iii. 200
+
+Agriculture, motion on distress of, ii. 285-_286_;
+  protection, ii. 384; _see_ Corn Laws
+
+Airey, Sir Richard, Quartermaster-General, iii. _175_
+
+Ak Mussid, iii. 45
+
+Akbar Khan (son of Dost Mahommed), i. _254_, _370_, 442
+
+Aland Islands, iii. 36
+
+Alava, Miguel Ricardo di, Spanish General, i. 59
+
+Alba, Duke of, ii. _435_
+
+---- Duchess of, death, iii. _415_
+
+Albemarle, sixth Earl of, Master of the Horse, i. 76, 81, 121, 219
+
+Albert, Archduke, ii. 219
+
+---- Edward, _see_ Wales, Prince of
+
+---- Prince, _see_ Consort, Prince
+
+Albertine branch of House of Saxe-Coburg, history of, i. 2
+
+Aldershot, review of Crimean troops, iii. _198_
+
+Alexander, Grand Duke (afterwards Czar Alexander II.),
+iii. _112_, 172;
+  crowned at Moscow, iii. _158_;
+  his character, iii. 204
+
+Alexandria, i. 179
+
+Alford, Dean of Canterbury, iii. 227
+
+Alfred, Prince, birth, ii. _21_;
+  iii. 399;
+  visit to the Cape, iii. 410, 413;
+  visit to Ireland, iii. _420_;
+  joins the _Euryalus_, iii. _433_
+
+Algiers, i. _43_
+
+Ali, Mehemet, Pasha of Egypt, i. _141_, 179, _182_, 190;
+  ultimatum, i. _209_, 232-240;
+  resigns claim to Syria, i. _252_
+
+Alibaud, i. 407
+
+Alice, Princess, birth and christening, i. 480, 501; iii. 240;
+  birthday, iii. 396;
+  engagement to Prince Louis of Hesse, iii. 405, 415, 416-419;
+  Prince Consort's death, iii. 474
+
+Allahabad, mutiny, iii. _224_
+
+Allen, Mr, librarian, Holland House, i. 359
+
+Allt-na-Giuthasach, Shiel of, Queen's visits to, ii. 322, 392
+
+Alma, victory of, iii. _1_, _43,_ 49, _252_
+
+Amritsar, ii. 74
+
+Anarchists, ii. 3
+
+Anglesey, Marquess of, i. 388; ii. 86
+
+Annual Summary of Events, 1821-1835, i. _27_;
+  1836, i. _43_;
+  1837, i. _56_;
+  1838, i. _102_;
+  1839, i. _141_;
+  1840, i. _209_;
+  1841, i. _253_;
+  1842, i. _370_;
+  1843, i. _450_;
+  1844, ii. _1_;
+  1845, ii. _30_;
+  1846, ii. _71_;
+  1847, ii. _115_;
+  1848, ii. _141_;
+  1849, ii. _208_;
+  1850, ii. _231_;
+  1851, ii. _283_;
+  1852, ii. _356_;
+  1853, ii. _431_;
+  1854, iii. _1_;
+  1855, iii. _63_;
+  1856, iii. _158_;
+  1857, iii. _223_;
+  1858, iii. _261_;
+  1859, iii. _307_;
+  1860, iii. _379_;
+  1861, iii. _420_
+
+Anson, George, i. 199;
+  Private Secretary to Prince Albert, i. _201_, 206;
+  interviews with Baron Stockmar, i. 224, 330, 331;
+  interviews with Lord Melbourne, i. 224, 256, 268, 269, 296,
+  297, 303, 304, 311;
+  interviews with Sir Robert Peel, i. 271, 273, 284, 312;
+  memoranda by, i. 295, 298, 322, 337, 338, 368;
+  illness, i. 490;
+  ii. 36, 46, 67
+
+---- Sir George, i. 201
+
+Antonelli, Cardinal, iii. 311
+
+Antwerp, Queen's visit to, ii. _45_;
+  ii. 68
+
+Apponyi, Count, Austrian Ambassador, i. 237
+
+Apprenticeship in Jamaica, i. _102_
+
+Aquila, Comte d', ii. _32_
+
+Arbuthnot, Colonel, i. 314, 398
+
+Ardenne, ii. 16
+
+Argyll, eighth Duke of, Lord Privy Seal, ii. 420;
+  Government of 1855, iii. 97;
+  Privy Seal, iii. 104;
+  Divorce Bill, iii. 231;
+  Lord Privy Seal, iii. 348;
+  Abolition of Paper Duty, iii. 403
+
+Argyll, Duchess of, ii. 376
+
+"Aristocratic," meaning of, i. 107
+
+Army (_see_ Militia), estimates i. 99;
+  civil government of, i. 147;
+  bravery of troops, ii. 74;
+  victory, ii. 77;
+  Peninsular medals, ii. 109-113;
+  officers' commissions, ii. 185;
+  in India, ii. 212;
+  Prince Consort, ii. 365;
+  military appointments, ii. 393;
+  national defences, ii. 396-398;
+  Queen on augmentation of, iii. 12;
+  embarkation for the Crimea, iii. 14;
+  reserve to be sent out, iii. 36;
+  Bomarsund, iii. _36_;
+  battle of the Alma, iii. 44;
+  Indian contingents, iii. 46;
+  Balaklava, iii. 50;
+  Sebastopol, iii. 50, _63_;
+  Inkerman, iii. _53_;
+  Foreign Enlistment Bill, iii. _58_;
+  fall of Sebastopol, iii. _64_;
+  privations of the Army, iii. 68-70;
+  New Board, iii. 71;
+  laxity of discipline, iii. 153;
+  land transport, iii. 157;
+  retrenchments, iii. 188;
+  peace establishment, iii. 191;
+  review of Crimean troops at Aldershot, iii. _198_, 199, 200;
+  military education, iii. 218, 220;
+  Indian Mutiny, iii. _224_, 234, 236;
+  Militia embodied, iii. 241;
+  Queen's view on need of increasing, iii. 245, 257;
+  vote of thanks to, iii. _261_;
+  question of control, iii. 293;
+  indivisibility of, iii. 319;
+  Committee on Military Departments, iii. 351
+
+Arnold, Dr, ii. 273
+
+_Arrow_, Chinese dispute, iii. _223_, _228_
+
+Arthur, Prince (afterwards Duke of Connaught), christening,
+ii. 231; iii. 121;
+  birthday, iii. 189;
+  iii. 436
+
+Ascot, Queen's visit to the races, ii. 13
+
+Ashburton, Baron, i. 368, 462
+
+Ashley, Lord, afterwards Earl of Shaftesbury, i. 165;
+  Labour Bill, i. _370_;
+  Factory Labour Bill, ii. 1;
+  Duchy of Lancaster, iii. 116;
+  Oudh Proclamation, iii. _282_, _290_
+
+Asis, Don Francisco de, ii. _72_, 99
+
+Aston, Mr (Diplomatic Service), i. 329, 432, 495
+
+Athens, revolution at, i. 494; ii. _231_
+
+Atherton, Sir William, Attorney-General, iii. _467_
+
+Athole, Duchess of, ii. 376
+
+Attock, fort of, captured, ii. 218
+
+Attwood, Thomas, Birmingham Political Union, i. 69, 425
+
+Auchterarder, Church case, i. _448_
+
+Auckland, Baron (afterwards Earl of), Governor-General of India,
+i. _142_;
+  policy in Afghanistan, i. _209_, 266, 373, 383;
+  ii. 10, 86
+
+Audley, Baron, i. 124
+
+Augusta, of Cambridge, Princess, afterwards Grand Duchess-Dowager
+of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, i. 434, 437, 440; ii. 256; iii. 264
+
+---- Princess, of Saxony, i. 92
+
+---- Princess, daughter of George III., i. 228; death, i. 230
+
+Augustus, Prince, of Saxe-Coburg, _see_ Saxe-Coburg
+
+Augustus, Prince Ernest, afterwards Duke of Cumberland, iii. _456_
+
+Aulaire, Ste., Ambassador, i. 321, 334, 508
+
+Aumale, Duc d', i. 95, 493, 502; ii. 153, 167;
+  gallantry, ii. 192-_193_, 267, 337;
+  visit to New Lodge, iii. 386
+
+Australasian colonies, self-government of, iii. _64_
+
+Australia, emigration to, i. _102_;
+  wine from, ii. 41
+
+Austria, Empress Elizabeth of, iii. 414
+
+---- Emperor of (Francis Joseph), ii. 318;
+  attempted assassination of, ii. _440_;
+  King Leopold's opinion of, ii. 447, 448;
+  Queen's letter to, iii. 322, 323;
+  reply, iii. 324, 325;
+  proposed meeting with the Queen, iii. 408, 409
+
+---- and the Porte, i. 191;
+  abdication of Emperor, ii. _141_;
+  Pope declares war against, ii. _141_;
+  ascendency in Lombardy, ii. 174;
+  and Italy, ii. 174;
+  war with the Piedmontese, ii. _178_, _182_, 186, 190, 193;
+  and England, ii. 183, 186, 190, 191, 198, 380;
+  declines mediation, ii. 193;
+  ascendency in N. Italy, ii. _208_;
+  ii. 229, 275;
+  and Prussia, ii. 276; ii. 379, 402;
+  and Eastern Question, ii. 440-444, 451, _452_;
+  alliance with Prussia, iii. _1_;
+  and Russia, iii. 13, 25;
+  proposed alliance with England, iii. _49_, 50, 51, 66;
+  men required, iii. 115;
+  negotiations broken off, iii. 118;
+  and the Four Points, iii. 120, 161, 165;
+  and France, iii. 168, 306;
+  and Italy, iii. _307_;
+  war with Sardinia and defeat, iii. _308_;
+  and the Papal States, iii. 313;
+  proposed congress, iii. _325_-334;
+  troops cross the Ticino, iii. _327_;
+  French victories, iii. _352_;
+  conclusion and terms of peace, iii. _354_, _359_, _360_;
+  Italy, iii. 382
+
+Ayrton, Mr, iii. 239
+
+Azeglio, Count, Premier of Sardinia, ii. 386; iii. 368
+
+
+
+Baden, crisis at, ii. 220
+
+---- Princess Mary of, i. 470
+
+Bagot, Sir Charles, Governor-General of Canada, i. 323, 334
+
+Baines, Matthew Talbot, Chancellor of Duchy of Lancaster,
+iii. _116_, 149;
+  Conspiracy Bill, iii. 265, 272
+
+Bala Rao, Indian Mutiny, iii. _351_
+
+Balaklava, successes at, iii. _2_, 50;
+  hurricane and loss of life at, iii. 56;
+  iii. 189
+
+Ballard, Lieutenant, siege of Silistria, iii. _36_
+
+Ballot, the, i. _56_; ii. 335
+
+Balmoral Castle, Queen's description of, ii. 194, 323;
+  Queen's first occupation of, iii. _141_
+
+Baltic, English, expedition to the, iii. 16, 115
+
+Bandeira, Sa da, i. _55_
+
+Bands, on Sundays, iii. 194
+
+Bank Charter Act, ii. _1_;
+  infringement of, ii. _115_;
+  suspension of, iii. _224_
+
+Barbes, Armand, i. _179_
+
+Barclay & Perkins' brewery, attack on General Haynau, ii. _269_
+
+Barham, Lady (afterwards Countess of Gainsborough), i. 124, 318;
+ii. 274
+
+Baring, F. (afterwards Lord Northbrook), Chancellor of the
+Exchequer, i. 264, 281, 308, 314; ii. 60, 84, 287, 312, 347;
+  capture of Lagos, ii. 365, 366;
+  Board of Works, ii. 421; iii. 79;
+  Government of 1855, iii. 91
+
+---- Thomas, ii. 368;
+  Indian Mutiny debate, iii. 239;
+  India Bill, iii. 294
+
+Barkly, Sir H., Governor of Victoria, iii. 190
+
+Barnard, General, death at Delhi, iii. 243
+
+Barrackpore, funeral of Lady Canning, iii. 475
+
+Barrot, Odilon, i. 248; ii. 149
+
+Barrow, Sir John, i. 432
+
+Barry, Sir Charles, knighted, ii. 363
+
+Bastide, M., ii. 187
+
+Baudrand, General Comte, i. 83
+
+Bayley, Rev. Emilius, iii. 416
+
+Bean, attempt on the Queen's life, i. _370_, 407
+
+Beas, River, ii. 74
+
+Beatrice, Princess (afterwards Princess Henry of Battenberg),
+birth and christening, iii. 234
+
+Beauclerk, Lord Amelius, i. 108
+
+Beaufort, Duke of, i. 334
+
+Beauharnais, Eugene de, Duke of Leuchtenberg, iii. 354
+
+Beauvale, Lord (afterwards second Viscount Melbourne), i. 191;
+  i. 232, 418, 490, 512; ii. 165, 436
+
+Beche, Sir Henry T. de la, geologist, i. 315
+
+Bedford, seventh Duke of, i. 296, 509; ii. 130, 132, 195, 257;
+  opinion of Lord Palmerston, ii. 260, 261;
+  ii. 403; iii. 89;
+  Queen's appreciation of Endsleigh, iii. 203
+
+Begum, the ex-Queen of Oudh, iii. 351
+
+Belgians, King of, _see_ Leopold
+
+---- Queen of, _see_ Louise
+
+Belgium, dispute with Holland, i. _43_, _102_, 119, _142_, 145, 146;
+  independence of, i. 118;
+  King Leopold's views on, i. 152, 153;
+  and England, i. 134, 151; ii. 68;
+  and Germany, i. 379;
+  and Emperor of Russia, ii. 15;
+  abortive insurrection, ii. _172_;
+  neutrality of, iii. 171
+
+Belsham, William, _History of Great Britain_, i. 467
+
+Bengal Mutiny, iii. _224_
+
+Bentinck, Lord George, attack on Sir R. Peel, ii. 79, 80;
+  ii. 87;
+  sudden death, ii. _208_
+
+---- Major-General Sir Henry, K.C.B., wounded at Inkerman,
+iii. _52_;
+  interview with the Queen, iii. 56, 60
+
+Beresford, Lord John George de la Poer, Archbishop of Armagh,
+ii. _224_
+
+---- Major, iii. 78
+
+---- Viscount, i. 420; ii. 393
+
+Berkeley, Admiral, M.P., Gloucester, iii. 78
+
+Bernadotte, Marshal, iii. 448
+
+Bernard, Dr, trial of, iii. _261_, _274_
+
+Bessarabia, cession of, iii. _152_, _158_, _208_
+
+Bessborough, Earl of, _see_ Duncannon
+
+Bethell, Sir Richard (afterwards Lord Westbury), Attorney-General,
+Divorce Bill, iii. _232_;
+  India Bill, iii. _267_;
+  Lord Chancellor, iii. 442
+
+Beust, Baron, Minister in Saxony, iii. 151, _151_, 171
+
+Beverloo Camp, i. 41
+
+Beyens, Baron, Secretary of Legation at Madrid, ii. 436
+
+Beyrout, bombardment of, i. 238; iii. _10_
+
+Bickersteth, Robert, afterwards Bishop of Ripon, iii. _206_, 217
+
+Bilbao, battle at, i. 67
+
+Birch, Mr, formerly tutor to Prince of Wales, iii. 431
+
+Birmingham, Chartist riots, i. 179;
+  political condition, i. 506
+
+Births, registration of, i. _43_
+
+Bishops, seats in House of Lords, i. _56_;
+  and Dr Hampden, ii. 139;
+  appointments of, iii. 416, 417
+
+Black Sea, Russia's Fleet, iii. 120;
+  neutralisation of, iii. _152_, _158_;
+  England sends fleet to, iii. _208_
+
+Blagden, Mr, i. 14
+
+Blanc, Louis, _organisation du travail_, ii. 168
+
+Bloemfontein, ii. _200_
+
+Blomfield, C. J., _see_ London, Bishop of
+
+Bloomfield, Baron, ii. 256;
+  Minister at Berlin, ii. 285; iii. 161, 253
+
+Boers, defeat of, ii. _142_, _200_
+
+Bois-le-Comte, Mons., French Minister at Madrid, i. 96
+
+Bolgrad, iii. _208_
+
+Bomarsund, capture of, iii. _36_
+
+Bonaparte, _see_ Napoleon
+
+Bordeaux, Duc de (afterwards Comte de Chambord), i. 495, 498, 499,
+506, 508;
+  visit to London, i. 509, 510; ii. 3, 177;
+  rumoured visit to England, iii. 7;
+  and the King of the Belgians, iii. 296
+
+Borthwick, Peter, ii. _34_
+
+Bourquency, Mons. de, iii. 151
+
+Bouverie, Mr, iii. 131
+
+Bowring, Edgar, C.B., iii. 477
+
+---- Sir John, British Plenipotentiary, Hong-Kong, iii. _223_, _227_
+
+Bowyer, Sir George, M.P., iii. 445
+
+Brabant, Duchess Marie Henriette de (afterwards Queen of the
+Belgians), iii. 276
+
+---- Dukes of, _see_ Leopold
+
+Bracebridge, Mr and Mrs, iii. 62
+
+Braganza, Duchess of, i. 51, 178
+
+Breadalbane, Marquess of, i 429;
+  Lord Chamberlain, ii. 425;
+  review at Edinburgh, iii. 407
+
+---- Marchioness of, Lady of the Bedchamber, i. 143
+
+Brescia, ii. 269
+
+Bresson, Count, ii. 98, 99, 107 [107 correct]
+
+---- M., aids King Louis Philippe's escape, ii. 157
+
+Bribery at elections, i. 90
+
+Bridgewater, eighth Earl of, treatises, i. _349_
+
+Bright, John, on war with Russia, iii. _20_;
+  appeal for ending the war, iii. _63_;
+  loses his seat, iii. _223_;
+  India Bill, iii. _280_;
+  Oudh Proclamation, iii. 281, _290_;
+  Reform Bill, iii. 324;
+  proposed honour, iii. 349;
+  England and Savoy, iii. _394_;
+  privilege resolutions, iii. 404;
+  and Palmerston, iii. 429
+
+Brighton, i. 140
+
+British Columbia, name given, iii. 296
+
+Broadfoot, Major, political agent, India, death, ii. 76
+
+Broadstairs, Queen's visit to, i. 19
+
+Brock, Mrs, Queen's nurse, i. 14
+
+Brocket Hall, Lord Melbourne's house, i. 150;
+  Queen's visit to, i. 296
+
+Broglie, Duc de, ex-Minister of Foreign Affairs, i. 149; ii. _37_
+
+Brougham, Lord, i. _56_;
+  on Canadian difficulties, i. _102_, 128;
+  advice against dissolution, i. 293;
+  right of audience, i. 344;
+  as a protectionist, ii. 81
+
+Brown, Sir George, wounded at Inkerman, iii. _53_, 129
+
+---- Sir William, Baronet, iii. _477_
+
+Bruce, Commodore, ii. 366
+
+---- Colonel, iii. 306
+
+---- Lady Augusta, ii. 434; iii. 451
+
+Brunnow, M. de, Russian Minister, i. 190, 232; ii. 250, 286, 408,
+442, 456; iii. 176, 189, 466
+
+Brunswick, House of, history of, i. 1, 6
+
+Brussels, Russian Minister to, ii. 17
+
+Brydon, Dr, i. _254_
+
+Buccleuch, Duke of, i. 509; ii. 49, 63-65
+
+---- Duchess of, Mistress of the Robes, i. 310
+
+Buchanan, Mr, afterwards Sir Andrew, Secretary of Legation at
+St Petersburg, ii. 221
+
+---- Mr (afterwards President), American Minister to Great Britain,
+iii. 105, 182;
+  receives the Prince of Wales, iii. _380_, _405_
+
+Buckingham, second Duke of, i. 278;
+  Lord Privy Seal, i. 309;
+  i. 386; ii. 33
+
+---- Palace, proposed alterations, ii. 33
+
+Buckland, Dr, Irish Commissioner, ii. 48
+
+Buenos Ayres, blockade by British Fleet, ii. _133_
+
+Bull Run, battle of, iii. _421_
+
+Buller, Charles, i. _142_, 425
+
+Bulwer, Sir Henry (afterwards Lord Dalling), Minister at Madrid,
+i. 235, 238, 334;
+  ii. 97, 119; 133, 136;
+  recall, and Queen's opinion of, ii. 175, 179;
+  at Rome, ii. _365_;
+  declines governorship of Victoria, iii. 190, _191_
+
+---- Lytton, Sir Edward (afterwards Lord Lytton), i. 350; iii. 79;
+  motion of censure on Lord John Russell, iii. 131, 132, 292, 296, 301
+
+Bunsen, Chevalier, ii. 139, 182;
+  recall of, iii. 31
+
+Buol, Count, Austrian Prime Minister, ii. 380, 440; iii. 11, 66,
+_121_, _131, _176, 306, _328_, 329
+
+"Bureaucratic," Palmerston's definition of, i. 107
+
+Burghersh, Francis Lord (afterwards Earl of Westmorland),
+A.D.C. to Lord Raglan, iii. 50
+
+Burgoyne, Sir John, ii. _141_
+
+Burnes, Captain (afterwards Sir Alexander), mission to Cabul,
+i. _142_;
+  murdered, i. _254_
+
+Burnet, Bishop, History of his own Time, i. 435
+
+Burney, Miss (Madame D'Arblay), diary, i. 406, 467
+
+Bury, Lord, Straits Settlements, iii. 277
+
+Bushey Park, residence of the Duke and Duchess of Clarence, i. 33
+
+Bushire, capture of, iii. _159_
+
+Bussahir, iii. 360
+
+Butler, Captain, siege of Silistria, iii. _36_
+
+Buxted, residence of Lord Liverpool, Queen visits, i. 50
+
+Buxton, Charles, iii. 443
+
+Bygrave, Captain, i. 442
+
+Byng, Sir John, _see_ Strafford, Earl of
+
+---- George, i. 60, 467
+
+Byron, Lady, i. 310
+
+---- seventh Lord, i. 307
+
+
+
+Cabrals, the, ii. 134, 135
+
+Cabul, i. _254_, _370_, 383;
+  fall of, i. 385, 442; ii. 218
+
+Cadiz, Duke of, ii. 89
+
+Cadogan, Honoria, Countess, died September 12, 1845, i. 62
+
+_Cagliari_, seizure of the, iii. _262_, _274_
+
+Cairns, Sir Hugh, Solicitor-General, Oudh Proclamation debate,
+iii. _290_
+
+Camarilla, i. 58
+
+Cambridge, first Duke of, i. 4;
+  political views, i. 5, 6;
+  Regent of Hanover, i. 7;
+  marriage, i. 99, 207, 208, 245;
+  daughter's marriage, i. 434, 437, 440, 475, 476;
+  death, ii. _247_, 256
+
+Cambridge, Prince George of (afterwards second Duke of Cambridge),
+i. 212;
+  Ireland, ii. 226;
+  Earldom of Tipperary, ii. 245-247;
+  Ireland, ii. 303;
+  Ranger of the Parks, ii. 393;
+  in Paris, iii. 14;
+  interview with Napoleon, iii. 24-26;
+  writes from Constantinople, iii. 27, 28;
+  illness and return from the Crimea, iii. 70;
+  iii. 78;
+  council of war, iii. _160_, 167;
+  Commander-in-Chief, iii. 199, 200;
+  proposed marriage of Princess Mary, iii. 206, 209;
+  Army control, iii. 293
+
+Cambridge, Duchess of, i. 11, 31, 99, 494
+
+---- Queen's visit to, i. 496, 501, 503
+
+Campbell, Mr, M.P. for Weymouth, iii. 239
+
+---- Sir Colin (afterwards Lord Clyde), Queen's high opinion of,
+iii. 152, 155;
+  Commander-in-Chief, Indian Mutiny, relief of Lucknow,
+iii. _224_, 250, 259, 278;
+  Peerage, iii. _262_;
+  iii. 405, 455
+
+---- Lord, Bernard trial, iii. _274_;
+  Lord Chancellor, iii. 348;
+  reports of divorce cases, iii. 378
+
+Canada, friction in, i. _56_, 98, 100, _102_, 103;
+  Lord Durham, Governor-General, i. 104, 128, 133, 135-137;
+  resignation, i. 137;
+  union of, i. _209_;
+  dispute with United States, i. _254_; ii. _30_;
+  resignation of Lord Metcalfe, ii. 47;
+  Government of, ii. 94;
+  Clergy Revenues Bill, ii. _431_;
+  Nova Scotia, iii. 189;
+  Colonial Governorships, iii. 190;
+  Ottawa selected as capital, iii. _262_;
+  British Columbia, iii. 296;
+  United States claim to St Juan, iii. 373;
+  Prince of Wales's visit to, iii. _380_, 404;
+  proposed increase in Army and Navy for, iii. 440
+
+Candahar, i. 407
+
+Canning, Right Hon. G., speech on Queen's education, i. 10, 229
+
+---- Viscount (afterwards Earl), ii. 346;
+  Post Office, ii. 421;
+  not in the Cabinet, ii. 427;
+  Government of 1855, iii. 98;
+  Post Office, iii. 104;
+  Governor-General of India, iii. 128, _159_, 178;
+  arrival in India, iii. 179;
+  Indian Mutiny, iii. _224_, 236-238;
+  his clemency, iii. 249-252;
+  Oudh Proclamation, iii. _262_, 281-285, 289, 291;
+  Viceroy, iii. _304_;
+  Earldom, iii. _313_;
+  Indian Army Question, iii. 318;
+  termination of Mutiny, iii. 350;
+  Indian titles, iii. 387;
+  Queen's pleasure at progress in India, iii. 405;
+  K.G., iii. 441;
+  Queen's high opinion of, iii. 453;
+  death of his wife, iii. 475;
+  touching letter from the Queen, iii. 477, 478
+
+---- Viscountess, i. 310, 397; iii. 405;
+  death, iii. 474;
+  Queen's appreciation of, iii. 477, 478
+
+---- Sir Stratford, _see_ Stratford de Redcliffe
+
+Canrobert, Marshal, Commander of French army, iii. _1_, _64_;
+  resignation, iii. _126_
+
+Canterbury, Archbishop of (William Howley), report as to Queen's
+education, i. 17, 55;
+  announces to the Queen William IV.'s death, i. 74, 75;
+  attends Queen's first council, i. 77;
+  convocation address, i. 299;
+  (John Bird Sumner), Bishopric of Capetown, ii. 448;
+  on Sunday bands, iii. _194_;
+  (C. T. Longley), iii. _206_;
+  national prayer and humiliation iii. 247
+
+---- Viscount, iii. 230
+
+Canton, England's occupation of, iii. _223_, 226
+
+Capetown, Bishopric of, ii. 448
+
+Caradoc, Sir John Hobart, _see_ Howden, Lord
+
+Carbonari Society, iii. _261_
+
+Cardigan, Earl of, i. 263, 264, 386, 394; iii. 67;
+  censure on, iii. _175_
+
+Cardwell, Mr (afterwards Viscount), ii. 368;
+  Secretary at War, ii. 421;
+  President of Board of Trade, ii. 468;
+  Oudh Proclamation, iii. 282;
+  vote of censure withdrawn, iii. 290;
+  Chief Secretary for Ireland, iii. 349
+
+Carlisle, sixth Earl of, i. 419
+
+---- seventh Earl (sometime Lord Morpeth), Chief Secretary for
+Ireland, i. 62, 281, 308; ii. 79, 95;
+  Chief Commissioner of Woods and Forests, ii. 168, 324, 427, 428;
+  iii. 452
+
+Carlists, i. 50, 67; ii. 3
+
+Carlos, Don, i. _44_, _57_, 488;
+  abdication, ii. _31_
+
+Carlton House, residence of George IV., Queen's visit to, i. 11
+
+Carmarthen Riots, i. 484
+
+Carolina, South, iii. _381_
+
+Cartwright, Sir T., i. 409
+
+Cashmere, ii. 74
+
+Castlerosse, Lord, iii. 291
+
+Cathcart, Earl, Governor-General of Canada, ii. _47_
+
+Cathcart, General Sir George, Kaffir War, ii. _283_;
+  death at Inkerman, iii. 52; iii. 134
+
+Cavaignac, General, French Minister for War, ii. _184_, 190,
+_191_, 207, 387
+
+Cavour, Count, Sardinian Premier, iii. _63_, _66_, _156_, 161, 170,
+_307_, 333;
+  resignation, iii. _359_;
+  Papal States, iii. 380;
+  death, iii. _420_, 441
+
+Cawdor, Earl, i. 484
+
+Cawnpore, Mutiny, iii. _224_, 238;
+  massacre of the garrison, iii. _247_, _248_, _261_
+
+Cecile, Admiral, ii. 213
+
+Chalmers, Dr, i. _448_, _450_
+
+Chambers, Dr William Frederick, consulting physician, iii. 473
+
+Chambord, Comte de, _see_ Bordeaux, Duc de
+
+Chandos, Lord (afterwards Duke), Secretary to the Treasury, ii. 423
+
+Chantrey, Sir Francis, sculptor, i. 313, 333, 337
+
+Chapman, Dr, iii. 431
+
+Chapoo, captured by Sir Hugh Gough, i. 441
+
+Charier, Mdlle., ii. 3
+
+Charlemont, Viscount, i. 344
+
+Charles of Hesse, Prince, iii. 458
+
+---- X., of France, character and death, i. 52
+
+---- Archduke, i. 431
+
+---- Albert, King of Sardinia, ii. _141_, 175;
+  Piedmontese war, ii. _178_, _182_, 183, 186, 187, 190, _191_,
+  197, 198;
+  defeat at Custozza, ii. _191_;
+  at Novara, ii. _248_;
+  abdication in favour of his son, ii. _248_
+
+Charleston, surrender of, iii. _421_
+
+Charlotte, Princess (daughter of George IV.), i. 8;
+  character, ii. 39, 40;
+  bust, i. 203
+
+---- Princess of Prussia (afterwards Hereditary Princess of
+Saxe-Meiningen), birth of, iii. _406_
+
+Charlotte, Princess of Belgium, ii. 185;
+  illness, ii. _255_, 271;
+  beauty of, ii. 367;
+  proposed marriage of, iii. 207, 211;
+  marriage of, iii. 240, _241_
+
+Chartists, i. 83;
+  riots, i. 179; ii. 134;
+  demonstration, ii. 168;
+  fiasco, ii. 169
+
+Chartres, Duc de, i. 266, 414; iii. 453
+
+Chateaubriand, Vicomte de, i. _508_
+
+Chatsworth, Queen's visit to, i. 509
+
+Chelmsford, Lord, Lord Chancellor, iii. 272
+
+Chelsea pensioners, arming of, i. 486
+
+Cherbourg, Queen's visit to Napoleon, iii. 295
+
+Chester, Dean of, _see_ Davys
+
+Childers, Col., _Life of Right Hon. H.C.E. Childers_, ii. _77_
+
+Chillianwalla, ii. _208_
+
+Chimay, Prince de, iii. _274_
+
+China, opium trade dispute, i. _142_, _209_, 219, _254_, 260, 265;
+  operations in, i. 261, 337, _370_, 441;
+  war of 1857, iii. _223_, 226, _231_;
+  Treaty of Tien-tsin, iii. _262_, 301;
+  refusal to ratify treaty, march to Pekin, iii. _381_
+
+Chiswick, ii. 17
+
+Chobham camp, review at, ii. 449, 450
+
+Cholera, epidemic of, ii. _228_
+
+Christian, Prince, of Gluecksburg, afterwards King Christian IX. of
+Denmark, ii. _358_
+
+---- Princess, _see_ Helena, Princess
+
+Christina, Queen, Regent of Spain, i. 59, 62, 95;
+  abdication, i. 244, 346, 349, 351;
+  marriage question, ii. 4, _31_, 96, 97, 99, 100, 183
+
+Christino cause, i. _44_, 67
+
+Church of England, Queen's early knowledge of, i. 16;
+  her relations to, i. 51, 72, 79;
+  Parker Society, i. 259;
+  reform, i. 282;
+  difficulties at Oxford, i. 373, 374;
+  Low Church bigotry, ii. 37; ii. _115_;
+  preferments, ii. 121;
+  Ritualists and Romanists, ii. _273_, 273, 377;
+  riots at Stockport, ii. 391;
+  in the Colonies, ii. 448
+
+---- of Scotland crisis, i. 447, 448, _450_
+
+---- rates, i. _56_, 66; iii. 323
+
+Churchill, Lady, iii. 407
+
+Chusan, i. _209_, 265
+
+Chuttur Singh, surrender of, ii. 217
+
+Cintra, Convention of, iii. _175_
+
+Cistercian _Trappists_, Queen Adelaide's visit to, i. 437
+
+Civil Service, competitive examinations for, iii. 9, 11
+
+Clanricarde, Marquess of, i. 188; ii. 427;
+  Privy Seal, iii. 266
+
+---- Marchioness of, i. 350
+
+Clanwilliam, Earl of, ii. 422
+
+Claremont, residence of King Leopold, Queen's reminiscences of,
+i. 10, 18, 19;
+  regret at leaving, ii. 5, _21_;
+  residence of King Louis Philippe, ii. 160-162
+
+---- Col., Orsini trial, iii. 273
+
+Clarence, Duke of, _see_ William IV.
+
+Clarendon, third Earl of, Chief Justice-in-Eyre, death, i. 143
+
+---- fourth Earl of, i. 97;
+  Ambassador at Madrid, i. 281;
+  Lord Privy Seal, i. 308; ii. 60, 83, 86, 131, 132, 169, 195, 223,
+  224, 236, 244;
+  opinion on Lord Palmerston's removal, ii. 260, 263;
+  refusal of Foreign Office, ii. 346, _348_;
+  ii. 420, 423;
+  Foreign Secretary, ii. _431_;
+  Eastern Question, ii. 439-444, _452_-471;
+  Duke of Cambridge in Paris, iii. 14;
+  Russian loan, iii. _35_;
+  Crimea, iii. _43_;
+  Austrian alliance, iii. 48, _51_;
+  the "Four Points," iii. 65;
+  Government of 1855, iii. 82, 83, 86, 88, 89, 90, 92, 94, 96, _96_,
+  97, 98, _99_;
+  Foreign Affairs, iii. 104;
+  Emperor's proposal to take command at the Crimea, iii. _110_, 111;
+  Naples despatch, iii. 143-144;
+  Austrian ultimatum, iii. 152, 153, 165;
+  arranging terms of settlement, iii. 168-185;
+  conversation with French Emperor, iii. 175;
+  Treaty of Peace signed, iii. 183;
+  Queen's appreciation of his services, iii. 184, 185;
+  honours, iii. 186;
+  iii. 190;
+  interview with Persigny, iii. 232;
+  and Italy, iii. 305;
+  declines joining the new Cabinet, iii. 346;
+  St Juan dispute, iii. 373;
+  coronation of King of Prussia, iii. 428, _429_;
+  reception at the coronation of King and Queen of Prussia, iii. 458-460;
+  interview with the French Empress, iii. 460;
+  King of Prussia's views, iii. 465
+
+Clarendon's _History of the Rebellion_, i. 38, 52;
+  _Private Memoirs_, i. 435
+
+Claridge's Hotel, Empress of the French stays at, iii. 419
+
+Clark, Dr (afterwards Sir James), Physician to the Queen, i. 61, 130, 202;
+  Bagshot Park, iii. 384;
+  Prince Consort's illness, iii. 471, 473
+
+Clementine, Princess, of Orleans, i. 431
+
+Cleveland, Duke of, i. 386
+
+Clive, Lord, Life by Sir J. Malcolm, i. 55
+
+Close, Francis, Dean of Carlisle, iii. _206_
+
+Clyde, Lord, _see_ Campbell, Sir Colin
+
+Cobden, Richard, i. 300;
+  Corn Laws, i. 415, 465; ii. 60;
+  Peel's tribute to, ii. 83;
+  the Whigs, ii. 84, 85, 87;
+  Poor Law Commission, ii. 130, 131, 132;
+  ii. 155, 216;
+  question of marriage between Prince Frederick William of Prussia
+and the Princess Royal, iii. 182;
+  on China War, iii. _223_;
+  loss of seat, iii. 226;
+  iii. 263;
+  refuses to join Government, iii. _307_, 348, _350_;
+  and the Pope, iii. 357;
+  Plenipotentiary for commercial treaty, iii. _379_;
+  declines honours, iii. 413, _414_
+
+Coblentz, iii. 146
+
+Coburg (_see_ Saxe-Coburg), House of, history of, i. 3;
+  influence on the Queen's politics, i. 4;
+  abuse of, i. 53
+
+---- Queen's visit to, ii. _45_
+
+Cochrane, Mr Baillie (afterwards Lord Lamington), iii. 445
+
+Cockburn, Sir George, Admiral of the Fleet, i. 432
+
+---- Mr (afterwards Sir Alexander), Don Pacifico debate, ii. _252_;
+  Chief Justice of Common Pleas, iii. 215
+
+Codrington, Major-General Sir William, wounded at Inkerman, iii. _53_;
+  commands the English army in the Crimea, iii. _64_, 134, 155, _155_
+
+
+Colborne, Sir John (afterwards Lord Seaton), i. _57_;
+  High Commissioner, Canada, i. _102_;
+  Field-Marshal, i. 129, _130_
+
+Colchester, Lord, iii. 230
+
+Coldstream Guards wounded from Crimea, iii. 110
+
+Colenso, Rev. J. W., ii. 449
+
+Coleridge, Mr, and Provostship of Eton, iii. 431
+
+Colloredo, Count, Austrian Ambassador, ii. 439, 440
+
+Colquhoun, Mr, iii. 44
+
+Colvin, John Russell, Lieut.-Gov. of North-West Provinces, death of,
+iii. 251
+
+Combermere, Viscount, i. 420;
+  Constable of the Tower, ii. 393;
+  Field-Marshal, iii. _146_
+
+Companies, Limited Liability, statute passed, iii. _64_
+
+Conroy, Sir J., comptroller to Duchess of Kent, i. 99
+
+Conservatives in opposition, i. _56_;
+  dissensions, ii. _1_;
+  Corn Laws, ii. 66; ii. 83, 315, 384, 403;
+  form a Government, ii. 412-430;
+  Roebuck Motion, iii. 79, 226;
+  Government of 1858, iii. _262_, 266;
+  possible dissolution, iii. 283-292;
+  new Reform Bill, iii. _307_;
+  defeat, iii. 341; iii. 362;
+  overtures to Lord Palmerston, iii. _420_, 429
+
+Consort, Prince (_see_ Victoria, Queen), parentage, i. 4;
+  influence of Baron Stockmar, i. 26;
+  his character, i. _28_;
+  Princess of Hohenlohe's opinion of, i. 46;
+  Queen's first impression of, i. 49;
+  education of, i. 97, 109, 111;
+  engagement to Queen Victoria, i. _141_, 188;
+  visits Italy, i. 152;
+  Queen's views, i. 177;
+  description of, i. 186;
+  arrival at Windsor, i. 188;
+  religion, i. 196;
+  question of a peerage, i. 198;
+  the Declaration, i. 203, 204;
+  his Household, i. 204, 206, 207;
+  marriage with the Queen, i. _209_, 217;
+  his grant, i. _209_, 214;
+  appointed Regent, i. _209_;
+  the Queen's confidential secretary, i. 28;
+  name in Prayer Book, i. 249;
+  on changes at Court, i. 256;
+  visits Oxford, i. 291;
+  his position on change of Government, i. 304;
+  Lord Melbourne's opinion of, i. 306;
+  Fine Arts Commission, i. 332;
+  lays foundation stone of Royal Exchange, i. 376;
+  on duelling, i. _450_;
+  domestic life, i. 464;
+  to hold levees, i. 470, 471;
+  reception at Birmingham, i. 509;
+  his father's death, ii. 6;
+  Grand Cross of St Andrew, ii. 17;
+  birthday, ii. _20_;
+  French King's appreciation of, ii. 25;
+  title rumours, ii. 34;
+  interest in Osborne, ii. 42;
+  attacks on, ii. 46;
+  memo. on change of Government, ii. 61;
+  council meeting, ii. 65;
+  Sir R. Peel and memo. of their conversation, ii. 76;
+  memo. on resignation of Sir R. Peel, ii. 80, 83;
+  on new Government, ii. 85;
+  Sir R. Peel, ii. 93;
+  his self-denial, ii. 129;
+  visits King Louis Philippe at Claremont, ii. 163;
+  and the unemployed, ii. 168;
+  visit to York, ii. 184;
+  visit with the Queen to Ireland, ii. 224;
+  opening of new Coal Exchange, ii. 228;
+  Exhibition of 1851, ii. _231_, 316-318;
+  memo. on Lord Palmerston's Foreign Policy, ii. 235, 243, 260, 261;
+  Mansion House speech, ii. 239;
+  memos. on formation of a new Government, ii. 293, 297, 298, 300,
+  302, 306, 309, 310, 311;
+  presides at Propagation of Gospel Meeting, ii. _319_;
+  on Lord Palmerston's successor, ii. 345-347;
+  his fondness for politics and business, ii. 362;
+  and the Army, ii. 365;
+  on resignation of Lord John Russell, ii. 367, 369, 371;
+  on change of Government, ii. 374;
+  command of Grenadier Guards and Rifle Brigade, ii. 392;
+  on new appointments on death of Duke of Wellington, ii. 392;
+  on national defences, ii. 398-400;
+  on Free Trade Debate, ii. 404;
+  on resignation of Lord Derby, ii. 412-413;
+  on new Government, ii. 413, 415, 420;
+  Lord Derby's opinion of, ii. 426;
+  on change of Ministry, ii. 427;
+  birth of Prince Leopold (afterwards Duke of Albany), ii. 444;
+  congratulates Mr Gladstone on his Budget speech, ii. 446;
+  memo. on Eastern Question, ii. 454, 456;
+  memo. on Lord Palmerston's resignation, ii. 467;
+  Press attacks on, iii. _1_, 3, _4_, 7, 8;
+  interview with Emperor Napoleon, iii. _1_;
+  President of Patriotic Fund, iii. _2_;
+  memos. on Reform Bill, iii. _20_, 22, 23, 24;
+  memo. of Government changes, iii. 33, 34;
+  visits French Emperor, iii. _41_-43;
+  memo. on Lord John Russell's possible resignation, iii. 58;
+  visits the French Emperor, iii. _64_;
+  memo. on Lord John Russell's resignation, iii. 72;
+  memos. on inability of Lord Derby and Lord John Russell to form a
+Government, iii. 83-96;
+  memo. on Lord Palmerston's Government of 1855, iii. 97, 98;
+  asks Lord Aberdeen to join new Government, iii. 98;
+  memo. of interview with Mr Gladstone, iii. 107-109;
+  on Austria's proposal of Crimean settlement, iii. 120, _127_;
+  visits France, iii. 135;
+  appointment of Sir W. Codrington, iii. 155;
+  Queen's memo. on his status, iii. 192-194;
+  title of Prince Consort conferred, iii. 196, 197, _197_;
+  French Emperor's feeling towards England, iii. 232, 233;
+  marriage of Princess Royal, iii. _261_, 263, 264;
+  memo. on resignation of the Government, iii. 266-268;
+  Danish Question, iii. _281_;
+  memo. on Oudh Proclamation, iii. 284;
+  memo. on Lord Derby and dissolution, iii. 289;
+  visit to French Emperor at Cherbourg, iii. 295;
+  memo. on Lord Palmerston, iii. 300;
+  Lord Stanley's position with the Queen, iii. 301-303;
+  tours of Prince of Wales and Prince Alfred, iii. _411_;
+  Princess Alice's engagement, iii. 415;
+  state visit to Ireland, iii. _420_;
+  Lord John Russell's despatch to America, iii. _421_;
+  failure of health, iii. _421_;
+  death of the Duchess of Kent, iii. 435-439;
+  illness, iii. 468, 470;
+  draft despatch to United States, last written by, iii. 469;
+  slight rally, 472, 473;
+  death, iii. _421_, 473
+
+Conspiracy and Assassination Bill, iii. _266_
+
+Constantin, expedition against, i. _43_;
+  taken by France, i. 96
+
+Constantine of Russia, Grand Duchess, ii. 7; iii. 466
+
+Constantinople, i. 232;
+  Russian Fleet ordered to, ii. 441, 452
+
+_Constitution de la Belgique_, newspaper, i. 55
+
+Constitution, the English, i. 358
+
+_Constitutional_ newspaper, i. 53
+
+Conyngham, Lady Maria, i. 12
+
+---- Marchioness, i. 12
+
+---- Marquess, Lord Chamberlain, i. 12, 74, 75, 84, 110, 121
+
+Cooper, the Leicester Chartist, i. 424
+
+Coorg, Princess of, iii. 54
+
+Corbett, Mr, Secretary of Legation at Florence, iii. 310
+
+Corigan, Dominic, Physician-in-Ordinary, ii. _136_
+
+Cork, Queen Victoria's visit to, ii. 224;
+  question of dockyard, iii. 151
+
+Corn Laws, petition against, i. 148;
+  debates on, i. 218, 265, 278, 280, _370_, 381, 415, _450_, 465;
+  Anti-Corn-Law League, i. _370_, 415, 466; ii. _30_, 49, _383_;
+  paragraph in the _Times_, ii. 48, 49;
+  Lord John Russell's policy, ii. 59;
+  Sir R. Peel's views, ii. 65, 66, 87;
+  settlement, ii. 233;
+  Earl Grey on, ii. 377;
+  Mr Disraeli on, ii. 381
+
+Coronation, i. 120, 127
+
+Corry, H., ii. 306, 405
+
+Cottenham, Earl of, Chancellor, i. 271, 308, 314; ii. 83
+
+County and Borough Franchise, ii. 288
+
+Couper, Sir George, iii. 254
+
+Courvoisier murders Lord William Russell, i. _220_
+
+Covent Garden Theatre, Free Trade meetings at, ii. 131
+
+Coventry, Earl of, i. 91
+
+Cowell, Major (afterwards Sir John), tutor to Prince Alfred, iii. _413_
+
+Cowley, first Baron, Minister at Frankfort, i. 495
+
+---- second Baron (created Earl 1859), ii. 146, 186, 275;
+  Queen's high opinion of, ii. 285, 286;
+  Ambassador at Napoleon's Court, ii. 397, 407;
+  Napoleon's marriage, ii. 435;
+  Eastern Question, iii. 115, 151, 153, 154, 160;
+  council of war at Paris, iii. 168;
+  honours, iii. 186;
+  iii. 221;
+  mission to Vienna, iii. _308_, 323, 324-326;
+  rumoured treaty between France and Russia, iii. 330;
+  terms of peace at Villafranca, iii. _359_, _360_;
+  England's congress representative, iii. 375;
+  Italian Question, iii. 384, 385;
+  stormy interview with Napoleon, 390-394;
+  French policy in Italy, iii. _412_
+
+Cowper, Countess, i. 201
+
+---- Lady Fanny, i. 121;
+  her beauty, i. 123, 125; i. 266.
+  _See_ also Jocelyn, Lady
+
+---- Hon. William, Priv. Sec. to Lord Melbourne, i. 220;
+  First Commissioner of Works, iii. 443
+
+Cracow, ii. 72, 114
+
+Crampton, Mr (afterwards Sir John), British Minister at Washington,
+dismissal of, iii. _219_;
+  English Ambassador at St Petersburg, iii. 326
+
+Cranworth, Lord, Lord Chancellor, ii. 420; iii. 103;
+  Divorce Bill, iii. 231
+
+Creptowitch, Count, Russian Ambassador, iii. _185_
+
+Crimea, _see_ Eastern Question
+
+Croker, Right Hon. J. W., Queen's declaration, i. 197
+
+Crown, influence of the, i. 105;
+  prerogatives of, iii. 294, 296
+
+---- jewels, claim to, i. 439, 487
+
+Crowther, Rev. Samuel, ii. 366
+
+Crystal Palace, the Queen opens the, iii. _2_;
+  visit of the Emperor and Empress of the French, iii. _117_;
+  peace fete, iii. 190
+
+Cullen, Dr, Archbishop of Armagh, ii. 281
+
+Cumberland, second Duke of, i. 4;
+  his character, i. 6, 72, 76.
+  _See_ also Hanover, King Ernest of
+
+---- third Duke of, _see_ Hanover, King George V.
+
+Cureton, General, death of, ii. 212
+
+---- Rev. Wm., recommended for Canonry, ii. 121
+
+Custine, Marquis Astolphe de, _La Russie en 1839_, i. 501
+
+
+
+Daily News, iii. 337
+
+Dalhousie, Countess of, i. 397;
+  death, ii. 450
+---- tenth Earl and first Marquess of, ii. 65, 84;
+  Viceroy of India, ii. _142_;
+  views as to the Punjab, ii. 196;
+  Marquess, ii. _208_, 221;
+  Queen's opinion of, ii. 212;
+  Koh-i-noor diamond, ii. 242;
+  Rangoon, ii. 380;
+  Cinque Ports, ii. 393;
+  India, ii. 400, 401;
+  on his wife's death, ii. 450;
+  correspondence with the Queen, iii. 38, 39, 45-48, 53;
+  desires to retire, iii. 114;
+  retirement of, iii. _159_, 179;
+  reported failure to suppress insubordination in India, iii. _180_;
+  Lord Canning succeeds him, iii. 179;
+  iii. 292
+
+Dalkeith, Queen's visit to, i. 430
+
+Dalmeny, Lord, i. 489
+
+Danish Law of Succession, ii. _358_; iii. 280
+
+Darmes, attempts King Louis Philippe's life, i. _243_
+
+D'Aubigny, Mons., ii. 20
+
+Davis, Jefferson, President of the Southern States, iii. _421_
+
+Davys, Rev. George, Dean of Chester, afterwards Bishop of Peterborough,
+instructor of Queen, i. 15, 38, 64
+
+Dawes, Richd., Dean of Ripon, iii. 206
+
+Dawson, Hon. Thomas Vesey, death at Inkerman, iii. 55
+
+Deceased Wife's Sister Bill, iii. 277
+
+Defences, national, ii. 396, 398-400; iii. 37
+
+De Grey, Earl, Lord-Lieut, of Ireland, i. 309
+
+Delane, John T., editor of the _Times_, ii. 263;
+  and Germany, iii. 462
+
+De la Warr, Elizabeth, Countess, i. 310
+
+Delhi, revolt at, iii. _224_, 236;
+  capture of, iii. 236
+
+Democracy, progress of, ii. 385
+
+"Democratic," definition of the term, i. 107
+
+Denison, J. E., ii. 273;
+  Speaker, iii. _223_
+
+Denman, Lord, i. 469
+
+Denmark, and Morocco, ii. 4;
+  and Holstein, ii. 171, 222, 223, 249, 251, 270;
+  peace concluded with Prussia, ii. 254, 255;
+  Danish succession, ii. 320, 358
+
+---- King of, letter to Queen Victoria, ii. 254
+
+Derby, Earl of, _see_ Stanley
+
+Despatches, method of dealing with, ii. 221, 222
+
+Devonshire, Duke of, ii. _14_; iii. 202
+
+Dhuleep Singh, Maharajah, Queen's impression of, iii. 39, 47, 54;
+  iii. 219;
+  Indian Mutiny, iii. 248, 252
+
+Dietz, Mons., Governor of Prince Ferdinand, i. 54, 131
+
+Dilke, Sir C. W., Baronet, iii. 477
+
+Disbrowe, Sir Ed., British Minister at the Hague, i. 145, 409, 417
+
+Disfranchisement Bill, ii. 380
+
+Disraeli, Benjamin, "Young England," ii. 16;
+  "poisoned chalice," ii. _59_;
+  protectionist, ii. _71_;
+  attack on Sir R. Peel, ii. 79, 80;
+  leader of Opposition, ii. _208_, 216, 248;
+  motion on agricultural distress, ii. 285;
+  protection, ii. 287;
+  ii. 291, 301, 303, 363;
+  on Palmerston's defence, ii. 364;
+  _Endymion_, ii. _376_;
+  Chancellor of the Exchequer, ii. 381;
+  debate on dissolution, ii. 382, 384;
+  Militia Bill, ii. 385, 386, 387;
+  speech on Duke of Wellington, ii. 401;
+  Free Trade, ii. 402, 403;
+  and Gladstone, ii. 405;
+  Budget speech, ii. 406;
+  loss of office, ii. 415, 427;
+  apology for his speech, ii. _428_;
+  attack on the Government, iii. _38_;
+  Roebuck Motion, iii. 76, 79, 106;
+  formation of Government of 1855, iii. 81, 84;
+  attack on Lord John Russell, iii. _131_;
+  preparation for war, iii. 192;
+  attack on the Budget, iii. _224_, 226;
+  China War debate, iii. 228, 229;
+  speech on Indian Mutiny, iii. 239;
+  return to office, iii. _261_;
+  Conspiracy Bill debate, iii. 265;
+  Chancellor of the Exchequer, iii. 272;
+  reports of the debates, iii. 274, 275, 277, 278;
+  India Bill, iii. 279;
+  Oudh Proclamation debate, iii. _290_, _292_;
+  and Lord Stanley, iii. 301;
+  debate on the address, iii. 340;
+  defeat of Government, iii. 341;
+  and the Pope, iii. 358;
+  and Lord Palmerston's Government, iii. 429
+
+Dissenters and Church Rates, iii. 323
+
+Dissolution, prerogative of, ii. 91
+
+Divorce Bill, iii. _224_, _231_
+
+---- Court, Queen's objection to publication of proceedings in
+newspapers, iii. 378
+
+Doabs, Eastern, disarmament of Sikhs, ii. 217
+
+Dorset, Duke of, Master of the Horse, i. 12
+
+Dost Mahommed, _see_ Afghanistan, Ameer of
+
+Douglas, General Sir Howard, iii. _175_
+
+---- Lord (afterwards Duke of Hamilton), marriage, i. 439
+
+Douglas, Rev. Hon. A. (afterwards Bp. of Aberdeen and Orkney), iii. 102
+
+Douro, Marchioness of, i. 486; ii. 5, 322
+
+Doyle, Richard, i. _152_
+
+Drayton Manor, Queen's visit to, i. 509
+
+Dresden, ii. _219_
+
+Dreux, ii. 159
+
+Drummond, Edward, assassination of, i. 455, 456
+
+---- Castle, Queen's visit to, i. 430
+
+---- Henry, Member for West Surrey, iii. 76, 276
+
+Druses, iii. _380_
+
+Dublin, Archbishop of (Richard Whateley), Queen's opinion of, i. 62
+
+---- fear of outbreak at, ii. 169;
+  Queen's visit to, ii. 224
+
+Duels, military, i. _450_, _485_
+
+Dufferin, Marquess of, and story of Mrs Norton and the _Times_, ii. _48_
+
+Duffield, Walter, ii. 41
+
+Dumas, General, ii. 159
+
+Duncannon, Viscount (afterwards Earl of Bessborough), Lord Privy Seal,
+afterwards Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, i. 99, 133, 281, 308, 344; ii. 93;
+  death, ii. 122
+
+Duncombe, Thomas, M.P., Finsbury, iii. 79;
+  Roebuck Committee, ii. 106
+
+Dundas, Vice-Admral Sir James, Commander of Mediterranean Fleet,
+ii. _452_; iii. _1_, _116_
+
+---- Rear-Admiral Richard, commands expedition to the Baltic, iii. _116_
+
+---- Mr (afterwards Lord Melville), i. 357
+
+---- Sir David, Convention of Cintra, iii. _175_
+
+Dundonald, Earl of (formerly Lord Cochrane), iii. _9_
+
+Dunfermline, Lord (formerly James Abercromby), Speaker, i. 98; iii. 230
+
+Dungannon, Viscount, i. _133_
+
+Dunkeld, Queen's visit to, i. 429
+
+Dunmore, Countess of, Lady-in-Waiting, i. 384
+
+---- Earl of, death, ii. 43
+
+Durham, first Earl of, High Commissioner in Canada, i. _102_, 103, 104;
+  rash conduct, i. 128, 133, 137;
+  resignation, i. 137;
+  i. _142_, 144, 155, 234
+
+
+
+Eastern Question, ii. _431_, 437, 441-444, _449_, _452_-471;
+  declaration of war with Russia, iii. _1_, 12, 13, _20_;
+  Turkish success, iii. _36_;
+  battle of the Alma, iii. _43_, 49;
+  Inkerman, iii. _53_;
+  Four Points negotiations, iii. _63_, 65;
+  terms of settlement and final evacuation of the Crimea, iii. _158_, 182
+
+East India Company, recall of Lord Ellenborough, ii. _1_, 9, 11;
+  giving medals, ii. 200;
+  Sir Charles Napier, ii. 259;
+  position of Indian princes, iii. 47, 219;
+  Mutiny, iii. _223_, 234, 237-248, 252;
+  future Government of India, iii. 257
+
+Eastlake, Sir Charles, Keeper of National Gallery, i. 338
+
+Ecclesiastical Titles Bill, ii. _232_, 279, 281, _283_, 313, 314
+
+Eckerforde, ii. 218
+
+Eden, Lt.-Gen. John, C.B., iii. 39
+
+Edinburgh, Queen's visit, i. 429
+
+Education, Bullock's work on, ii. 214;
+  committee on, ii. 390
+
+Edwardes, Major, ii. 200
+
+Egypt (_see_ also Ali, Mehemet) and the Four Powers, i. 227, 232,
+242, _252_
+
+Elchingen, Duc de, i. 83
+
+Elcho, Lord (afterwards Earl of Wemyss), Government of 1855, iii. 98;
+  new Foreign Office, iii. 443
+
+Election, general 1836, i. _56_;
+  on death of William IV., i. 80, 89;
+  ii. 126;
+  Corrupt Practices Bill, iii. 8
+
+Elgin, Earl of, Governor in Jamaica, ii. 47, 94;
+  treaty with Japan, iii. _262_;
+  Postmaster-General, iii. 349
+
+Elimar, Prince, of Oldenburg, iii. 458
+
+Eliot, Lord, afterwards Earl of St Germans, i. 310
+
+Elizabeth, Princess, daughter of Queen Adelaide, death, i. 31
+
+Ellenborough, Lord (afterwards Earl of), President of Board of
+Control, i. 163, 309, 326;
+  Governor-General of India, i, 344;
+  Indian warfare, i. 407, _443_;
+  Somnauth proclamation, i. 445, 462, 468;
+  Scinde controversy, i. 502;
+  recall of, ii. _1_, 9, 18;
+  Earldom, ii. 10;
+  in office, ii. 65, 70;
+  protectionist, ii. 306;
+  and Lord Cochrane, iii. _10_;
+  iii. 73, 81;
+  President of Board of Control, iii. _262_, 272;
+  Oudh despatch, iii. _281_, 282-289;
+  resignation, iii. 282-285
+
+Ellesmere, Earl of, death, iii. 227
+
+Ellice, Mr, i. 144; ii. 92
+
+Elliot, Captain, Chinese opium trade, i. _254_, 260, _261_;
+  recalled, i. 265
+
+---- Lady Fanny, i. 291
+
+---- Lady Harriet, illness of, iii. _69_
+
+---- Mr (afterwards Sir Henry), P.C., G.C.B., Plenipotentiary to
+Naples, iii. 356, 418
+
+Elphinstone, General, capture of, i. _254_
+
+---- Sir J. D. H., M.P. for Portsmouth, iii. 278
+
+---- Baron, Governor of Bombay, iii. 313, 406
+
+Ely, bishopric of, ii. 35
+
+---- Marchioness of, iii. 378
+
+Emlyn, Lord, marriage, i. 395
+
+Enfield, iii. 212
+
+England, troubles in Afghanistan, _254_, _370_, 373, 382, 385
+
+---- and Austria, ii. _182_, 183, 187, 190, 380;
+  Eastern Question, ii. _432_, 441, 444, 452; iii. _1_, 13, 25;
+  proposed alliance, iii. _49_, 50, 65, 115, 118;
+  Four Points, iii. 120, 144;
+  ultimatum, iii. 152, 168, 182
+
+---- and China, i. 260-262;
+  successes in, i. 441;
+  dispute with and ultimatum, iii. _223_, 226, _231_;
+  treaty of Tien-tsin, iii. _262_, _381_;
+  march to Pekin, iii. _381_
+
+---- and Denmark, ii. 358
+
+---- and France, i. 93, _209_, 230; ii. _1_, 19, 96, _120_;
+  hospitality to King of, ii. 155;
+  relations with as a Republic, ii. 206;
+  on the Eastern Question, ii. _431_, 443, _452_, 458, 460, 470;
+  alliance with, iii. _1_, 232;
+  feeling against, iii. _261_, _264_
+
+---- and Germany, ii. 274, 275, 276
+
+---- and India (_see_ India)
+
+---- and Italy, ii. 182, 186;
+  Rome, ii. 279, 386, 387;
+  Naples, iii. 140, 141
+
+---- and Japan, treaty, iii. _262_
+
+---- and Persia, war, iii. _159_
+
+---- and Portugal, unpopularity, i. _57_;
+  English fleet in the Tagus, ii. _109_;
+  constitutional trouble, ii. 111, 118;
+  conference, ii. _120_;
+  policy in, ii. 179
+
+---- Punjab, annexation of, ii. _208_
+
+---- and Russia, i. 86; ii. 19;
+  on the Eastern Question, ii. _431_, 441-445, _452_; iii. _1_, 4,
+  11, 12, 13, 14;
+  declaration of war, iii. _19_;
+  Crimea, iii. 24-32, 35, 36, 43;
+  defeat at the Alma, iii. _43_, 44, 50;
+  battle of Balaklava, iii. 50;
+  Four Points, iii. _65_, 120;
+  Sebastopol taken, iii. 141;
+  Austrian ultimatum, iii. _152_;
+  peace and terms of settlement, iii. _158_;
+  difficulty of enforcing settlement, iii. _159_-186, 213;
+  Danish Question, iii. 439
+
+---- and Spain, i. 433, 486, 487, 512; ii. _31_, 32, 44;
+  marriage question, ii. 72, 95-108
+
+---- Sweden and Norway, iii. _134_
+
+---- and Turkey, Eastern Question, ii. _431_, 437, 441-445, _452_;
+iii. _1_, 11, _13,_ 19
+
+England and United States of America, boundary dispute, i. _254_,
+355, 368, 461; ii. _30_, _72_;
+  rupture with, iii. _159_, _219_;
+  _Trent_ affair, iii. _421_
+
+England, General (afterwards Sir Richard), i. 402, 407
+
+Enrique, Don, ii. 89, 90, 96, 98, 99, 103
+
+Ense, Varnhagen, von, memoirs of, iii. 472
+
+Erfurt, Diet of, ii. 229
+
+Ernest, Prince, of Hohenlohe, death of, iii. 396
+
+Ernest, King, of Hanover, i. _57_, 189.
+  _See_ Cumberland, Duke of
+
+---- Prince, of Saxe-Coburg, i. 48;
+  arrival at Windsor, i. 188;
+  i. 205;
+  marriage, i. 380;
+  bravery, ii. 218
+
+Ernestine branch of Saxe-Coburg family, history of, i. 2
+
+Erroll, Earl of, i. 300, 474
+
+Espartero, Joaquin, Regent of Spain, i. _57_, 346
+
+Este, Sir Augustus de, i. _489_
+
+Esterhazy, Prince Paul, i. 115, 435
+
+Eton College, ii. _21_;
+  Montem, ii. 109;
+  resignation of Dr Hawtrey, ii. 433;
+  extra week's holiday, iii. 200;
+  election of Provost, iii. 431
+
+Eu, Chateau de, i. 181, 182;
+  Queen's visit to, i. 490; ii. 23, 89
+
+Eugenie, Empress of the French, _see_ Montijo
+
+Eupatoria, disaster at, iii. _1_, _63_, _111_
+
+Evans, Col. (afterwards Sir G. de Lacy), i. _44_, _57_; iii. _53_, 297
+
+Examinations, competitive, iii. 10, _297_
+
+Executions, public, ii. 38
+
+Exeter, Bishop of, Gorham case, ii. _273_
+
+Exeter, Marquess of, i. 312
+
+Exhibition of 1851, in Hyde Park, ii. _231_, 239;
+  success of, ii. _283_, 316, 317;
+  ball at Guildhall, ii. 320
+
+
+
+Factory Labour, Bill, ii. _1_, _115_
+
+Fane, Hon. Julian, Secretary of Embassy, Vienna, iii. 370, _409_
+
+Farnham, Queen's visit to, iii. 400
+
+Fawcett, Col., shot in a duel, i. _485_
+
+Featherstonhaugh, Mr., H.B.M. Consul, Havre, arranges escape of
+King Louis Philippe, ii. 156-160, 163
+
+Feodore, Princess, of Leiningen, the Queen's half-sister, marriage
+to Prince of Hohenlohe-Langenburg, i. 3, _33_;
+  childhood, i. 18;
+  i. 31, 37, 88, 125, 480, 510
+
+Ferdinand, Maximilian Joseph, of Austria, Archduke, proposed marriage,
+iii. 211;
+  marriage and death of, iii. _234_, _240_
+
+---- Duke of Orleans, i. 234
+
+---- _see_ Portugal, King of
+
+---- II., King of Naples, i. 51;
+  rising against, ii. _141_;
+  illness and death, iii. 324
+
+---- of Bulgaria, Prince, i. _431_
+
+Feroz Shah, Prince, iii. 47
+
+Ferozepore, ii. 74, _208_
+
+Ferozeshah, ii. _31_, _76_
+
+Fieschi attempts King Louis Philippe's life, i. 407
+
+Fife, Earl of, Peerage, iii. 245
+
+Fine Arts Commission, i. 332
+
+Finlay, Mr, claim against Greek Government, ii. _231_, _239_
+
+Finmark, guarantee of, iii. _134_
+
+Fiscal Policy, ii. _292_
+
+Fisher, Dr, _see_ Salisbury, Bishop of
+
+Fitzclarence, Lord Adolphus, i. 390
+
+Fitzgerald, William Robert Seymour Vesey, Under Secretary for
+Foreign affairs, iii. 277, 445
+
+---- Sir John, iii. 76
+
+---- and Vesci, Lord, President of Board of Control, i. 347, 372
+
+Fitzmayer, Col., iii. 182
+
+Fitzwilliam, Earl, ii. 126-128
+
+---- Lady Anne, i. 121
+
+Flahaut, Madame de, ii. 39
+
+Florence, visited by Prince Albert, i. 152;
+  revolution in, iii. _308_
+
+Follett, Sir William, i. 219;
+  Solicitor-General, i. 469
+
+Fonblanque, Albany, i. 412
+
+Foreign Enlistment Bill, iii. _2_, _58_
+
+Foreign Office, new, iii. 444
+
+Foreign Secretary, duties of, ii. 264
+
+Forey, General, iii. 455
+
+Fortescue, second Earl, receives the Garter, iii. 157
+
+---- Dudley, iii. 443
+
+Fould, Achille, French Minister, iii. _333_, 418
+
+Four Points, Crimean negotiations, iii. _63_, 65, 120, 154, _158_,
+160-185
+
+Fox, Charles James, i. 5, 391
+
+---- Mr, British Minister at Washington, i. 355
+
+France, attempts on life of King, i. _43_, 243, _408_;
+  expedition to Constantin, i. _43_, _57_;
+  heated debates in Chamber, i. 59, 63;
+  Duke and Duchess of Orleans, i. 69;
+  and England, i. 93, 97, _209_, 230;
+  and the Peninsula, i. 94;
+  in Africa, i. 96;
+  sympathy with Belgium, i. _102_, 135;
+  resignation of Ministry, i. 149, 151;
+  Louis Bonaparte, i. _209_;
+  Turco-Egyptian convention, i. 227;
+  Eastern crisis, i. 231, 235-240;
+  friendliness with England, i. 239, 244;
+  Thiers Ministry dismissed, i. 242;
+  possibility of revolution, i. 246-249;
+  and Spain, i. 347, 351, 445;
+  Spanish marriage, i. _488_; ii. 32, 44, _72_, 96-109;
+  Queen Victoria's visit to, i. 490;
+  friction with England, ii. _1_, 6, 21;
+  England and Russia, ii. 19;
+  hostilities with Morocco, ii. 20;
+  fortification of Paris and Algerian trouble, ii. _31_;
+  Syrian War, ii. 68;
+  murder of Duchesse de Praslin, ii. _115_, 128;
+  revolution, ii. _141_;
+  abdication of King, ii. _149_;
+  republic, ii. 148, 151;
+  new Government, ii. 155, 172;
+  national assembly, ii. _173_;
+  the Royal Family, ii. 176;
+  _entente cordiale_, ii. 186, 190;
+  English Ambassador to, ii. 190, 206;
+  Louis Bonaparte, President of Republic, ii. 205, 210, 214;
+  relations with England, ii. 206;
+  state of, ii. 238;
+  _coup d'etat_ in Paris, ii. 334-340, 353;
+  dispute with Russia, ii. _356_;
+  and the Swiss Government, ii. 380;
+  champion of Italian liberty, ii. 387;
+  Bourbons, ii. 389;
+  position of Louis Napoleon, ii. 390;
+  assumes imperial title, ii. _406_;
+  Eastern Question, ii. _431_, 441-444, _449_, 451-471; iii. _1_;
+  fleet sent to Salamis, ii. _441_;
+  and England, ii. _443_;
+  alliance with England against Russia, iii. _1_, _6_, 13;
+  and Sebastopol, iii. 43, 44;
+  Inkerman, iii. 52;
+  and the Four Points, iii. 120;
+  success against Russia, iii. _135_;
+  Queen's visit to, iii. 135, 136;
+  fall of Sebastopol, iii. 142, 143, 145;
+  desire for peace, iii. 153;
+  peace and terms of settlement, iii. _138_-185, 214, 215;
+  rupture with King Ferdinand, iii. _158_, _159_;
+  and Austria, iii. 168;
+  bad state of army, iii. 180;
+  feeling against England, iii. _261_, _264_;
+  Italy and Sardinia, iii. _307_;
+  war with Austria, iii. _310_, 314;
+  reported treaty with Russia, iii. _328_;
+  victories, iii. _353_;
+  conclusion of peace, iii. _355_;
+  Treaty of Zurich, iii. _374_;
+  annexation of Savoy and Nice, iii. _379_;
+  expedition to Pekin, iii. _381_;
+  policy in Italy, iii. 412
+
+Franchise, County and Borough, ii. 288, 289;
+  Extension Committee, ii. 324;
+  Disfranchisement Bill, ii. 380, 381;
+  based on personal property, iii. _307_;
+  Borough, iii. _379_
+
+Francis, attempts the Queen's life, i. _370_, 398, 405
+
+---- II., King of Naples, flight to Gaeta, iii. _380_, 407
+
+Frankfort, National Assembly at, ii. 174, _188_, _192_
+
+Frederic of the Netherlands, Prince, iii. 458
+
+---- Archduke, i. 431
+
+Frederick, William Victor Albert (afterwards German Emperor), birth of,
+iii. 314;
+  christening, iii. 324
+
+Frederick I., _see_ Wuertemberg, King of
+
+---- Augustus II., _see_ Saxony, King of
+
+---- Crown Prince of Prussia, _see_ Prussia, Prince Frederick
+
+Free Church of Scotland, founded, i. 448
+
+Freemasons, i. 478
+
+Free Trade, i. 382; ii. _132_, 248, 310, 313, 344, 384, 386, 390,
+_399_, 405, 427
+
+Fremantle, Sir Thomas, afterwards Lord Cottesloe, i. 482
+
+French, Emperor of the, _see_ Napoleon
+
+---- Empress of the, _see_ Montijo, Mademoiselle de
+
+French, King of the, _see_ Louis Philippe
+
+---- Queen of the (Marie Amelie) (_see_ Louis Philippe), death, ii. 265
+
+Frogmore, iii. 399;
+  death of Duchess of Kent at, iii. 435-439, 447
+
+Fueros, i. 188
+
+
+
+Gaelic, in Highland schools, ii. 214
+
+Gaeta, ii. 205
+
+Gaillard, Gabriel Henri, _La Rivalite de la France et de l'Espagne_, i. 39
+
+Gainsborough, Countess of, _see_ Barham, Lady
+
+Gaisford, Very Rev. Thomas (Dean of Christchurch), iii. 148
+
+Garbett, Mr, i. 374
+
+Gardner, Lord, i. 291
+
+Garibaldi, guerilla leader, iii. _308_;
+  deputy for Nice, iii. _380_;
+  and Sicilian insurrection, iii. _380_, 410;
+  Lord J. Russell's letter to and reply, iii. 431, 432, 434
+
+Geisel, Cardinal, iii. 457
+
+George III., his politics, i. 5;
+  family, i. 6
+
+---- IV., marriage, i. 1;
+  politics, i. 5;
+  Queen's visit to, i. 11-13, 258;
+  death, i. 19
+
+---- V., of Hanover, _see_ Hanover
+
+---- Prince, of Denmark, i. 214
+
+Germany, King of Prussia on, ii. 137;
+  effect of French Revolution, ii. _141_;
+  anxiety in, ii. 167, 170, 174;
+  Minor States, ii. 188, 189;
+  interest in Lombardy, ii. 193;
+  disorder in, ii. 199, 215;
+  Imperial crown declined by King of Prussia, ii. 219;
+  Union of Schleswig and Holstein, ii. 222, 249, 254;
+  critical position of, ii. 229, 273, 275, 278;
+  and England, ii. 274;
+  constitutionalism, ii. 275;
+  anxiety in, ii. 278;
+  Diet, ii. 320;
+  coronation, iii. 456-459;
+  the Emperor's views, iii. 465
+
+Ghent, disturbances at, i. 187
+
+Gholab Singh, ii. 74
+
+Gholam Mohammed, Prince, iii. 39
+
+Ghuznee, surrender of, i. 402, _442_;
+  Mahmood of, iii. 46
+
+Gibraltar, Governorship of, ii. 201
+
+Gilbert, Major-General, ii. 217
+
+Girardin, Emile, ii. 149
+
+Giurgevo, Turkish success at, iii. _1_, _35_
+
+Gladstone, Right Hon. W. E., Member for Newark, i. 220;
+  President of Board of Trade, i. _370_;
+  Corn Laws, i. 381;
+  retirement, ii. _30_;
+  Colonial Secretary, ii. 64, 65;
+  ii. _71_, 248, 252, 302, 305, 306, 368;
+  Disfranchisement Bill, ii. 381;
+  education minute, ii. 391;
+  Free Trade, ii. 403, 404;
+  and Disraeli, ii. 405;
+  Chancellor of the Exchequer, ii. 421;
+  first Budget, ii. _431_, _446_;
+  Prince Albert's congratulations, ii. 440;
+  Eastern Question, ii. _454_;
+  possible Leader, ii. 458; iii. 24;
+  letter in the _Morning Chronicle_, iii. 8;
+  Civil Service examinations, iii. 9, 10;
+  Roebuck Motion, iii. 77, 79, 109;
+  formation of Government of 1855, iii. 83, 86, 93, 94, 97, 98, 107;
+  Chancellor of Exchequer, iii. 104;
+  interview with Prince Albert, iii. 107;
+  resignation, iii. 109;
+  iii. 149;
+  preparation for war, iii. 192;
+  attack on Budget, iii. _224_, 226;
+  Chinese dispute, iii. _228_;
+  Divorce Bill, iii. _231_;
+  High Commissioner to Ionian Islands, iii. _262_, 301, 309;
+  Conspiracy Bill debate, iii. 265;
+  refusal to join Government of 1858, iii. 270, 292;
+  Oudh Proclamation debate, iii. 290;
+  Crown prerogatives (India), iii. _295_;
+  new Reform Bill, iii. _307_;
+  Chancellor of the Exchequer, iii. _307_;
+  on the fate of the Government, iii. 341;
+  Chancellor of the Exchequer, iii. 349;
+  and the Pope, iii. 357;
+  Italian policy, iii. 367;
+  rise in Income Tax, iii. _379_;
+  desire to resign, iii. _379_;
+  Budget import duties, iii. _388_;
+  Bill for Abolition of Paper Duties thrown out, iii. 401, 402, _420_;
+  threatens resignation, iii. 403;
+  disagreement with Palmerston, iii. _420_, 423, 429
+
+Glasgow, serious riot, ii. _141_;
+  Queen opens Waterworks, iii. _308_
+
+Glenelg, Lord, Colonial Secretary, i. _102_, 104
+
+Glenlyon, Lord (afterwards Duke of Athole), i. 429; ii. 25
+
+Gloucester, Duchess of (Princess Mary), i. 12, 31, 172, 194, 389;
+ii. 174
+
+---- Duke of, character and politics, i. 7
+
+---- Princess Sophia Matilda of, i. 480
+
+Gluecksburg, Prince Christian of, _see_ Christian
+
+Goblet, Albert Joseph, Count d'Alviella, i. 52
+
+Goldie, Brig.-Gen., death at Inkerman, iii. _52_
+
+Goodford, Dr, Headmaster of Eton College, elected Provost, iii. 431
+
+Gordon, Col., Deputy Quartermaster-General, censure on, iii. _174_
+
+---- Sir Robert, Ambassador to Vienna, i. 326, 359, 487, 512
+
+Gorham, Mr, and the Bishop of Exeter, ii. _272_
+
+Gortschakoff, Prince, iii. _135_;
+  character, iii. 204, 334, 410
+
+Gosford, Earl of, Governor of Lower Canada, i. _56_
+
+Gotha, line extinguished, i. 2
+
+Gough, Sir Hugh (afterwards Viscount), successes in China, i. 441;
+  baronet, i. 444;
+  successes in India, ii. _30_, _71_, _73_, 74;
+  Commander-in-Chief in India, ii. _142_, _208_;
+  superseded, ii. 215;
+  Viscount, ii. 221
+
+Goulburn, H., Chancellor of the Exchequer, i. 309; ii. 37, 38, 306;
+  Disraeli's attack on, ii. _428_
+
+Gower, Lady Elizabeth (afterwards Duchess of Argyll), i. 449
+
+---- Lady Evelyn Leveson, marriage, i. 489
+
+Graham, Sir James, Home Secretary, i. 163, 219, _253_, 309, 448;
+  public executions, ii. 38, 39;
+  Corn Laws, ii. 49;
+  takes leave of the Queen, ii. 85, 88;
+  as to joining the Whig Cabinet, ii. 287, 293, 298, 305, 359, 368, 375;
+  speech on Corn Duty, ii. 382;
+  ii. 415;
+  Colonial Office, ii. 421;
+  and Disraeli, ii. _428_;
+  India Bill, ii. 447;
+  Eastern Question, ii. _454_, 455;
+  position in the Government, ii. 458;
+  speech at Reform Club, iii. _25_;
+  Government of 1855, iii. 91, 93, 94, 97, 100;
+  Admiralty, iii. 104;
+  resignation, iii. 109;
+  iii. 175, 190;
+  Conspiracy Bill, iii. _265_;
+  defeat of the Government, iii. 267-272;
+  Oudh Proclamation debate, iii. _290_;
+  competitive exams., iii, 297;
+  assailed by Disraeli, iii. _341_
+
+Grahamstown, new See, ii. 448
+
+Granby, Marquess of, iii. 76
+
+Grantown, Queen's visit to, iii. 407
+
+Granville, first Earl, Ambassador at Paris, i. 95, 181, 258
+
+---- second Earl, ii. 261;
+  Foreign Secretary, ii. _283_, 343, 344, 345, 348;
+  audience with the Queen, ii. 349;
+  Queen's view of Foreign Policy, ii. 351, 366, 372;
+  resignation 1852, ii. 375;
+  Board of Trade, ii. 421; iii. 34;
+  Government of 1855, iii. 97;
+  President of the Council, iii. 104;
+  iii. 141;
+  coronation of Czar, iii. _158_;
+  iii. 196;
+  his opinion of the Czar, iii. 203;
+  Garter, iii. 227;
+  China War debate, iii. 229;
+  fails to form a Government, iii. _307_, 343;
+  and the _Times_ disclosures, iii. 347;
+  President of the Council, iii. 348;
+  and the Pope, iii. 357;
+  Sir James Hudson, iii. 377;
+  Lord J. Russell's despatch to France, iii. 389
+
+Graves, Lord, i. 12
+
+Greece, throne of, i. 63; ii. 21, 199;
+  case of Don Pacifico and Mr Finlay, ii. _231_, 234;
+  appeal to Russia, and France, ii. _242_
+
+Gregory XVI., Pope,
+  interview with Prince Albert, i. 152;
+  death, ii. _115_
+
+Grenadiers, wounded from Crimea iii. 110
+
+Grenville, Lord, i. 357
+
+Greville, Charles, journal of, i. 285;
+  and Lord Palmerston, ii. 263; iii. _300_
+
+Grey, Sir George, Governor of Cape of Good Hope (afterwards Governor
+of New Zealand), iii. _201_;
+  difficulties with Hottentots, Kaffirs, and Boers, iii. 225;
+  action at Cape Town, iii. _238_
+
+---- General, iii. 407, 473
+
+---- second Earl, Prime Minister, i. 55;
+  Reform Bill, i. 61;
+  i. 283;
+  illness, i. 512;
+  death, ii. 43
+
+---- third Earl, _see_ Howick, Lord
+
+---- Sir George, Under-Secretary for the Colonies, i. 135;
+  Chancellor of Duchy of Lancaster, i. 308;
+  Home Secretary, ii. 60, 86;
+  Chartist meeting, ii. 169;
+  officers' commissions, ii. 185;
+  ii. 237, 244, 261;
+  on Palmerston's successor, ii. 346;
+  seals of office given up, ii. 374;
+  Home Office, ii. 468;
+  Colonies, iii. _1_, 34;
+  resignation of Lord John Russell, iii. 75, 76-78;
+  Government of 1855, iii. 93, 95, 97, 98;
+  Cabinet of 1855, iii. 103, 104, 149, 150;
+  Conspiracy Bill debate, iii. 265;
+  iii. 272;
+  Chancellor of Duchy of Lancaster, iii. 349;
+  on Sir James Hudson's appointment, iii. 377;
+  _Trent_ affair, iii. 466
+
+---- George Henry (son of the above), iii. 103
+
+Grimston, Lady Mary, trainbearer to the Queen, i. 121;
+  her beauty, i. 123
+
+Groeben, General Count von der, iii. 16
+
+Gros, Baron, ii. 235
+
+Grosvenor, Lord, i. 202, 204, 207
+
+---- Lord Robert (afterwards Lord Ebury), peerage, iii. 245
+
+Guards, The, embarkation for the Crimea, iii. 14
+
+Guelphic Order, ii. 5
+
+Gueronniere, M. de la, _The Pope and the Congress_ pamphlet,
+iii. _313_, 382
+
+Guilford, Earl of, _see_ North, Lord
+
+Guizot, M., i. 237, 238, 321, 347, 348; ii, 6, 20, 44, 106, 108;
+  a fugitive, ii. _141_; ii. 145, 153, 156, 162, 170, 263
+
+Gujerat, ii. _208_, 217
+
+
+
+Haddington, Earl of, First Lord of the Admiralty, i. 309, 432;
+ii. 65
+
+Hadfield, Mr, iii. 239
+
+Halford, Sir Henry, Court Physician, i. 144, 477
+
+Hall, Sir Benjamin (afterwards Baron Llanover), First Commissioner
+of Public Works, ii. _365_; iii. 135, 150
+
+Hallam's _Constitutional History_, i. 435, 449
+
+Hamilton, William, attempt on Queen's life, ii. 220
+
+Hammond, Mr (afterwards Lord), permanent Under-Secretary at Foreign
+Office, iii. 466
+
+Hampden, Dr, Bishop of Hereford, ii. _115_, 135, 136, 139
+
+Hanover, House of, history of, i. 1
+
+---- constitution abrogated, i. _57_;
+  Princess Royal's reception, iii. 454
+
+---- King of (Ernest Augustus), the Queen's uncle, i. 6, 72, 76,
+123, 126;
+  claim to Crown jewels, i. 439;
+  visit to the Queen, i. 477, 480-482;
+  power to confer Orders, ii. 5;
+  death, ii. 331;
+  treatment of Prince Consort, iii. 192
+
+---- King George V. of, marriage, i. 437;
+  succeeds to the throne, ii. 334;
+  ii. 449
+
+Hanoverian Orders, ii. 5
+
+Harcourt, Edward Vernon, Archbishop of York, i. _291_, 292
+
+Hardinge, Sir Henry (afterwards Viscount), i. 65;
+  Secretary at War, i. 163, 279, 309;
+  Governor-General of India, ii. 28, 29;
+  settlement of Sikh boundaries, ii. 74;
+  Queen's appreciation of, ii. 75, 77, 88;
+  state of India, ii. 125;
+  Ireland, ii. 188;
+  audience with the Queen, ii. 376;
+  Commander-in-Chief, ii. 393, 394, 396;
+  Army promotions, iii. 39;
+  Field-Marshal, iii. 146;
+  Army discipline, iii. 152, 189;
+  illness and resignation, iii. 197, 198;
+  death and Queen's opinion of, iii. 210, 211
+
+Hardwicke, first Earl, Lord Chancellor, i. _500_, 504
+
+---- fourth Earl, i. 384, 497; ii. 23;
+  Lord Privy Seal, iii. _272_
+
+Harley, Lord (afterwards Earl of Oxford), i. 504
+
+Harrow, extra week's holiday, iii. 200
+
+Harrowby, Lord, iii. 149
+
+Hartington, Lord (afterwards Duke of Devonshire), iii. 340
+
+Hatzfeldt, Count, iii. _181_
+
+Havelock, Colonel, death of, ii. _212_
+
+---- General, Lucknow relief, iii. _224_, _238_, 249, _255_, 259;
+  death of, iii. 259
+
+Havre, flight of King Louis Philippe, ii. 157-160
+
+Hawes, Mr, i. 220; ii. 83
+
+Hawtrey, Dr, Headmaster of Eton College, i. 339;
+  Montem, ii. 109;
+  resignation, ii. 433
+
+Hay, Lord John, i. _44_, _57_
+
+Haynau, General, attack on, ii. _231_, 267, 269, 402
+
+Hayter, Mr, artist, i. 338
+
+---- Mr (afterwards Sir William), Liberal Whip, iii. 227
+
+Head, Sir Francis, i. _56_
+
+Heath, Captain, H.M.S. _Sanspareil_, iii. 70
+
+Heathcote, Sir William, iii. 292
+
+Helena, Princess (afterwards Princess Christian), ii. 220
+
+Henley, J. W., iii. 78;
+  President of Board of Trade, iii. 272;
+  withdrawal from Ministry, iii. _307_
+
+Hennessy, John Pope (afterwards Sir), M.P., iii. 445
+
+_Henri IV._, French warship, loss of, at Balaklava, iii. 56
+
+Herat, i. 327; iii. _159_;
+  siege of, iii. _199_
+
+Herbert, Sidney (afterwards Lord Herbert of Lea), ii. _48_, 49, 84, 368;
+  Militia Bill, ii. 388;
+  Free Trade debate, ii. 405, 415;
+  Admiralty, ii. 421;
+  sends out Florence Nightingale, iii. _62_;
+  Roebuck Motion, iii. 76;
+  formation of Government of 1855, iii. 83, 87, 91, 97, 99;
+  Cabinet, iii. 103, 104;
+  resignation, iii. 109;
+  Lord Palmerston, opinion of, iii. 149, 150;
+  declines to join the Government, iii. 150;
+  Secretary for War, iii. 349;
+  England's interference with Italy, iii. 364;
+  illness and death, iii. 422
+
+Herries, Rt. Hon. J. C., ii. 291, 303
+
+Hesse-Cassel, ii. _272_
+
+Hesse, Prince Charles of, iii. 458
+
+Hever Castle, Queen's visit to, i. 37
+
+Heytesbury, Lord, Governor of Isle of Wight, i. 326, 330
+
+Highland Volunteers, i. 429
+
+Highlanders, 92nd, i. 429
+
+Hill, Viscount, Commander-in-Chief, i. 100, 263;
+  resignation and death, i. 419, 420, _421_, 446
+
+---- Lord Marcus, i. 300
+
+Hilliers, Gen. Baraguay de, at capture of Bomarsund, iii. _36_
+
+Hindoos, public offices opened to, ii. 29;
+  remarriage of widows, iii. _223_, 235;
+  Indian Mutiny, iii. _224_, 252;
+  address to the Queen, iii. 399
+
+Hobhouse, Sir John Cam (afterwards Lord Broughton),
+President of Board of Control, i. 62, 281; ii. 86, 287
+
+Hohenlohe, House of, history of, i. 3
+
+---- Langenburg, Ernest, Prince of, i. 3;
+  marriage, i. 33; ii. 402;
+  question of his daughter's marriage, ii. 429
+
+---- Hermann, Prince, of, iii. 396
+
+---- Princess of, _see_ Adelaide, Princess; Feodore, Princess
+
+Hohenzollern, Prince of, iii. 457
+
+Holland, Dr (afterwards Sir Henry), Court Physician, i. 237, 438;
+ii. 8;
+  Prince Consort's last illness, iii. 473
+
+---- and Belgian dispute settled, i. _43_, _102_, _142_, 145, 146;
+  King Leopold's views on, i. 152;
+  and England, i. 117-120;
+  Queens visit to, ii. _44_
+
+---- King William I. of, i. _188_;
+  abdication, i. _210_, 351
+
+---- King William II. of, as Prince of Orange, suitor to the Queen,
+i. 1;
+  becomes King, i. _210_;
+  i. 379, 380, 409;
+  visit to the Queen Sophia Frederica, ii. 42
+
+---- King William III. of, visit to King Leopold, iii. 454
+
+---- Queen of, visit to England, iii. 240
+
+Holland, Lord, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, i. 245
+
+Holstein, union with Schleswig, ii. _222_, 249, 250, 251, 258, 270
+
+Holy Alliance, i. _44_
+
+Holyrood Palace, ii. 266; iii. 50
+
+Honfleur, ii. 157, 159
+
+Hong-Kong, i. 261, 262;
+  cession of, to England, i. _370_; ii. 4
+
+Hooghly River, iii. 250
+
+Hope, A. J. (afterwards Beresford-Hope), iii. 8
+
+Horsman, Mr, M.P., iii. 276, 404
+
+Hospitals for sick and wounded soldiers, iii. 113
+
+Hotham, Admiral Sir William, i. _216_
+
+House Tax, ii. _407_, 411
+
+Household appointments, ii. 373, 376
+
+Howard, Charles, i. 419
+
+---- de Walden, Lord,
+  British Minister at Lisbon and Brussels, i. 96, 131, 133, 356, 485;
+ii. 95
+
+Howden, Lord (formerly Sir John H. Caradoc), British Minister at
+Rio Janeiro and Madrid, ii. 133, 241, 323, 390
+
+Howick, Lord (afterwards third Earl Grey), views on Canadian affairs,
+i. 98, 100;
+  on civil government of the Army, i. 147;
+  Corn Laws, i. 465;
+  and Lord Palmerston, ii. 59;
+  possible Colonial Secretary, ii. 59;
+  Ireland, ii. 84;
+  his party, ii. 86;
+  views on resignation of Government, ii. 375; iii. 80, 81, 86, 89, 90;
+  iii. 192;
+  South Africa, iii. 201;
+  refusal to join the Government of 1858, iii. 270
+
+Howley, Dr, _see_ Canterbury, Archbishop of
+
+Huebner, Baron, Austrian Ambassador at Paris, ii. 422; iii. _310_,
+321, 327
+
+Hudson, Sir J., British Envoy at Turin, ii. 386; iii. 161, _333_;
+  peace at Villafranca, iii. _359_;
+  iii. 375, 440
+
+Hugo, Victor (1802-1885), _Napoleon le Petit_, ii. _391_
+
+Hull, Queen's visit to, iii. 49
+
+Hume, Joseph, i. 60, 90, 147; ii. 70, _123_
+
+Humiliation, days of, Queen's views on, iii. 19, 20;
+  national prayer and humiliation, iii. 247, 248
+
+Hummelauer, Baron, ii. 174
+
+Hungary, submission of, ii. _208_, 223
+
+Hunt, Mr Leigh, i. 412
+
+Huskisson, Mr, i. 278
+
+Hutchinson, Mrs, biographer of her husband, i. 52
+
+
+
+Ibrahim Pasha, (son of Mehemet Ali), i. _142_, 246
+
+_Idees Napoleoniennes_, ii. 374
+
+Income Tax, Queen's decision to pay, i. 387; iii. 36;
+  Bill, i. 403, 405;
+  raised, ii. _141_, 303, 307, 312, 388;
+  reduction for farmers, ii. 406;
+  ii. _431_; iii. 226;
+  increase, iii. _379_;
+  reduction, iii. _420_
+
+Indemnity Act, iii. _224_, _256_
+
+India (_see_ Afghanistan and East India Co.),
+  policy as to Herat, i. 327-329;
+  reinforcements for China, i. 336;
+  success in, i. 481;
+  retention of the Scinde, i. 502;
+  recall of Lord Ellenborough, ii. _1_, 9, 18, 19;
+  education, ii. 28;
+  public offices opened to Hindoos, ii. 29;
+  Sikhs aggressive, ii. _30_;
+  Sikhs defeated, ii. _71_;
+  extension of boundaries, ii. 74;
+  prosperity under British rule, ii. 125;
+  origin of Sikh War, ii. _142_;
+  necessity of making Punjab a British province, ii. 196;
+  successful operations against Sikhs, ii, _208_, 217;
+  safety of English prisoners, ii. 217;
+  disarmament of Sikhs, ii. 217;
+  annexation of the Punjab, ii. 220;
+  state of, ii. 400;
+  honours to Duke of Wellington, ii. 401;
+  India Bill, ii. _431_, 447;
+  satisfactory state of, iii. 45-48, 53;
+  troops for the Crimea, iii. 46;
+  Oudh placed under British control, iii. _159_;
+  Mutiny in, iii. _223_, _235_, 235-238;
+  Lucknow, iii. _243_, _248_, 249;
+  Cawnpore, massacre of garrison, iii. _247_, _248_, 249;
+  future government of India, iii. 257, _262_, _293_;
+  Oudh Proclamation, iii. _262_, _281_, 282;
+  Indian Army organisation, iii. 282, _295_, 302;
+  proclamation, iii. 298;
+  title of Viceroy, iii. 304;
+  religious question, iii. 304;
+  army question, iii. 317-320;
+  termination of the Mutiny, iii. 350;
+  status of Bussahir, iii. 360;
+  titles and honours, iii. 387;
+  letters of thanks to civil servants, iii. 399
+
+Indus, ii. 74
+
+Inkerman, battle of, iii. _252_;
+  account of the battle, iii. 54-56
+
+Insanity, plea of, i. 469
+
+Inverness, Duchess of (wife of Duke of Sussex), i. 479, 480
+
+Ionian Islands, constitution of, iii. 301
+
+Ireland, Secret Societies, i. _43_;
+  Municipal Corporations Bill, i. _56_, 66;
+  Tithe Bill, i. 66;
+  and O'Connell, i. 130;
+  Committee for, i. 149;
+  registration, i. 265;
+  repeal agitation, i. _450_;
+  Arms Bill, i. 482;
+  indictment of O'Connell, ii. _1_;
+  report of Potato Commission, ii. 48;
+  failure of potato crop, ii. 53;
+  Coercion Bill, ii. _71_, 79, 81;
+  Queen's proposed visit to, ii. 93, 95, 127;
+  alarming state of, ii. _141_, 170, 188;
+  Queen's visit to, ii. _208_, 223, 224;
+  enthusiasm of people, ii. 226;
+  brevet promotions, ii. 227;
+  another visit to, iii. _420_
+
+Irun, capture of, i. _57_
+
+Isabella, Queen, of Spain, i. 59, 62;
+  guardianship of, i. 346;
+  proposed marriage of, i. 349, 432, 485, 486, 487, 512;
+  ii. 4, _31_, 32, 44, _71_, 90, 96, 107, 389; iii. 6, _51_
+
+Ismail, surrender of, iii. _159_
+
+Issendorf, M. de, iii, 455
+
+Isturitz, Senor, Spanish statesman, flight, i. _44_; ii. 97, 99
+
+Italy, special mission to the Vatican, ii. 128;
+  revolution, ii. _141_;
+  and Austria, ii. 174;
+  and England, ii. _182_, 183, 187, 386, 387;
+  Piedmontese successes in Northern, ii. _191_, 191, _208_, 213;
+  and Austria, iii. 306, 322;
+  proposed congress and war, iii. 324-354;
+  Pope's opinion of Italians, iii. 357;
+  insurrection at Perugia, iii. 358;
+  Treaty of Zurich and congress to settle Italian affairs,
+iii. _374_, _379_;
+  French policy in, iii. 412;
+  summary of events in 1861, iii. _420_;
+  Palmerston's views on, iii. 427, 428
+
+
+
+Jackson, Serjeant J. D., Irish Solicitor-General, i. 352, 354
+
+Jamaica, troubles in, and constitution of, i. _102_, _141_, 153;
+  Bill, i. 176
+
+James, Edwin, successful defence of Dr Bernard, iii. _274_
+
+Japan, treaty with, iii. _262_
+
+Jarnac, Count, French Ambassador, ii. 21, 160
+
+Jaux, M. de, ii. 429
+
+Jenkinson, Lady Louisa, i. 121
+
+Jenner, Dr (afterwards Sir William), Physician-Extraordinary
+to the Queen, in attendance on Prince Consort, iii. 473, 476
+
+Jersey, Earl of, Master of the Horse, i. 310
+
+Jewish Disabilities Bill, iii. _224_
+
+Jocelyn, Lord, on Free Trade, ii. 403
+
+---- Lady, i. 380; iii. 427;
+  _see_ also Cowper, Lady Fanny
+
+John, Archduke, younger son of the Emperor Leopold II,
+i. 431; ii. 171, 188, 191, 193
+
+---- Prince of Portugal, brother of King Pedro, iii. 457
+
+Joinville, Prince de, i. 94, 452, 480;
+  imprudent _brochure_, ii. _1_, 11, 24, 27;
+  ii. 148, 153, 167, 192, 267, 337, 353;
+  gallant deed, ii. 192;
+  accident to, iii. 324
+
+---- Princess de, i. 178, 490
+
+Jones, Sir John Thomas, _Wars in Spain_, i. 38
+
+---- Mr, Vice-Consul at Havre, ii. 157
+
+Jowett, Rev. B., Fellow of Balliol College, Professor of Greek,
+iii. 148
+
+
+
+Kaffir War, iii. 201
+
+Kainardji, Treaty of, ii. _431_, _452_, 464
+
+Kalampaka, engagement at, iii. _37_
+
+Karak, island of, iii. _4_
+
+Kars, fortress of, iii. _64_, _159_, 178, 179, _208_
+
+Keane, Sir John (afterwards Lord), Cabul, i. _142_
+
+Kellerman, General, and Convention of Cintra, iii. _175_
+
+Kellersberg, Baron, iii. _328_
+
+Kennedy, Mr, removed from Crown Office, iii. 61
+
+Kennington Common, Chartist meeting, ii. 169
+
+Kensington Palace, Queen's birth-place, i. 8;
+  Queen's early recollections of, i. 10;
+  proposal to build National Gallery on site of, ii. 315
+
+Kent, Duchess of (Queen's mother), biography of, i. 3, 4, 8, 9;
+  character and disposition, i. 9;
+  Parliamentary Grant, i. 9;
+  education of Princess Victoria, i. 14-17;
+  Parliamentary Grant increased, i. 19;
+  estrangement with William IV., i. 19;
+  visit to Belgium, i. 287;
+  ii. 177;
+  illness of, iii. 335;
+  Frogmore, iii. 399;
+  Edinburgh, iii. 405;
+  present at Volunteer Review, iii. 406;
+  death, iii. _420_, 435-439
+
+---- Duke of (Queen's father), politics and philanthropic views,
+i. 5;
+  biography, i. 8;
+  sudden death, i. 9
+
+Kertsch, successful attack on, iii. _64_, _126_
+
+Khalsad army, surrender of, ii. 216
+
+Khyber Pass, i. _370_, 402
+
+Kinburn, citadel of, iii. _64_
+
+King, Mr Locke, ii. 288, 295
+
+---- Rev. Bryan, iii. _417_
+
+Kinglake, Mr, _Invasion of the Crimea_, iii. _31_, 36, _111_
+
+Kingstown (Ireland), Queen Victoria's visit to, ii. 225
+
+Kinsky regiment, loss of twenty-four officers, ii. 219
+
+Kirkpatrick, William, ii. _435_
+
+Kisseleff, General, Russian Ambassador, iii. 393
+
+Klebelsberg, Countess, marriage, i. 13
+
+Knatchbull, Sir Edward, Paymaster-General, i. 279, 309
+
+Knightley, Rainald (afterwards Sir), M.P., iii. 76
+
+Knollys, Sir William, K.C.B., iii. _39_
+
+Koh-i-noor diamond, ii. _208_;
+  history of, ii. 242
+
+Kokan, Khan of, iii. 45
+
+Koller, Baron, Austrian Ambassador, ii. 267-269
+
+Koenigsberg, crowning of King and Queen of Prussia, iii. _420_
+
+Kossuth, Louis, champion of Hungarian freedom, flight of, ii. _208_;
+  visit to England, ii. _283_;
+  reception by Lord Palmerston, ii. 324-331, 440, 441; iii. 432
+
+
+
+Lablache, Luigi (Queen's singing master), i. 50, 62, 89
+
+Labouchere, Mr (afterwards Lord Taunton), President of the
+
+Board of Trade, i. 262, 281, 308;
+  Government of 1855, iii. 91, _150_, 190, 272
+
+Labour Bill, Mines, i. _370_;
+  Factories, ii. _1_
+
+Laeken, Royal Palace in Belgium, i. 34
+
+Lagos, capture of, ii. 366
+
+Lahore, ii. 217
+
+Lamartine, M., ii. _173_, _174_
+
+Lambeth Palace, i. 388
+
+Landgravine, Princess Elisabeth, i. 212
+
+Landseer, Sir Edwin Henry (1802-1873),
+  artist, i. 396, 397
+
+Langdale, Lord, Master of the Rolls, i. 335
+
+Lansdowne, Marquess of, Lord President of the Council, i. 74, 281;
+ii. 83, 86, 236, 237;
+  Government crisis, ii. 290, 308, 310, 413-417;
+  in the Cabinet, ii. 424;
+  Reform Bill, ii. 468;
+  and Lord John Russell, iii. 58;
+  formation of the Government of 1855, iii. 85-89, 90, 93, 94, 97,
+  98, 102;
+  Cabinet, iii. 103, 104;
+  his ministerial life, iii. _104_;
+  iii. 190;
+  declines a dukedom, iii. _246_
+
+Laporte, i. 220
+
+La Susse, French Admiral, ii. 26
+
+Lavradio, M., Portuguese statesman, i. 58
+
+Law, administration of, ii. 67
+
+---- Lords, want of, iii. 145
+
+Lawrence, Sir Henry, Military Administrator at Oudh, death at Lucknow,
+iii. _224_, 242
+
+Lawrence, Mrs George, courage of, ii. 217
+
+---- Sir J., Oudh Proclamation, iii. 286
+
+Layard, Mr, Under Secretary for Foreign Affairs, iii. 76, 98, 376,
+443-447
+
+Lee, Dr James Prince (afterwards Bishop of Manchester), ii. 131
+
+Leeke, Admiral Sir Henry, capture of Bushire, iii. _159_
+
+Lefevre, Mr Shaw (afterwards Viscount Eversley), Speaker, i. 141, 176;
+iii. _223_, 230
+
+Lefroy, John Henry, Inspector-General of Army Schools, iii. 220
+
+Lehzen, Baroness (Queen's governess), i. 12, 14, 25, 122, 224
+
+Leicester, Earl of, i. 350
+
+Leigh, Mr Pemberton (afterwards Lord Kingsdown), ii. 284; iii. 145;
+  declines Lord Chancellorship, iii. 271
+
+Leiningen, House of, history of, i. _9_
+
+---- Prince of, marriage, i. 3;
+  death, i. 9
+
+---- Prince Charles of (son of above), i. 13, 120, 125, 126; ii. 188;
+  death, iii. _216_, 217
+
+---- Princess Feodore, _see_ Feodore
+
+Leith, proposed dockyard at, iii. 151
+
+Le Marchant, Sir John Gaspard, Lieut. Gov. of Nova Scotia, iii. 189
+
+Lennox, Lady Caroline, i. 121
+
+Leopold, Prince (afterwards Duke of Albany), birth, ii. 444
+
+---- Duke of Brabant (afterwards 2nd King of the Belgians), i. 59;
+ii. 6
+
+---- 1st King of the Belgians, birth and parentage, i. 4, 22;
+  Queen's reminiscences of, i. 10, 11, 13, 22;
+  kindness to Duchess of Kent, i. 11;
+  influence on, and kindness to the Queen, i. 19, 22, 23;
+  in the Russian army, refusal of throne of Greece, i. 22;
+  accepts Belgian throne, gallantry in war, a model ruler, i. 23;
+  nature of correspondence with the Queen, i. _27_;
+  Queen Victoria's first letter to, i. 32;
+  valuable advice to Queen Victoria, i. 37;
+  newspaper abuse of, i. 53;
+  birth of second son, i. 63;
+  visit to the Queen, i. 91;
+  Belgian interests, i. 134, 151, 152, 153;
+  England and France, i. 227-251;
+  views on dissolution, i. 282-289;
+  Queen's visit to, i. 492, 493;
+  friendship with Queen Victoria, ii. 10;
+  views on Czar's visit to England, ii. 19;
+  letters on King Louis Philippe's visit to England, ii. 23, 25;
+  birthday letter to the Queen, ii. 39;
+  on state of Germany, ii. 167;
+  failure of insurrection, ii. _172_;
+  Louis Bonaparte, ii. 213;
+  state of France, ii. 238, 342;
+  on death of Sir Robert Peel, ii. 255;
+  illness of Queen Louise, ii. 266;
+  the Sovereign "People," ii. 379;
+  on Victor Hugo, ii. 391;
+  on death of Duke of Wellington, ii. 395;
+  the Empress of the French, ii. 436;
+  Eastern Question, ii. 441, 443;
+  Press attacks on Prince Consort, iii. 5;
+  visits the Queen, iii. 133;
+  on the conclusion of the war, iii. 172, 185;
+  iii. 195;
+  review of Crimean troops at Aldershot, iii. _198_;
+  as to decorating Duke of Westmorland, iii. 202;
+  Princess Charlotte's proposed marriage, iii. 207;
+  on death of Prince Charles of Leiningen, iii. 216;
+  marriage of Princess Charlotte, iii. 234, 240;
+  on the Queen's visit to Napoleon, iii. 295;
+  Napoleon's desire for war, iii. 315;
+  Napoleon and the Pope, iii. 382;
+  Italian Question, iii. 386;
+  Prince of Wales's visit to Canada, iii. 404;
+  Volunteer Review in Hyde Park, iii. _406_;
+  letter to the Queen, iii. 414;
+  death of Duchess of Kent, iii. 435-439, 451;
+  sympathy for Prince Consort's illness, iii. 471, 472
+
+Leopold, Prince of Saxe-Coburg, ii. 89, 97, 98
+
+Letters, Sunday delivery, ii. 244
+
+Levis, Duc de, i. 507
+
+Lewis, Sir George Cornewall, Chancellor of Exchequer, iii. _109_;
+  Stamp Duties Bill, iii. 116;
+  Budget, iii. _224_;
+  Income Tax, iii. 226;
+  financial crisis, iii. 255;
+  Home Secretary, iii. 348;
+  St Juan dispute, iii. 373
+
+Lhuys, M. Drouyn de, French Foreign Minister, ii. 262;
+  and Russian loan, iii. 35;
+  Austria's proposed terms of Crimean settlement and resignation,
+iii. 120
+
+Liberals (_see_ Whigs), small majority, i. 176;
+  gains at election, 1839, ii. 126, 458;
+  Lord Palmerston's followers, the Liberal Party, iii. _110_;
+  Oudh Proclamation debate, iii. _290_, _291_;
+  new Reform Bill, iii. _307_;
+  Lord Palmerston forms a Government, iii. _307_, 344-349
+
+Liddell, Mr, iii. 239
+
+Liechtenstein, Prince and Princess of, i. 433
+
+Liege, iii. 453
+
+Lieven, Princess de, i. 85, 88
+
+Ligne, Prince de, i. 109
+
+Lincoln, Abraham, President, United States, iii. _421_
+
+---- Bishop of (John Kaye), report as to Queen's education, i. 14-16
+
+---- Earl of (afterwards (T.N.: 1851) fifth Duke of Newcastle),
+Chief Commissioner of Woods and Forests, i. 466; ii. 84;
+  ii. 294, 300, 346, 350, 354, _360_, 420, 448-449, _455_, 468, 471;
+  Secretary of State for War, iii. _1_;
+  Marshal St Arnaud, iii. _30_;
+  hospital at Scutari, iii. 61;
+  Lord J. Russell's resignation, iii. 73, 75, 80, 91, 97;
+  Knight of the Garter, iii. 145, 154, 156;
+  refuses to join Government of 1858, iii. 271;
+  Colonial Secretary, iii. 349;
+  tour with Prince of Wales, iii. _380_, _405_, 414
+
+Lind, Jenny, ii. 123
+
+Lindley, Dr, Irish Commissioner on potato disease, ii. 48
+
+Lindsay, Lady Charlotte, i. 358
+
+Lisbon, revolution, i. 54;
+  run on the bank of, ii. _90_
+
+Liverpool, bank failures, ii. _131_
+
+---- third Earl of, biography of, i. _50_, 165;
+  Lord Steward, i. 169, 310; ii. 85, 89;
+  death of, ii. 323
+
+Llanover, Baron, _see_ Hall, Sir B.
+
+Lloyd, Thomas Davies, Baronetage, iii. 477
+
+Lochnager, Queen's visit to, ii. 322
+
+Loftus, Lord A., iii. 153
+
+Login, Sir John, iii. 248;
+  Oudh Proclamation, iii. 286
+
+Lombardy, ii. _178_, _182_, _183_, _186_, 191, 194, 198;
+  ceded to Sardinia, iii. _308_
+
+London, Bishop of (C. J. Blomfield), report on Queen's education,
+i. 14-16, 340;
+  Papal aggression, ii. 281; iii. 416;
+  (A. C. Tait), Divorce Bill, iii. 231
+
+Londonderry, Marquis of, Ambassador at Vienna, i. 420; ii. 287;
+  Garter, ii. 391, 393
+
+Longley, Charles Thomas, Bishop of Durham (afterwards Archbishop
+of Canterbury), iii. _206_
+
+Lonsdale, John (Bishop of Lichfield), ii. _35_
+
+---- Earl of, ii. 392
+
+Loodiana, ii. 74
+
+Lords, House of, increase of appellate jurisdiction, iii. _158_;
+  powers in Money Bills, iii. _379_, 401;
+  throw out Abolition of Paper Duties Bill, iii. 401, 403;
+  privilege resolutions, iii. 404
+
+---- Justices, question of, ii. 44
+
+Louis XVIII., character of, i. 53
+
+Louis Napoleon, _see_ Napoleon
+
+---- Philippe, King of the French, biography of, i. 4;
+  Belgian throne, i. 22;
+  attempted assassination of, i. _43_, 243, 407;
+  letters to the Queen, i. 77; ii. 27, 57, 78, 146, 160;
+  proposed visit to the Queen, i. 181, 182; ii. 21-22;
+  and English Government, ii. _1_, 21, 27, 68;
+  letter from the Queen on resignation of Sir R. Peel and reply,
+ii. 69, 78;
+  ii. 89;
+  the Spanish marriages, ii. _71_, 90, 102, 105, 107;
+  ii. 118;
+  abdication, ii. _141_, _148_;
+  death of his sister, ii. 143-147;
+  flight of, ii. 149, 152, 153-165;
+  gratitude to the Queen, ii. 160;
+  ii. 169;
+  Queen Victoria's view of his policy, ii. 170, 172;
+  position of, ii. 177, 183, 204;
+  illness and death, ii. _231_, 238, 265;
+  compared with Napoleon III. in knowledge, iii. 124
+
+Louis, Prince, of Hesse (afterwards Grand Duke Louis IV.),
+engagement to Princess Alice, iii. 405, 415, 418, 419
+
+---- Mrs (Queen's dresser), i. 10, 14, 110;
+  death, i. 111
+
+Louisa, Princess, of Hesse, ii. 358
+
+Louise (Queen of the Belgians), marriage and correspondence
+with the Queen, i. _28_;
+  her character, i. 34; letter on the Queen's engagement, i. 192;
+  on death of the Duke of Orleans, i. 413, 414;
+  ii. 7;
+  on her father's visit to England, ii. 21, 22, 23;
+  sorrow at Madame Adelaide's death, ii. 143-145;
+  French Revolution and her father's flight, ii. 150;
+  illness, ii. 266;
+  death, ii. 266, _267_;
+  ii. 271
+
+---- Princess, of Belgium, birth, iii. 276, 397
+
+Loewenstein, Prince William of, i. 490
+
+Loyd, Mr Jones (afterwards Lord Overstone), ii. 130
+
+Lucan, Lord, censure on, iii. _175_
+
+Lucca, Duke of, i. 148
+
+Lucknow, iii. 177;
+  mutiny and siege of, iii. _224_, 238;
+  relief of, iii. _248_, 254, 259, _262_, 278
+
+Luitpold of Bavaria, Prince, iii. 458
+
+Lushington, Dr Stephen, Admiralty Judge, i. 62, 277;
+  refuses a life peerage, ii. 284; iii. 145;
+  on right to search ships, iii. 466
+
+Luxemburg, i. _43_, _102_
+
+Lyndhurst, Lord, Lord Chancellor, i. 163, _253_, 308; ii. 368;
+  on Russia's aggressiveness, iii. _35_;
+  title of Prince Consort, iii. 196, _197_;
+  Divorce Bill, iii. 231, 232
+
+Lynedoch, Lord, death, i. 512
+
+Lyons, Richard Bickerton Pemell, K.C.B. (afterwards Earl Lyons),
+the Pope's appreciation of, iii. 310;
+  United States dispute, iii. 469
+
+---- Sir Edmund, commands Mediterranean Fleet, iii. _116_
+
+Lyttelton, Lady (governess to the Royal children), i. _390_, 394; ii. 3
+
+---- Lord, iii. 190
+
+Lytton, _see_ Bulwer Lytton
+
+
+
+M'Caskill, Sir John, death, ii. 76
+
+M'Culloch, Mr, ii. 303
+
+Macaulay, T. B. (afterwards Lord Macaulay), Secretary at War, i. _141_;
+  China debate, i. 219;
+  in favour of dissolution, i. 281, 308;
+  on Somnauth Proclamation, i. 469;
+  Maynooth grant, ii. _37_;
+  defeat at Edinburgh, ii. 126;
+  peerage, iii. 245
+
+Macdonald, Captain, iii. _462_
+
+---- Lt.-Col. Hon. Bosville, iii. 70
+
+---- Miss, ii. 220
+
+Macmahon, Mr, Conspiracy Bill debate, iii. 265
+
+Macnaghten, Sir William, envoy at Cabul, i. _209_, 383;
+  death, i. 386
+
+MacNaghten, Daniel, assassin, i. 455-459;
+  pronounced insane, i. 468, 469
+
+MacNeill, Sir John, iii. _175_
+
+Madiai, release of the, ii. 443
+
+Magenis, Arthur Charles (afterwards Sir), Minister at Stockholm,
+iii. _133_
+
+Magenta, Duc de, iii. 461
+
+Magnan, Marshal, iii. 136
+
+Mahmoud, Sultan, war with Pasha of Egypt, i. _141_;
+  successor, i. 182
+
+Mahon, Lord (afterwards fifth Earl Stanhope), _History of England_,
+i. 436, 449
+
+Malakhoff batteries, attack on, iii. _64_, _128_
+
+---- Duc de, _see_ Pelissier
+
+Malcolm, Major, i. 446
+
+Malegnano, Austrians defeated at, iii. _308_
+
+Malmesbury, Earl of, memoirs, ii. _2_;
+  Foreign Secretary, ii. 372-374, 397;
+  Napoleon's title, ii. _406_;
+  secret protocol, ii. 408;
+  question of Princess Adelaide of Hohenlohe's marriage, ii. 408-410,
+  422;
+  iii. 190;
+  Foreign Secretary, iii. _272_;
+  Orsini incident, iii. 273, 274;
+  Danish Question, iii. 280;
+  and Italy, iii. 305;
+  proposed congress to settle Italian difficulties, iii. 325-335,
+  _341_, _362_;
+  Peers and Money Bills, iii. _379_;
+  and Lord Palmerston's Government, iii. 423, 429
+
+Malta, English Church for, i. 138
+
+Maltby, Dr Edward, Bishop of Durham, i. _122_; ii. _273_
+
+Mamelon, capture of, iii. _64_, _126_
+
+Manchester, riot, i. 422-424;
+  Chartist fiasco, ii. 169
+
+---- Duchess of (afterwards Duchess of Devonshire), Mistress of
+the Robes, iii. 454
+
+Mangles, Mr, of East India Company, iii. 239
+
+Mann, Sir Horace, i. 389
+
+Manners, Lord John (afterwards seventh Duke of Rutland), ii. _17_;
+  Commissioner of Works, iii. 272;
+  on John Bright, iii. _394_;
+  on new Foreign Office, iii. 443
+
+Manning, Marie, her execution, ii. _269_
+
+Mansfield, Colonel, military adviser at Constantinople, iii. 154
+
+---- Earl of, i. 429
+
+Manteuffel, Baron, President of Prussian Ministry, iii. _19_, 153, _181_
+
+Maria, Donna, _see_ Portugal, Queen of
+
+Mario, opera singer, ii. 253
+
+Maritime Law, International, iii. _183_
+
+Markham, General, death, of, iii. 153
+
+Marmora, General La, Sardinian General, iii. _66_, 134, _135_, 168
+
+Maronites, iii. _380_
+
+Marriage Act, i. _43_
+
+Marston, North, repair of church, ii. _392_
+
+Martin, Rev. Francis, bursar, Trinity Coll., Cambridge, i. 348
+
+---- Sir Theodore, _Life of Prince Consort_, iii. _41_, _137_;
+  last draft prepared by Prince Consort, iii. 469
+
+Mary, Princess, _see_ Gloucester, Duchess of
+
+---- of Cambridge, Princess (afterwards Duchess of Teck), proposed
+marriage of, iii. _206_, 209
+
+Maryborough, Lady, i. 223
+
+Mason, Mr, Confederate Envoy, iii. 466
+
+Mathew, Father, ii. 88
+
+Maule, Mr Fox, _see_ Panmure, Lord
+
+Maundy money, ii. 37
+
+Maurice, Rev. F. D., ii. 46
+
+Maximilian, Archduke, _see_ Ferdinand
+
+Mayne, Richard, Commissioner of Police, ii. 169
+
+Maynooth Roman Catholic College, grant, ii. _30_, 36, 37, 75
+
+Mazzini, ii. 440; iii. _359_
+
+Mecklenburg, Prince Charles of, i. 6
+
+Mecklenburg-Strelitz, Frederic William, Grand Duke of, i. 431, _435_
+
+Medals, Peninsular, ii. 109-113;
+  East India Company, ii. 200;
+  Crimea, iii. 56, 116;
+    distribution of, iii. 127
+
+Medjid, Abdul, Sultan, i. 182;
+  interview with Duke of Cambridge, iii. 27
+
+Meer Shere Mahommed, i. 481
+
+Meerut, revolt at, iii. _224_
+
+Melbourne, Viscount, Prime Minister and First Lord of the Treasury,
+i. 20;
+  Ministry, i. 24;
+  i. 67;
+  Queen's confidence in and appreciation of, i. 74, 79, 158, 159,
+  174, 189, 192;
+  letter to Queen on accession, i. 74;
+  interview with Queen, i. 76;
+  arrangements for King William IV.'s funeral, i. 80, 81;
+  King Leopold's appreciation of, i. 81, 82, 87, 116, 134, 145,
+  175, 190;
+  Duke of Wellington's opinion of, i. 83;
+  indisposition, i. 84;
+  politics, i. 89;
+  visit to the Queen, i. 92;
+  Canadian troubles, i. 98, 99, 100, 103, 127-129, 133, 135-137;
+  i. _102_;
+  Coronation arrangements, i. 114, 115;
+  Belgium and Holland, i. 118, 135;
+  ceremony, i. 122-125;
+  Cabinet crisis, i. 147, 149, 150;
+  resignation, i. 154, 155;
+  advises the Queen, i. 155, 156, 160, 161, 162, 164;
+  Queen's distress at parting, i. 156, 159;
+  Queen's refusal of Peel's terms, i. 167;
+  Prince Albert's declaration, i. 196;
+  Turco-Egyptian Convention, i. 227-232;
+  overtures to France, i. 231;
+  Eastern difficulties, i. 237-239;
+  criticism on his future correspondence with the Queen, i. _254_,
+  330, 331, 340, 353, 360, 361;
+  Ministry in jeopardy, i. 268-287;
+  dissolution, i. 301;
+  takes leave of the Queen, i. 306;
+  portrait of, i. 333, 337;
+  on division of high offices of State, i. 357;
+  address from Derby, i. 369;
+  visit to the Queen, i. 371, 372, 451, 512;
+  serious illness, i. 376, 438;
+  on his health, i. 449, 453, 458, 462, 467, 474, 483;
+  Queen's visit to, i. 483;
+  on old age, ii. 8;
+  opinion of Emperor of Russia, ii. 17;
+  crisis in Parliament, ii. 18;
+  on Scotland, ii. 24;
+  Queen's letters to, ii. 36, 42;
+  Sir R. Peel's resignation, ii. 51, 52, 67;
+  political views of, ii. 92;
+  Queen's advance of money to, ii. _140_;
+  Queen's birthday congratulations to, ii. 164;
+  death, ii. 203
+
+Melvill, Sir James, Chief Secretary, East India Company, iii. 299
+
+Mendizabal, Don Juan Alvarez y, Spanish statesman, i. _44_;
+  Queen's opinion of, i. 59
+
+Menschikoff, Prince, the Eastern Question, ii. _431_, 442, _449_
+
+Mensdorff-Pouilly, Comte Emmanuel de, marriage, i. 97, 396, 404;
+ii. 333
+
+Meredith, Mr, ii. _48_
+
+Metcalfe, Sir Charles (afterwards Lord), Governor-General of Canada,
+i. 454, 508;
+  retirement, ii. 46, 94
+
+Metchersky, Princess, iii. 387
+
+Metternich, Prince, i. 190, 192, 231, 232, 236, 359, 487, 512;
+ii. 4, 114;
+  a fugitive, ii. _141_, 170, 171;
+  Italian Question, iii. 370, 375, _412_
+
+Meyendorff, Baron, Austrian Foreign Minister, ii. _457_
+
+Meyer, Miss Eugenie, i. 461
+
+Michael, Grand Duke, visit to the Queen, i. 494, 501
+
+Miguel, Dom, i. _43_; ii. 118; iii. _10_
+
+Milan, surrender of, ii. _191_;
+  insurrection, ii. _440_;
+  French Emperor and King Emmanuel enter, iii. _308_
+
+Milanese rising against Austria, ii. _141_
+
+Miles, Mr, M.P. for Bristol, on Sugar Duties, ii. _17_; iii. 78
+
+Militia, reconstruction, ii. _141_;
+  Bill, ii. 367, 368, 374, 380, 388;
+  carried, ii. 388, 440;
+  iii. 71
+
+Milner Gibson, Mr, iii. _223_;
+  Conspiracy Bill Debate, iii. _261_, 265, _266_, 267;
+  President of the Board of Trade, iii. 349;
+  Abolition of Paper Duties Bill, iii. 401, 403
+
+Milnes, R. Monckton (afterwards Lord Houghton), iii. 76
+
+Ministers of State, duties of, i. 106; iii. 68, 69
+
+Minto, Earl of, First Lord of the Admiralty, i. 281, 308; ii. 86,
+107, _115_;
+  special mission to the Vatican, ii. 128, _183_;
+  ii. 196, 236;
+  Pope's opinion of, iii. 356
+
+Modena, Duke of, ii. 174
+
+Mohammedan schools, ii. 29;
+  Indian Mutiny, iii. 251
+
+Moldavia, iii. _262_
+
+Mole, Count, French Premier and Foreign Secretary, i. 95
+
+Molesworth, Sir William, at the Office of Works, ii. 422;
+  Government of 1855, iii. 98;
+  Board of Works, iii. 104;
+  death, iii. _148_
+
+Monro, Major, i. 315
+
+Montebello, battle of, iii. _308_
+
+Montemolin, Count of, ii. 89, 90
+
+Montijo, Mdlle. Eugenie de (Empress of the French), parentage,
+marriage to Napoleon, ii. _435_, 435, 436;
+  ii. 437;
+  visit to England, iii. 117;
+  Queen's opinion of, iii. 122, 137;
+  Queen's letter to, _re_ Treaty of Paris, iii. 207, 208;
+  attempted assassination of, iii. _261_, _264_;
+  tour in Scotland and England, iii. _415_;
+  visit to the Queen, iii. 418, 419
+
+Montjoye, Madame de, ii. 165
+
+Montpensier, Duc de, i. 439, 501; ii. 22, 23, 24, 32;
+  engagement to the Infanta, ii. _72_, 99, 100, 102, 107, 148,
+  _149_, 155, 164, 172
+
+Montreal, i. 508
+
+Moodkee, ii. _31_, _76_
+
+Mooltan, insurrection, ii. 196, _208_
+
+_Morning Chronicle_, i. 374; ii. _34_, 86, 172; iii. 7, 8, 463
+
+_Morning Post_, iii. 337
+
+Morocco, ii. 4
+
+Morpeth, Viscount (afterwards Earl of Carlisle), _see_ Carlisle
+
+Morris, Mr, Governor of the Bank, ii. 129
+
+Morton, Earl of, i. 499
+
+Mouravieff, General, takes Kars fortress, iii. _64_
+
+Muich, Loch, Queen's visit to, ii. 321, 392
+
+Municipal Corporations, i. 43
+
+Munro, Lieutenant, duel, i. _485_
+
+Munster, Earl of, Governor of Windsor Castle, tragic death, i. 387, 390
+
+Muntz, George Frederick, M.P., Birmingham, iii. 79
+
+Murat, Madame de, ii. 154
+
+---- Joachim, formerly King of Naples, iii. _428_
+
+Murray, Sir George, Commander-in-Chief for Ireland, i. 420
+
+---- George, Bishop of Rochester, iii. 417
+
+Muscat, Imam of, list of presents for the Queen, i. 406
+
+Musgrave, Dr, Bishop of Hereford (afterwards Archbp. of York), ii. 135
+
+Mutiny Act, ii. 447
+
+
+
+Naas, Lord (afterwards Earl of Mayo),
+    Chief Secretary for Ireland, iii. 277
+
+Nagpur, annexation of, iii. _178_
+
+Nana Sahib, perfidy of, iii. _238_, _351_
+
+Nanking, i. _370_, _442_
+
+Napier, Sir Charles (General), Scinde victory, i. 481;
+  G.C.B., i. 484;
+  Governor of Scinde, i. _503_;
+  receives the thanks of both Houses, ii. _1_;
+  succeeds Lord Gough, ii. _208_, 215;
+  resignation, ii. 259
+
+---- Sir Charles (Admiral), i. _252_;
+  commands the Baltic Fleet, iii. _1_, _2_, 10, _16_;
+  capture of Bomarsund, iii. _36_
+
+---- Sir George, Governor of Cape Colony, i. 427
+
+Naples, cholera panic, i. 52;
+  slight on English Government, iii. 140, 141;
+  seizure of the _Cagliari_, iii. _262_, _275_;
+  triumphal entry by King of Sardinia and Garibaldi, iii. _380_;
+  flight of Francis II., iii. 380, 408;
+  revolution doctrines, iii. _383_, 397;
+  absorption of, iii. 428
+
+---- Francis II., King of, amnesty granted, iii. 311;
+  letter to the Queen, iii. 409;
+  reply, iii. 412;
+  character, iii. 418
+
+Napoleon I., Emperor, iii. 139, _274_, _354_
+
+---- Louis (afterwards Napoleon III., Emperor of the French),
+lands at Boulogne, i. _209_, 228;
+  President of the French Republic, ii. _141_, 178;
+  elections, ii. 204, 205;
+  writes to Queen Victoria, ii. 210;
+  ii. 212, 213;
+  universal suffrage, ii. _283_;
+  _coup d'etat_ in Paris, ii. 334-340;
+  assumes Imperial title, projected marriage, ii. _356_, _406_, 408, 422;
+  Queen Victoria's opinion of, ii. 360, 362, 366, 374, 378;
+  title of Emperor, ii. 389;
+  his position, ii. 390;
+  anecdote of, ii. 397;
+  and England, ii. 398, 401;
+  Queen Victoria's letter to, ii. 406;
+  annoyance with the Powers, ii. 422;
+  his title, ii. 433;
+  Eastern Question, ii. _432_, 442;
+  marriage, ii. 434, _435_;
+  interview with Prince Albert, iii. _1_;
+  and Russia, iii. 6;
+  interview with Duke of Cambridge, iii. 24-26;
+  visit from Prince Albert, iii. _41_;
+  visit to England with the Empress, iii. _63_;
+  Palmerston's letter to, iii. _105_;
+  proposes to take command at the Crimea, iii. 110, _111_, 111;
+  visit to England, iii. _117_;
+  festivities and investiture, iii. _117_;
+  letter to the Queen, iii. 118;
+  and reply, 119;
+  and Austria's proposed Crimean settlement, iii. _120_;
+  attempts on his life, iii. 121;
+  Queen's opinion of, iii. 122, 122-126, 138;
+  Queen's visit to France, iii. 135-137;
+  attempt on his life, iii. 142;
+  desire to
+terminate hostilities, iii. _150_;
+  correspondence with the Queen on the ultimatum, iii. 162, 164, 172,
+  185, 188;
+  council of war at Paris, iii, 165, 169;
+  interview with Lord Clarendon, iii. 175;
+  birth of Prince Imperial, iii. 181;
+  Treaty of Peace, iii. 221;
+  on proposed marriage of Prince Frederick William of Prussia, iii. 220;
+  Egypt and Morocco, iii. 221;
+  his feelings towards England, iii. 232;
+  visit to England, iii. 240;
+  attempted assassination of, iii. _261_, _264_;
+  and the Carbonari Club, iii. 273;
+  and Italy, iii. 305;
+  confederacy with Sardinia, iii. _308_, _331_;
+  entry into Milan, and conclusion of peace, iii. _308_;
+  _Napoleon et l'Italie_, iii. _313_;
+  war with Austria, iii. _313_-315, 321, 332, _333_;
+  proposed congress, iii. 326;
+  rumoured treaty with Russia, iii. 329;
+  French victories, iii. _353_;
+  conclusion and terms of peace, iii. _354_, _359_, _361_;
+  annexation of Savoy and Nice, iii. _379_, 385, 391-393, 397;
+  policy in Syria, iii. _380_;
+  _The Pope and the Congress_ pamphlet, iii. 382;
+  Italian policy, iii. 385;
+  stormy interview with Lord Cowley, iii. 390-394;
+  New Year's letter to the Queen, iii. 423;
+  reply, iii. 427;
+  Italian Question, iii. 432;
+  on death of Cavour, iii. _441_;
+  King of Sweden, iii. 448;
+  Mexico, iii. 453;
+  interview with King of Prussia, iii. 467
+
+---- Bonaparte, Prince Jerome, iii. _160_, _331_
+
+---- Eugene Louis Jean Joseph, Prince Imperial, birth, iii. 181, 182
+
+Narvaez, General, ii. 241
+
+Nasmyth, Lieutenant, siege of Silistria, iii. _35_
+
+Nassau, Prince of, iii. 205
+
+National Gallery, ii. 315; iii. 196
+
+Navigation Laws, i. _278_; ii. 184;
+  repeal of, ii. _208_, 219; iii. _2_
+
+Navy, African squadron, ii. 366;
+  Admiralty appointments, ii. 373;
+  national defences, ii. 396, 398;
+  bombardment of Odessa, iii. 26;
+  Bomarsund, iii. 36;
+  battle of the Alma, iii. 44;
+  Balaklava and Sebastopol, iii. 50;
+  hurricane at Balaklava, iii. _56_;
+  second Baltic expedition, iii. 115;
+  want of a dockyard in Scotland, iii. 151;
+  retrenchments, iii. 188;
+  position of, iii. 191;
+  peace establishment, iii. 191;
+  fleet sent to Black Sea, iii. _208_;
+  want of ships and state of, iii. 242, 279, 297;
+  use for Indian Mutiny, iii. 250;
+  proposed increase, iii. 312, 330;
+  change in naval uniform, iii. 402
+
+Neild, J. C., leaves fortune to Queen Victoria, ii. 392
+
+Neill, General, death of, iii. 254, 259
+
+Neipperg, Count, marriage i. 439
+
+Nelson, Lord, proposed pension for children of his adopted daughter,
+iii. 40, 41
+
+Nemours, Duchesse de, _see_ Victoire, Princess
+
+---- Duc de, i. 63, 65;
+  at Constantin, i. 96;
+  marriage, i. _149_;
+  i. 414, 439, 495, 498, 506; ii. 5, 148, 153, 154, 164, 167, 173,
+  185, 204, 354, 360; iii. 6;
+  death of his wife, iii. _254_
+
+Nesselrode, Count, Russian Minister, ii. _452_, 456; iii. 12
+
+Netherlands, King of the, _see_ Holland, King William Second of
+
+Neuchatel, ii. 138;
+  rising in canton of, iii. _214_
+
+Neuilly, Queen's visit to, iii. 136
+
+Neumann, M. de, Austrian Minister, i. 46, 232, 497
+
+Newcastle, Duke of, _see_ Lincoln, Earl of
+
+New Forest, ii. 282
+
+Newhaven, King Louis Philippe's flight to, ii. 159
+
+Newman, Mr, ii. 130
+
+Newport, riot at, i. _141_, 201
+
+New Zealand, native troubles, ii. _31_;
+  constitution granted, ii. _357_
+
+Ney, Edgar, ii. 387
+
+---- General, iii. 182
+
+Nice, annexation to France, iii. _379_, _385_, 391-393, 397
+
+Nicholas, _see_ Russia, Emperor of
+
+---- Prince, of Nassau, visit to the Queen, ii. 354
+
+Nicholson, General, death of, iii. 254
+
+Nicolas, Grand Duke, iii. 457
+
+Nicols, Lieut.-Gen. Sir Jasper, Commander-in-Chief, India, i. 444
+
+Nightingale, Miss Florence, iii. _2_;
+  arrival at Scutari, iii. _62_;
+  Queen's letter of thanks to, iii. 170;
+  presentation to, iii. _170_
+
+Nine Elms Station, ii. 133
+
+Ningpo, i. 441
+
+Norbury, Lord, assassination of, i. 144
+
+Norfolk, Duchess of (governess to Royal children), i. 397, 484, 485;
+  Papal brief, ii. _273_, 277
+
+---- Duke of, Coronation, i. 122;
+  refusal of Garter, iii. 227
+
+Normanby, Marquess of, Canada, i. 129;
+  Home Secretary, i. _141_, 308;
+  Lord-Lieut. of Ireland, i. 143, 281;
+  i. 509; ii. 100, 104;
+  Ambassador-Extraordinary at Paris, ii. 190, 192, 206;
+  _coup d'etat_, Paris, ii, 334-341;
+  Palmerston's
+conduct to, ii. 334, 336, 338, 341, 344, 354, 363
+
+Normanby, Marchioness of, _coup d'etat_ in Paris, ii. 336-341
+
+Normandy, ii. 4
+
+North, Colonel, iii. 76
+
+---- Lord (afterwards Earl of Guilford), i. 358
+
+Northumberland, Duke of, ii. 303, 305, 306, 392
+
+---- Duchess of, first Lady-in-Waiting to the Queen, i. 64;
+  ill-health, ii. 376
+
+Norton, Mrs. ii. _48_
+
+Norway and Sweden, iii. _134_. _See_ also Sweden
+
+Nott, General (afterwards Sir William), Afghanistan, i. _370_, _402_,
+_443_, 444
+
+Nottingham election, i. 264
+
+Novara, battle of, ii. 219
+
+Nuneham, Queen's Visit to, i. 291
+
+
+
+Oaths Bill, iii. _262_
+
+O'Brien, Smith, Young Ireland agitation, ii. _141_
+
+_Ocean Monarch_, emigrant ship, burnt, ii. _193_
+
+O'Connell, Daniel, agitator, i. 106, 130, 425, _450_;
+  arrest, i. 496;
+  release, ii. _1_;
+  ii. 8, _141_
+
+O'Connor, Feargus, people's charter, ii. _141_;
+  Kennington Common meeting, ii. 168, 169
+
+Odessa, bombardment of, iii. _27_
+
+Olozaga, Mons., iii. 51
+
+Oltenitza, ii. _432_
+
+Omar Pasha, Turkish Commander, iii. _31_
+
+Opera, Queen at the, ii. 14
+
+Oporto, Louis, Duc de, brother to King Pedro V of Portugal, iii. 332,
+_457_, 465
+
+Orange, Prince of, _see_ Holland
+
+---- Prince William Nicholas of (son of King William), iii. 185
+
+-----River Free State, ii. _142_; iii. 201
+
+Orders, right of British subjects to accept Foreign, ii. 5
+
+Oregon, end of boundary dispute, ii. 82
+
+Orleanists, and French Revolution, ii. 148-162;
+  blunders of, ii. 164
+
+Orleans, Duke of, i. 63, 94;
+  death, i. 408, 409, 415, 416
+
+---- Duchess of, ii. _334_
+
+---- Princess Louise of, _see_ Belgians, Queen of
+
+---- Princess Marie of, i. 65;
+  marriage and death, i. 144
+
+---- family, ii. 321, 360, 379; iii. 7, 139
+
+Orloff, Princess, iii. 387
+
+---- Count, Russian Ambassador, i. 86; iii. 204
+
+Orsini, of the Carbonari Society, execution of, iii. _261_, _264_, _274_
+
+Osborne, Ralph Bernal, Secretary of the Admiralty, ii. 423; iii. 78,
+275, 443, 444
+
+---- Queen's purchase of, ii, 35, 36;
+  Queen's occupation of, ii. 42
+
+Oscar, Prince, of Sweden, iii. 195, 397;
+  visit to the Queen, iii. 447, 448, 450
+
+Otho, King of Greece, ii. 199
+
+Oudh, placed under British control, iii. _159_, 176;
+  Mutiny, iii. _224_, 238;
+  Proclamation, iii. _262_, _281_, 282, 291
+
+Oudinot, Gen., ii. _208_, _387_
+
+Oultremont, Countess de, i. _210_
+
+Outram, General (afterwards Sir James), war with Persia, iii. 159;
+  annexation of Oudh, iii. _177_;
+  Indian Mutiny, iii. 249, 255;
+  Oudh, Proclamation, iii. _262_, 291
+
+Overstone, Lord, _see_ Loyd
+
+Oxford, Bishop of, _see_ Wilberforce
+
+---- tracts, i. 373
+
+Owen, Sir Edward, i. 384
+
+
+
+Pacifico, Don, Claim against Greek Government, ii. _231_, 235, 239, _240_,
+_243_, 248, 252, _253_, _256_
+
+Paget, General Sir Edward, G.C.B., i. 420
+
+---- Lady Adelaide, i. 121
+
+---- Lord, Lord Melbourne's page, i. 125
+
+Pakenham, Sir R., Minister at Lisbon, ii. 286
+
+Pakington, Sir John (afterwards Lord Hampton), First Lord of the Admiralty,
+iii. 272, 278, 280;
+  French naval preparations, iii. 297, 328
+
+Palermo, occupation of, by Garibaldi, iii. _380_
+
+Palmella, Duc de, ii. _72_, 109
+
+Palmer, Colonel, i. _402_
+
+---- Mr, ii. 273
+
+---- Sir Roundell, Solicitor-General, iii. 467, 477
+
+Palmerston, Viscount, his political power and views, i. _30_;
+  i. 54, 62;
+  speech on Spanish affairs, i. 66;
+  i. 72, 82;
+  visits Queen Victoria, i. 92;
+  power of officials in public offices, i. 106;
+  i. 113, 119;
+  illness, i. 143;
+  Belgium and Holland, i. 145;
+  marriage, i. 201;
+  Eastern crisis, i. _227_-240;
+  views on France, i. 233, 246;
+  China and opium trade, i. 260, 261;
+  votes for dissolution, i. 281;
+  Foreign Secretary, i. 308;
+  _Morning Chronicle_, i. 374;
+  and Lord Grey, ii. 59;
+  possible Foreign Secretary, ii. 60;
+  desire for peace, ii. 68;
+  and Lord Aberdeen, ii. 85, 86;
+  Spanish marriage question, ii. _90_, 95, 97-103, 107;
+  incurs Queen's displeasure, ii. 136, 171, 182, 193, 195, 221, 222,
+  223-236, 240, 241, 248, 256;
+  attack on Portuguese Government, ii. _179_, 180;
+  anti-Austrian sympathy, ii. 182;
+  France and Austria, ii. 186, 192, _193_;
+  Lord Normanby's appointment to Paris, ii. 189, 206;
+  Italian policy, ii. 197;
+  despatch about Greece, ii. 199;
+  supplies arms to insurgents, ii. _211_;
+  proposed removal of, ii. 212, 235;
+  methods for redress of wrongs, ii. 229;
+  hostility against Greece, ii. _231_;
+  Haynau trouble, ii. _231_;
+  case of Don Pacifico and Mr Finlay, ii. _231_, 233-240, _243_,
+  _244_, 252, _253_;
+  draft to Greece, ii. 234, 235;
+  Prince Consort's memoranda on his Foreign Policy, ii. 235, 243, 260, 261;
+  and Spain, ii. 240;
+  Lord J. Russell's offer to resign, ii. 243, 244;
+  speech on Foreign Policy, ii. 252;
+  Schleswig draft, ii. 258;
+  removal of, considered, ii. 260-263;
+  Press attacks on, ii. 263;
+  duties of a Foreign Secretary, ii. 263;
+  Haynau despatch, ii. 267-270;
+  Austria and Prussia, ii. 274;
+  reception of Kossuth, ii. _283_, 325-331;
+  Louis Napoleon, ii. _283_;
+  diplomatic changes, ii. 285, 312;
+  _coup d'etat_, approval of, ii. 334-341;
+  difference with Lord Normanby, ii. 334-340;
+  dismissal from office, ii. 342-349;
+  inconsistency of, ii. 344;
+  absence from Council explained, ii. 350;
+  explanation in the House, ii. 362-364;
+  Militia Bill, ii. _367_, 368, 385, 386;
+  refusal to serve under Lord Derby, ii. 369, 370;
+  and Lord John Russell, ii. 378, 379, 382; iii. 58;
+  power to appoint Commander-in-Chief, ii. 394;
+  his aims, ii. 403, 404;
+  Home Office, ii. 420;
+  illness, ii. 428, 430;
+  Eastern Question, ii. _432_;
+  peculiar position of, ii. 451, 457;
+  objection to Reform proposals, ii. 465, 466; iii. _20_, 22, 23, 24;
+  resignation, ii. 467;
+  withdraws his resignation, ii. _472_;
+  speech at Reform Club, iii. _26_;
+  Austrian alliance, iii. _51_,
+  and the War Office, iii. _53_;
+  iii. 57;
+  forms a Government, iii. _63_;
+  on Lord John Russell's resignation, iii. 72;
+  Premier, iii. 76-78;
+  position on Lord Derby's and Lord John Russell's failure to form
+a Government, iii. 84, 85, 87-96;
+  forms a Government, iii. 97-104;
+  letter to Napoleon, iii. _105_;
+  Roebuck Committee, iii. 109;
+  Lord John Russell's resignation, iii. 131;
+  Neapolitan affront, iii. _141_;
+  Queen's congratulations on Treaty of Peace, 1856, iii. 186;
+  made K.G., iii. 187;
+  condition of defence, iii. _192_;
+  obtains majority in House of Commons, iii. _223_;
+  _resume_ of events, iii. 225, 226;
+  dissolution on China War debate, iii. 229, _231_;
+  Indian Mutiny, iii. 234, 239, 241-248;
+  financial crisis, iii. 255-257;
+  Ministry defeated over right of asylum, iii. _261_;
+  resignation, iii. 266-268;
+  iii. 272, 276;
+  India Bill, iii. 279;
+  iii. 288, 290;
+  his unpopularity, iii. 300;
+  new Reform Bill, iii. _307_;
+  reconciliation with Lord J. Russell, iii. _307_;
+  forms a Government, iii. _307_, 344-348;
+  foreign affairs, iii. _324_;
+  and John Bright, iii. _350_;
+  Committee on Military Departments, iii. 351;
+  differences with the Queen on Italian policy, iii. 361-373; 374-378;
+  Peers and Money Bills, iii. _379_, 401;
+  W. E. Gladstone's resignation, iii. 402, 403;
+  privilege resolution, iii. 404;
+  proposed visit of Emperor of Austria, iii. 409;
+  appointments of bishops, iii. 416;
+  overtures from Conservative leaders, iii. _420_;
+  _resume_ of political situation, iii. 422, 423, 429;
+  Italian Question, iii. 427, 428;
+  Garibaldi letter, iii. 432, 434;
+  presses for Mr Layard's appointment, iii. 443-447;
+  _Times_ newspaper, iii. 462-464
+
+Panmure, Lord (Mr Fox Maule), afterwards Earl of Dalhousie, Under Secretary
+for Home Office, and Secretary for War, i. 221; ii. 345; iii. 61;
+  War Minister, iii. _63_, 90, 98, 104;
+  Crimean medals, iii. 116;
+  fall of Sebastopol, iii. 142, 143;
+  G.C.B., iii. 146;
+  Land Transport, iii. 157;
+  no troops at the camp, iii. 196;
+  Indian Mutiny, iii. 235, 236;
+  increase of Army, iii. 256, 260;
+  new Cabinet, iii. 272
+
+Panshanger, Earl Cowper's residence, i. 151;
+  Queen's visit to, i. 296
+
+Papal aggression, ii. 272, 273, 277-282, 294, 299, 307
+
+Paper Duties, Bill for Abolition of, thrown out, iii. 401;
+  passed, iii. _420_
+
+Paris, Comte de, birth, i. _243_;
+  christening, i. 266, 267;
+  Federal Army, iii. 453
+
+---- question of an Ambassador, ii. 189;
+  _coup d'etat_, ii. 334-340;
+  Queen's visit to, iii. 135, 136;
+  Treaty of, iii. _160_, 167, 207, 208, _214_
+
+Parke, Baron (afterwards Lord Wensleydale), i. 419; iii. _158_
+
+Parker, Admiral Sir Wm., successes in China, i. _254_, _370_, 441;
+  G.C.B., i. 444;
+  Italy, ii. 128;
+  commands Mediterranean fleet, ii. 229, _235_
+
+---- Society, i. 259
+
+Parks, the Royal, ii. 259
+
+Parliament, new Houses of, ii. 363
+
+Parliamentary reform, ii. 458
+
+Parma, Duke of, ii. 174
+
+Parma, Duchess of, iii. 355
+
+Pasha, the Capitan, treachery of, i. 179
+
+---- of Egypt, _see_ Mehemet Ali
+
+----Omar, _see_ Omar
+
+Passport Question, iii. 277
+
+Pate, Robert, assault on the Queen, ii. _231_
+
+Patriotic Fund, established, iii. _2_
+
+Paul, Captain, ii. 157, 158
+
+Paxton, Mr, ii. _231_
+
+Pedro, Dom, Emperor of Brazil, i. _43_
+
+---- Prince (afterwards King of Portugal, King Pedro V.);
+  proposed marriage of, iii. _51_, _207_, 211;
+  marriage of, iii. _332_;
+  death, iii. _420_, 465
+
+Peel, Captain, of the _Shannon_, gallantry at relief of Lucknow,
+iii. _252_
+
+---- Lady (wife of Sir Robert Peel), ii. 280
+
+---- Rev. John, Dean of Worcester, ii. 40, 41
+
+---- General Jonathan, War Secretary, iii. 272, 321
+
+---- Sir Robert, in opposition, i. _43_, _56_
+  Glasgow speech, i. 58, 60;
+  Hume's attack on, i. 60;
+  sent for by the Queen, i. _141_;
+  Corn Laws, i. 148, 218, 465, 466; ii. 49;
+  Jamaica Government, i. 153;
+  i. 155, 156;
+  request to form a Ministry, i. 158;
+  Queen Victoria's impression of, i. 159;
+  difficulties as to appointment of Queen's Household,
+  i. 159-173, 268-274;
+  and the United States, i. 260;
+  Lord Melbourne's opinion of, i. 161;
+  Free Trade, i. 279; ii. 66;
+  vote of censure, i. 286;
+  i. 302, 305;
+  Prime Minister and First Lord of the Treasury, i. 308;
+  interview with the Queen, i. 309;
+  Roman Catholics, i. 365; ii. _30_;
+  King Leopold's opinion of, i. 462;
+  Queen's visit to, i. 509;
+  Queen's appreciation of, ii. 16, 64, 85;
+  Prince Albert's title, ii. 34;
+  resignation and interview with Prince Albert, ii. 48, 51;
+  his attitude, ii. 53, 54;
+  returned to office, ii. 58-66;
+  comprehensive scheme, ii. 66;
+  speech on opening of Parliament, ii. 73;
+  objection to Prince Albert's memo, of their conversation, ii. 76;
+  explanation, ii. _73_, 79;
+  personal defence, ii. 79, 80;
+  resignation, ii. 80, 82;
+  account of his speech, ii. 82, 83;
+  takes leave of the Queen, ii. 85, 87;
+  and Prince Albert, ii. 93;
+  ii. _115_;
+  supports the Ministry, ii. _123_;
+  accident and death, ii. _231_, _253_-255
+
+---- Frederick (afterwards Right Hon. Sir Frederick), maiden speech,
+ii. 219
+
+Peelites, ii. 359, 368, 375, 403, _404_;
+  position in Government of 1852, ii. 412, 413, 414; iii. _63_;
+  Lord John Russell's resignation, iii. 75;
+  Government of 1855, iii. 82, 83, 85, 88, 89, 91, 94, 98, 101, 108;
+  retirement of, iii. _109_;
+  Chinese debate, iii. _223_, _231_;
+  conspiracy debate, iii. 266;
+  return to power, iii. _307_
+
+Peers, right of audience, i. 335, 343;
+  powers in Money Bills, iii. _379_
+
+Pelissier, General (afterwards Duc de Malakhoff), Commander of the
+French army, iii. _64_, _126_, _129_;
+  Queen's congratulations to, iii. 143;
+  becomes Duc de Malakhoff, iii. _143_;
+  iii. 154, 276, 314, _333_
+
+Pennefather, Chief Justice of the Irish Queen's Bench, i. 352
+
+Penny postage introduced, i. _141_, 176
+
+People's Charter riots, i. _141_; ii. _141_
+
+Pepys, Henry, Bishop of Worcester, death, iii. 416
+
+Percy, Lord Henry Hugh Manvers, K.C.B., V.C., gallantry at Inkerman,
+iii. 55
+
+Perekop, Isthmus of, iii. 44
+
+Perim, Island of, iii. 391
+
+Perry, Sir Erskine, ex-Chief Justice of Bombay, Indian Mutiny debate,
+iii. 239
+
+Persia, Turkey, and England, iii. _4_;
+  war with England, iii. _159_;
+  siege of Herat, iii. _199_;
+  hostilities terminated, and terms of peace, iii. _223_
+
+Persigny, M. de, French Ambassador in London, iii. _121_, 165,
+_213_, 215;
+  interview with Earl of Clarendon, iii. 232;
+  Orsini incident, iii. 273:
+  resignation, iii. 276;
+  iii. 333;
+  war with Austria, iii. _353_, 369, 375;
+  visit to the Queen, iii. 384, 396
+
+Peshawur, ii. 218
+
+Peterborough, Bishop of, _see_ Davys
+
+Pfordten, M. von der, iii. 151
+
+Philippe (second son of King Leopold I., afterwards Count of Flanders),
+i. 65, 146
+
+Phillimore, Dr, Counsel to the Admiralty, iii. _467_
+
+Phillips, Mr T. (Mayor of Newport), knighted, i. 201
+
+Philipotts, Henry, Bishop of Exeter, ii. _140_; iii. 416
+
+Philpott, Canon Henry, Bishop of Worcester, iii. _417_
+
+Phipps, Maria Henrietta Sophia, marriage of, iii. 169
+
+---- Hon. Sir Charles, ii. 184, 378; iii. _89_, 286, 430
+
+Pianori, Giacomo, iii. _122_
+
+Piccolomini, Max, i. 395
+
+Piedmont, war with Austria, ii. 178, 190, 191, 386, 387;
+  invasion of, iii. _308_
+
+Piedmontese, ii. _178_, _191_
+
+Pierri, execution of, iii. _261_
+
+Piraeus, fleet sent to, ii. _231_
+
+Pitt, William, i. 391
+
+Pius IX., Pope, ii. _115_;
+  flight to Gaeta, ii. 204, _208_;
+  letter to the Queen, ii. 204;
+  reply, ii. 210;
+  Papal brief, titles for English bishops, ii. _232_, _272_;
+  papal aggression, ii. 273-282;
+  and England, iii. 310;
+  invasion of the Papal States, iii. _380_;
+  iii. 415
+
+Playfair, Dr, Irish Commissioner, potato disease, ii. 48
+
+Plombieres, compact of, iii. _308_, _385_
+
+Poerio, iii. 312
+
+Poles and Russia, ii. 15, 17
+
+Polk, President (U.S.A.), ii. _30_
+
+Pollock, General (afterwards Sir George), successes in Afghanistan,
+i. _370_, 402, 442;
+  G.C.B., i. 444
+
+Pollon, Count, Sardinian Minister, i. 148
+
+Ponsonby, Lord (Ambassador at Constantinople), i. 232, 234; ii. 114
+
+Poor Law Act, i. 20, _102_, 108, 382;
+  State maintenance of the poor, ii. 67;
+  commission, ii. 130
+
+Pope, _see_ Pius IX. and Gregory XVI.
+  _The Pope and the Congress_, famous pamphlet, iii. _382_
+
+Porte, the, i. 179;
+  and Austria, i. 191;
+  convention of 1828, i. 229, 232;
+  and Mehemet Ali, i. 237;
+  Eastern Question, ii. _431_, 441-444, _449_, 452-465, 469;
+iii. _1_, 12, 13, _20_;
+  Turkish success, iii. _36_;
+  Alma, iii. _43_, 50;
+  Inkerman, iii. _53;_
+  Four Points Negotiation, iii. _63_, 65;
+  protection of Christian subjects, iii. _152_
+
+Portland, third Duke of, i. 357
+
+---- fifth Duke of, iii. 227
+
+Portugal, revolution, i. _43_, 54, 92;
+  and England, i. _57_, 149, 356; ii. 111, 118, 134;
+  and Spain, i. 59, 62; ii. 119;
+  new Ministry, i. _92_;
+  slave trade, i. 115;
+  insurrection, ii. _72_, 90;
+  civil war and constitutional troubles, ii. _109_, 116, 117, 119,
+  120, 129;
+  Lord Palmerston's attack on, ii. _179_;
+  case of Don Pacifico, ii. _231_, _234_, 235, 239, _240_, _243_
+
+---- King of (Prince Ferdinand of Saxe-Coburg), i. 45;
+  Queen's opinion of, i. 46;
+  Commander-in-Chief, i. 47, _55_;
+  Queen's letter to, on slave trade, i. 115;
+  and Lord Howard de Walden, i. 133
+
+---- Maria da Gloria, Queen of, i. 4, _43_, _44_, 94;
+  letter on Queen's engagement, i. 200;
+  dismissal of Ministry, ii. _109_, 134; iii. 10
+
+---- Stephanie, Queen of, iii. 332, 466
+
+---- Prince of, the Pope sponsor to, i. 392
+
+Post Office, inauguration of penny post, i. 141, 176;
+  Sunday delivery, ii. 244
+
+Pottinger, Sir Henry, successes in China, i. _254_, 265;
+  G.C.B., i. 444;
+  i. 446, 447, 449
+
+Powys, Captain, i. 426
+
+Pozzo di Borgo, Count, Russian Ambassador, i. 67
+
+Praet, Van, i. 134, 136
+
+Praetorius, Dr, i. 361
+
+Praslin, Duchesse de, murdered by her husband, ii. _115_, 128
+
+Prescott (Canada), i. _136_
+
+---- Mr, Deputy Governor of the Bank, ii. 130
+
+Presentations, fatigue of receiving, i. 470, 471
+
+Preston, riot, i. 424
+
+Pretorius, Boer leader, ii. _200_
+
+Prime Minister, Lord Melbourne on origin of term, i. 358
+
+Primogeniture, i. _56_
+_Prince_, loss of the steamer, at Balaklava, iii. _56_
+
+Principalities, the Danubian, Russia's invasion of, iii. _1_, 12,
+_13_, 17, 32;
+  relinquishment of Russia's protectorate, iii. _152_, _158_, 180,
+  _233_, _262_
+
+Prior, Matthew, i. 504
+
+Privilege Question, i. _209_
+
+Property, qualification, i. _56_
+
+Protection, i. _278_; ii. 66, 293, 294;
+  Lord Derby, ii. 384;
+  abandoned by Disraeli, ii. _404_
+
+Protectionists, ii. 66, _71_, 81, 83, 86, 123, 216, _231_;
+  check to, ii. 233, 248, _283_, 289, 298, 315, 384, 468; iii. 88
+
+Protestant, Prince Consort's declaration, i. 203-205;
+  Low Church bigotry, ii. 37;
+  Church in Ireland, ii. 83
+
+Proxy, voting, i. _56_
+
+Prussia (_see_ Prussia, King of), and Holland, i. 119; ii. 275, 278;
+  Eastern Question, ii. _452_;
+  alliance with Austria, iii. _1_;
+  position in impending war, iii. 17, 115;
+  and England, iii. 161;
+  admission to war conference, iii. 171, 181
+
+---- King of (Frederick William IV.), i. 365;
+  visit to Queen Victoria, i. 376, 378-380;
+  on Swiss quarrels, ii. 137;
+  on French Revolution, ii. 150;
+  declines Imperial Crown of Germany, ii. _219_;
+  Diet of Erfurt, ii. 229;
+  peace with Denmark, ii. 254;
+  and Austria, ii. 276, 280;
+  Queen Victoria's letter to, on his position, iii. 17;
+  reply, iii. 28;
+  Russia's influence over, iii. 31;
+  letter from the Queen, iii. 107;
+  iii. 454;
+  account of his death, iii. 420, 423-426
+
+Prussia, Queen of, iii. 425, 426
+
+Prussia, Prince of (afterwards King William I.), visit to Queen Victoria,
+ii. 172, 251, 253;
+  a refugee, ii. _176_;
+  Queen's appreciation of, ii. 256;
+  coronation, iii. _455_, 456-459;
+  interview with Napoleon, iii. 467
+
+---- Prince Frederick William of (afterwards Emperor Frederick),
+question of marriage, iii. 142, 146, 147, 182, 195, 205, 220;
+  marriage to the Princess Royal, iii. 253, _261_, 455;
+  birth of a son (present Emperor), iii. 314;
+  death of the King of Prussia, iii. 423-426;
+  coronation of the King and Queen of Prussia, iii. 456-459
+
+---- Marie Louise Augusta, Princess of (grandmother of present German
+Emperor), ii. 106, 318, 319;
+  Queen writes to, on death of Czar, iii. 112
+
+Pulteney, Mr (afterwards Earl of Bath), i. 391
+
+Punjab (_see_ India), ii. _142_, 196;
+  annexation of, ii. _208_, 220; iii. _178_
+
+Puseyites, ii. 16, 273, 277, 282, 376
+
+
+
+Quadruple Alliance, i. _488_; ii. 353
+
+
+
+Rachel, Madame, i. 290
+
+Racine, Jean Baptiste (1639-1699), tragedian and poet, i. 40
+
+Radetzky, Marshal, Austrian General, ii. _141_, _178_, _182_;
+  defeats Piedmontese at Custozza, ii. _191_, _219_
+
+Radicals, i. _56_, 66, _90_; ii. 123, 216, 313, _364_, 403;
+  defeat Government on House Tax, ii. 411-413;
+  inclusion in Lord Aberdeen's Government, ii. 412-430; iii. 300
+
+Radnor, third Earl of, i. 335
+
+Radowitz, General, Prussian Minister for Foreign Affairs, ii. 378, 379
+
+Raglan, Lady, iii. 129
+
+---- Lord, _see_ Somerset, Lord Fitzroy
+
+Railways; accident near Reading, i. 369;
+  Queen's first journey on G.W.R., i. 404
+
+Rajpoot Hill States, ii. 74
+
+Ramnuggur, English reverse at, ii. _142_
+
+Ramsgate, Queen's visit to, i. 11, 19
+
+Rangoon, ii. 380
+
+Raphael, painter, i. 334
+
+Rawul Pindee, ii. 217
+
+Rechberg, Count, Austrian Foreign Minister, iii. 409
+
+Redan batteries, attack on, iii. _64_, _126_, _129_, 163, 165
+
+Redschid Pasha, Turkish Minister, ii. _460_; iii. 27
+
+Reeve, Henry, ii. 263
+
+Reform Bill, i. _20_, _61_; ii. 294, 332, _361_, 369, _466_;
+  withdrawn, iii. _2_, _8_, 15, _16_, _20_, _23_, 59;
+  introduced by Disraeli, iii. _307_, 324
+
+Reform, parliamentary and municipal, i. _20_
+
+Refugee Question, ii. _440_
+
+Regency Bill, i. _209_
+
+Reinhardtsbrun, i. 186; ii. _45_
+
+Rellstab, Louis, novelist, i. 501, 506
+
+Review in Windsor Park, ii. 13;
+  Crimean troops at Aldershot, iii. _198_, 199, 200;
+  field day, 1860, iii. 400;
+  at Edinburgh, iii. 407
+
+_Revue des Deux Mondes_, ii. 132
+
+_Revue Retrospective_, ii. 183
+
+Rianzares, Duke of, marriage, ii. _2_, 97
+
+Rice, Mr, M.P. for Dover, iii. 78
+
+Rich, Mr, iii. 79;
+  Baronet, iii. 477
+
+Richmond, Duchess of, i. 124
+
+---- Duke of, i. 122, _308_
+
+Rio Janeiro, ii. _133_
+
+Riots, Manchester, i. 422;
+  tollbar, i. _450_, 483, 492, 493;
+  Chartist demonstration, ii. 167, 168;
+  Birmingham, i. 179;
+  Stockport, ii. 391
+
+Ripon, first Earl of (Mr Robinson), Chancellor of the Exchequer,
+speech on Queen's education, i. 9, 10, 299;
+  President of Board of Trade, i. 309;
+  political history, i. _309_; ii. 65
+
+River Plate, ii. 133
+
+Robinson, Mr, _see_ Ripon Earl of,
+
+Rocky Mountains, Canada, dispute as to territory, ii. _30_
+
+Roden, third Earl of, iii. 19
+
+Roebuck, Mr, ii. 247, 363;
+  motion on conduct of Crimean War, iii. _63_, 72, 76-78;
+  result, iii. 78, 79;
+  Committee, iii. 89, 107, 108, 109, 112;
+  Chinese dispute, iii. _228_;
+  Ireland, iii. 277;
+  Reform Bill, iii. 324
+
+Rokeby, Lord, iii. 60
+
+Rolle, Lord, Queen's Coronation, i. 122
+
+Rollin, Charles, _Histoire Ancienne_, i. 39
+
+---- Ledru, French President, ii. _174_, 239
+
+Romagna, The, assembly of, and Victor Emmanuel, iii. _308_;
+  iii. _380_
+
+Roman Catholics, Maynooth College grant, ii. _30_, 36;
+  Bill, ii. 81, 84;
+  papal aggression, ii. _232_, 277-282, 303, 376
+
+Romano, Giulio, painter, i. 334
+
+Rome, Prince Albert's visit to, i. 152;
+  Pope's flight from, ii. 205;
+  and England, ii. 279;
+  Lord Russell's draft on the Roman Question, iii. 441
+
+Romilly, Sir John, Master of the Rolls, iii. _216_
+
+Rosebery, fourth Earl of, i. 62
+
+Rosenau, the, ii. _45_
+
+Rosslyn, Lady, i. 310
+
+Rothesay, Lord Stuart de, Ambassador at St Petersburg, i. 326
+
+Rothschild, Baron, iii. _262_
+
+Rowan, Colonel, Commissioner of Police, ii. 167
+
+Roxburgh, Duke of, i. 278
+
+_Royal Charter_, wreck of, iii. _308_
+
+Royal Exchange opened by the Queen, ii. _1_, 27
+
+---- Princess, _see_ Victoria
+
+Royston, Lord, i. _384_
+
+Runjeet Singh, i. 233; ii. 217;
+  Koh-i-noor diamond, ii. 242
+
+Russell, Lord John (afterwards Earl), Irish Municipal Bill, i. _66_;
+  Leader of the House, i. 77;
+  result of the elections, i. 90;
+  i. 106;
+  death of his wife, i. 130, 131, 133;
+  Home Secretary, i. _141_;
+  civil government of the Army, i. 147;
+  Corn Laws, i. 148, 381;
+  politics, i. 267, 277, 278, 281;
+  Sugar Duties, i. 274;
+  Colonial Secretary, i. 308;
+  political career of, i. _309_;
+  reply to Plymouth address, i. 365;
+  opposition to Income Tax Bill, i. 406;
+  conversion to repeal of Corn Laws, ii. _30_, 49;
+  views on Queen's absence from England, ii. 43;
+  unable to form a Government, ii. 58-60, 70;
+  resignation of Sir R. Peel, ii. 80, 81;
+  undertakes to form a Government, ii. 83, 86;
+  pensions, ii. 88;
+  Queen's views on a dissolution, ii. 91;
+  Spanish marriage difficulties, ii. 96-103, 107;
+  Portuguese and Spanish affairs, ii. 117, 118, 119, 132;
+  possible dissolution, ii. 121;
+  crisis in the City, ii. 130;
+  birth of second son, ii. _170_;
+  difficulty as to despatches, ii. _179_, 220, 221, 222;
+  Germany, ii. 229;
+  case of Don Pacifico and Mr Finlay, ii. 233-236, 242;
+  report, ii. 243;
+  Prince Albert's memos. on Lord Palmerston's Foreign Policy,
+ii. 235, 243, 260, 261;
+  offer to resign, ii. 243;
+  on Lord Palmerston's removal, ii. 262;
+  Haynau despatch, ii. 267-270;
+  on Ritualism, "No Popery," ii. _273_;
+  and Sir James Graham, ii. 286;
+  defeat of Government, ii. 288, 289,
+  resignation of, ii. 290;
+  failures to form a new Government, ii. 289-308;
+  memo. as to uniting with Peelites, ii. 296;
+  old Government to continue, ii. 312;
+  memo. on state of Government, ii. 313;
+  Palmerston's reception of Kossuth, ii. 324-331;
+  Parliamentary Reform, ii. 332, 333;
+  Lord Palmerston's approval of _coup d'etat_, Paris, ii. 334-340;
+  dismissal of Lord Palmerston, ii. 342;
+  and Lord Palmerston's successor, ii. 343-347;
+  discomfiture of Lord Palmerston in the House, ii. 362-364;
+  resignation, ii. 367;
+  Lord Grey's opinion of, ii. 374, 375;
+  and Lord Palmerston, ii. 379;
+  ii. 381;
+  on dissolution, ii. 382;
+  Militia Bill blunder, ii. 387;
+  education, ii. 390;
+  ii. 403;
+  refusal of Foreign Office, ii. 413-418;
+  accepts Foreign Office, ii. 422-427;
+  resigns Foreign Secretaryship, ii. _431_;
+  Leadership without office, ii. 438;
+  pledged to introduction of Reform Bill, ii. _451_
+  possible retirement, ii. 457, 458;
+  war measures, ii. 467;
+  President of the Council, iii. _1_, 34;
+  withdraws Reform Bill, iii. _2_, _8_, 15, _16_, _23_;
+  incomprehensible actions, iii. _21_, 22;
+  Disraeli's attack on, iii. _38_;
+  Austrian alliance, iii. 48, 50;
+  urges more vigorous measures, iii. _53_;
+  proposed resignation, iii. 57-60;
+  and Mr Kennedy's loss of office, iii. 61;
+  Ministry defeated, resignation, iii. _64_, 72, 74, 79;
+  visit to Paris, iii. _69_;
+  failure to form a Government, iii. 87-96;
+  Government of 1855, iii. 98;
+  Vienna Conference, iii. _64_, _105_;
+  Colonial Office, iii. _109_, 110;
+  Austria's proposed terms of Crimean settlement, iii. _120_;
+  attacks on, and resignation, iii. _121_, _131_, 132, _133_;
+  iii. 190;
+  Chinese dispute, iii. _223_, _228_;
+  and the House of Lords, iii. 227;
+  retains his seat, iii. _231_;
+  financial crisis, iii. 256;
+  Conspiracy Bill, iii. _266_;
+  Reform Bill, iii. 276;
+  India Bill, iii. 279;
+  competitive examinations, iii. 297;
+  new Reform Bill, iii. _307_, 324;
+  reconciliation with Palmerston, iii. _307_;
+  Foreign Secretary, iii 345-349;
+  France and Austria, iii. 352;
+  differences with the Queen on Italian policy, iii. 361-373, 374-378,
+  382-390, 395-398;
+  Reform Bill, iii. _379_;
+  revolution doctrines, iii. 383;
+  despatch to French Government, iii. 390;
+  Abolition of Paper Duties Bill, iii. 401-404;
+  proposed visit of Emperor of Austria, iii. 409;
+  disagreement with Palmerston, iii. _420_, 423;
+  goes to the House of Lords, iii. _420_, 423;
+  despatch to America, iii. _421_;
+  iii. 428;
+  and Gen. Garibaldi, iii. 431, 432, 433, 434;
+  Danish Question, iii. 439;
+  draft to Rome, iii. 441;
+  the Garter, iii. 441;
+  peerage, iii. _444_
+
+---- Lord William, i. 202;
+  murder of, i. 220
+
+---- Odo (afterwards Lord Ampthill), Secretary of Legation at Florence,
+iii. 306;
+  interviews with the Pope; iii. 310, 356
+
+Russell's _Modern Europe_, i. 38
+
+Russia, Hereditary Grand Duke of (afterwards Alexander II), i. 154, 172
+
+---- Nicholas, Emperor of, i. 234; visit
+to England, ii. 12;
+  Queen's opinion of, ii. 12, 14, 15, 17;
+  effect on foreign countries, ii. 19;
+  on the French Revolution, ii. 165;
+  dispute with France, ii. _357_;
+  letters to and from the Queen on the Eastern Question, ii. 459-465;
+  and Turkey, iii. 4, 5;
+  and Napoleon, iii. 6;
+  interview with Sir H. Seymour, iii. 26;
+  death, iii. _63_, 111
+
+---- Empress-Dowager of, widow of Emperor Nicholas, iii. 306
+
+---- Alexander, Emperor of, _see_ Alexander
+
+---- Empress Marie Alexandrovna (wife of Alexander), iii. _205_
+
+---- and England, i. 86;
+  protector of the Porte, i. 229;
+  and Central Asia, i. 328;
+  France and England, ii. 20;
+  Poland, ii. _114_;
+  dispute with France, ii. _356_;
+  war with Turkey, ii. _431_;
+  Eastern Question, ii. 437-444, 449-465, 469-471; iii. _1_, 4, 5,
+  17, 18;
+  Ambassador leaves London, iii. _10_;
+  England declares war with, iii. _20_;
+  Napoleon's views on the crisis, iii. 24, 25;
+  Prussia, iii. 29;
+  repulse by Turkey, iii. _36_;
+  defeat on the Alma, iii. _43_, 50;
+  opinion of, in India, iii. 45, 46;
+  Balaklava, iii. 50;
+  Inkerman, iii. _53_, 54-56;
+  death of Czar Nicholas, iii. _63_;
+  fall of Sebastopol, iii. _64_;
+  "Four Points" negotiation, iii. _65_, 120;
+  Kertsch and the gravel pits (Redan) taken, iii. _126_;
+  defeat on the River Tchernaya, iii. _135_;
+  Austrian ultimatum, iii. 152;
+  peace and terms of settlement, iii. _158_, 182-185;
+  procrastination in carrying out terms, iii. _159_, 179, _208_ _214_;
+  Lord Granville's opinion of, iii. 204;
+  reported treaty with France, iii. 328, _331_;
+  Danish Question, iii. 439
+
+
+
+Sailors' Homes, iii. 191
+
+St Albans, Disfranchisement, ii. _381_
+
+St Arnaud, Marshal, commands French Army in Crimea, death, iii. _1_,
+28, _30_
+
+St Cloud, Queen's visit to, iii. 136
+
+St Edward's Chair, i. 121
+
+---- Chapel, i. 121, 122
+
+St Germans, Earl of, Postmaster-General, ii. 65
+
+St Juan, Island of, United States claim to, iii. 373
+
+St Leonards, Queen's visit to, i. 39, 40
+
+St Leonards, Lord (Lord Chancellor), refusal to join Government of 1858,
+iii. 271
+
+Saint-Simon, Duc de, _Memoires_, i. 435
+
+Sak, proposed occupation of, iii. 185
+
+Saldanha, Marshal, ii. 90
+
+Sale, Lady, her journal, i. 383
+
+---- Sir Robert, success in Afghanistan, i. _370_, 383, 402;
+  pension, i. 444;
+  death, ii. 76
+
+Salisbury, Bishop of (Dr Fisher), Queen's reminiscences of, i. 10
+
+---- Marquess of, President of the Council, iii. 272
+
+Sand, George, _Comtesse de Rudolstadt_, novel by, ii. 27
+
+Sandon, Viscount, Sugar Duties, i. _275_
+
+Sandwich, Countess of, i. 177
+
+Sans Souci, death of King of Prussia at, iii. 424
+
+Sardinia, Princess Clothilde of, marriage of, iii. _308_, _331_
+
+---- Kings of, _see_ Charles Albert and Victor Emmanuel
+
+Sardinia, ii. _141_, _175_;
+  war with Austria, ii. _178_, _182_, 186, 190, 193;
+  Western Alliance against Russia, iii. _63_;
+  success against Russia, iii. _135_, 154, 161;
+  Treaty of Peace, iii. 213;
+  alliance with England and France against Russia, iii. _307_;
+  war with Austria, and cession of Lombardy to, iii. _308_;
+  refusal to disarm, iii. _327_;
+  sympathy with, iii. 328;
+  Government of Tuscany, iii. 329;
+  Napoleon's promise of help, iii. _331_;
+  Duchies of Parma, Modena and Romagna, transferred to, iii. _380_;
+  disavowal of Garibaldi, iii. _380_
+
+Savoy, annexation to France, iii. _379_, 385, 395
+
+Saxe-Coburg-Gotha, House of, history of, i. 1, 2, 3
+
+Saxe-Coburg, Ernest, Duke of, (Prince Consort's father), i. 4, 22, _48_;
+  death, ii. 6
+
+---- Ernest, Prince of (Prince Consort's brother), i. 49, 62;
+  illness, i. 69
+
+---- Prince Augustus of, parentage and marriage, i. 4, 431, 458, 459
+
+Saxe-Saalfeld-Coburg, Duchess of, i. 13, 18
+
+---- Francis, Duke of, i. 8, 22; iii. _437_
+
+Saxe-Weimar, Prince Edward of, letter to the Queen, iii. 54
+
+---- Prince William and Princess Louise of, i. 31
+
+Saxony, Crown Prince of, iii. 458
+
+---- Frederick Augustus II., King of, ii. 12, 16
+
+Schleinitz, M., ii. 250
+
+Schleswig, ii. _141_, 182, 192, _195_;
+  union with Holstein, ii. 222, 249, _254_, 258; iii. _281_
+
+_School for Scandal_, i. 218
+
+Schulenberg, Countess, iii. 457
+
+Schwartzenberg, Prince, Prime Minister of Austria, ii. 378, 380
+
+Scone Palace, Queen's visit to, i. 429, 430
+
+Scotch Fusiliers, wounded from the Crimea, iii. 110
+
+Scotland, Church crisis, i. 447, 448, _450_;
+  Admission of Ministers Bill, i. 488, _489_;
+  the Queen's visit to Balmoral, ii. 321-323, 392, 394-396;
+  to Edinburgh, iii. 406
+
+Scott, General, iii. 469
+
+---- Gilbert, architect, iii. _444_
+
+Scutari, iii. _2_;
+  hospital at, iii. 61, 62, 78
+
+Search, right of, on the high seas, ii. 6; iii. 466, 468, 469
+
+Seaton, Lord, _see_ Colborne
+
+Sebastopol, iii. _1_, 43, 44;
+  bombardment, iii. 50;
+  fall, iii. _64_, 142
+
+Secretary of State, _see_ State, Secretary of
+
+---- at War, _see_ War, Secretary at
+
+Sepoys, mutiny of, iii. _224_, 237, 238
+
+Septennial Act, i. _56_; ii. 121
+
+Serpent's Island, Russia's claim to, iii. _159_, _208_
+
+Settembrini, iii. 312
+
+Sevigne, Mme. de, i. 40; iii. 172
+
+Seville, Duke of (Don Enrique), ii. 45
+
+Seymour, Lord (afterwards Duke of Somerset), Roebuck Committee Reports,
+iii. 112.
+  _See_ Somerset, Duke of
+
+---- Admiral, occupies Chinese fort, iii. _223_
+
+---- Mr Digby, M.P., iii. 402, 404
+
+---- Sir Hamilton, Minister at Brussels, i. 139, 320;
+  Envoy-Extraordinary at Lisbon, ii. 119, 134, 179, 180, _181_;
+  Petersburg, ii. 286;
+  Eastern Question, ii. _431_;
+  recall from St Petersburg, iii. _10_;
+  interview with the Czar, iii. 26;
+  "neutralisation," iii. 151
+
+Shaftesbury, Earl of, _see_ Ashley, Lord
+
+Sheil, Mr, Minister at the Court of Tuscany, ii. 279;
+  death, ii. 319
+
+Shere Singh, surrender of, ii. 217
+
+Short, Dr Thomas Vowler (afterwards Bishop of Sodor and Man), i. 64;
+  _Sketch of History of Church of England_, i. 452
+
+Sibthorp, Colonel, iii. 76
+
+Sicily, rising in, ii. _141_, _208_.
+  _See_ Garibaldi
+
+Sikhs (_see_ India), aggressive, ii. _30_;
+  defeat of, ii. _71_, 77;
+  boundaries, ii. 74;
+  murder of two Englishmen, ii. _142_;
+  hostility of, ii. 196, 197;
+  successful operations against, ii. _208_, 217
+
+Silesia, insurrection in, ii. _72_
+
+Silistria, Turkish success at, iii. _1_, _36_
+
+Simpson, General, retirement from the
+  command in the Crimea, iii. _64_;
+  death of Lord Raglan, iii. 128;
+  Commander-in-Chief, iii. 130;
+  position, iii. 134;
+  Queen's congratulations on fall of Sebastopol, iii. 142, 143
+
+Sinclair, Sir George, M.P., i. 448
+
+Singapore, convict population of, iii. 278
+
+Singh, Maharajah Dhuleep, _see_ Dhuleep
+
+Sinope Harbour, affair of, ii. _432_, 471; iii. 115
+
+Slavery, abolition of, i. 20, 277, 377, 382
+
+Slidell, Mr, Southern Confederacy Envoy, iii. 466, 468, 469
+
+Smith, Mr Robert Vernon (afterwards Lord Lyveden), Under-Secretary
+for War and the Colonies, i. _275_, 468; iii. 76;
+  Board of Control, iii. _109_, 127, 128;
+  annexation of Oudh, iii. _176_, _219_;
+  on Indian Mutiny, iii. 239;
+  iii. 272;
+  Oudh Proclamation, iii. _281_
+
+---- Sir Harry, ii. _71_;
+  Governor of Cape of Good Hope, Boer War, ii. _142_;
+  wounded, ii. _200_;
+  Kaffir War, ii. _283_;
+  Orange River Free State, iii. 201
+
+---- Sir Lionel, Governor of Jamaica, i. _141_
+
+Smithfield, Cattle Show, Queen's visit to, iii. 419
+
+Smyth, William, Professor of Modern History, i. 435
+
+Smythe, George, member of "Young England" party, ii. _17_
+
+Sobraon, defeat of the Sikhs at, ii. _74_, 77
+
+Socialism, possibilities in Russia, iii. 205
+
+Society for the Propagation of the Gospel, Prince Consort presides
+at meeting, ii. _319_
+
+Solferino, battle of, iii. _308_, _353_
+
+Solyman Pasha, i. 246
+
+Somerset, 11th Duke of, death, iii. 145
+
+---- 12th Duke of, First Lord of the Admiralty, iii. 349;
+  Garter, iii. 441;
+  iii. 466.
+  _See_ Seymour, Lord
+
+---- Lord Fitzroy, afterwards Lord Raglan ii. 393, 396;
+  Commander of Forces for the East, iii. _26_;
+  victory at the Alma, iii. 50;
+  Field-Marshal, iii. 52, 53;
+  Inkerman, iii. 52, 54-56;
+  death of, iii. _64_, 128;
+  welfare of the Army, iii. 68, 69, 81
+
+Somnauth, Gates of Temple of, i. 444-445, 468, 477
+
+Sonderbund, the, ii. 138
+
+Sooja, Shah, Ameer of Afghanistan, 1. _142_, _209_, 328, 444, 445;
+  Koh-i-noor diamond, ii. 242
+
+Sophia, Princess, daughter of George III., i. 31;
+  death, ii. 147
+
+Soult, Marshal, Duke of Dalmatia, i. 111; ii. 268
+
+South Africa, Natal insurrection, i. 427;
+  Sir H. Smith's proclamation in 1848, ii. _142_;
+  Dutch War, ii. 200
+
+Southern, Mr, Secretary of Legation at Lisbon, ii. 111, 118, 119, 120
+
+Spain, disputed succession, i. _44_, 50, _57_;
+  and Portugal, i. 59, 61; ii. 119, 133;
+  Lord Palmerston on, i. 66;
+  battle at Bilbao, i. 67;
+  constitution, i. 82, 83;
+  condition of, i. 96, _102_;
+  the Fueros, i. 188;
+  Mission, i. 330;
+  guardianship of young Queen, i. _346_;
+  and France, i. 347, 350, 351, 374;
+  proposed marriage of the young Queen, i. 432, 485, 486, 487;
+  ii. _31_, 32, 44, _72_, 90, 96-109;
+  Don Carlos' abdication of claim to throne, ii. _31_;
+  changes in Ministry, ii. _116_;
+  and England, ii. _120_;
+  and Sir H. Bulwer, ii. 175;
+  and Lord Palmerston, ii. 240;
+  Queen of Spain's desire for the Garter, ii. 323
+
+---- Infanta of, i. _488_; ii. 32, 45, _72_, 97, 99, 103, 107;
+iii. _51_
+
+---- Queen of, _see_ Christina
+
+Spaeth, Baroness, i. 14, 18, 123
+
+Spithead, accident, ii. 199
+
+Spooner, Mr, Conspiracy Bill debate, iii. 265
+
+Spring Rice, Mr, Chancellor of Exchequer, i. 147
+
+Stafford, Augustus, Secretary of the Admiralty, iii. 78
+
+Stamp Duties Bill, iii. 116;
+  stamp on cheques, iii. 262
+
+_Standard_, newspaper, iii. 8
+
+Stanhope, Philip Henry, fourth Earl, i. 108
+
+---- Lady Wilhelmina, i. 121, 123, 125
+
+Stanley, Lord (afterwards fourteenth Earl of Derby), thrice Prime
+Minister, i. _62_, 137;
+  Colonial Secretary, i. 163, 306, 309;
+  Corn Laws, ii. 49;
+  resignation, ii. 54, 64;
+  Protection dinner, ii. 87, _122_;
+  vote of censure, ii. _244_, _247_, 248, 287, 288;
+  failure to form a Government, ii. 290, 291, 293, 299, 300, 311, 315;
+  Prime Minister, ii. 368-397;
+  and the Church, ii. 376;
+  adherence to treaties, ii. 377;
+  the Queen's views on Militia Bill, ii. 380;
+  Disfranchisement Bill, ii. 380;
+  question of dissolution, ii. 383;
+  progress of democracy, ii. 384, 385;
+  Protection, ii. 386;
+  Militia Bill, ii. 386, 388, 389;
+  Italy, ii. 386, 387;
+  military appointments, ii. 392;
+  national defences, ii. 396, 398-400;
+  confusion of Parties, ii. 403-405;
+  Budget, ii. 406;
+  Princess Hohenlohe's marriage, ii. 408-411;
+  resignation, ii. 412-414;
+  attack on Lord Aberdeen, ii. 417, _418_, 419, 425;
+  takes leave of the Queen, ii. 425;
+  Roebuck Motion, iii. 78;
+  failure to form a Government, iii. 63, 80-87, 90;
+  on title of Prince Consort, iii. _197_, 197;
+  China War debate, attack on Lord Palmerston, iii. 230;
+  Conspiracy Bill, iii. _261_, 264, 265;
+  forms a Government, iii. 268-272;
+  Oudh Proclamation and resignation of Lord Ellenborough, iii. 282-_285_;
+  possible dissolution, iii. 285, 286-289;
+  vote of censure withdrawn, iii. 290-293;
+  competitive examinations, iii. 296, 297;
+  new Reform Bill, iii. _307_;
+  Queen's letter to French Emperor, iii. 314;
+  Indian Army Question, iii. 317-320;
+  Queen's letter to Emperor of Austria, iii. 322;
+  proposed congress to settle Italian Question, iii. 327-333;
+  Queen's Speech, iii. 336-340;
+  resignation on defeat of Government, iii. _307_, 324, 343
+
+---- Lord (afterwards fifteenth Earl of Derby), Colonial Secretary,
+iii. 148, 272, 292;
+  his position with regard to the Queen, iii. 301-303;
+  Indian Army Question, iii. 317, 318, 319;
+  Peers and Money Bills, iii. _379_
+
+Stanley of Alderley, Lord, Secretary to Treasury, i. 129, 395; iii. 150
+
+State, Secretary of, duties of, i. 100; iii. 34
+
+Stephanie, Grand Duchess, ii. 233
+
+Stephen, James, Under-Secretary for Colonies, retirement, ii. 131;
+  Privy Council, ii. 132
+
+Stockmar, Baron, private physician and secretary to King Leopold,
+unofficial adviser to the Queen, i. 25;
+  accompanies Prince Albert on tour, i. 25, 152;
+  his character, i. 25, 26, 68;
+  i. 69, 72, 73, 76, 79, 81, 83, 211, 332;
+  memos. on Lord Melbourne's correspondence with the Queen,
+  i. 340, 353, 360, 361;
+  illness, i. 392;
+  i. 474, 476;
+  Spanish marriage, ii. 103, 192;
+  on a Minister's duty, ii. 238;
+  ii. 279, 315, 362;
+  Legion of Honour, ii. 402; iii. 49, 171;
+  illness of, iii. 185
+
+Stockport, riot at, ii. 391
+
+Stopford, Admiral Sir Robert, i. _252_, 258
+
+Stowell, Lord, law of nations, iii. 466
+
+Strafford, Earl of, ii. 126, _128_, 393;
+  Field-Marshal, iii. _146_
+
+Straits Settlements, iii. 277
+
+Strangford, Viscount, i. 326, 482
+
+Strangways, Brigadier-General, died at Inkerman, iii. _53_
+
+Stratford de Redcliffe, Viscount (formerly Sir Stratford Canning),
+ii. 138, 369;
+  Eastern Question, ii. _431_, _449_, _452_, 456, 457, 460-465, 469, 470;
+  illness of, iii. 27;
+  victory of the Alma, iii. 44;
+  and the Pope, iii. 358
+
+Strawberry Hill, sale of, i. 389
+
+Strelitz, ii. 188
+
+Strickland, Miss Agnes, i. 322
+
+Stroekens, Major, i. 67
+
+Strutt, Mr, Chancellor of the Duchy, iii. _34_
+
+Stuart, Miss, marriage, i. 388
+
+---- Wortley J. (afterwards second Baron Wharncliffe), President of
+the Council, i. 299, 309
+
+Sudbury, disfranchisement of, ii. 381
+
+Suffrage, Queen's view of, ii. 333;
+  extension of, ii. 324, 333, 366
+
+Sugar Duty, i. 265;
+  Colonial preference, ii. _17_, 91
+
+Sully, Maximilien, Duc de, Memoirs of, i. 38, 47
+
+Sunday bands, iii. 135
+
+Surrey, Earl of (afterwards thirteenth Duke of Norfolk), i. 123;
+  Treasurer of the Household, i. _275_
+
+Sussex, Duke of, politics, i. 5, 6, 10, 11, 71, 76;
+  Ireland, i. 129, 138;
+  precedence, i. 207;
+  Regency Bill, i. _209_, 378, 390;
+  will of, i. 478, 479
+
+Sutherland, second Duke of, death, iii. _443_
+
+---- Duchess of, i. 101, 120;
+  Queen Victoria's valued friend, ii. 371;
+  letter to Queen on her husband's death, iii. 442
+
+Sweaborg, bombardment of, iii. _64_
+
+Sweden, and Morocco, ii. 4;
+  Schleswig Question, ii. _195_;
+  and Norway, iii. _134_
+
+---- and Norway, Charles XV., King of, visit to the Queen, iii. 447;
+  his views on foreign affairs, iii. 448-450
+
+Switzerland, internecine strife, ii. _115_, 137-139;
+  and France, ii. 380;
+  rising in, iii. _214_;
+  protest against annexation of Savoy, iii. _380_;
+  claim to parts of Savoy, iii. _395_
+
+Syria, i. _179_, _209_, 240;
+  successes in, i. 246, _252_;
+  war, ii. 69;
+  Napoleon's policy, iii. _380_
+
+
+
+Tahiti, dispute with France, ii. _1_, _21_, 25
+
+Tait, Dr A. C., Bishop of London, iii. 205
+
+Talbot, Lady Mary, i. 121, 125
+
+---- Monsignore, iii. 356
+
+Tallenay, M. de, ii. _173_, 186
+
+Talleyrand, Prince, death of, i. 116
+
+Tamburini, Sr, opera singer, i. _220_
+
+Tangiers, bombardment of, ii. 20
+
+Tankerville, Earl of, i. 198
+
+Tawell, Salt Hill murderer, ii. 269
+
+Taylor, Sir Herbert, i. 68
+
+Taymouth, Lord Breadalbane's house, Queen's visit to, i. 428
+
+Tchernaya, River, success of the Allies at, iii. _64_, _135_
+
+Teba, Count de (afterwards Count de Montijo), ii. _435_
+
+Temple, The Hon. Sir William, K.C.B., Minister Plenipotentiary, Naples,
+iii. _140_
+
+Templetown, Viscount, i. 62
+
+Tennent, Sir James Emerson, i. 469
+
+Tennyson, Alfred, poet, ii. 45;
+  Poet Laureate, ii. 272
+
+Terceira, Duc de, i. _55_; ii. 397
+
+Terni, cataract at, Prince Albert's visit to, i. 152
+
+Thames, pollution of the, iii. _294_
+
+Theresa, Archduchess, i. 52
+
+Therese, Princess, i. 453
+
+Thiers, Louis A., French Premier, i. 149, 227; ii. 364, 389
+
+Thirlwall, Bishop of St David's, iii. 416
+
+Thouvenel, M. de, French Foreign Minister, iii. 382;
+  and Lord John Russell's despatch, iii. 389;
+  iii. 395
+
+Threepenny pieces, circulation of, ii. 37
+
+Ticino, Austrian troops on the, iii. _328_, 333
+
+Timber duty, i. 265
+
+_Times_, newspaper, i. 425; ii. 20, 27, _30_, _48_, 86, 135, 172, 190,
+220, 241, 244, 263, 282, 348, _411_; iii. _1_, 8, 16;
+  Crimea, iii. 36;
+  Queen's visit to France, iii. 138;
+  enquiry on Crimean officers, iii. 174;
+  iii. 192, 254;
+  attacks on Prussia, iii. 455;
+  report of a private interview, iii. 347;
+  abuse of Germany, iii. 462, 463
+
+Tindal, Chief Justice, i. 469
+
+Tippoo Sahib, iii. 39
+
+Tite, Mr (afterwards Sir William), architect, iii. 443
+
+Tithes, i. _43_
+
+Tollbar riots, i. _450_, 483, 492
+
+Tomantoul, Queen's visit to, iii. 407
+
+Tory party and the Royal family, i. 5, 6;
+  consolidation of, i. 20;
+  Queen's opinion of, i. _27_, 60, 61, 203, 207, 212, 213;
+  failure of, i. 66;
+  organisation of, i. 90;
+  unsuccessful attempt to form a Ministry, i. 154-170;
+  vote of censure on Government and success at the polls,
+i. _253_, 264;
+  Nottingham election, i. 264;
+  amendment to address, 1841, i. 301;
+  Cabinet, i. 308, 309;
+  Finance, Income-Tax, Import Duties, i. _370_;
+  Corn Law Debate, i. 465, 466;
+  Irish Arms Bill, i. 482;
+  dissensions (Young England party), ii. _1_, 16;
+  resignation, ii. _30_, 51;
+  return to office, ii. _30_, 62;
+  repeal of Corn Laws, ii. _71_;
+  defeat on Irish Coercion Bill. ii. _71_;
+  resignation, ii. 80, _115_;
+  on intervention in Portugal, ii. _123_,
+  ii. 216;
+  peril of the Ministry, ii. 285;
+  defeat of the Government, ii. 288;
+  inability to form a Government, ii. 288-313;
+  Parliamentary Reform, ii. 332, 333;
+  resignation of Whig Government, ii. 368;
+  Lord Derby becomes Prime Minister, ii. 369-377;
+  first debate, ii. 380-383;
+  question of dissolution, ii. 383;
+  Free Trade debate, ii. _399_;
+  Budget, ii. 406;
+  defeat on House Tax and resignation, ii. 411-413;
+  China War debate, iii. 231
+
+Tractarian movement, ii. 273, 280
+
+Transport Land Corps, iii. 157
+
+Transvaal, independence of, ii. _142_; iii. 200
+
+Trapani, Count, Spanish marriage, ii. _31_, 32, 44, 89, 99
+
+Treaty of 1856, settlement of Eastern Question, iii. _63_, 65,
+_158_, 182;
+  Nanking, i. _442_
+
+Trelawney, Sir John, and Church rates, iii. _323_
+
+Trench, Richard Chenevix, Dean of Westminster, iii. 206
+
+_Trent_, steamship, seizure of Envoys, iii. 466, 468
+
+Treport, Queen's visit to, ii. 44;
+  ii. 157
+
+Trianon, iii. 136
+
+Troubridge, Sir Thomas, C.B., great gallantry at Inkerman, iii. 127
+
+Trouville, ii. 156
+
+Truelove, trial of, iii. _273_
+
+Tuckett, Captain Harvey, i. _263_
+
+Tulloch, Colonel, iii. _175_
+
+Tunbridge Wells, Queen's visits to, i. 11, 19, 36, 38
+
+Turgot, M., ii. _335_, 339, 344
+
+Turkey, Convention about Egypt, i. 227-243, 258;
+  war with Russia, ii. _432_;
+  Eastern Question, ii. 437, 441-444, _449_, _452_, 464-465, 469-471;
+  and Persia, iii. 4;
+  Russian occupation of the Principalities, iii. 12, _13_, 17;
+  protocol signed for integrity of, iii. _19_;
+  success of, iii. _35_;
+  Inkerman, iii. 54-56;
+  peace and terms of settlement, iii. _158_, 161-188, _208_
+
+Turton, Dr Thomas, Dean of Ely, ii. _35_
+
+Tuscans, deputation to King Victor Emmanuel, iii. _308_
+
+Tuscany, Duke of, Pope's opinion of, iii. 357
+
+---- Government of, iii. _308_, 329
+
+
+
+Umbria, conquered, iii. _380_
+
+Unemployed, the, ii. 67, 168
+
+United States, dispute with Canada, i. _254_, 260, _356_, 368;
+  treaty, i. 461, 462;
+  boundary dispute with England, ii. _30_;
+  Oregon boundary, ii. 82;
+  Foreign Enlistment Act, iii. _159_, _219_;
+  financial crisis, iii. _256_;
+  military occupation of St Juan, iii. 373;
+  Prince of Wales's visit to, iii. _380_;
+  Abolitionist troubles, iii. _381_;
+  conflict between Federal Government and Southern States, iii. _421_;
+  right to search neutral ships, iii. 466, 468, 469;
+  draft despatch for release of Mason and Slidell, iii. 469
+
+Unkiar Skelessi, Treaty of, i. 142
+
+Uruguay, ii. _133_
+
+Utrecht, Treaty of, ii. 107
+
+Uxbridge, Earl of, i. 110, 400, 467
+
+---- Countess of, i. 400;
+  death, ii. 8
+
+
+
+Valliant, Marshal, Minister of War, iii. 43;
+  G.C.B., iii. 146;
+  opinion of Morocco, iii. 221;
+  goes to Italy in 1859, iii. 333
+
+Vane, Lord Harry, Conspiracy Bill debate, iii. 265
+
+Varna, Allied Forces sailing from, iii. _1_, 36
+
+Venice, Republic proclaimed, ii. _141_;
+  ii. 198;
+  Venetia in 1859, iii. _308_
+
+Verney, Sir Harry, ii. 390
+
+Versailles, Queen's visit to, iii. 136
+
+Vico, Colonel, death of, iii. _135_
+
+Victoire, Princess, of Saxe-Coburg, i. 149;
+  marriage to Duc de Nemours, i. 213;
+  flight from France, ii. 155, 167, 176, 177;
+  visits Queen Victoria, ii. 184, 185
+
+Victor Emmanuel, King of Sardinia, ii. _208_, 218;
+  visit to England, iii. _64_, _156_;
+  joins the Western Alliance, iii. _66_;
+  rumoured conversation with Louis Napoleon, iii. 168;
+  proposed marriage, iii. _207_;
+  war with Austria, entry into Milan, and conclusion of peace,
+iii. _308_;
+  and the Pope, iii. 311;
+  cession of Savoy and Nice, iii. _385_;
+  war with Austria, iii. 386;
+  as King of Italy, iii. _420_
+
+Victoria, Queen, ancestry of, i. 1-7;
+    political position of, i. 17;
+    memoir of her early years, i. 18-21;
+    relations and friends, i. 22-26;
+    close correspondence and relationship with King Leopold, i. 23;
+    formation of her character, i. 22-26;
+    interesting points in her correspondence, i. 27-29
+  1819 Born 24th May at Kensington Palace, i. 8
+  1819-1826 Reminiscences of early childhood, written by herself,
+  i. 10-14
+  1824 Miss Lehzen becomes her governess, i. 25
+  1826 Visits George IV. at Windsor, i. 11-13;
+    serious illness, i. 13, 14
+  1827 Visits George IV. at Windsor, i. 13
+  1828 First letter to Prince Leopold, i. 32
+  1830 Duchess of Kent's memo, on education, i. 14-16;
+    June, George IV. died and William IV. succeeded, i. 19;
+    Duchess of Northumberland appointed official governess, i. 25
+  1832 King Leopold on the necessity of forming her character, i. 35
+  1834 Visits Hever Castle, i. 37;
+    reading and studies, i. 37-40
+  1835 Confirmation, i. 41
+  1836 Painful scene between the Duchess of Kent and William IV.,
+  i. 19;
+    possible suitors, i. 47, 48;
+    admiration for Prince Albert, i. 48, 49, 50;
+    visits Lord Liverpool at Buxted Park, i. 50;
+    Church matters, i. 52; 72;
+    change of name discussed, i. 55
+  1837 Music with Prince Albert, i. 59;
+    her establishment, i. 64, 68;
+    William IV. offers her an independent income, i. 68;
+    24th May--attains her majority, i. 69;
+    accession imminent, i. 71;
+    reliance on Lord Melbourne, i. 72;
+    20th June--death of William IV.: Queen Victoria's accession,
+    i. 75;
+    reminiscences of events on the King's death, i. 75;
+    address of condolence and congratulation, i. 77;
+    her nationality, i. 78;
+    her Ministers, i. 79;
+    13th July--goes to Buckingham Palace, i. 84;
+    17th July--prorogues Parliament, i. 86;
+    singing lessons, i. 89;
+    the elections, i. 89;
+    King Leopold's visit to Windsor Castle, i. 91;
+    visit to Brighton, i. 92;
+    goes to the House of Lords and gives her assent to the Civil List Bill,
+    i. 97
+  1838 Prince Albert's education, i. 111;
+    distress at death of Louisa Louis, i. 111, 112;
+    deaths of old servants, i. 112;
+    arrangements for the Coronation, i. 113, 114;
+    draft letter to the King of Portugal on Slave Trade, i. 115;
+    brilliant ball, i. 115;
+    28th June--Coronation Day, Queen's reminiscences of, i. 120-125;
+    9th July--Coronation Review in Hyde Park, i. 126;
+    at Windsor Castle, i. 130
+    at Brighton, i. 140;
+  1839 Death of Princess Marie of Orleans, i. 144;
+    opens Parliament, i. 146;
+    disagreement with King Leopold, i. 151-154;
+    Prince Albert's tour in Italy, i. 152;
+    resignation of Lord Melbourne, i. 154;
+    audience with Duke of Wellington and Sir R. Peel, i. 157-159;
+    refusal to allow Sir R. Peel to appoint Ladies of her Household,
+    i. 161-169;
+    Lord Melbourne's return to office, i. 170;
+    ball at Buckingham Palace, i. 172;
+    views on Cabinet crisis, i. 174;
+    feelings for Prince Albert, i. 177, 178;
+    at the Opera, i. 178;
+    arrival of Princes Albert and Ernest at Windsor Castle, i, 188;
+    announcement of her engagement to Prince Albert, i. 188, 189;
+    her happiness, i. 191;
+    her letters to the Royal Family, i. 193, 194;
+    letters to Prince Albert, i. 195, 196, 199, 200, 203, 206, 208,
+    211-213, 217;
+    reads Declaration before the Privy Council, i. 196;
+    suggested peerage for Prince Albert, i. 196-199;
+    Prince Albert's Household, i. 200-207
+  1840 Queen opens Parliament and announces intended marriage, i. 212;
+    Prince Albert's grant, i. 214;
+    marriage of the Queen to Prince Albert, i. _209_, _217_;
+    disturbance at the Opera, i. 220;
+    Prince Albert and politics, i. 224;
+    attempted assassination by Oxford, i. 225;
+    views on foreign affairs, i. 248, 249;
+    birth of Princess Royal, i. 251
+  1841 Christening of Princess Royal, i. 255;
+    speech from the Throne, i. 256, 257;
+    operations in China, i. 261, 262;
+    the Budget, i. 265;
+    Household appointment difficulties, i. 268-273;
+    impartiality, i. 285;
+    visit to Ascot and Nuneham, i. 291;
+    visit to Woburn Abbey, i. 295, 296;
+    carriage accident, i. 298;
+    resignation of Whig Ministry, i. 301;
+    Prince Albert as adviser, i. 304, 305;
+    interview with Sir R. Peel and sorrow at parting with Lord
+    Melbourne, i. 309;
+    seals of office exchanged, i. 315;
+    question of future correspondence with Lord Melbourne, i. 330,
+    331, 340, 353, 360, 361;
+    indisposition, i. 364;
+    birth of first son, now King Edward VII., i. 364;
+    he is created Prince of Wales, i. 366;
+    domestic happiness, i. 366
+  1842 Christening of the Prince of Wales, i. 376, 381;
+    visit to Brighton, i. 383;
+    excursion to Portsmouth, i. 384;
+    decision to pay Income Tax, i. 387;
+    selection of a governess, i. 390, 394;
+    ball at Buckingham Palace, i. 392, 393;
+    attempt by Francis on the Queen's life, i. 398;
+    Ascot and review of cavalry, i. 401;
+    first railway journey, i. 404;
+    list of presents sent by the Imam of Muscat, i. 406;
+    attempt by Bean on the Queen's life, i. 407;
+    death of the Duke of Orleans, i. 408, 409, 413, 416;
+    strike riots, i, 422-428;
+    prorogues Parliament, i. 425;
+    visit to Scotland, i. 428, 429;
+    return to Windsor, i. 430;
+    steam yacht, i. 432;
+    domestic happiness, i. 436;
+    visit to Walmer Castle, i. 436, 438, 443;
+    King of Hanover's claim to Crown jewels, i. 439, 487;
+    and France, i. 445, 446
+  1843 Gaieties at Windsor, i. 451;
+    visit and recollections of Claremont, i. 451;
+    education of Prince of Wales, i. 463;
+    domestic happiness, i. 464;
+    new chapel at Buckingham Palace, i. 466;
+    views on the verdict, not guilty but insane, in Macnaghten trial,
+    i. 469;
+    Prince Consort to hold levees for the Queen, i. 470, 471, 472, 473;
+    the toast of the Prince, i. 475;
+    birth and christening of Princess Alice, i. 480, 481;
+    Turnpike riots in South Wales, i. 483, 492;
+    resignation of the Duchess of Norfolk as Bedchamber Woman and
+    successor, i. 484, 485, 486;
+    suppression of duelling, i. 485;
+    the Crown jewels, i. 487;
+    visit to the King and Queen of France at Chateau d'Eu, i. 490;
+    visit to Belgium, i. 492;
+    visit to Cambridge, Wimpole, and Bourne, i. 496, 497, 500, 503;
+    visit to Sir R. Peel at Drayton Manor, i. 504, 509;
+    visit of Prince Consort to Birmingham, i. 507, 509, 510;
+    visit to Belvoir Castle and Chatsworth, i. 509, 510
+  1844 Opens the new Royal Exchange, ii. _1_, 27;
+    visit to Claremont, ii. 4, 5;
+    carriage accident, ii. 5;
+    death of the Duke of Saxe-Coburg Gotha, ii. 6;
+    _brochure_ of Prince de Joinville, ii. 11;
+    visit of the Emperor Nicholas of Russia, ii. _1_, 12-16, 17, 20;
+    domestic happiness, ii. 6, 7;
+    uncle and niece, ii. 10;
+    review in Windsor Great Park, and Ascot races, ii. 13;
+    visit of King Louis Philippe, ii. 21, 27
+  1845 Spanish marriage question, ii. 32, 44;
+    state of Buckingham Palace, ii. 33;
+    question as to Prince Albert's title, ii. 34;
+    sponsor to Sir R. Peel's grandson, ii. 35;
+    Queen's purchase of Osborne, ii. 35, 42;
+    Low Church bigotry, ii. 37;
+    King Leopold's birthday letter, ii. 39;
+    visit of the King of Holland, ii. _42_;
+    on the Queen's absences from England, ii. 43;
+    visit to Holland and Coburg, and to Treport to King Louis Philippe,
+    ii. 44;
+    Sir R. Peel's resignation and return to office, ii. 48-67;
+    letter from King Louis Philippe, ii. 57;
+    reply, ii. 69-70
+  1846 Opening of Parliament in person, ii. _73_;
+    defeat of the Sikhs, ii. 74-76;
+    Coercion Bill, Ireland, ii. 79;
+    resignation of Sir R. Peel, ii. 80-85;
+    Lord John Russell forms a Government, ii. 85-87;
+    parting with Ministers, ii. 87;
+    Spanish marriage question, ii. 89, 90, 96-107;
+    views as to dissolution, ii. 91;
+    the Government of Canada, ii. 94;
+    Duke of Wellington's statue, ii. 95;
+    indignation at the engagement of the Queen of Spain, ii. 99-109;
+    visit to Jersey, ii. 100;
+    visit to Osborne, ii. 105;
+    Peninsular War medals, ii. 109, 112, 113
+  1847 Views as to governing Portugal, ii. 117-120;
+    Church patronage, ii. 121;
+    difference with Lord Palmerston, ii. 122, 136;
+    at the Opera to hear Jenny Lind, ii. 123;
+    Duke of Wellington's statue, ii. 124;
+    visit to Ardverikie, ii. 128;
+    and Mr. Cobden, ii. 131;
+    foreign policy, ii. 132-134;
+    on the Swiss dispute, ii. 138;
+    the Bishops and Dr Hampden, ii. 139;
+    advance of money to Lord Melbourne, ii. 140
+  1848 Madame Adelaide's death, ii. 143-146;
+    abdication and flight of King Louis Philippe to Claremont,
+    ii. _149_-164;
+    Princess Louise born 18th March, ii. _166_;
+    Chartist demonstration, ii. 167-169;
+    displeased with Lord Palmerston, ii. 171, 190, 191, 193, 195,
+    234, 240, 241, 256;
+    position of the French Royal Family, ii. 176, 177;
+    views on Foreign Policy, ii. 180;
+    eulogy on Prince Albert, ii. 192;
+    describes Balmoral, ii. 194;
+    views of the Austrian and Italian Questions, ii. 197;
+    stays at Osborne, ii. 197, 204;
+    letter from Pope Pius IX., ii. 204;
+    relations with France, ii. 206
+  1849 Receives the Koh-i-noor diamond, ii. _208_;
+    correspondence with Pope Pius IX., ii. 209, 210;
+    letter from Napoleon, ii. 210;
+    memo. on French Republic, ii. 213, 214;
+    Hamilton's attempt on her life, ii. 220;
+    method of dealing with despatches, ii. 221, 222;
+    on Schleswig-Holstein Question, ii. 223, 250, 251, 257, 258;
+    visits Ireland (Cork, Dublin, Waterford, Kingston, Belfast),
+    ii. 223-249;
+    Coal Exchange opened, ii. _228_;
+    thanksgiving after cholera epidemic, ii. 228;
+    death of Queen Adelaide, ii. 230
+  1850 Pate's attack, ii. _231_, 253;
+    the draft to Greece, ii. 234, 238, 240;
+    Prince Albert's speech, ii. 240;
+    Koh-i-noor Diamond, ii. 242;
+    birth and christening of Prince Arthur, ii. 251;
+    stays at Osborne, ii. 256;
+    death of first Duke of Cambridge, ii. 256;
+    duties of the Foreign Secretary, ii. 264;
+    death of King Louis Philippe, ii. 265;
+    visits Scotland, ii. 265;
+    death of the Queen of the Belgians, ii. 266, 271, 272;
+    Lord Palmerston and the Haynau despatch, ii. 269, 270;
+    on Germany, ii. 274, 278;
+    on religious strife, ii. 277, 278;
+    Papal aggression, ii. 279-282
+  1851 Principle of diplomatic appointments, ii. 285, 286;
+    memo. on Sir J. Graham joining the Cabinet, ii. 286, 287;
+    resignation of Government, ii. 289, 304;
+    difficulties in forming a Government, ii. 288-315;
+    success of the Exhibition in Hyde Park, ii. 317, 318, 320;
+    Guildhall ball, ii. 320;
+    visit to Balmoral, Allt-na-Giuthasach and Lochnagar, ii. 321-323;
+    Lord Palmerston and Louis Kossuth, ii. 325-331;
+    death of King of Hanover, ii. 331;
+    views on Franchise and Suffrage proposals, ii. 332;
+    Louis Napoleon's _coup d'etat_, ii. 334;
+    dismissal of Lord Palmerston, ii. 342-348;
+    review of Foreign Affairs, ii. 351
+  1852 Crown of Denmark, ii. 358;
+    women and politics, ii. 362;
+    New Houses of Parliament, ii. 363;
+    pressure of business, ii. 366;
+    change of Government, ii. 368-377;
+    Household appointments, ii. 373, 376;
+    on Foreign Affairs, ii. 377, 380;
+    visits Osborne, ii. 378, 390, 417;
+    on Italy, ii. 386, 387;
+    Louis Napoleon's position, ii. 390;
+    visits Osborne, ii. 391;
+    inherits Mr Neild's fortune, ii. 392;
+    visits Balmoral, ii. 392;
+    views on national defence, ii. 396, 398-400;
+    death of the Duke of Wellington, ii. 392-396, 401, 402;
+    her admiration of his character, ii. 394;
+    Louis Napoleon becomes Emperor, ii. 397, 407, _408_;
+    letter to him, ii. 407;
+    secret Protocol, ii. 408;
+    views on Princess of Hohenlohe's marriage, ii. 408-411, 422, 429;
+    Lord Aberdeen's new Government, ii. 412-430;
+    Lord Derby's tribute to, ii. 427
+  1853 French Emperor's marriage, ii. 433-435;
+    Eastern Question, ii. _431_, 441-444, 449, 452-465;
+    views on Lord John Russell's position, ii. 438;
+    birth of Prince Leopold (afterwards Duke of Albany), ii. _444_;
+    congratulations from the Emperor of Russia, ii. 444;
+    views on India Bill, ii. 447;
+    correspondence with Emperor of Russia on Eastern Question,
+    ii. 459-465;
+    Lord Stratford's despatch, ii. 469
+  1854 Opens Crystal Palace, iii. _2_;
+    Press attacks on Prince Albert, iii. _1_, 3, 7, 8;
+    on reception of Orleans family, iii. 6, 7;
+    Reform Bill, iii. 8, 15;
+    on competitive examinations, iii. 10, 11;
+    desires augmentation of Army, iii. 12;
+    Baltic Fleet sails, iii. 16;
+    correspondence with King of Prussia on Eastern Question,
+    iii. 16-19, 28-30, 31-33;
+    declaration of war with Russia, iii. _19_;
+    on the defenceless state of England, iii. 36;
+    on the state of India, iii. 38, 53;
+    views on Army promotions, iii. 39;
+    disapproves of special prayers for illness, iii. 40;
+    French Emperor's letter after Prince Albert's visit,
+    iii. 41, 42;
+    battle of the Alma, iii. 44, 49;
+    treatment of Indian Princes, iii. 47;
+    views on Austrian Alliance, iii. 48, 50;
+    Balaklava, iii. 50, _51_;
+    Inkerman, iii. 52, 54-56;
+    Crimean medal, iii. 56;
+    condition of hospital at Scutari, iii. _61_
+  1855 Visits the French Emperor, iii. _64_;
+    King of Sardinia visits England, iii. _64_;
+    opinion on the "Four Points" negotiations, iii. 65;
+    confidence in Lord Aberdeen, iii. 66-68;
+    on the duties of Ambassadors and Foreign Secretaries,
+    iii. 68, 69;
+    on Lord John Russell's resignation, iii. 72-75;
+    memo. on the crisis, iii. 74, 75;
+    on Government's resignation, iii. 79;
+    inability of Lord Derby and Lord John Russell to form a Government,
+    iii. 80-96;
+    Lord Palmerston forms a Government, iii. 96-104;
+    letter to King of Prussia, iii. 107;
+    visit to the wounded from Crimea, iii. 110;
+    letter to Princess of Prussia on sudden death of the Czar,
+    iii. 112;
+    hospitals for sick and wounded soldiers, iii. 113;
+    Crimean medals, iii. 116;
+    visit of the Emperor and Empress of the French, iii. 117;
+    review in Windsor Park, iii. _117_;
+    investiture of the French Emperor, iii. _117_;
+    letter from the Emperor, and reply, iii. 118, 119;
+    Queen's opinion of French Emperor, iii. 122-126;
+    distribution of medals, iii. 127;
+    power of appointing Governor-General of India, iii. 127, 128;
+    death of Lord Raglan, iii. 129;
+    letter to Lady Raglan, iii. 129;
+    message to the Army, iii. 130;
+    Lord John Russell resigns, iii. 131, 132;
+    Gen. Simpson's difficulties in the Crimea, iii. 134;
+    Sunday bands, iii. 135;
+    account of her visit to France, iii. 135-140;
+    letter to French Emperor, iii. 137;
+    first occupation of Balmoral, iii. _141_;
+    Sebastopol taken, iii. 142;
+    Queen's message, iii. 142, 143;
+    Princess Royal's proposed marriage with Crown Prince of Prussia,
+    iii. 146, 147;
+    Queen's desire for a dockyard on the Forth, iii. 151;
+    discusses proposals of peace, iii. 152-154
+  1856 Victoria Cross, iii. 160;
+    correspondence with French Emperor on the ultimatum,
+    iii. 162-164, 172, 185;
+    views on the council of war at Paris, iii. 168, 169;
+    views of King of Sardinia, iii. 198;
+    England's policy, iii. 169;
+    letter to Florence Nightingale, iii. 170;
+    distribution of honours, iii. 171;
+    Commission on the conduct of Crimean officers, iii. 174;
+    question of marriage of Princess Royal, iii. 182, 188, 220;
+    Queen's views on Treaty of Peace, iii. 182-188;
+    peace fete at Crystal Palace, iii. 190;
+    enquiries before appointments offered, iii. 190;
+    memorandum on her husband's status, iii. 192-194, 196;
+    Sunday bands, iii. 194;
+    title of Prince Consort conferred, iii. _197_;
+    review of Crimean troops, iii. _198_, 199, 200;
+    proposed marriage of Princess Mary, iii. 206, 209;
+    letter to Empress of the French as to Treaty of Paris, and reply,
+    iii. 207, 213;
+    Balmoral, iii. 209;
+    defence of England, iii. 212;
+    death of Prince Charles of Leiningen, iii. 216, 217;
+    letter to Louis Napoleon, iii. 221
+  1857 Indian Mutiny, iii. _223_, 234, 236;
+    China War debate, iii. _223_, _231_;
+    French Emperor's feelings towards England, iii. 233;
+    Princess Beatrice born, iii. 234;
+    marriage of Princess Charlotte of Belgium, iii. _234_, _241_;
+    Victoria Cross decoration, iii. 235;
+    visit of the Emperor and Empress of the French, iii. 240, 242;
+    views on defenceless state of England, iii. 241-242;
+    urges reinforcements for India, iii. 242-246;
+    on necessity of increasing the Army, iii. 245, 257, 260;
+    anxiety for India, iii. 246;
+    marriage of Princess Royal, iii. 253;
+    death of Duchesse de Nemours, iii. 254;
+    financial crisis, iii. 255;
+    opens Parliament in person, iii. _256_
+  1858 Prince Frederick William of Prussia (afterwards Emperor
+    Frederick), married to the Princess Royal, iii. _261_;
+    death of Duchess of Orleans, iii. _261_;
+    parting with the Princess Royal, iii. 263, 264;
+    defeat of the Government on Conspiracy Bill, iii. 265;
+    formation of new Government, iii. 267-272;
+    Prince of Wales's confirmation, iii. 278;
+    enquiries into the state of the Navy, iii. 279, 297;
+    Crown prerogatives, iii. 294, 295, 296;
+    visit to the Emperor of the French, iii. _296_;
+    Proclamation to people of India, iii. 298, 304;
+    duties of Secretary of State, iii. 299;
+    Princess Royal's reception by the Prussians, iii. 454-456
+  1859 Dissolution on new Reform Bill, iii. _307_;
+    necessity for a strong Army and Navy, iii. 309;
+    Queen's speech, iii. 313, 314;
+    birth of first grandchild (present German Emperor),
+    iii. 314, 324;
+    letter to French Emperor advising peace, iii. _315_;
+    Indian Army Question, iii. 316-320;
+    opens Parliament, iii. _317_;
+    letter to Emperor of Austria, and reply, iii. 322, 323, 324, 325;
+    proposed congress to settle the Italian Question, iii. 325-334;
+    Queen's speech, iii. 335-340;
+    defeat of the Government, iii. 342;
+    Lord Palmerston forms a new Government, iii. 344-349;
+    Committee on Military Departments, iii. 351;
+    views on the war between France and Austria, iii. 353, 354;
+    conclusion of peace arranged between the two Emperors,
+    iii. _354_, _359_, _360_;
+    the Pope's opinion of England's policy, iii. 356-359;
+    differences with Lord Palmerston and Lord J. Russell on
+    England's Italian Policy, iii. 361-373, 374-377;
+    objection to publication of divorce cases in daily papers,
+    iii. 378;
+    congratulates French Emperor on peace, iii. 378
+  1860 Volunteer Review in Hyde Park, iii. _379_;
+    Prince of Wales visited Canada and United States,
+    iii. _380_, _405_;
+    difficulties with Lord John Russell over the Italian Policy,
+    iii. 383;
+    Gladstone's Budget statement, iii. 388;
+    Earl Cowley's stormy interview with French Emperor, iii. 390-394;
+    Prince of Wales visits Coburg and Gotha, iii. _396_;
+    letters of thanks to Indian Civil servants, iii. 398;
+    visit to Aldershot, iii. 400;
+    Abolition of Paper Duties Bill thrown out by the House of Lords,
+    iii. 400-403;
+    engagement of Princess Alice to Prince Louis of Hesse,
+    iii. 405, 415, 418, 419;
+    visits Holyrood, iii. 406;
+    Balmoral, iii. 407;
+    proposed meeting with the Emperor of Austria, iii. 408, 409;
+    appeal from the King of Naples, iii. 409;
+    reply, iii. 412;
+    appointment of bishops, iii. 416, 417
+  1861 Death of Duchess of Kent, iii. _420_;
+    third visit to Ireland, iii. _420_, 452;
+    New Year's letter from French Emperor, and reply, iii. 423, 427;
+    detailed account of death of the King of Prussia, iii. 424-426;
+    happiness of the Princess Royal, iii. 430;
+    wedding day anniversary, iii. 433;
+    Garibaldi letter, iii. 434;
+    death of the Duchess of Kent, iii. _420_, 435-439, 447, 448;
+    Mr Layard as Under-Secretary for Foreign Affairs, iii. 444-447;
+    King of Sweden's visit to Osborne, iii. 447;
+    his views on the Foreign Affairs, iii. 448-450;
+    the Queen's views, iii. 450;
+    visits Frogmore, iii. 451;
+    visits Ireland, iii. 452;
+    coronation of the King and Queen of Prussia, iii. 456-458;
+    Queen of Prussia on Foreign Policy, iii. 460;
+    appreciation of her Highland servant, iii. 461;
+    _Times_ newspaper's attacks on Prussia, iii. 462-464;
+    America's right to search neutral ships, iii. 466, 468;
+    Prince Consort's illness, iii. 468, 470;
+    slight improvement, iii. 470;
+    the crisis, iii. 472, 473;
+    pathetic letter to King Leopold on death of Prince Consort,
+    iii. 473, 476;
+    death of Lady Canning, iii. 475;
+    sympathetic letter to Viscount Canning, iii. 477
+
+Victoria, Princess Royal, birth, i. 251;
+  i. 319, 322, 358, 364, 436, 451, 493; ii. 3, 5;
+  at opening of new Coal Exchange, ii. _228_;
+  ii. 276, 317;
+  riding accident, ii. 322;
+  her character, iii. 156;
+  question of marriage, iii. 146, 147, 182, 188, 195, 218, 221;
+  confirmation of, iii. 185;
+  birthday, iii. 216;
+  iii. 240;
+  marriage, iii. 253, _261_;
+  parting from the Queen, iii. 263, 264;
+  reception by the Prussians, iii. 454-456;
+  birth of the present German Emperor, iii. 313, 314;
+  iii. 332;
+  visit to the Queen, iii. 335;
+  birth of Princess Charlotte, iii. 406;
+  detailed account of death of King of Prussia, iii. 424-426;
+  domestic happiness of, iii. 430;
+  death of Duchess of Kent, iii. 435, 438
+
+_Victoria and Albert_, Queen's yacht, ii. 42
+
+---- Cross, iii. 160, 235
+
+---- (Australia), governorship of, iii. 190
+
+Vienna, Congress of, i. 3;
+  Treaty of, ii. _72_, 114, 455, 469;
+  Crimean Conference, its failure, iii. _63_, _64_;
+  Conference of the Powers, iii. 104
+
+Villafranca, peace concluded at, iii. _308_, _355_, _359_, _361_
+
+Villiers, George William Frederick, afterwards fourth Earl of
+Clarendon. _See_ Clarendon
+
+---- Hon. Henry Montagu, Bishop of Carlisle, iii. 417
+
+---- Mr Charles, "Father of the House," i. 148;
+  Free Trade motion, ii. 381, 399, 404;
+  proposed for office, ii. 422
+
+Viscount, meaning of term, i. 124
+
+Vivian, Sir Hussey, Master-General of the Ordnance, i. 279
+
+Volunteer Review, iii. 406
+
+_Vor-Parlament_, ii. _192_
+
+
+
+Waddington, Dr, Dean of Durham, i. 453
+
+Walcheren Expedition, iii. 76
+
+Wales, Albert Edward, Prince of, afterwards King Edward VII., birth,
+i. 364;
+  Order of Black Eagle conferred, i. 372;
+  christening, i. 376, 380;
+  education, i. 463, 475;
+  Grand Cross of St Andrew, ii. 17;
+  present from the King of the French, ii. 27;
+  Duke of Cornwall, ii. 100;
+  Irish title, ii. 224;
+  opening of new Coal Exchange, ii. _228_;
+  Foreign Orders, ii. 390;
+  confirmation, iii. 278;
+  visit to Napoleon at Cherbourg, iii. _296_;
+  visit to Rome, iii. 306, 311, 321;
+  tour in Canada and United States, iii. _380_, _411_, 413, 414;
+  visit to Coburg and Gotha, iii. _396_;
+  visit to Ireland, iii. _420_, 452;
+  goes to Cambridge, iii. _433_;
+  death of Prince Consort, iii. 476
+
+---- tollbar disturbances, i. _450_, 483, 492
+
+Walewski, Madame, iii. 333
+
+---- Count, ii. _133;
+  coup d'etat_, Paris, ii. _334_, 339, 344, 347, 407;
+  proposed marriage of Louis Napoleon, ii. _410_, 422, 429;
+  Eastern Question, ii. 442;
+  Prince Albert's visit to Louis Napoleon, iii. 42;
+  want of transports, iii. 51;
+  curious letter, iii. _85_, _154_;
+  Treaty of Peace, iii. _160_, _213_, 215;
+  right of asylum despatch, iii. _261_, _266_, 276;
+  and war with Austria, iii. 333, _333_;
+  resignation, iii. _383_
+
+Walker, Colonel, iii. 410
+
+Wallachia, iii. _262_
+
+Walmer Castle, i. 436;
+  Queen's visit to, i. 438, 443
+
+Walpole, Spencer, ii. 374;
+  Militia Bill, ii. 386, 388;
+  on education, ii. 390, _391_, 428; iii. 76;
+  Home Secretary, iii. 272, 278;
+  withdraws from Ministry, iii. _307_
+
+---- Sir Robert, i. 358
+
+War, Secretary at, duties of, i. 100;
+  power to appoint Commander-in-Chief, ii. _393_
+
+Warburton, Mr, Corn Law debate, i. 218
+
+Ward, Mrs Horatia, daughter of Lord Nelson, iii. 41;
+  pension for her children, iii. 40, 41
+
+---- Rev., Dean of Lincoln, ii. 46
+
+Warre, Lieut.-Gen., Sir Wm., i. 423
+
+Wasa, Princess Caroline Stephanie of, ii. 408
+
+Washington, Prince of Wales's reception at, iii. _405_
+
+Waterford, Queen's visit to, ii. 225
+
+---- Marquess of, i. 388
+
+Watson, Dr (afterwards Sir Thomas), Prince Consort's last illness,
+iii. 473
+
+---- Admiral, iii. 250
+
+Weikersheim, iii. 396
+
+Weimar, Grand Duke of, i. 180; iii. 456, 458
+
+Wellesley, Lord Charles, ii. 23
+
+---- Sir Arthur (afterwards Duke of Wellington), and Convention of Cintra,
+iii. _175_
+
+Wellington, Duke of, Foreign Secretary, i. _30_;
+  Reform Bill, i. 61, 89;
+  on Canadian difficulty, i. 100;
+  i. 106, 155;
+  interview with the Queen, i. 157;
+  convention of 1828, i. 229;
+  i. _253_;
+  illness, i. 259;
+  i. 300;
+  in the Cabinet, i. 309;
+  Roman Catholic Question, i. 365;
+  christening of the Prince of Wales, i. 376;
+  Commander-in-Chief, i. 420;
+  on duelling, i. _450_, 485;
+  i. 509;
+  Corn Laws, ii. 49, 63;
+  ii. 55, 63, 65;
+  on dissolution, ii. 81;
+  statue, ii. 95, 123, _124_;
+  Peninsular War medals, ii. 109, 113;
+  on intervention in Portugal, ii. 123;
+  on defence of England, ii. _141_;
+  Queen's tribute to, ii. 219;
+  Brevet promotions, ii. 227;
+  Sir Charles Napier's resignation, ii. 259;
+  views on formation of new Government, ii. 295;
+  appeal to, ii. 308, 309;
+  death, ii. _357_, 392;
+  Queen's appreciation of, ii. 394;
+  funeral arrangements, ii. 396;
+  India's homage to, ii. 401;
+  funeral, ii. 402
+
+---- College, foundation stone, iii. 195
+
+Welsh language, in schools, ii. 215
+
+Wemyss, Earl of, _see_ Elcho
+
+Wessenberg, Baron, ii. 197
+
+Westbury, Lord, _see_ Bethell, Sir Richard
+
+Westminster Abbey, the enthronisation, i. 121, 122
+
+Westminster, Marquess of, K.G., iii. _227_
+
+Westmorland, eleventh Earl of, Minister at Berlin, ii. 241, 250, 274;
+  question of decorations, iii. 202
+
+Weyer, Sylvain van de, Belgian Foreign Minister, i. 58, 61, 182, 205;
+  visit to the Queen, i. 255; ii. 299, 362, 372; iii. 101, 109, 386
+
+Whalley, Mr, M.P., iii. 402
+
+Wharncliffe, first Baron, Lord President of the Council, i. 299, 309
+
+Whateley, Richard, Archbishop of Dublin, i. 62
+
+Wheeler, General Sir Hugh, mutiny at Cawnpore, iii. _238_
+
+Whewell, Professor, i. 348
+
+Whig Party, and the Royal Family, i. 5;
+  power of, i. 20;
+  weakness of, i. _43_, _209_;
+  Ministry of, i. _56_, 66, _102_, 106;
+  resignation of, i. 154;
+  resume office, i. 171;
+  Queen's opinion of, i. 213;
+  verge of dissolution, i. 230;
+  defeat, i. _253_;
+  in jeopardy, i. 268;
+  vote of censure, i. 289;
+  dissolution, i. 301;
+  Cabinet, i. 308;
+  Corn Law debate, i. 465;
+  unable to take office, ii. _30_, 58-63;
+  and Protectionists, ii. _71_;
+  take office, ii, _71_;
+  Irish Coercion Bill, ii. 79, 81, 82;
+  and Cobden, ii. 84;
+  jealousies, ii. 86;
+  Factory Act, ii. _115_;
+  intervention in Portugal, ii. _123_;
+  Poor Law Commission, ii. 130;
+  repeal of Navigation Laws, ii. _208_, 219;
+  case of Don Pacifico and Mr. Finlay, ii. _231_, 233-239, _243_,
+  _244_, _247_;
+  suggested rearrangement of offices, ii. 236;
+  Foreign Policy defended, ii. 252;
+  in difficulties, ii. _283_;
+  Government defeat and resignation, ii. 288, 291;
+  return to office, ii. 314;
+  attempted fusion with Peelites, ii. 359;
+  Militia Bill, ii. 368;
+  resignation, ii. 368, 385;
+  confusion of parties, ii. 403;
+  defeat Government on House Tax, ii. 411, 412, 413, 423, 425;
+  Lord Aberdeen forms a new Government, ii. 412-430;
+  withdrawal of Reform Bill, iii. _16_, _23_;
+  resignation of Lord John Russell, iii. 58, 61, _63_, 73-76;
+  Lord Palmerston becomes Premier, iii. 76;
+  Roebuck Motion, iii. 76, 78;
+  and Lord John Russell, iii. 86;
+  Government of 1855, iii. 97, 102;
+  Cabinet, iii. 103, 108, _109_;
+  Lord John Russell accepts the Colonial Office, iii. _109_;
+  dissolution on Chinese debate, iii. _229_;
+  return to power, iii. _307_
+
+Whiteside, Mr, iii. 239
+
+Whiting, page to Queen Victoria, i. 12
+
+Wilberforce, Archdeacon (afterwards Bishop of Oxford), i. 333;
+ii. 35, 82, 135;
+  Divorce Bill, iii. 231, 232
+
+Wilkie, Sir David, i. 313
+
+William I., King of Prussia, _see_ Prussia
+
+---- King of the Netherlands, _see_ Holland
+
+---- IV. of England (formerly Duke of Clarence), politics, i. 5;
+  marriage, i. 8, 14, 24;
+  succession to the Throne, i. 19;
+  estrangement with Duchess of Kent, i. 19, _27_, 68;
+  death and review of his reign, i. 19, 20, _56_;
+  illness, i. 71, 72, 73;
+  death, i. 74;
+  his children, i. _258_
+
+Williams, General Fenwick, gallant defence of Kars, iii. _64_
+
+---- Mr, i. 374
+
+Willis's Rooms, iii. _341_
+
+Willoughby, Lord, receptions at Court, iii. 385
+
+Wilson, James, Financial Secretary to Treasury, afterwards Privy
+Councillor, ii. 190
+
+Wimpole, i. 504
+
+Winchester, Marquess of, ii. 393
+
+Windsor, Queen's opinion of, i. 85;
+  beauty of, i. 372
+
+Wiseman, Cardinal, made Archbishop of Westminster, ii. _232_, _273_, 278
+
+Woburn Abbey, Queen's visit to, i. 295
+
+Wodehouse, Lady, iii. 205
+
+---- Lord (afterwards Earl of Kimberley), iii. 377
+
+Women and Politics, Queen Victoria's view of, ii. 362
+
+Wood, Sir Charles (afterwards Viscount Halifax), Chancellor of the
+Exchequer, ii. 84, 86, 109, 130, _132_, 139, 312, 324, 359;
+  Seals of Office given up, ii. 375;
+  Board of Control, ii. 421;
+  and Disraeli, ii, _428_;
+  India Bill, ii. 447;
+  and Lord John Russell, iii. 59;
+  Government of, 1855, iii. 93, 97, 98;
+  India Board, iii. 104;
+  first Lord of Admiralty, 1855, iii. _109_, 149, 253;
+  position of Naval Force, iii. 191;
+  financial crisis, iii. 256;
+  Secretary for India, iii. 349;
+  Italian Policy, iii. 366;
+  Indian titles, iii. 394;
+  Indian Civil Service, iii. 398;
+  artillery in India, iii. 473;
+  letter on death of Prince Consort, iii. 474
+
+Woods, Sir William, i. 204
+
+Woolwich Arsenal, ii. _22_
+
+Worcester, Deanery of, ii. 40;
+  See of, iii. 416
+
+Wordsworth, Rev. Dr Christopher, Headmaster of Harrow, i. 348
+
+Woronzow, Prince Michael, i. 494
+
+Worsley, Lord, i. 287
+
+Woulfe, Stephen, afterwards Chief Baron for Ireland, i. 62
+
+Wrangel, General von, iii. 454
+
+Wuertemberg, Alexander, Duke of, marriage, i. 4
+
+---- Crown Prince of, iii. 458
+
+---- King of, marriage, i. 1;
+  visit to the Queen, i. 90
+
+---- Prince Alexander, of, i. 89, 144, 145, 199
+
+Wuertemberg, Princess Alexander of, death, i. 144, 150
+
+---- Queen of, i. 11;
+  visit to Frogmore, i. 13
+
+Wyse, Mr, British Envoy at Athens, ii. 229, 234, 235, _243_
+
+
+
+Yang-tze River, i. _442_
+
+Yeh, Chinese Governor, and Sir John Bowring, iii. _223_;
+  ultimatum, iii. _223_
+
+York, Duke of, character, i. 5, 10
+
+---- Prince Consort's visit to, ii. 184
+
+Yorke, Sir Joseph, death, i. _384_
+
+Young, Sir John, High Commissioner, iii. _309_
+
+"Young England" party, ii. _1_, 16
+
+
+
+Zichy, Count Eugene, i. 115
+
+Zollverein, i. 289
+
+Zouaves, iii. 136
+
+Zurich, Treaty of Peace at, iii. _308_, _374_
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+_Printed by Hazell, Watson & Viney, Ld., London and Aylesbury.
+Paper supplied by John Dickinson & Co., Ld., London._
+
+
+
+
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+
+
+Transcriber's note:
+
+ERRATA
+
+Page 20: extraneous "the" removed. (...what they are--the
+the Queen...)
+
+Page 111: _so-fond_: hyphen removed
+
+Page 142: 'as replaced with 'at'. (The great event has at length taken
+place...)
+
+Page 171: 'Fiday' corrected to 'Friday' (Lord Clarendon starts for
+Paris on Friday.)
+
+Page 209: (indistinct) 'a s' corrected to 'pas', to conform with
+wording of earlier draft (...ces dangers seront ecartes a l'instant
+que la France s'unira a nous pour tenir un langage ferme a la Russie
+qui tache de nous desunir et il ne faut pas qu'elle y reussisse.)
+
+Page 261: 'eighy' corrected to 'eighty' (...joined with eighty-four
+Liberals and four Peelites...)
+
+Page 281, Footnote 28: 'wote' corrected to 'wrote'.
+
+Page 325: 'sentimens' [sic; instead of 'sentiments'] (Lord Cowley a
+ete aupres de moi le digne interprete des sentiments de votre Majeste,
+....)
+
+Page 325: 'independans' [sic; instead of 'independants'] Etats
+independans.
+
+Page 325: 'sentimens' [sic; instead of 'sentiments'] C'est dans ces
+sentimens que je renouvelle a votre Majeste....
+
+[The omission of 't' in the above words may have been a personal
+idiom. They have been left as such.]
+
+Page 390: Date corrected from 7th March 1863 to 7th March 1860.
+
+Page 432: 'preseved' corrected to 'preserved' (...by which the peace
+of Europe may be preserved.)
+
+Page 444: '1831' corrected to '1851' (...your Majesty's sanction to
+that was obtained in 1851-52,...)
+
+Page 503: 'annxation' corrected to 'annexation'
+
+
+
+***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE LETTERS OF QUEEN VICTORIA,
+VOLUME III (OF 3), 1854-1861***
+
+
+******* This file should be named 28649.txt or 28649.zip *******
+
+
+This and all associated files of various formats will be found in:
+https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/2/8/6/4/28649
+
+
+
+Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions
+will be renamed.
+
+Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no
+one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation
+(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without
+permission and without paying copyright royalties.  Special rules,
+set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to
+copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to
+protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark.  Project
+Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you
+charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission.  If you
+do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the
+rules is very easy.  You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose
+such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and
+research.  They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do
+practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks.  Redistribution is
+subject to the trademark license, especially commercial
+redistribution.
+
+
+
+*** START: FULL LICENSE ***
+
+THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE
+PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK
+
+To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free
+distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work
+(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project
+Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project
+Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at
+https://www.gutenberg.org/license).
+
+
+Section 1.  General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm
+electronic works
+
+1.A.  By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm
+electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to
+and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property
+(trademark/copyright) agreement.  If you do not agree to abide by all
+the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy
+all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession.
+If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the
+terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or
+entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8.
+
+1.B.  "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark.  It may only be
+used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who
+agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement.  There are a few
+things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works
+even without complying with the full terms of this agreement.  See
+paragraph 1.C below.  There are a lot of things you can do with Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement
+and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic
+works.  See paragraph 1.E below.
+
+1.C.  The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation"
+or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic works.  Nearly all the individual works in the
+collection are in the public domain in the United States.  If an
+individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are
+located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from
+copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative
+works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg
+are removed.  Of course, we hope that you will support the Project
+Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by
+freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of
+this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with
+the work.  You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by
+keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project
+Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others.
+
+1.D.  The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern
+what you can do with this work.  Copyright laws in most countries are in
+a constant state of change.  If you are outside the United States, check
+the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement
+before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or
+creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project
+Gutenberg-tm work.  The Foundation makes no representations concerning
+the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United
+States.
+
+1.E.  Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg:
+
+1.E.1.  The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate
+access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently
+whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the
+phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project
+Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed,
+copied or distributed:
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+1.E.2.  If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived
+from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is
+posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied
+and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees
+or charges.  If you are redistributing or providing access to a work
+with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the
+work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1
+through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the
+Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or
+1.E.9.
+
+1.E.3.  If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted
+with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution
+must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional
+terms imposed by the copyright holder.  Additional terms will be linked
+to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the
+permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work.
+
+1.E.4.  Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm
+License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this
+work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm.
+
+1.E.5.  Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this
+electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without
+prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with
+active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project
+Gutenberg-tm License.
+
+1.E.6.  You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary,
+compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any
+word processing or hypertext form.  However, if you provide access to or
+distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than
+"Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version
+posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.org),
+you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a
+copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon
+request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other
+form.  Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm
+License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1.
+
+1.E.7.  Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying,
+performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works
+unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9.
+
+1.E.8.  You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing
+access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided
+that
+
+- You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from
+     the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method
+     you already use to calculate your applicable taxes.  The fee is
+     owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he
+     has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the
+     Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation.  Royalty payments
+     must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you
+     prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax
+     returns.  Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and
+     sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the
+     address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to
+     the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation."
+
+- You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies
+     you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he
+     does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm
+     License.  You must require such a user to return or
+     destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium
+     and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of
+     Project Gutenberg-tm works.
+
+- You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any
+     money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the
+     electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days
+     of receipt of the work.
+
+- You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free
+     distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works.
+
+1.E.9.  If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm
+electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set
+forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from
+both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael
+Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark.  Contact the
+Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below.
+
+1.F.
+
+1.F.1.  Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable
+effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread
+public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm
+collection.  Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic
+works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain
+"Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or
+corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual
+property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a
+computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by
+your equipment.
+
+1.F.2.  LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right
+of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project
+Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project
+Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project
+Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all
+liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal
+fees.  YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT
+LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE
+PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH F3.  YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE
+TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE
+LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR
+INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH
+DAMAGE.
+
+1.F.3.  LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a
+defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can
+receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a
+written explanation to the person you received the work from.  If you
+received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with
+your written explanation.  The person or entity that provided you with
+the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a
+refund.  If you received the work electronically, the person or entity
+providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to
+receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund.  If the second copy
+is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further
+opportunities to fix the problem.
+
+1.F.4.  Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth
+in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS', WITH NO OTHER
+WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO
+WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE.
+
+1.F.5.  Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied
+warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages.
+If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the
+law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be
+interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by
+the applicable state law.  The invalidity or unenforceability of any
+provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions.
+
+1.F.6.  INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the
+trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone
+providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance
+with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production,
+promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works,
+harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees,
+that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do
+or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm
+work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any
+Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause.
+
+
+Section  2.  Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm
+
+Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of
+electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers
+including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers.  It exists
+because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from
+people in all walks of life.
+
+Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the
+assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's
+goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will
+remain freely available for generations to come.  In 2001, the Project
+Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure
+and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations.
+To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation
+and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4
+and the Foundation web page at https://www.gutenberg.org/fundraising/pglaf.
+
+
+Section 3.  Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive
+Foundation
+
+The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit
+501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the
+state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal
+Revenue Service.  The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification
+number is 64-6221541.  Contributions to the Project Gutenberg
+Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent
+permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws.
+
+The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S.
+Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered
+throughout numerous locations.  Its business office is located at
+809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email
+business@pglaf.org.  Email contact links and up to date contact
+information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official
+page at https://www.gutenberg.org/about/contact
+
+For additional contact information:
+     Dr. Gregory B. Newby
+     Chief Executive and Director
+     gbnewby@pglaf.org
+
+Section 4.  Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg
+Literary Archive Foundation
+
+Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide
+spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of
+increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be
+freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest
+array of equipment including outdated equipment.  Many small donations
+($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt
+status with the IRS.
+
+The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating
+charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United
+States.  Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a
+considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up
+with these requirements.  We do not solicit donations in locations
+where we have not received written confirmation of compliance.  To
+SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any
+particular state visit https://www.gutenberg.org/fundraising/donate
+
+While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we
+have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition
+against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who
+approach us with offers to donate.
+
+International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make
+any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from
+outside the United States.  U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff.
+
+Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation
+methods and addresses.  Donations are accepted in a number of other
+ways including checks, online payments and credit card donations.
+To donate, please visit:
+https://www.gutenberg.org/fundraising/donate
+
+
+Section 5.  General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic
+works.
+
+Professor Michael S. Hart was the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm
+concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared
+with anyone.  For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project
+Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support.
+
+Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed
+editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S.
+unless a copyright notice is included.  Thus, we do not necessarily
+keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition.
+
+Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility:
+
+     https://www.gutenberg.org
+
+This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm,
+including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary
+Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to
+subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks.
+